Best Tent Camping near Clarion, IA

Tent campgrounds near Clarion, Iowa provide basic options for overnight stays with minimal amenities. Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area offers primitive, dispersed tent camping sites approximately 43 miles northwest of Clarion. Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area, located about 6 miles west of Clarion, provides additional tent camping possibilities, though reviews indicate variable conditions depending on water levels and season.

Most tent sites in the area lack developed facilities. Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground, situated roughly 30 miles west of Clarion, stands as one of the few established tent campgrounds with amenities including toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Water access varies significantly between locations, with Rice Lake offering drinking water while most wildlife management areas provide no potable water sources. A visitor commented that at Stoehr Fishing Area, "there really is no campsite to speak of. There is a picnic shelter and grill, but no fire pit - campfires are not allowed." This highlights the primitive nature of many locations, where camping is allowed but with minimal infrastructure.

Walk-in tent sites provide the most authentic backcountry camping experience in the region. Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area offers a secluded camping area set into the woods, though space is limited. A camper noted that "it's a nice spot off of the main road. It's pretty quiet, but there aren't many spots to camp." Some locations like Stoehr Fishing Area restrict camping to 24-hour stays, making them suitable for overnight fishing trips rather than extended backcountry camping. Tent campers should prepare for variable conditions including potential bugs at Ambrose A. Call State Park and limited privacy at wildlife management areas where hunting activities may occur seasonally. Morning wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for birds like pheasants, enhance the tent camping experience at several locations.

Best Tent Sites Near Clarion, Iowa (11)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 11 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Clarion, IA

169 Reviews of 11 Clarion Campgrounds


  • L
    Nov. 5, 2021

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful and tranquil

    Dolliver State Park was our maiden voyage in our travel trailer and it was obvious we were pitiful newbies! The park's beauty and tranquility did get disturbed a couple times when our dogs got loose (newbs!). The park staff were friendly and very helpful as were our fellow campers. The sites are mostly level with picnic tables and fire rings. Sites range from shady to sunny and the reservation website depicts the sites with a small photo and details about the amount of slope and shade. Cell service was good but no WiFi without a hotspot for us. We had fun, learned a lot and plan to camp here again!

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Devine Wildlife Area

    Free and fairly primitive

    Dispersed camping really. You can bring a big rig in. No really prepared sites. Maybe 5 places you could set up. No water, no electric, no toilet. Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent. But the price is right.

  • Ax H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Shellrock River Co Preserve

    Great Free spot for tent camping

    Big grassy field surrounded by huge (walnut) trees. There a gravel track that goes along a large river. Trees everywhere so bring bug spray. Quiet, peaceful. Not private but worth it. Free, 3 day max stay

  • K
    Jan. 7, 2021

    Dakins Lake County Park

    Nice city park

    Decent fishing. Quiet campers. 2 campgrounds, newer one with modern facilities, no trees. Other side of park is older one, with mature trees, portable toilets, power, water, 15 or so sites. Close to i35, but not to close. Make reservations, facilities this good are full by Friday.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 8, 2024

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Surprisingly quiet campground on a summer weekend

    We tend to stay at campgrounds during the off or shoulder season for a quieter experience so it was with some apprehension that we reserved this campground for a summer weekend so that we could meet friends for Paddlefest. We were happy to discover that despite being a full campground, it was quiet at almost all hours of the day and night. It was, however, an entirely different story on the lake itself, where boats gathered all day to party!

    There is little separation between the sites but there are trees located throughout, some of which provide shade to the site. The camper pads were a mix of dirt and gravel and mostly level. We were lucky to snag Site 34 (reserved about three months in advance) – it was on the end, making it a much larger site than the interior sites (all end sites in our section were larger) and we had plenty of shade trees, a welcome relief on a very hot weekend. 

    The paved roads leading to the sites are very narrow and would appear to be one-way but are not designated as such, resulting in some confusion. The site numbers are only listed on one side, even though most of the sites appeared to be pull-through. 

    The restrooms and showers were clean and had soap and (dated) air dryers. 

    Overall, we had a very pleasant two-night stay even though we were prepared for a different experience.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    Mixed bag

    Small campground. Not busy while I was here. Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites. Pit toilets. No showers. Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night.

  • M
    May. 7, 2021

    Briggs Woods Park

    upper camp ground is the better

    Nice campground. lower camp ground has circle type pads that hold 4 campers good for groups (friends, Family) upper camp ground has more single sites. as of 2020 more sites under construction both upper and lower area. they have some cabins and a couple walk in tent sites (short walk) WIFI in lower part of camp ground.

