Best Tent Camping near Dallas Center, IA

Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Dallas Center? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Dallas Center's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Dallas Center, Iowa (9)

Show More
Showing results 1-9 of 9 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews near Dallas Center, Iowa

468 Reviews of 9 Dallas Center Campgrounds


  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Acorn Valley
    Oct. 14, 2019

    Acorn Valley

    Peaceful, lots of riverbed area to explore

    We’re big fans of Acorn Valley. It’s quiet and there is plenty of shade in the tent camping area. The tent sites lead to some small trails which end at the riverbed. Our boys love exploring here.

  • Abby G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Mormon Trail County Park
    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!

  • Brian W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground
    Jul. 14, 2019

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Nice and clean

    Nice clean park, if passing through Iowa it's a nice overnight. A little loud if tent camping. Area not large enough to separate hard shell campers and tent campers. Plenty of fly's and mosquitoes, plenty of shade.

  • Matt S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Three Mile Lake Recreation Area
    Jul. 15, 2017

    Three Mile Lake Recreation Area

    Three Mile Rec Area is clean and beautiful

    I have to say, of all of the campgrounds and parks that I have visited in southern Iowa near highway 34, Three Mile is the best.

    This park is clean with nice amenities and a beautiful lake. During the week you can almost have the place to yourself... it is a different story on the weekends.

    You can tent camp or pull your camper and just enjoy the setting. If you don't like to tent camp and don't have a camper, don't worry, there are several cabins for rent.

    There are showers and bathrooms and an awesome playground for the younger kids.

    I am definitely adding this to my list for regular stays with my family.

  • Caitlyn H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
    Aug. 28, 2018

    Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    Nice Place

    I have tent camped at Lake Ahquabi Campground several times. There are some great spots down by the lake that are perfect for tent camping. There is quite a bit to do in this State Park. There are a few trails, there is plenty of fishing, a swimming beach, and they have water sport rentals! The area is very pretty and peaceful. I would recommend for campers with kids and without. There are showers and plenty of bathrooms.

  • Kaylinn W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Grove Campground
    Jun. 8, 2019

    Hickory Grove Campground

    Little patch of heaven

    We go camping at Breezy Bay and it’s our favorite. We tent camp, so the modern bathrooms (with showers!!) is a huge plus. The spots are some of the biggest we’ve seen at any campground, so there aren’t many and it’s almost always quiet. Lots of trees for shade but the lake has trails and a swimming beach with watercraft rentals. Truly a hidden gem in central Iowa!

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Anita State Park Campground
    Jun. 18, 2019

    Lake Anita State Park Campground

    Great State Park

    just camped here, what a nice park. Great little beach, clean water, good for kayaking. Nice paved trail around the park. Wooded, shady at tent sites, quiet and clean. Friepits with grates for cooking.

  • H
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Anita State Park Campground
    Jun. 15, 2019

    Lake Anita State Park Campground

    Perfect stay!

    A one night stay at a beautiful park! Tent camped next to really nice college kids. The paved trail offered great views of the lake! Brought the pup and he was happy and very context. Park was very well maintained - there will be a return trip to this gem!

  • Ben K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Thomas Mitchell County Park
    Aug. 28, 2023

    Thomas Mitchell County Park

    Clean and quiet in tent

    Spent 2 nights tent camping here. We stayed at site 4, glad I read reviews on here. I personally would not want to be in a site beyond number 7 as it gets too close to the dump station and subsequent “sewage lagoon”

    Shower house was clean, pretty quiet, and only 5 miles off the highway

  • Willy W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Thomas Mitchell County Park
    Jul. 13, 2019

    Thomas Mitchell County Park

    Best little park

    Great place to go tent camping, very clean and quiet. They sell firewood bundles for $5. Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat. There is even a pond for fishing that you can take a trail from the campsite to. 100% going to go back and camp again.

