8 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Langwood Education Center permits dogs throughout its 92-acre property with designated tent and RV sites that accommodate pets. Several campgrounds near Conesville allow pets with varying amenities and policies. Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area offers multiple pet-friendly camping options including a main campground with electric hookups, showers, and fire rings, plus a riverside campground with sites spaced well apart providing beautiful views of Cedar River. Marr Park maintains clean pet-friendly sites with water and electric hookups, connected to the nearby town by a paved trail approximately one mile long. Most campgrounds require pets to remain on leash in camping areas and on trails, though some parks allow dogs to run in designated hunting areas marked with signs.
Hiking with dogs is popular at these pet-friendly campgrounds, with Saulsbury Bridge featuring trails through bottomland forest and prairie areas where pets can explore alongside their owners. The Cedar River campground offers fishing opportunities with campsites literally on the river edge, perfect for campers who want their dogs to enjoy water access. During hunting seasons, pet owners should dress themselves and their dogs in bright colors or blaze orange for visibility. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound with chances to spot deer, wild turkey, pheasants, and various bird species including bald eagles along the Cedar River. Louisa County Fairgrounds provides a more basic camping experience with electric sites for pets and owners seeking simple accommodations, while Little Bear Campground offers full-service sites including water, electric, and sewer hookups for RVs traveling with pets.
"Close to major highway. Gravel sites. Clean campground. Many paved and grass walking trails surrounded by trees and natural areas. Bath/shower house is under construction. Child’s play equipment."
"There are trails and fishing ponds, play grounds and picnic shelters. It is nice for group camping, but you are so close to other campers."
from $20 / night
"Located in Muscatine County in southeast Iowa, this rec area offers well-maintained campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and seasonal hunting. There are three separate campgrounds."
from $15 - $20 / night
"Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night)."
"Very cute campground right off highway. I called while traveling and Mike was very accommodating. Full hookups and showers. Even got a pool. Gas station nearby full of character."
from $22 - $49 / night
"There are sites along the river, while others are larger tucked along the woods and not close to each other. Perfect get away. 15-20 minutes to the closest town."
from $10 - $20 / 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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $22 - $28 / night
"24 years ago River Jct Lone Tree Iowa was Just stumptown. Outhouse at the top. Just a spot by the river. A lone camper. How things have changed . Still primitive tent campgrounds there."
"Wild Cat Den State Park just up US61."
"What a gem we found in Muscatine Iowa. Level poured pad for RV, electric and nice fire pits. Large sites. Clean restrooms and lots of hot water for Shower."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 - $26 / 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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $14 - $260 / night
"Awesome place by the Iowa river.. clean and quiet, no drinking water..."
ScoutClean, quiet and nice facilities but the placement of the fire rings borders on the absurd. These are obviously RV sites so there's already little expectation of privacy but they're good size and leave ample space behind your camper. The site we were on was tree-lined in the back. Perfect for a fire ring, right? Nah. Instead they're out front 5 ft from the road. I've never seen anything like it. 🥴
LegendJust minutes west of Davenport, Park Terrace Campground is a delightful county-operated camping destination nestled within the sprawling 620-acre West Lake Park. With four picturesque lakes, rolling green lawns, mature shade trees and an impressive assortment of recreational activities, this is much more than your average roadside CG. Whether you're passing through the Quad Cities or settling in for a relaxing weekend, there's plenty to keep you entertained, including fishing, kayaking, hiking, disc golf and a seasonal swimming beach. It's an especially appealing destination for families who appreciate having a little adventure right outside their camper door.
The campground itself features approximately 77 campsites, including spacious RV sites with 50-amp electrical service, water and sewer hookups, plus 13 primitive tent sites tucked toward the wooded perimeter in the rear - so for those tent campers that like to be somewhat removed from the RV crowd, this is an excellent option. Most RV sites are reasonably level, with gravel parking pads, picnic tables and fire rings, although spacing can be a little cozy (er, tight) in places. Mature trees provide welcome shade throughout portions of the campground, while the modern bathhouse offers restrooms and showers. Additional conveniences include a dump station, playground, seasonal campground host and firewood availability. Best of all, the CG delivers an impressive collection of amenities without the hefty price tag of a commercial RV resort.
A few things worth knowing before arriving: the CG is accessed through Gate 5 off 110th Avenue, and water hookups are generally seasonal despite the CG's year-round designation. Some sites are more exposed than others, and the relatively close spacing means privacy isn't necessarily its strongest selling point. Nevertheless, for RV travelers, tent campers and families seeking affordable accommodations with outstanding recreational opportunities, Park Terrace is a terrific little discovery.
Insider's Tip: Tent campers should head toward the designated wooded camping area toward the back of the CG for a more traditional outdoor experience. RV travelers should bring an extra-long drinking-water hose, as some sites share water connections positioned several campsites apart. Also, the park gates close overnight, so plan your arrival accordingly.
Happy Camping!
RangerGreat little county park! Lots of back in sites; we found a pull-through that fit our 43' motorhome towing a truck with room to spare (site #20). $25 a night for water and elec is a fair price, and there's a dump station on the way out. My only reason for marking 4 stars is that trees could be trimmed back a bit more for big rigs to navigate without brushing up against them. (See couple pics). However it was late in the season -- we stayed Oct 22 and the park closes for winter on Oct 25, so maybe they'll be due for a trim next spring.
GuideI arrived after dark. Crept in slowly as its dark. Loop B. Found a spot easy. I’ll drop the envelope on the way out. Some minor road noise. Dark! Quiet! So far, excellent. I plan to head out early. I would stay here again. $25water/electric. Cash in iron ranger. Haven’t used the restroom. Perhaps in the morning. Lovely clear night sky
Scout$25 a night with Wi-Fi that actually works! I absolutely love it out here I'm not sure how busy it gets but there's no one out here right now in Oct! Electrical hookup at every site, water hook up every other site. But lots of sites available!
