Cascade, Iowa sits at the eastern edge of the Driftless Area, a unique region untouched by glaciers during the last ice age. This topography creates steeper terrain than typical Iowa landscapes, with elevations ranging from 750 to 950 feet above sea level. Winter camping near Cascade often sees temperatures dropping into the teens, with summer highs regularly reaching the mid-80s.
What to do
Hiking the backbone trail: At Backbone State Park, trails offer varied difficulty levels through forested terrain. "We hiked on the famous Backbone trail - a really fun hike that isn't too incredibly long. The grounds were well kept and we had a phenomenal time," shares Rachel H., who camped with a Girl Scout troop.
Fishing for trout: The cold-water streams support stocked trout populations, particularly in spring and fall. "Spoke to Ed the previous years campground host. Super nice and friendly... A very enjoyable experience after walking through streams and hiking trails," notes Blythe B. about her fishing trip at Backbone State Park.
Paddling the Wapsipinicon River: Access points near Matsell Bridge Natural Area provide canoe and kayak launch sites. "The 4th of July weekend it was us, one other camper and the random one nighters... By the 3rd morning the river had risen to the point of flooding out our campsite. The DNR let us switch sites for our last night," recounts Randi C., highlighting the river's changeable nature.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) offers room to spread out. "The sites are very spacious with some shade, a fire ring, and picnic table provided. The nearest grocery store was within 5 miles," explains Clint G., who spent 9 nights at the park.
Clean facilities: Many campers mention well-maintained bathrooms as a highlight. "Clean bathrooms, showers and spots. Beautiful park!" notes Edward B. about South Lake Campground at Backbone State Park, which features updated shower houses.
Quiet atmosphere: Less-developed sites provide more solitude. "The 4th of July weekend it was us, one other camper and the random one nighters," describes Randi C. about Matsell Bridge Natural Area. Parker H. adds about Wakpicada Natural Area: "Campsites right next to the pond and good tree cover made the experience fun anyway. Good bass and panfish fishing with quiet campgrounds that aren't right next to each other."
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: Horse campgrounds near Cascade, Iowa are minimal. Scott County Park's Equestrian Campground offers primitive accommodations for riders. "The site offers a hard service to park on, picnic table, fire pit, charcoal grill, outhouse, horse tie up, and equestrian trailhead," explains James M., noting the basic facilities available.
Seasonal pest considerations: Bug activity varies by season. "Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up," warns Carol M. about Matsell Bridge. She advises: "Take bug spray and enjoy the rustic peacefulness of this 'best kept secret' for primitive and inexpensive camping sites."
Weather variability: Exposure to wind differs across campgrounds. "This campground is noted for its rip-roaring winds," writes Josh F. about Wisconsin Ridge campground at Wyalusing State Park. One camper told him "their shelter took off and tumbled down the valley" during a stormy night.
Tips for camping with families
Trail difficulty assessment: Choose appropriate hikes based on children's abilities. "I went with a group of entering sixth grade Girl Scouts on a weekend tent camping trip to this park. The campsites were simple to access and the grounds were easy to navigate," shares Rachel H. about Backbone State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Dawn and dusk offer best animal sighting chances. "We loved waking up in the morning and going for a walk along the many trails, seeing deer on the trail, and the lake," reports Larissa C., who camped at Backbone during October.
Off-season camping benefits: Fall visits provide colorful foliage with fewer crowds. "We went camping at Backbone for a friend's wedding that was taking place at the park's lodge... during October. It was gorgeous!" enthuses Larissa C. about her autumn experience.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional equipment for proper setup. "We camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance. Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers," notes Clint G. about his extended stay at Wanatee Park.
Hookup availability: Water and electric connections vary between parks. "No full hook ups - must fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available," advises Edward B. about South Lake Campground at Backbone State Park.
Access road considerations: Approach routes may present challenges for larger vehicles. "Roads in here are gravelly but manageable if you take it slow, but you don't really want to be coming here if you're toting a 5th wheel or driving an RV," explains Stuart K. about the equestrian area at Scott County Park, one of the few equestrian camping options near Cascade.