  • April B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Ledges State Park Campground

    Quiet, low-key hike in camping

    Though it’s closed this summer :( - the Ledges State Park campground is a long time favorite of ours. Lots of electrical and non electrical spots and also an entire section of hike-in tent camping that is just a short hike down to a secluded section of the Des Moines River. Secure your food at night or the racoons will dine lavishly on your supplies. :)

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Springbrook State Park Campground
    May. 9, 2021

    Springbrook State Park Campground

    Worth a stay!

    We've tent camped twice at Springbrook, and though it's not perfect, it's a nice campground we plan to keep coming back to for a number of reasons.

    Pros:

    -Not a far drive from Des Moines, but still quite remote

    -Lots of nice hiking trails

    -Easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms

    -The lake is a peaceful spot to spend the early mornings, a nice place to fish (but don't expect to catch anything) and its beach is fun on the hot summer days, and tends to not be too busy. Has lots of benches around to sit and enjoy the view.

    -No cell reception, which could be a "con" but we like that it forces us to unplug

    Cons:

    -Tent camping spots are clustered mainly in the middle of a loop, which feels a bit like a fishbowl with no privacy

    -It's mainly an RV/camper campground, which can be loud/rowdy at night for tent campers. Lots of parties happening the two weekends we were there. Definitely don't recommend if you want a peaceful weekend away from the world.

    -Other than hiking and a bit of swimming/fishing, there's not much to do

    -Firewood is a short drive from the campground, which can get inconvenient

  • Zachariah M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground
    Sep. 7, 2019

    Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    Nice spot

    I would suggest getting reservations. We stopped on a Friday with out one, they were booked. We only wanted one night in a tent. They don’t have designated tent sites but they have one overflow sight and they let us use it for the night. Price is great, $20 per night. Easy to get rvs into the spots and a lot to do for the kids.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Swede Point Park
    Sep. 4, 2018

    Swede Point Park

    Hidden Gem

    Small county park with clean showers and restrooms. Several short trails, mile mile and a half maybe. Tent camping is always available (literally - was just there over Labor day weekend and had no trouble getting a spot on Saturday), with maybe 20 electric sites, no reservations. New this year is firewood for purchase. Not far from the famous High Trestle Trail for you bicycle enthusiasts! My wife and I teardrop trailer camp here as often as we can.

  • Matt S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Thayer Lake Rec Area
    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.

  • Nicole G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Anita State Park Campground
    Jul. 8, 2018

    Lake Anita State Park Campground

    Nicely maintained campground with great views of the lake!

    This campground has both RV full hookup and electric sites very close to the lake. Campsites offer a great view of lake and close access to docks. There is an adjacent area with non- electric sites that would work for tent campIng. All sites have firepots and picnic tables. The lake is great for fishing or kayaking and there is also a beach with swimming. Bring your bikes to ride on a paved trail that goes all the way around the lake. Very clean and quiet campground!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Adventureland Campground
    Apr. 3, 2022

    Adventureland Campground

    Parking more than camping

    I stayed at Adventureland for the summer months and had no issues. The staff was very helpful, plenty of laundry/restrooms throughout the campground and pretty clean overall. Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick. Tent camping is an option in the back of the campground. Nature is not really the draw of this campground, convenience is more the approach. With a theme park on one side and a casino on the other, both in walking distance. It’s more of a park and party place hahaha

  • Laura B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Anita State Park Campground
    Jul. 3, 2018

    Lake Anita State Park Campground

    Good state park

    This is a decent state park campground but is always full. It has tent sites separated from the trailer sites. There is a park and on saturdays during the summer they do Disney movies and free popcorn. The lake is good for fishing. They have a beach and volleyball. There is also a biking trail they goes around the lake. It is close to town so if you need anything that is helpful.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Anita State Park Campground
    Jun. 17, 2019

    Lake Anita State Park Campground

    Great Find!

    This is hands down one of the best campgrounds we’ve been to in the U.S. Everything is beautifully maintained from the grass covered campsites to the clean bathrooms and free showers. Full hookup and tent campsites are plentiful with or without reservations. Beautiful lake, great walking trail, close to town and I-80, but quiet and peaceful. Can’t beat it for $11 a night.

