Cedar Falls, Iowa provides several established campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Black Hawk County Park and George Wyth State Park Campground offer riverside camping along the Cedar River, while Big Woods Lake Recreation Area features lakeside sites with both tent and RV options. Most campgrounds in the area accommodate tent and RV camping, with a few locations like Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA and Big Woods Lake also offering cabin rentals. The region includes both county and state-managed properties, providing various levels of amenities and natural settings.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the area, with most campgrounds operating from spring through fall. George Wyth State Park operates from April 1 to December 31, while several others like Black Hawk County Park and Deerwood Park remain open year-round. Flooding can impact accessibility, particularly at riverside locations. "Because it is so close to river anytime it rains heavily there is flooding in several areas of the park. And almost every year it rains enough to flood a good portion of the park," noted one camper about George Wyth State Park.
Campers report high satisfaction with water-adjacent sites, particularly those along the Cedar River or near lakes. Many campgrounds feature electric hookups, showers, and flush toilets, though amenities vary by location. Highway noise affects some campgrounds, especially George Wyth State Park which sits between major roadways. "It was kind of loud, but it was busy. The bike trails are excellent and same for hiking," mentioned one visitor. The extensive bike trail system represents a significant draw, with paved paths connecting multiple parks and extending throughout Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Several campgrounds provide direct access to these trails, making them popular bases for cyclists exploring the Cedar Valley Trail network that spans over 100 miles of interconnected routes.
$16 - $24 / night
"** Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.)"
"Off a main highway, but you feel like you are a long ways from no where. If you are a biker there is a wonderful bike path."
"Just stayed one night passing through Iowa. Very pretty Campground with colorful Kabin’s and a lake for swimming or paddle boats. Level sites but not much shade."
"Played a bit of lake-side volleyball in the evening. Beautiful sunset!"
"Right on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp..."
"Nice park with a bike path around the lake. A few nature trails, but nothing I would call hiking. Two vault toilets placed on the bike path. One modern bathroom with showers in the campground."
"The lake is small, no wake lake - but great for using your SUP or kayaks."
"Nice lake very close to the campground."
$15 / night
"Surprisingly with it's location in relation to Hwy 20, it's actually pretty quiet. There is a paved trail that'll take you over to the lake so it's not a bad walk."
"Nice County camp ground (Black Hawk), Electric and non-electric sites. campground sits on edge of lake."
"It worked out well as I was tired of driving. There isn’t much to this place, which might be why I had the whole place to myself."
"Sigglekow Campground in Black Hawk County Iowa is one of a kind! Quite and secluded, if that's what you're looking for. To get out and decompress it's a great spot."
"Would be nice if it had gravel parking but that's a small inconvience.. also good kyack location."
"We like this campground a lot, very nice shade, playground area, as well as nice trails. Clean restrooms and shower stall"
"The trails and hiking was the best part though. We went for hours with our dogs and had so much fun. They were easy."
TravelerComing in from the west there is a large u-shaped pull-off to the left just before a gate that is used to close the road for flooding. There are no signs. The lot area appears to be mowed annually. I parked along the lake/river shore without issues and popped up my truck tent. Over 40 bird species and a curious bald eagle dropped in and observed me through sunset.
ScoutCampground Hosts were amazing. We were short on some food the first night, Chuck was gracious to lend us some food and a 30amp extension cord. We had some nasty weather that first night also and we received a call from the host asking how we were doing!
Very clean park and very family friendly! Also has an excellent pond for fishing.
Will absolutely be coming back
GuideJust spent one night. It’s self pay, and only $20per day, for water, electricity, picnic tables, and fire ring. They’re good sized spaces. There’s clean bathrooms
TravelerGreat, convenient campground at a very reasonable price $15 if you pay cash or $19 when paying via the QR code at each site. The location is sitting right along the river where I saw several people fishing. There’s also a small playground, which is a nice touch for families.
I stayed at a 30-amp electric-only site, so no water hookups or dump station, but there is a dumpster available for trash. Overall, it’s a simple, safe, well-maintained spot that offers good value, and I would definitely stay here again.
