Best Campgrounds near Clinton, IA

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Clinton. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Clinton is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Discover great camping spots near Clinton, reviewed by campers like you.

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Best Camping Sites Near Clinton, Iowa (121)

    1. Thomson Causeway

    15 Reviews
    Thomson, IL
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 259-3628

    $14 - $26 / night

    "Bathrooms are a short walk from this site and were clean.  Water pump was also a short walk.  We enjoyed bike riding around the campsite.  There is a longer bike path that will take you to Clinton. "

    "This is a beautiful spot on the outskirts of a small town. The train museum is open for a few hours on weekends. Other towns are nearby with more things to do."

    2. Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins

    18 Reviews
    Long Grove, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 328-3282

    $17 - $36 / night

    "Enjoyed almost 2 weeks at West Lake Park, part of the Scott County, IA park system. Helpful staff, park rangers make daily patrols, nice spots, many with shade trees & decent room."

    "Although theres a small "lake" here, Ive never had great luck catching much. Pool is nice and updated. Park rangers are always frequently present and patrolling."

    3. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    27 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 273-2731

    "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."

    "It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."

    4. Rock Creek County Marina and Campground

    7 Reviews
    Princeton, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 259-1876

    $14 - $18 / night

    "Sites include fire rings, tables, gravel backing pads, electric with some right near water edge."

    "Turn at quarry off Great River Road/Highway 67."

    5. Morrison-Rockwood State Park

    10 Reviews
    Morrison, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 772-4708

    $20 / night

    "We saw an article about "Dutch Days" in nearby Fulton on www.OnlyInYourState.com, (first weekend in May) and thought it looked like fun."

    "We enjoyed the beautiful lake and cute restaurant/gift shop. We liked the different loops of campsites with pit toilets every where and a nice modern bathroom/shower house also."

    6. Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River

    23 Reviews
    Bettendorf, IL
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 259-3628

    $14 - $26 / night

    "Site 13 seemed to be one of the best situated. We stayed in Site 12 which had a beautiful, unobstructed view of the river."

    "As with all the campgrounds along the Northern Illinois Great River Trail, it is along side Rt. 84, and railroad tracks."

    7. Riverview City Park

    4 Reviews
    Fulton, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 243-1260

    "It is right next to the river and the Clinton Riverfront Park and even fast food restaurants are within walking distance. There is also a walking path next to the river."

    8. Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area — Mississippi River Pools 11 22

    2 Reviews
    Thomson, IA
    7 miles
    +1 (815) 259-3628

    $14 / night

    "Usually a pretty quiet area although its next to a train track so expect a train or two to wake you up. Tucked away next to the Mississippi. There is a boat ramp and parking."

    9. Lock and Dam 13

    1 Review
    Fulton, IL
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 259-3628

    "You have to park off a gravel road on the iowa side and its about a mile walk and a half mile off the tracks. Very beautiful and peaceful place. Great fishing, especially along the spillway."

    10. Spring Lake Campground

    4 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 357-0284

    $25 - $35 / night

    "It's like a step back in time in the best way possible."

    "The bike trail is within steps of your site. Hookups for electric and water available. Well maintained portapotties at various points throughout the grounds."

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Showing results 1-10 of 121 campgrounds

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Recent Reviews near Clinton, IA

606 Reviews of 121 Clinton Campgrounds


  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Blanding Landing

    Safe, peaceful and friendly! Will definitely be back!

    I stayed at site 36 over the Labor Day weekend, and it was incredible. I was a solo female traveler with my two service dogs. When I arrived, the site was clean, and we had a site with an open site on one side making it feel twice as big. The other campers were friendly, and the one site neighbor we had (a young couple about my age with a pup too!) even came to visit and meet my dogs and gave them organic dog treats.🥹 The icing on the cake was the woman who monitored the sites, Anne. She was so kind and welcoming, and made me feel comfortable and safe. I can’t wait to come back and visit again. Highly recommend!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Great campground

    Beautiful park. The campground has less than 30 sites, most of which have power. The walk in sites are very private but still less than 75 yards from your car. You are in thick forest and will hear lots of animal sounds at night.

  • M
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Serene Campground with Great Amenities

    Everything about our stay was enjoyable. Campsites were spaced out well and amenities were great. Don’t forget to check out the hiking trails!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice, quite, cabin surrounded by forest

    Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Bennett Park

    Nice smaller County CG with small lake

    CG has newer RR/shower house. Sites have electric, fire rings, gravel pads. There is a Play area, shelter , host site, dump station. Park has small lake for paddling and fishing.

  • Steven V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 20, 2025

    Geneseo Campground

    Nice campground

    Stayed one night. It is a nice place, easy to find canal for walking. Bathrooms were OK.

  • Jeff and Linda L.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Hennepin Canal Lock 21 Campground

    Unique Park

    No hook-ups, just grass with a fire pit and table. Water available a couple of places along the canal. No reservations. We only saw two other campers, so lots of spaces. Pit toilets along the canal. Well kept. Small gravel bike trail along most of the canal. Nice place to kayak and canoe. Very nice visitor center open until 3 during the week, no weekends. Only $8 We saw a class A, so they do fit.

  • Susie K.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Porth RV Park

    Porth Campground

    Great campground.  Sewer, water, electricity.

    It rained a lot while we were there no flooding issues at all.  Very friendly and very well maintained.