  • M
    Aug. 26, 2018

    Pilot Knob State Park Campground

    Camping in the woods near town

    Located by New Ulm, MN this campground has plenty of activities in the park or very near the park. Plenty of hiking trails, playground for the kids, and an amazing sand bottom swimming pond surrounded by sand beach. Golf is also nearby at The New Ulm Country Club which is open to the public. Nice level sites with electric, picnic tables and fire rings.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2019

    Pine Ridge Park

    Small with (almost) it all

    The campground is at the end of a road alongside the Iowa River, tucked out of the way. When driving in you pass a restaurant that touts it’s Sunday Pancake breakfasts. And of course I was coming in Sunday after there service seating time ended. But the other campers I talked with said it was outstanding. The campground is a small series of loops with tent and rvs mixed together. I would have thought the riverside sites would be the place to set up, but most stayed back from those sites due to the crazy up and down flooding the river has been experiencing. In the evenings everyone gathered at the pavilion for fresh popped popcorn and visiting. Just past the campground is the rifle range, but no one was using it so I can’t say how loud it would be. If you need an outfitter for canoeing or kayaking, there is an outfitter in town on the way to the campground. One other thing to note: there are no showers here, but at least the bathrooms were clean.


Guide to Clarion

Tent camping options near Clarion, Iowa exist primarily within wildlife management areas and state parks across Hardin, Wright, and surrounding counties. The area features predominantly flat terrain with scattered woodlands and several small lakes and ponds. Most primitive camping sites lack developed amenities and sit within 50 miles of Clarion, requiring campers to bring essential supplies including water and waste disposal containers.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Stoehr Fishing Area offers "excellent shore fishing on the two ponds. The main species are black bass and bluegill, however I did catch a northern pike once. There are grass carp as well." Anglers can fish from the shoreline, though camping is limited to 24-hour stays.

Wildlife viewing: Devine Wildlife Area provides opportunities to observe local birds and wildlife in a natural setting. Located near Bode, this area allows dispersed camping with minimal infrastructure. A camper notes, "Dispersed camping really. You can bring a big rig in. No really prepared sites. Maybe 5 places you could set up."

Hiking trails: Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground features several walking paths through oak woodlands. The park includes "several trails and a small campground. There is an enclosed stone shelter house you can rent for gatherings." Trails range from short loops to longer routes suitable for day hikes.

What campers like

Quiet locations: At Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area, campers appreciate the relative seclusion. One visitor mentions it's "a nice spot off of the main road. It's pretty quiet, but there aren't many spots to camp." The limited capacity means fewer neighbors during overnight stays.

Access to water: Waterfront camping spots allow for morning fishing and wildlife observation. At Rice Lake, "There is a boat launch and paths down each side of the launch you could fish. On the way in, you'll see a deck to the left, providing a scenic overlook."

Free camping: Several wildlife management areas provide no-cost camping options. One camper at Devine Wildlife Area noted that "the price is right" despite the primitive conditions, making these locations budget-friendly alternatives to developed campgrounds with fees.

What you should know

Limited facilities: The best tent camping near Clarion, Iowa typically lacks developed amenities. At Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area, conditions can be "Decent, not great" and vary seasonally. One camper reported, "This place was really bad probably because of the low water levels. In very hot temperatures the lake would have a smell."

Site availability: Most primitive camping locations have unmarked, limited sites. At Stoehr Fishing Area, a local reports "there really is no campsite to speak of. There is a picnic shelter and grill, but no fire pit - campfires are not allowed. A tent could be carries a short distance from the parking area to a fairly level spot."

Seasonal conditions: Camping quality varies throughout the year. At Big Wall Lake, one camper mentioned, "We stopped here when we drove from NY to CO and it was fine. We got here late and left early in the morning so we never saw the place in light." Spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable temperatures and fewer insects.

Tips for camping with families

Wildlife education: Morning wildlife viewing provides educational opportunities for children. At Stoehr Fishing Area, families can "Enjoy the sound of pheasants and song birds in this area. It is not heavily wooded, but there are oaks, walnuts, and buckeye trees as well as a variety of aquatic plants."

Recreation amenities: Some campgrounds offer additional activities beyond camping. Ambrose A. Call State Park features "a Frisbee Golf course" that provides entertainment for older children and teenagers, making it more suitable for family camping than wildlife management areas.

Safety precautions: When camping with children at wildlife management areas, prepare for minimal facilities. One camper at Devine Wildlife Area warns of the "Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent." Pack first aid supplies, insect protection, and extra water when visiting primitive sites with children.

Tips from RVers

Site selection: At Ambrose A. Call State Park, RVers find "Small campground. Not busy while I was here. Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites."

Hookup availability: Electric hookups exist at select campgrounds, but water access may be limited. At Ambrose A. Call State Park, "Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared," requiring RVers to position their vehicles strategically or use extension hoses.

Space considerations: For larger RVs, some wildlife management areas offer sufficient turning radius. At Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area, "There's enough room that virtually any size camper could navigate into this spot, but if there are other people, that will really complicate your life."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Clarion, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Clarion, IA is Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area with a 2.7-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Clarion, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.