Join the fun near Central City. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Iowa camping has to offer. Discover great camping spots near Central City, reviewed by campers like you.
$11 - $16 / night
A wide variety of natural and recreational features can be found at the 352-acre Morgan Creek County Park. The arboretum and butterfly park is plentiful with over 250 species of native and exotic trees and shrubs, which is located on the northside of the park at 7439 Worcester Rd, Palo.
$23 - $40 / night
$33 / night
Bailey's Ford has everything you need for a night or a week. It's clean and beautiful. Trout stream, trails, river access, showers and a playground. I recommend!
Camp offers site for all tastes: primitive and modern cabins and lodges, tents for small or large groups and couples. Hard roads, fire pits, tables, water, showers, supplies. Surrounded by nature with forest, prairie, and lake.Trails, and even guided activities.
We love this place , very quiet
The tent area is on a small mound, not a very level area. But was able to make it work. $18 a night for tents
Nice, smaller campground! No designated spots, so great for groups to circle up and camp together (we camp here every year for our family reunion). Newer playground that my kids love, sand so that’s an extra play optional. Small creek runs through the park (on the edge of the campground) and a fun place for kids to explore and play in.
There are 4 walk-in campsites that overlook the Mississippi River (A, B, C, & D). We stayed at campsite D, which had the most incredible view! The trails were enchanting and abundant in life. It flash stormed around sunset, which is not uncommon for summer in the Midwest. The sunset seemed to last for hours as the light danced in the storm clouds. It was one of those, “wow I am grateful to be alive” experiences. Couldn’t have asked for a better bedtime show than a powerful and beautiful display of nature, it was such an unexpected delight. As the storm dissipated, the pitter-patter of the raindrops was the perfect audio to fall asleep to. Despite the humidity, we managed to get a fire going pre-storm and cooked some nice grub. There is a shed with firewood on the way into the campsite, you can pick some up for a small fee. Be prepared for humidity and bugs, it’s right by the river so it’s kind of inevitable during the summer. Insect repelling incense and spray kept us comfortable. There’s a train track right next to the river, which you may hear toot it’s horn occasionally, but it didn’t really bother us. The lovely small town of Cassville is close by may you need any creature comforts. Overall, an amazing place to camp and I can’t wait to go back!
We stayed in walk-in site C, which the furthest site from the parking lot. Arrive before dark!! The wheelbarrows provided are a lifesaver, the trail to the site is manageable until the last 50 feet, which is steep and rocky.
It is a smaller site and mostly slanted so we had to use our backpacking tent (90"x70") on the small patch that's sort of level, as our car camping tent (10'x14') was entirely too huge.
The views are stunning. There was a pair of bald eagles in a nest down by the river - bring binoculars!
HUGE caveat - this site sits on a ridge above a county highway and freight train tracks. There are also train tracks on the other side of the river. When trains are blowing their horns miles away, the sound carries. When they go past the site, it's incredibly loud! I was amazed at the racket - we live in Chicago on a busy street, a block from the L and the Metra tracks.
Bring ear plugs, trains rolled through until just after midnight and started up around 5am (that I noticed anyway).
While Site C is incredibly difficult to reserve (best dates I could find were a Mon-Wed in October which I booked in APRIL), it's worth the views and the privacy.
Site D is the first of the four walk-ins, huge, level, has a wide view, and a bend in it's trail so isn't exposed. A great choice if C is booked.
Site A is next, least amount of privacy, medium sized, looked level. Sites B was occupied our entire time there so wasn't able to check it out, but it's a bit more private.
Pit toilet by the walk-in sites was as nice as pit toilet gets, it even has a urinal. Water is conveniently located near the parking.
Shower house with flush toilets was really nice, 2-3 shower stalls and 4 toilets. No pay, just have to push the button over and over since the water only stays on for 10 seconds.
The electric and non-electric sites are well spaced and on the larger side. A nice campground overall.
For supplies and firewood, I recommend the Okey Market. It's convenient and has everything you need, huge beer cave too. If you want some local flavor, stop into the Silver Spigot Saloon, cheap beer, tasty fries, and they have a dog-friendly patio.
