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Best Tent Camping near Corning, IA

210 Reviews

Southwest Iowa offers several tent camping options within driving distance of Corning. Ross County Park near Braddyville provides primitive tent campsites in a secluded setting approximately 45 miles southwest of Corning. Closer options include Kokesh Co Park near Diagonal and Pioneer City Park in Shenandoah. For tent-only camping with more amenities, Mozingo Lake County Tent Campground in northern Missouri features dedicated walk-in tent sites surrounded by trees rather than open fields, providing a more authentic outdoor experience about 60 miles south of Corning.

Most tent campgrounds in the region offer basic amenities with varying levels of development. Ross County Park features truly primitive tent camping with no drinking water, picnic tables, or shower facilities, though trash collection is available. Campers should bring all necessary water and supplies. A shelter house provides minimal protection from elements. Sites typically have natural, ungraded surfaces with minimal site preparation. Mozingo Lake offers more developed tent camping with drinking water, showers, toilets, and picnic tables, making it suitable for families or those seeking basic comforts while tent camping.

Tent campers frequently praise the seclusion available at these sites. According to reviews, Ross County Park remains "nice and out of the way" with "no services of any kind," making it ideal for those seeking to "get away from people." The park features multiple ponds popular for fishing. At Mozingo Lake, one camper noted the campground "was not too busy at all" even on an October weekend, with "maybe only 5 other groups there." The tent sites received particular praise for being "actually surrounded by trees," unlike many tent campsites "basically just in the middle of a grass field." Walking paths around the lake provide recreational opportunities, and a disc golf course is located adjacent to the campground, offering additional activities for tent campers.

Map showing campgrounds near Corning, IowaExplore the Map

Detours Nearby

Middle River Point

Middle River Point

49 min away

Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park

Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park

1 hr 18 min away

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Best Tent Sites Near Corning, Iowa (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Corning, IA

8 Photos of 7 Corning Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Corning, IA

210 Reviews of 7 Corning Campgrounds

  • K
    Mar. 24, 2021

    Union County Park Thayer Lake Park

    Not a real campground.

    5 pedestals around new unfinished shelter. No water at all, no dump, no trash, no fire ring, lots of litter. Long winding single lane access road, be a big problem if 2 rigs met. Someone would have tough back up. Pond did look promising for fish cover. Main Amtrak RR line and highway on north border. Town of Thayer on otherside of highway is in a very bad way. Very small camper, tent for fishing only.

  • C
    Oct. 23, 2019

    Nations Bridge Park

    Great spot

    This was a great spot for our overnight stay while traveling I-80. Its about 6 easy miles off the interstate, and well marked. The lower camp zone looks like it floods easily and was pretty muddy, so we opted for a nice level spot in the upper section. 50 amp plug in, fire rings, picnic tables, great park for our 3 year old. Our review would be 5 stars, but all the restrooms were locked for the season, and the only signage was on the doors of the facilities. No signage about the closures at the self registration. We probably should have checked the restrooms prior to setting up. Still, a very nice place and we would definitely visit again.

  • Matt S.
    Jul. 15, 2017

    Thayer Lake Rec Area

    Skip Thayer Lake and go to Three Mile SP

    This is a really small campground with a few electric boxes to park your camper on the outside of the parking lot next to the lake and one average tent site with a fire ring and picnic table.

    The lake is a good local spot for fishing but I would go to Three Mile State Park to camp with my family, it's just an extra 10 or 15 minute drive away.

  • M
    May. 9, 2021

    Prairie Rose State Park Campground

    Gorgeous in the fall!

    We stayed during the campground's last weekend in October, and loved it. It was so gorgeous with all the fall colors, and it's really a gem of a campground.

    Pros:

    -Beautiful, huge lake with lots of pretty views

    -Primitive spots are separated from electric spots, which is great if you're looking for quiet, peaceful tent camping

    -Primitive spots are relatively private and generously sized, you don't feel like you're right on top of your neighbors

    -Decent portapotty in close distance

    -Plenty of picnic spots

    -Electric spots are right along the lake, which offers beautiful views

    -On-site firewood

    Cons:

    -Full modern bathrooms are a long walk/drive away

    -Not much for activities

    -Water hydrants are right in the middle of people's camping spots, so it feels awkward to grab water

    -The only hiking trail is EXTREMELY poorly marked and when it ends (it doesn't tell you it's ending) you either have to just turn around or walk a mile along the busy highway with very small shoulder. We mistakenly took the highway expecting the trail to continue, but it didn't and it was very scary, 0/10 don't recommend.