ScoutGreat place to camp and go swimming
TravelerArrived just before dusk and I was the only person in the park. Set up across the road from the Accessible Porta-potty. There is a nice playground for kids, and a couple of shelter houses. The park is set up to handle a large amount of horses with access to the trails throughout the park. The Iowa river backs up the park, and I felt it was a nice and peaceful evening.
Make sure you check out the boulder down by the creek!
There were just a couple of minor annoyances, and the first was someone’s dog barking at everything for a good part of the night, and the other was some machine noise down the road into the late evening. Other than that though, I felt it was a great time, and plan to visit again, maybe later in the summer or even in the winter, as the park is open all year.
The cost was$10 per night, and you can register on-site with a dropbox.
ScoutNice and quiet along a small river. No restroom, just a portapotty. Few fire rings, but we'll maintained. Canoe launch is just a dirt ramp.
TravelerWe visited Backbone State Park with our two young kids, and it quickly became one of our favorite Iowa getaways. The park’s rugged cliffs and shaded trails made it feel like a real adventure without being too challenging for little legs. The Backbone Trail was a hit– the kids loved scrambling over rocks and exploring the forest, and we loved that the scenery kept all of us engaged.
The campground was perfect for our family. Our site was spacious and tucked among the trees, giving the kids plenty of room to play while still feeling safe and close by. The restrooms were clean, the campground was quiet at night, and having a mix of electric and non-electric sites made it easy to choose what fit our setup. We could walk straight from our campsite to the lake and several trailheads, which made the trip feel super low-stress.
Overall, Backbone State Park gave us that great balance of adventure and ease— a beautiful spot where the kids could explore, and we could unwind together. It’s definitely a place we’ll return to.
LegendUnsure about this one. It is a small triangle of grassy land in between gravel roads and fields. It looks to be the remains of an old town by the sign present. I suppose one could set-up a tent here, but there was no signage stating that. I drove by in October and there was a roped off area right off the gravel for an “entrance” but it looks like a couple cars could park partially on the side of the road to use the picnic area and grounds.
Cedar Falls, Iowa camping options extend beyond the city limits, with locations ranging from river access points to lake-oriented facilities. The camping season typically runs May through October, though several campgrounds remain accessible year-round. Most campsites near Cedar Falls are situated within a 30-minute drive, providing convenient access to both natural settings and urban amenities.
Kayaking and paddleboarding on calm waters: Big Woods Lake Recreation Area provides excellent paddling opportunities with boat ramps and kayak launch spots. "A few nature trails, but nothing I would call hiking. Two vault toilets placed on the bike path... Two ramps for boats and two spots for kayaks or canoes. Nice paddling and usually pretty easy going," notes one visitor to Big Woods Lake.
Swimming at designated beaches: Several campgrounds offer swimming options during summer months. "There is a sand beach to swim, where they also rent kayaks & canoes. The campground is located along the Cedar river, for those who want to boat and fish on a river, as well as multiple lakes to fish and a lake to ski," shares a camper at George Wyth State Park Campground.
Exploring extensive bike trail networks: The Cedar Valley Trail system connects multiple parks and camping areas. "If you are a biker there is a wonderful bike path. It will take you all the way through Cedar Falls and Waterloo you could bike all day long. Nice little cozy places to enjoy lunch along the bike trail," explains a visitor about George Wyth State Park.
Clean, well-maintained facilities: Most campgrounds receive positive reviews for their upkeep. "This is a clean and well kept campground. There are great paved trails, and it is close to the free John Deere Museum, and the Cedar Valley Arboretum," mentions a camper at George Wyth State Park.
Waterfront camping options: Sites along rivers and lakes remain popular. At Cedar Bend Park, "There was a giant wood pile where you could grab wood for a donation in the box and a wheelbarrow was provided to use which was quite convenient. The trails and hiking was the best part though. We went for hours with our dogs and had so much fun."