Was looking forward to camping there until I found out they do not allow pets at tent sites. Apparently they don’t feel responsible pet owners use tents. Not happy will never stay there
This park is well maintained with full service and primitive sites. Trails, nature center, shelters, restrooms/showers, and lake access for beach, paddling, fishing, etc. Prairie plantings mixed in the wooded areas.
Super chill and plenty of space, especially for tents on site 39. Bathrooms are very nice and modern and clean, maintenance was very nice to let me shower before he could clean it. It was our only night there and we heard a lot of movements by the woods that it creeped us out but we were hearing haunted stories before arriving so the Halloween vibes was definitely there. Loads of shade and quiet nice neighbors.
Stayed in The Plains area. Water and electric hookups, dump station near by. Clean shower house with storm shelter. Mixed sun and shade with generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table.
Passing though the area and this park was on my list to check out. Drove though and found a pretty amazing overlook view. There were wildflowers that smelled amazing. It was really cool to see the hawks flying below the overlook. Driving through the campsites they do look pretty nice and larger than normal. Some do look like the have a “mound” on them, which was interesting. I did get great cell service, LTE with us cellular. Overall, I would visit again!
This was our 2nd time camping here and it did not disappoint. It’s a lovely state park with some beautiful lil trails. Campsite Ds views were unbeatable. A storm rolled in over the Mississippi as we were heading to bed; it was a magical experience
This park is beautiful and there is tons to do. The playground is fantastic and keep the kids entertained all day. The water is great for fishing, swimming and boating. Central City also has everything you need within minutes of your site. There is boat rentals and the new showers are amazing.
Just south of Wyalusing near the Mississippi. Far less people (which we prefer) with great sights and incredible views of the Mississippi. We did switch sites once we got there bc the electric was on the opposite side, but if you have an extension cord, not a big deal. We were there early in the season so everything was incredibly clean! We drove up to Wyalusing to check out for future camping and it was a lot more crowded. Nelson Dewey is also in the town of Cassville which looks to have an incredible swimming pool if you are there in season.
There were bugs but we use a fan at the campsite which really kept most of them away. I think it’s to be expected when you’re that close to the Mississippi.
Beautiful weekend getaway at a very quiet and great state park! Bath house was clean the park was clean, the park was extremely quiet. Only complain would be the mosquitoes, however that’s just nature and a part of camping!!
My wife and I checked it out and it’s just not for us we like to be a lil secluded from others no offense just like to listen to Mother Nature to relax but if you have a rv it might be for you. The park was closed but we like to check it out before we go with the whole crew of 6
Friendly Crowds and secluded spot despite us staying next to the main road for the camping area. Sunsets were beautiful looking west over the Mississippi River. The Driftless region is fun to explore and nearby parks that are more popular for camping are close by to hike.
This campground has many amenities for the whole family. From tent sites, to Airbnb cabins for 9 people they have a site for everyone. They have laundry, showers, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, fishing and a swimming beach.
Nice size sites good water plenty of electricity they have a great price on wood this is our camp grounds to go to
We stayed there during the week and it seemed pretty quiet. The shower facilities weren't bad but they have sulfites in the water so it stinks a little. 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.
Great place to kick back and relax. The trail through the campground takes you across the river where you can find canoe and paddle boat rentals, and our favorite an off leash do area. We all took the trail into town and found a BIT Brewery where we enjoy woodfired pizza and brought some beer home in a growler for around the fire that night.
This was a great stay other campers around us were very nice and super friendly as well. I think the only thing I would have a complaint about would be the bath house. The toilets can use alittle cleaning but the showers stunk so bad I wasn't sure I wanted to shower in them.
Campground is well maintained, restrooms, showers, recycling station, fire wood available, campground host onsite, resident park ranger, standard RV sites, some electric tent sites otherwise primitive with fire rings and tables. Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails.
Electric and water only. Nice playground for young kids. Limited activities.
We stayed at this campground for 7 nights with W/E hook ups. Dump available on entrance/exit. The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table. Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. The bathrooms and shower were very clean with lots of hot water. There is hiking in the park and very little road noise.
This is one of the best RV parks we have stayed in awhile. Meticulously maintain with good size, level sites. We had a 50amp water site and the dump station was nearby. This county park is very nice and sits in a very quiet valley. A true gem….
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Central City, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Central City, IA is Pinicon Ridge Park with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Central City, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near Central City, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