  • Matt S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Anita State Park Campground
    Oct. 1, 2016

    Lake Anita State Park Campground

    Lake Anita State Park surprised me

    Lake Anita State Park is just a few miles off of Interstate 80. When I decided to go to Lake Anita I had very low expectations, it surprised me.

    Lake Anita has boating and fishing as its main attraction. If you like birds there are bird houses built all around the park. The lake is beautiful and the campground is built all around the lake with great views.

    The tent camping is placed away from the RVs/camper trailers and everything is well kept. I highly recommend Lake Anita State Park for the relaxing environment and the easy access from the interstate.

  • b
    Camper-submitted photo from Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Smaller but nice

    We have a smaller camper and got lucky to fit into a smaller spot that backed up to the woods. We both grew up around here and have always kayaked,fished,hiked, tent camped in the park. Love the scenic trails, there’s so many. Good for pictures. Also they rebuilt the boat ramp and it’s really nice now. Nice river to kayak, not as scenic as some but fun even though the rivers low. There’s 2 cabins you can rent which I did a couple times years ago, they are clean with kitchen. Overall nice park.

  • Jim H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Green Valley State Park Campground
    Oct. 8, 2018

    Green Valley State Park Campground

    Nice, clean campground

    Campsite was pretty packed on a Saturday night in late September. We didn't have a reservation but was able to get one of the last tent sites available. Nice spot, fire pits have nice swinging grates on them. There was a picnic table at our spot as well. Great view of the lake from here. We were in Campsite 092. Only drawback is that there must be a cow farm somewhere to the south as you will hear cows mooing all night at this campground.

  • Sara S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Walnut Woods State Park Campground
    Jul. 25, 2016

    Walnut Woods State Park Campground

    good place for a day trip

    We just did a day trip here with families who have a bunch of kids. Great park for kids and they loved floating down the river. We did a fun short hike as well. We checked out the camping situation for our next visit to Des Moines and decided a park a bit further away was worth a more secluded camping experience. Sites were not secluded and not very exciting plus they seemed very set up for an RV experience not so much tent camping. The bathrooms look pretty nice though. Definitely a nice place to spend a few hours, but the campground leaves something to be desired for me.

  • Willy W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
    Jun. 1, 2020

    Ledges State Park Campground

    Ledges

    Ledges State Park

    Ledges is an amazing place. It has so much to do. There are long trails to hike, creeks to play in.

    You can bring your tent or RV and camp. The RV camps have water/sewer hookups. The primitive tent sites are usually pretty clean and can get pretty busy on the weekends.

    There are lots of bridges that get flooded out and are fun to drive over. Most of the kids like to hang out near them and get splashed.

    Its a fantastic place to enjoy the outdoors and especially in the fall. Also if you go to Ames stop at Great Plains pizza company.


Guide to Dallas Center

Tent camping near Dallas Center, Iowa, offers a variety of scenic spots and outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several well-reviewed campgrounds to explore.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • The Middle River Forest Area is a fantastic spot for hiking and fishing, offering a serene environment along the river.
  • Experience the beauty of nature with hiking trails and wildlife observation at Ashton Wildwood Park, which also features a small nature center.
  • For those who enjoy water activities, Colfax Quarry Springs Park is right on the water, making it ideal for kayaking and fishing.

Unique local attractions for tent campers

  • Visit the nearby observatory while camping at Ashton Wildwood Park for a chance to stargaze and learn about astronomy.
  • The Kuehn Conservation Area features a small Bear Creek nature center, open daily, which is perfect for families looking to explore local wildlife.
  • Experience the tranquility of nature at Otter Creek Park, where you can enjoy secluded camping and scenic walks.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dallas Center, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dallas Center, IA is Kuehn Conservation Area with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Dallas Center, IA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Dallas Center, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.