Access to water recreation: Fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities enhance the camping experience. At Grundy County Lake and Campground, visitors appreciate the lake access, though note it's "a little walk or drive from camp ground."
Limited shade at newer campgrounds: Several campgrounds lack mature trees. "I was always hesitant to camp here with it being new with no mature trees. Surprisingly with it's location in relation to Hwy 20, it's actually pretty quiet," reports a camper at Grundy County Lake.
Highway noise affects some locations: Road noise impacts certain campgrounds. "It was kind of loud, but it was busy. The lake for swimming was a little gross but we did it anyway. The bike trails are excellent and same for hiking," explains a visitor to George Wyth State Park.
Seasonal mosquito populations: Insects can be prevalent, especially near water. "I'm not giving it a 5 star rating for two reasons: one there are a lot of mosquitoes (I get that it is their home), and two the showers are the type that don't allow you to mix your own water temperature," notes a camper at George Wyth State Park.
Playground access: Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA offers extensive family amenities. "Decent sites with full hook ups. Little shade with small trees next to about each site. Gas, propane, laundry room, beach area, small boat rentals, good sized convenience store with ice, beer, snacks, milkshake machine, etc. Enough to do for a day or two without going to the water park."
Water activities for children: Several campgrounds feature beaches and swimming areas. "There is a small beach at Wyth Lake," notes a visitor to George Wyth State Park, adding that the park offers "kayaks, canoes or pedal boats" for rent near the campground.
Camping near attractions: Consider proximity to local points of interest. "If you're looking for a wooded campground that offers you both quiet sites to relax but also offers a variety of activities for all ages, this is the place for you," shares a camper about George Wyth State Park, mentioning its "large sand playground area with slides and swings."
Site selection considerations: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy and space. At Siggelkov County Park, "Sigglekow Campground in Black Hawk County Iowa is one of a kind! Quite and secluded, if that's what you're looking for. To get out and decompress it's a great spot. Has electric sites and also places to tent camp right on the Wapsi River."
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, though water and sewer access varies. "We had the RV and used the electric hookup. We found that it was quite a peaceful campground when we went," reports a visitor to Cedar Bend Park.
Payment methods: Some facilities require cash payment. At Deerwood Park, "Good place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there tent camping available near Cedar Falls?
Yes, tent camping is available near Cedar Falls. Black Hawk County Park offers tent camping with boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in access options, providing water and toilet facilities. For a more unique experience, Timmons Grove County Park has tent sites available at $18/night, though all sites have electric hookups. The park offers a quieter experience, as it's typically not very busy, making it ideal for tent campers looking for a more peaceful setting.
What are the best campgrounds in Cedar Falls, Iowa?
George Wyth State Park Campground is one of the top options in Cedar Falls, offering affordable rates ($16 for electric sites, $11 for non-electric) and a variety of recreational activities including fishing, kayaking, boating, and swimming. The park connects to excellent bike trails that extend through Cedar Falls. Another excellent option is Big Woods Lake Campground and Recreation Area, which provides easy access to water activities and is conveniently located near Cedar Falls.
What amenities are available at George Wyth State Park campground?
George Wyth State Park campground offers a range of amenities for campers. Electric sites ($16) and non-electric sites ($11) are available, with rates decreasing in the off-season (October-April). The campground features bathroom facilities, though they've been described as basic. Recreational amenities include a sand beach for swimming, kayak/canoe/pedal boat rentals, fishing access, extensive bike trails, and hiking paths. For families, there's a large sand playground with slides and swings. The park's setting offers wooded sites that provide a feeling of seclusion despite being close to Cedar Falls and a main highway.
Can I go RV camping around Cedar Falls?
Yes, RV camping is readily available around Cedar Falls. Prairie Bridges Park is a quiet small-town campground that accommodates RVs and offers great walking paths and scenery. Riverview Park Campground provides RV sites with hookups, though it is located near a highway which might affect noise levels. Both options are within a reasonable driving distance from Cedar Falls and offer the amenities needed for a comfortable RV camping experience.
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