Cascade, IA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Cascade, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.
$15 - $25 / night
"This is a great weekend stay, with short trails that show some beautiful and unusual scenery for central Iowa. The natural bridge is incredible, and the sites are well spaced out."
"Fire wood is available near the bathrooms with a donation box. Best part of this campsite was the walking distance from Maquoketa Caves State Park site with beautiful hiking trails easy to explore."
"Apparently there are also good trails, as many of the campers have ATV’s parked at their sites. The shower house, under the office, was spacious and clean."
"Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails."
"Fishing seemed popular in catfish creek about 50 feet away from our sight. There is a sign that states firewood is for sale at 6pm but the ranger was about 45 min late bc he tends to two other parks."
"Trails, nature center, shelters, restrooms/showers, and lake access for beach, paddling, fishing, etc. Prairie plantings mixed in the wooded areas."
"Beautiful little lake. Nice beach area. Camping sites pretty level. Park has free WiFi."
$35 - $105 / night
"The golf course was pretty and the area around the campsites was nice. This campsite was right off the highway so it was super easy to get in and out of. We had good phone service here. No wifi."
"General: This is a small (29-site) county park campground situated along the North Fork Maquoketa River. Nine of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served."
"Great campground near Dyersville, IA (home to The Field Of Dreams site). The campground is a lollipop loop with sites on one side along the creek and on the other along woods."
"37 full-hookup sites, some tent sites, all right on edge of town. Adjacent to Kitty Creek, joins Maquoketa River. Some concrete pads, most are gravel, fairly level."
"People driving around the pond didn't even know we were there! The camping spot was beautiful (although you have to watch out for nettles). Great fishing while we were there too."
"Near Lost Nation, Oxford Junction, and Wyoming, IA this park is an unexpected find in rural, eastern Iowa. The camping areas have expanded."
"Well we found a pretty good one that is relatively close to our home and is rarely reserved. Its only 1 hour North of the Quad Cities where I live & open year round!"
TravelerThis is our go to campground! We have stayed at this campground several times and plan to several more times! Half of the campgrounds is first come first serve, the other half is reserve only.
LegendThis campground is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of an outdoor recreation complex around a large dam on the Iowa River. The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay. The recreation area also includes campgrounds and river recreation downstream of the dam, including a gorge of geologic interest that is filled with Devonian fossils exposed in the flood of 1993.
This review is for the West Overlook campground located on the lakeside upstream of the dam. This is one of the larger campgrounds at Coralville Lake, and is popular due to the large sandy beach, the modern boatlaunch area, and options for a variety of kinds of campsites in separate loops. Some of the loops are close to the lake or in various heights overlooking the lake, some loops are tucked into beautiful shady woods further inland. As a tent camper I chose one of the loops in the woods as the sites are larger and quieter and more spacious. All of the loops seem family friendly and pretty quiet even though pretty full. There are new modern bath houses with showers, and hiking trails all around. There is easy access to a nearby mountain bike trail complex, the state park, fishing, and boating. This seems to be a camping destination for a lot of folks in the area, but is also an easy stopover right off Interstate 80 for folks on road trips. It is also a nice and inexpensive basecamp for folks visiting Iowa City or the University of Iowa, only about a 15-20 minute drive away. My most recent time camping here was this month, May 2025, but I have camped here many times in the past as far back as 1964, and the campground improvements and recreation opportunities have just gotten better and better over the years. Its a popular location, so Spring camping is quieter; fall camping is also quiet, and the fall leaves are beautiful then.
TravelerThis is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa. Their is a modern campsite on the north side as well. This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful. Two views of the lake, a modern bathroom and a pit style bathroom as well, no showers though. Plenty of wildlife, great for fishing, or just relaxing. The only cons: Shower house 8 miles away at north campsite, may need your own toilet paper as not always restocked quickly. Expect the usual run ins with raccoons, coyotes, and other wild life and guard your food from them. Pros: the view, spacious sites, peaceful, fishing
ScoutAll reservable spots...clean bathrooms, showers and spots. Beautiful park!
TravelerHidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful.
ScoutOwners bought the campground in 2022 and have ruined it.Over 80 seasonal families gone in a matter of a year. They are just not a nice family. They don't mow, they don't keep the Cedar River landing clean, they have music until 2 and 3 in the morning.... NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY at all. Just LOOK INTO THEIR BACKGROUNDS.... The owners are thieves, liars and not good people!!! They moved here from the Nebraska/Iowa boarder and MAN DO THEY HAVE A BAD BACKGROUND!!! Totally research before you put your camper out there. They have not given deposits back. They have kicked seasonal campers out in June, July and August with NO REFUNDS!
LegendThis seasonal campground offer spacious sites, including tables, firings, and decent shade, depending on the season. I met include restrooms and showers, campground host with firewood, available, trash, bins, playground area, trails nearby, I shelter to rent, a golf course across from the entrance, And the park has a hole offers a pool, a lake for fishing and paddling. There is also a historical pioneer Village at the north end.
LegendResort has many options: even camp sites,4 villas, resort inn rooms. Sites have hard surfaces, fire rings, water, electric. No shade since trees have not been plant s as well f this date. Boat ramp nearby, resort has restaurant, playground, water park.
TravelerTerrific access to electric site near the bathroom! All to ourselves
Camping near Cascade, Iowa, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. From stunning views to unique activities, there’s something for everyone in this scenic area.
Camping near Cascade, Iowa, has its quirks, but with the right preparation, it can be a fantastic experience for everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cascade, IA is Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 32 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Cascade, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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