Best Tent Camping near Centerville, IA

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Centerville? Find the best information on tent campgrounds near Centerville, including sites, reviews, and tips. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Centerville, IA (12)

    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area
    Camper-submitted photo from Union Ridge Conservation Area

    1. Union Ridge Conservation Area

    3 Reviews
    10 Photos
    21 Saves
    Kirksville, Missouri

    Visit the Missouri Department of Conservation's website for more information.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Tents
    • Toilets
    • No image available

      2. Rathbun Marina

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      Moravia, Iowa

      This recreation area is part of Rathbun Lake

      • Tents
      • No image available
        Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
        Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
        Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
        Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
        Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
        Camper-submitted photo from Woodburn - Stephens Forest
        • No image available
          • No image available

            6. Otter Creek Park

            2 Reviews
            12 Saves
            Indianola, Iowa
            • Pets
            • Fires
            • Phone Service
            • Tents
            • Standard (Tent/RV)
            • Dispersed
            • No image available
              • No image available
                Camper-submitted photo from South Overlook (IA)
                Camper-submitted photo from South Overlook (IA)

                9. South Overlook (IA)

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                2 Photos
                1 Save
                Pella, Iowa

                Overview

                North Overlook Picnic Shelter is located adjacent from North Overlook Campground on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.____ For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here:Lake Red Rock Website__

                Recreation

                Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, walleye, largemouth and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.

                Facilities

                North Overlook Picnic Shelter is a conventional open shelter that offers 20 amp electrical service, picnic tables, an outdoor grill, fire ring, water fountain and nearby flush toilets.__ If your event is open to the public, greater than 100 people, involves live or amplified music, or if alcohol will be available to attendees, you may need an event permit. Click the link below to apply for an event permit:Special Event Permit __If shelter is not reserved, it is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.Shelter occupancy is permitted until dusk.

                Natural Features

                Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lake shore at North Overlook, offering shade and scenic views. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrates through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March. White-tailed deer, turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake.

                Nearby Attractions

                Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.

                Charges & Cancellations

                A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Cancel or change reservations through recreation.com or by calling 1-877-444-6677. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.

                • Pets
                • Fires
                • Electric Hookups
                • Tents
                • Group
                • Picnic Table

                $50 / night

                Camper-submitted photo from North Overlook Picnic Shelter (IA)

                10. North Overlook Picnic Shelter (IA)

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                1 Photo
                2 Saves
                Pella, Iowa

                Overview

                South Tailwater Picnic Shelter is located on the Des Moines River on the south end of Red Rock Dam adjacent from the visitor center on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.____ For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here: Lake Red Rock Website __

                Recreation

                Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, walleye, largemouth and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.

                Facilities

                South Tailwater Picnic Shelter is a conventional open shelter that offers 20 amp electrical service, picnic tables, an outdoor grill, and nearby flush toilets.__ If your event is open to the public, greater than 100 people, involves live or amplified music, or if alcohol will be available to attendees, you may need an event permit. Click the link below to apply for an event permit: Special Event Permit__ If shelter is not reserved, it is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Shelter occupancy is permitted until dusk.

                Natural Features

                South Tailwater is situated on the south bank of the Des Moines River, offering scenic views. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrates through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March. White-tailed deer, turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake.

                Nearby Attractions

                Lake Red Rock is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.

                Charges & Cancellations

                A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Cancel or change reservations through recreation.com or by calling 1-877-444-6677. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.

                • Pets
                • Fires
                • Electric Hookups
                • Tents
                • Group

                $50 / night

              Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

              Recent Tent Reviews in Centerville

              132 Reviews of 12 Centerville Campgrounds


              • GThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Lake Paho
                Aug. 28, 2024

                Lake Paho

                Sparsly Used Dark sky Campsite

                Very nice view of the lake, lots of campsites around the lake. Not many lights around and no big cities and a low horizon so it’s a good place to visit for a visual observation night with a telescope or binos. Only one other camper at my campsite when I visited, so it’s a good weekend retreat from the city life. This is a primitive campsite; there are two waterless bathrooms and 8 or so gravel spots at site B on the Eastern side of the lake.

              • James P.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Roberts Creek West Campground
                Aug. 18, 2024

                Roberts Creek West Campground

                Roberts Creek - East

                East not west as satellite view in Dyrt is old and doesn’t show East campground. I did add a screenshot of current satellite view. FHU. Easy in and around campground. A lot of space between sites. Sites are fairly level with hard pack gravel.

              • Greg K.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
                May. 16, 2024

                Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

                Beautiful park

                Nice drive in gorgeous country. 23$ site without water 28 w/ water 35 full hookups. Decent showers nice playground for kids lakeside spots as well. The host sells firewood and 2 sizes of ice. Cheap too. Walking trails nearby.