TravelerNice quiet campground. The front looks like more long timers and it was a little noisier up there but I drove to the back loop and it's nice and quiet back here. PLENTY of 50/30/20 amp hookups and the shower house in the back was nice. Water was just lukewarm but it was hot out so no problem. Might be less pleasant in colder weather though. Pull through spots available. I would stay here again for sure.
LegendThis campground has basic amenities, including tables, fire pits, water on site, restrooms. There is also a larger group campsite across from the standard campground. There are many trails throughout the limestone Bluffs and pine Creek credited through. There is a historical site known as Pine Creek Brit Mill, pioneer cemetery, and a cabin and school site.
ScoutNew owners, free laundry 🧺
LegendThis campground is well located on Highway 22 in Buffalo, Iowa. Sitting along the banks of the Mississippi river, sites include hard pads, fire rings, electric, water, showers, and restrooms, campground Office, seasonal host with wood. There is a playground, volleyball, Sandy beaches, boat ramps. This campground recently connected to City water instead of septic.
Campgrounds near Conesville, Iowa offer diverse outdoor experiences across the region's river valleys and hardwood forests. The area sits primarily along the Cedar River watershed with elevations ranging from 580 to 700 feet above sea level. Seasonal flooding can affect campground accessibility, particularly at lower elevations near riverbanks during spring and early summer.
Paddling opportunities: Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area provides canoe access to Chicken Creek and Cedar River with non-motorized boating permitted. "Only non-motorized boats are allowed here. If you don't have your own, you can rent kayaks and canoes through the Muscatine County Conservation office," notes a visitor to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area - Main Camping.
Geological exploration: Visit the Devonian Fossil Gorge near Coralville Lake, exposed during the 1993 flood. A camper at West Overlook Campground describes it as "a gorge of geologic interest that is filled with Devonian fossils exposed in the flood of 1993."
Beach access: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming beaches for cooling off during summer months. "This campground is one of the larger campgrounds at Coralville Lake, and is popular due to the large sandy beach, the modern boatlaunch area, and options for a variety of kinds of campsites in separate loops," shares a visitor at West Overlook Campground.
Biking paths: Access paved trails connecting to nearby towns from several campgrounds. A Marr Park visitor notes, "Park connected to nearby town by paved trail, approximately 1 mile away. Gas and convenience store nearby."
Spacious river sites: Cedar River Campground at Saulsbury offers well-spaced sites directly on the water. "The sites are spaced apart well and clean with a beautiful view of the Cedar River... our campsite was literally on the river edge," writes a visitor to Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area - Cedar River Campground.
Accessible nature trails: Wheelchair-friendly concrete paths at Marr Park allow visitors with mobility concerns to enjoy the outdoors. "Trails are concrete so people with mobility concerns can easily get around," reports a camper at Marr Park.
Wildlife viewing: Mississippi River campgrounds offer exceptional bird watching opportunities. "We could see multiple fire works shows if we walked around the campground with the neighbors across the street putting on a pretty great 'amateur' show," shares a camper at Shady Creek.
Night sky viewing: Rural campgrounds away from city lights provide excellent stargazing. At Langwood Education Center, one visitor appreciated "quiet walks through Iowa prairies and clear, star-gazing nights."
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience water issues that affect drinkability. A Marr Park camper warned, "The water to the RV smells so bad it makes me gag. Bring plenty of bottled water for consumption."
Flooding risk: River-adjacent sites can become inaccessible during high water. "When the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds. A call ahead to the conservation office to check on closures is a good idea," advises a ranger at Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area.
Variable cell coverage: Mobile service ranges from none to moderate depending on provider and location. At Shady Creek, "Our cell phone provider is Sprint and we had zero service."
Train noise: Railroad tracks near some campgrounds create periodic noise disturbances. A Little Bear Campground visitor noted, "I would certainly be less than impressed by seemingly the great proximity you will have to your fellow neighbor."
Educational programming: Langwood Education Center offers structured nature activities for kids. "Langwood provides a quiet and serene setting for camping, hiking, canoeing, and reconnecting with nature," states a visitor, adding that "for an additional fee, campers can use the ropes course located by a large pond on the property."
Multiple playgrounds: Coralville Dam Complex features play areas throughout the recreational area. "Horseshoe pits and 2 playgrounds in the campground" plus "day use area with picnic tables, picnic shelter, volleyball court, beach and playground," notes a West Overlook camper.
Swimming options: Little Bear Campground provides a pool for kids when river access isn't preferred. A visitor comments, "Very nice pool... wish I could [stay] for a month."
Dog friendly areas: Several campgrounds near Conesville welcome pets with designated exercise zones. At River Junction, "primitive tent campgrounds there" offer space where pets can roam while being supervised.
Hookup variations: Verify electrical and water access prior to arrival as configurations differ. At West Overlook Campground, "All of the internal roads are paved and the spaces are nicely paved or graveled. The sites are spacious and angled for ease of backing into."
Leveling ease: Many campgrounds feature concrete pads requiring minimal setup. "Level cement pads. Strong Verizon access," notes a Shady Creek visitor, while another mentions, "Never seen a park where every pad was level like this one."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with electric hookups have onsite dump facilities. For RVers staying at Marr Park, note that there's a "dump station for a fee" and "all sites had water and electric."
Seasonal considerations: Water hookups may be shut off during colder months. A visitor to Marr Park mentioned, "Water was off during our visit in March."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Conesville, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Conesville, IA is Marr Park with a 4.3-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Conesville, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 97 dog-friendly camping locations near Conesville, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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