    -Not many walk-in spots

    -Lots of primitive spots are on a hill, so your tent is a little sideways

    -Not many dumpsters

    -No lights in the portapotty, so you'll need a headlamp at night

    EDITED TO ADD: We stayed again in May, and it was a great place to spend a weekend. Quiet, friendly but not a party crowd, and a nice, relaxing environment overall. Word on the streets (from the DNR warden) is that they’re looking into creating 2 more hiking trails too.

  • Abby G.
    Jul. 8, 2019

    Mormon Trail County Park

    Off the Grid

    Mormon Trail is absolutely beautiful. Myself and some friends tent camped there over the weekend and we were not disappointed! It is a very small state park with only a couple tent sites/camper sites, so it is not over populated. The drive there is easy and beautiful. Big RV’s/campers might have a difficult time getting there as the road turns into a one lane, curvy gravel road. AT&T has absolutely no service there, but US cellular does. No showers/clean bathrooms, just 2 waterless restrooms. The lake has a very large, mostly shallow, swimming area, the water is absolutely perfect, along with a big sandy beach area. You can boat and fish on the lake as well. The stars are also very bright and beautiful (we are from a city with the light pollution hides them). I would highly recommend visiting this campsite if you love off the grid camping and don’t need to shower/primp everyday. What a relaxing/fun weekend we had!

  • R
    May. 13, 2023

    Lake Binder Co Park

    Nice city park; reasonable price

    This is a 76 acre lake 1 mile northeast of Corning, Iowa. Electric sites are $20 a night or $800 for the season. There's a dump station and several water spigot. A bathroom with cold running water. There are also several portapotties around the lake. A fire ring and a picnic table at every site. We have seen people catching bass. Boats allowed with Electric motors only.

  • Joanne R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2020

    Mormon Trail County Park

    Quiet and chill

    I was here during the week before labor day weekend but it was very quiet with decent restrooms and a great little lake. I didn't have the chance to walk over to the beach side of the lake but i did check out the boat launch side and took the time to enjoy the beauty! Overall a nice little place to sit back and enjoy life for a bit.. The sites are not very private but set up nice with parking for an RV, a fire ring, table and grassy area for a tent.

  • Melissa K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2018

    Casey City Park

    Small little park off the highway

    This is a small little park off the highway, we had been traveling for two days and needed to stop for the night. We followed the signs that said camping and went through a quant, however pretty vacant, little town. We got to the end of the town and found a city park that allowed camping.

    Pros -- it was $10 a night, that's decent! Most places are more along this drive. It also had a magnificent playground. My kids had been cooped up for two days and needed to run off some pent up energy and this was perfect. A few neighborhood kids joined them (it was smack dab in a neighborhood) and they had a blast, all while I rested from my chair at my campsite. Lots of green grass (an improvement from the desert climate we come from) and trees for shade. It had flush toilets and free showers! There was a picnic table, electricity and a grill at every site. It was a pretty restful night.

    Cons -- The bathrooms were not the cleanest. The women's bathroom stalls did not function correctly, either the door wouldn't lock or it wouldn't close. There were lots of bugs, in the restroom, in the site, all over. I didn't sit at the picnic table due to the bugs all over it so I sat in my camp chair where I found relief. I'm not one that thinks there should be no bugs in nature but there just was an abundance of them everywhere. You could hear some highway traffic and a little train traffic. The town was all but closed up. There was a gas station and a bar open. The gas station attendant wasn't super friendly.

    It was a great place to lay our heads for the night, play some games, run the playground but it probably wouldn't be on my list of first places to stop. Beauty of Iowa is almost every exit shows camping!u 7

  • Katelyn K.
    May. 3, 2018

    Lake Anita State Park Campground

    Nice and quiet

    Stopped here for the night over the summer. Not many people in the tent area mid-week. Bathrooms were clean, firewood for sale, picnic tables and fire rings at every site. Dog friendly!

Guide to Corning

Tent camping near Corning, Iowa, offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed spots nearby, campers can find the perfect place to set up their tents and unwind.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Ross County Park provides a remote location with no services, making it ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Mozingo Lake County Tent Campground features well-maintained sites surrounded by trees, ensuring a peaceful camping experience.
  • Kokesh Co Park offers a simple tent camping experience, perfect for those who enjoy a back-to-basics approach.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • At Ross County Park, visitors can enjoy fishing and shooting sports, making it a versatile spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
  • Mozingo Lake County Tent Campground is known for its disc golf course, providing a fun activity for families and friends.
  • Pioneer City Park is a great place for a day trip, with multiple ponds perfect for fishing and relaxing by the water.

Unique features of the campgrounds

  • Ross County Park allows pets, making it a great choice for those who want to bring their furry friends along.
  • Mozingo Lake County Tent Campground includes amenities like drinking water and showers, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • Lyons Park offers drinking water access, which is essential for a pleasant camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Corning, IA is Ross County Park with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Corning, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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