              • Renee H.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
                May. 7, 2024

                Howell Station

                Large spacious campground

                Well maintained campground with mature shade trees. Gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required. Poor Verizon cell signal, no internet signal. Not much natural privacy between sites, but sites were well spaced apart. Paved trail nice for biking and walking. Fishing nearby and the Dutch themed town of Pella is a short drive and a must see. Bathrooms and showers were nice, clean. Handicap camp site and bathhouse available. Firewood for sale at front gate. The potable water available at the dump station was clear and good for drinking. Dump station is easily accessible. Dumpsters were positioned around the campground. Staff was friendly. The night we stayed, there was a severe weather threat, and the staff, at the end of the night, had unlocked the storm shelters (utility area in the middle of the bathhouses) should the need arise. We ended up having to seek shelter because of a tornado warning.

              • Marie M.
                Camper-submitted photo from Eveland Access
                Oct. 26, 2023

                Eveland Access

                Glendale Access

                20 bucks a day you submit your fill out sheet at the service area and drop it off in a drop box.

              • M
                Camper-submitted photo from Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake
                Oct. 23, 2023

                Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

                Beautiful fall camping site

                We really enjoyed our stay at site 4 in the woods. It was absolutely beautiful with the fall colors and leaves falling all around us. We also enjoyed the trails around our site and a pretty view of a pond a short walk away. Anna was very responsive and gave thorough directions for us. We would stay again.

              • DThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Lakeside Co Park
                Oct. 18, 2023

                Lakeside Co Park

                Nice lake, but run down campsites.

                First, there is no dump station! All sites have water and electricity with 20, 30, and 60 amp plugs. The sites are 20 dollars. The campsites located near the entrance are pull-through but need maintenance. The campsites along the lake will support short to medium length RVs or trailers, and all are back in. As of this posting, all are not level and in poor condition. The city of Huneston, Iowa is a few minutes away and has several gas stations and a grocery store.

              • J
                Camper-submitted photo from Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake
                Oct. 8, 2023

                Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

                We had a great time at this site:) …

                We had a great time at this site:) Anna was very responsive and helpful when we had questions. I would definitely recommend to others, and I would return again.

              • AThe Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Wallashuck
                Jul. 19, 2023

                Wallashuck

                Convenience with some space

                We were able to camp in a tent near RVs without feeling crowded. The restrooms, showers, and playground were all close by…great for camping with kids. There were some nicer than ours and some with less privacy or further away than we’d prefer.

                A nice mix of convenience and privacy. Perfect location to showers and playground for kids. Ample space for our needs, but not overly private

              • Meredith L.
                Camper-submitted photo from Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock
                Jun. 5, 2023

                Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock

                Perfect Weekend Getaway for EVERYONE!

                This park is beautiful with plenty to do and see. We camped out at site 82 which is a non-electric site and close to a Red Rock Lake shoreline. Spots are pretty close but they perfectly have grass tall enough to give you some privacy between spots. I was never bothered by either neighbors. The grass also gives you a path to the water spout. The staff member at the front was such a gentlemen and helped us with our firewood. There are some walking paths down to the lake which you can fish from. The views by the lake are beautiful too. The only thing to keep in mind with this spot is it is as far away from the bathrooms as possible. I, personally, didn't mind, but wanted to make note of it. We will be returning to this park. 

                Restrooms: Cleaner than I expected! And they are not port-a-potty type bathrooms, plumbing with nice stalls, toilets and sinks. 

                Dog-friendliness: My dog LOVED this campground. We kept her on a long-line stake(per parks' guidelines) and she had plenty of room to roam. 

                Picnic area: A picnic table is provided but they are older, so I recommend bringing your own table cloth and some towels or something for the seats.

              • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Papa's Alpacas Campsites
                Jan. 12, 2023

                Papa's Alpacas Campsites

                Meet alpacas, goats and donkeys!

                Ashley here with The Dyrt. We're excited to welcome this partner to our platform. Randy is your host, and would love to take you on a tour on his farm. There are 4 sites in total, all with stunning 360  rolling hill views. A shared toilet and shower are available! Check them out and post some pictures here. Happy Camping!

              • Melissa W.
                Camper-submitted photo from Lacey-Keosauqua State Park
                Nov. 10, 2022

                Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

                Lacey Keosauqua State Park

                Stayed for a week in mid November. Although we had a storm at the beginning and end the overall stay was great. Weather ranged from 50s to 70s during the day and 30s to 40s at night. There were only 4 other sites occupied with a few ins and out during the week. I could see the spring and summer months getting busy with lake use. Trails were well maintained and tended even late into the season. My pups and I loved walking the lake loop (2.1miles) every day. Bonus: the deer came out each evening to forage.

              • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Little River Recreation Area
                Oct. 28, 2022

                Little River Recreation Area

                Off the beaten path and very quiet

                General: This small county park (16 electric, 14 tent sites plus three cabins) is not reservable which might be an issue on summer weekends but on a Sunday in April, was no problem. Including us, only three sites were occupied. The rates are very reasonable -$15 for electric, and $12 for tent sites. 

                Site Quality/Facilities: Each site has a generous-sized picnic table and fire ring. Some sites are better than others, however. Sites 2 and 3 (both electric) are sloped down and the driveway is a bit overgrown. No physical separation between sites which when we were there was not an issue but might be when more crowded. Some of the sites have a direct water view but again, some are more sloped than others. 

                Bathhouse: A short hike uphill from all sites but it was very clean when we were there. The showers also looked clean, but I did not use them so cannot comment on how well they worked. 

                Activities/Amenities: Fishing! We saw a few boats on the water when we were there and there were two docks, one of them handicapped accessible. Swimming is not allowed but there is a nice day-use area not far down the road with a nice beach and picnic area. There are also horseshoe pits and a small but very nice playground. No hiking trails that I could discern. There was also a small little free library. 

                When we were there, we appreciated the quiet, out-of-the-way setting. It is close to the town of Leon but we circumvented it on the way in and out so I don’t know what services might be available.

              • Evan G.
                Camper-submitted photo from Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake
                Oct. 4, 2022

                Nature Haven at Red Rock Lake

                Peaceful, beautiful, incredible

                The perfect drive up private campsite you will find in Iowa. Very quiet with a beautiful view of three ponds and a sunset you will not want to miss. There are four campsites and a soon-to-be glamp site. Spacious, tranquil, and private. Halfway between Pella and Knoxville and on the lake red rocks peninsula, this is a must stay campsite.

              • Tiffany K.
                Camper-submitted photo from Howell Station
                Sep. 6, 2022

                Howell Station

                All Around Pleasant Campground

                Humble campground. There are lots of electric sites available for RVs and the sites are all very flat. There is ample grass area. The bathrooms and showers are well kept. The grounds have play sets and swings for kids. There are some great paved paths to walk or bike. It's a good place to fish or bird watch.

              • K
                Camper-submitted photo from Thousand Hills State Park Campground
                Sep. 5, 2022

                Thousand Hills State Park Campground

                Very clean and well kept

                I stayed one night for an activity at the state park the following day. The shower houses had individual, private, large, and very clean facilities. It was not crowded at all. Campground #2 was the smaller of the two campgrounds. The spots seemed more fitting for RV’s vs tent but there were a couple of tents. I slept in my van so it wasn’t an issue for me. I may reconsider visiting this park for tent camping.

              • Victor S.
                Camper-submitted photo from North Overlook Camp
                Jul. 31, 2022

                North Overlook Camp

                Decent Campground, but Subpar Tent Camping

                This campground sits right next to a busy highway and the tent spots are right out front and have very little shade. The tent spots are very close to a busy highway. The tent spots are also VERY close together which is frustrating.

                The lake is right next to the tent spots and you can walk to the beach which is nice. 

                The water faucet was pretty far from the tent spots near the front. Bathrooms are new. There's a playground for the kids which is nice.

                The RV camping is all within nice shaded areas. I wish the tent spots were back there.

              • Jacob  W.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest
                Jul. 7, 2022

                Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest

                Vibrant Iowa forest in summer

                I tent camped at “Mine Pond Campground” in Stephen’s State Forest in July 2022. I arrived about 8:15pm and had about 45 minutes of daylight to pitch camp. The campground feels deep in a vibrant Iowa forest surrounded by lush greenery. That said, mosquitoes swarmed me instantly. And “Mine Pond” is a small muddy pond without the most remote possibility of swimming. The pond kind of seems too small to fish but maybe. A storm blew in around dark and it rained much of the night. The frogs sang loudly deep into the night (see my video for the audio), which I enjoyed. A pair of barred owls hooted and laughed in the dark trees. I departed early while it was still dark. I don’t think I’ll return to this place.

              • Jackson M.The Dyrt PRO User
                Camper-submitted photo from South Fork Marina
                Jun. 13, 2022

                South Fork Marina

                Closed indefinitely

                Campground no longer exist, it’s over grown, it would be a good stealth campsite if u don’t mind trespassing



              Frequently Asked Questions

              • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Centerville, IA?

                According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Centerville, IA is Union Ridge Conservation Area with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

              • What is the best site to find tent camping near Centerville, IA?

                TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Centerville, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.