    Definitely would stay again,  we were there for 3 weeks.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Hickory Grove Campground

    Midwest Pasture Camping @ Its Finest

    Located just due north of Sheffield, right off I80 (2 miles to be exact), and due west of Princeton by about 20 minutes, Hickory Grove Campground, on the one hand, is so far off the grid that you will really feel as though you are truly ‘getting away from it all,’ yet on other hand, this place is just a couple stone’s throw from one of the busiest highways that runs through the great state of Illinois, making it incredibly accessible. What I love most about Hickory Grove Campground is that it is run by good folks (husband and wife duo, Dave & Joan) that have been in this particular area of north central Illinois for a very long time. On your way to Hickory Grove, you won’t help but notice that there is a supreme amount of gorgeous farmland that you will bear witness to, complete with golden rows of sweet corn or fields of drilled beans. Any way you look at it, enroute to Hickory Grove, you will feel right at home here in the heartland of the Midwest, where we take great pride in our hospitality.

    As for this pet-friendly campground itself, upon entry, you will discover that there is a main house, immediately followed by the main office, which is where you will check in. Once doing so, you’ll be able to access your slot, depending upon which one you have selected (and there is nearly 100 to choose from), whether that be an RV or 5th Wheeler slab, deluxe cabin rental or primitive camping site. There are 15 pull-through sites (all with 50 amp electric) with all RV and Trailer sites offering full hook-ups (30 / 50 amp electric, water and sewage) most with shaded lots. Other amenities include a doggie park, ice for sale, scattered picnic tables, designated trash dumpsters, BBQ grills, boat launch, pedal cart rental, restroom and shower facilities, ramp and dock on the Hennepin Canal horseshoe pit and 3 miles of hiking trails.

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re a biker like me, you better come bringing the cycles as from this vantage point, you’ll be able to access the 80 mile long bike trail that you’ll find is easy to access from Hickory Grove Campground; (2) As a fellow kayak enthusiast, you’ll appreciate the nearby access at Hennepin Canal; (3) After a good day of hiking, biking and kayaking, likely you’ll want to ‘whet that whistle’ and if so, nearby Psycho Silo Saloon has you covered in spades (April until October that is) with a full stocked bar of spirits, live music and some nice iced tall boys, but be sure to bring cash because this watering hole doesn’t know how to make credit cards work yet; (4) For those looking for a nice, easy and economical seasonal rental, Hickory Grove is quite affordable offering up sites for as little as $1,400 / season; (5) Specific sites that I recommend include: (a) those on the river’s edge of the Hennepin Canal: #30A, #30B, #34 – 39, #80R; (b) those on the western edge of the property: #12A – B, #13, #16 –19, #30A – B, #34 – 39; as well as (c) those sites that fall against the eastern treeline: #80, #82, #86A – C, #97 – 99; (6) When I head out camping, I like to bring 2-3 choice cuts of rare, sometimes exotic meats and whatever you might be into, should you want some fresh cut meats, check out nearby Wyanet Meat Locker, which will have the standards (NY Strip, Ribeye, hamburger patties) as well as some nice cuts from the top-shelf, including: buffalo, lamb chops and duck; and (7) For a slice of pure Midwestern joy, check out Myrtle’s Pie, which have some amazing selections including banana cream, salted caramel, lemon meringue, carrot cake cheesecake and my favorite, the coconut cream – but everyday Myrtle runs out of pies by early-to-mid-afternoon, so call ahead to order your pie or just get in there as soon as she opens for some freshly baked cinnamon roles and brewed coffee.

    Happy Camping!


Guide to Clinton

Camping near Clinton, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the caves: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, you can hike through unique caves. One visitor mentioned, “The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous.”
  • Enjoy the Mississippi River: Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River offers lovely views and a boat launch. A reviewer said, “It felt like we had escaped to a riverside sanctuary.”
  • Bike along scenic trails: Thomson Causeway has paved bike routes that connect to nearby towns. One camper noted, “The paved bike route heads along the Mississippi and connects towns.”

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Rustic Barn Campground RV Park said, “The bathrooms were spotless and water is drinkable.”
  • Quiet atmosphere: Many campers enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. One reviewer at Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground mentioned, “It was incredibly quiet.”
  • Friendly hosts: Campground hosts often receive praise for their helpfulness. A camper at Chief Keokuk Campground said, “The hosts were absolutely the best! They walk through the camp each night checking sites.”

What you should know:

  • Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Thomson Causeway noted, “Some lake sites are pretty close.”
  • Insect presence: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. One camper at Thomson Causeway shared, “I should’ve taken the other reviews more seriously about the number of insects.”
  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have stores or extensive facilities. A reviewer at Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground mentioned, “There is no store on site, they do sell wood but it is cash only.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose spacious sites: Look for campgrounds with larger sites for more room. A family at White Pines Forest State Park Campground said, “Sites 20-26 are fabulous! Those ones are relatively flat and deep, separated by trees.”
  • Engage in nature activities: Many campgrounds offer hiking and exploring opportunities. A visitor at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground mentioned, “The good news is that likely due to the bats, there were no gnats or mosquitos.”
  • Plan for quiet hours: Respecting quiet hours can make for a better experience. A camper at Chief Keokuk Campground noted, “Everyone was respectful of quiet hours and very friendly.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site lengths: Make sure your RV fits in the designated spots. A reviewer at Rustic Barn Campground RV Park said, “Our site was a back in site. Hookups are in good condition.”
  • Look for full hookups: Many RVers prefer campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A visitor at Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA mentioned, “Loads of sites with what appears to be FHU’s.”
  • Be aware of road noise: Some campgrounds may have nearby roads. A camper at Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River noted, “You do get some traffic noise and one train went by.”

Camping around Clinton, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences, from scenic views to family-friendly activities. Whether you’re in a tent or an RV, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Clinton, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clinton, IA is Thomson Causeway with a 4-star rating from 15 reviews.