Best Campgrounds near Cedar Rapids, IA

Several good camping spots sit within driving distance of Cedar Rapids. Families often head to Oelwein City Park Campground where the sites give you enough room to spread out and you'll find regular bathrooms and other basics. Many campers also like Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, known for its interesting rock formations and quiet setting. You can reach both places on good roads that work fine for cars pulling campers or just driving in with tents. Watch out for local wildlife - keep your food locked up so animals don't come looking for a snack. The camping season changes dramatically here - spring and fall bring comfortable temperatures and colorful trees, while summer gets hot enough that you'll need to drink plenty of water and use sunscreen. Many places shut down in winter, so call ahead before planning a cold-weather trip. Most campgrounds in the area have standard amenities like bathrooms and tables for eating. You'll find trails for walking and other things to do if you want to be active. Cedar Rapids puts you close to some nice natural areas in Iowa. The region has both quiet spots and places with more to do, depending on what kind of camping trip you want.

Best Camping Sites Near Cedar Rapids, Iowa (116)

    1. Sugar Bottom Campground

    23 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2102

    $14 - $240 / night

    "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."

    "Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors, and Macbride State Park as well."

    2. Lake Macbride State Park Campground

    15 Reviews
    Coralville Lake, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $20 / night

    "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "

    "Close access to boating and town"

    3. Palisades-Kepler State Park

    9 Reviews
    Ely, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 895-6039

    $12 - $80 / night

    "Great walking trails through wooded areas near the river. Beautiful place."

    "Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."

    4. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)

    6 Reviews
    Marion, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    $23 - $33 / night

    "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. "

    "There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through."

    5. F. W. Kent Park

    17 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 645-2315

    $20 / night

    "We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."

    "It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."

    6. West Overlook Campground

    16 Reviews
    Coralville, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 338-3685

    $22 - $28 / night

    "The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."

    "LuLu and I stayed for 10 days while visiting family in Iowa City. The campground hosted mainly locals but it’s only a couple of miles off the I80."

    7. Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Atkins, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    "Trails close by and only about 5 min from expressway."

    "Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping expirence but still have work or other things to get done."

    8. Amana RV Park & Event Center

    10 Reviews
    Amana, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 622-7616

    $25 - $42 / night

    "Relatively wide open, sites adjacent to one another. Utilities all worked fine, decently maintained."

    "Campground is a nice bike ride away from the Amana villages and overall a great base camp"

    9. Morgan Creek County Park

    3 Reviews
    Palo, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 396-2363

    $23 - $40 / night

    10. Scales Pointe Camping and Boating

    4 Reviews
    Coralville Lake, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 665-3474

    "The couple downfalls is the shower and bath house is outdated and there's no swimming area on this side of the lake. Other than that I had a blast."

    "Just looking for a layover spot after a long day of driving. Couldn't figure out where to register so we walked into the bar/restaurant, Bobber's Grill. The owner was at the bar."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 116 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cedar Rapids, IA

410 Reviews of 116 Cedar Rapids Campgrounds



Guide to Cedar Rapids

Camping near Cedar Rapids offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent or an RV.

What to do:

  • Explore Caves: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, you can hike through beautiful trails and explore unique caves. One visitor said, "The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous."
  • Fishing and Swimming: Backbone State Park has a lovely lake for swimming and canoe rentals. A reviewer mentioned, "Couldn't swim on our stay but nice beach canoe rentals."
  • Hiking Trails: Lake Macbride State Park Campground is right next to trails. One camper noted, "Right next to trails, quiet, pretty level sites."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground said, "Very clean, for me the star attraction here was the solo bathroom & shower both together with lockable door for extreme privacy."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large, well-maintained sites. A reviewer at Scott County Park mentioned, "The sites themselves are HUGE and some of them would accommodate the largest camping rigs you could imagine."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the scenic views. One visitor at George Wyth State Park Campground said, "This park has hiking (on path or off), fishing in multiple lakes and the cedar river, and a beach!!!"

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at George Wyth State Park Campground warned, "There were tremendous amounts of mosquitoes at the campground during our visit."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground noted, "There’s no place to buy firewood nearby so come prepared."
  • Busy Seasons: Expect crowds during peak seasons. A reviewer at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground mentioned, "We were dismayed when we arrived at 3 pm on a Sunday to find the place packed with day-use visitors."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A camper at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA said, "Kids had fun at the swimming pond."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring your own food or check for nearby stores. A visitor at F. W. Kent Park mentioned, "Easy to get to amenities and grocery stores."
  • Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A camper at Shady Creek noted, "Everyone was respectful of quiet hours and very friendly."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "The sites here are closer together."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A visitor at Backbone State Park said, "Overall, it is a nice campground with decent space in between campers."
  • Cell Service: Check for cell service availability. A camper at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA noted, "We had 4 bar LTE with Verizon."

Camping around Cedar Rapids has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Cedar Rapids, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Cedar Rapids, IA is Sugar Bottom Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 23 reviews.

What parks are near Cedar Rapids, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Cedar Rapids, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.