Davenport camping areas sit along the Mississippi River at approximately 590 feet elevation, where Iowa's eastern border meets Illinois across the water. The region's camping season typically runs April through October with summer temperatures averaging 80-85°F. Highway noise varies significantly between campgrounds, with waterfront locations generally offering quieter conditions than those near major roads.
What to do
Hiking trails: Scott County Park offers extensive hiking options through woodland, wetlands, and prairie. At Bald Eagle Campground, "miles of trails" allow campers to enjoy diverse terrain with abundant wildlife. As one visitor notes, "Expect to see whitetail deer as they love to make the park home."
Fishing access: Shady Creek provides direct Mississippi River access for anglers. "We love this campground right along the Mississippi river," notes a camper. The location allows for both shoreline fishing and boat launching, with several sites positioned along the riverbank for easy water access.
Disc golf: West Lake Park features what reviewers call a "world-class disc golf course" adjacent to its camping areas. The course winds through varied terrain with both wooded and open sections, offering challenges for players of all skill levels while providing scenic lake views throughout the course.
What campers like
River views: Clarks Ferry earns praise for its Mississippi River frontage. "Beautiful clean campground right next to the Mississippi River, lots of Maple Trees, level concrete pads," writes one reviewer. Sites are "spaced out and angled nicely" with "good view of the river" according to another camper.
Clean facilities: Rock Island Quad Cities KOA maintains well-regarded bathroom facilities. "Shower houses are very nice sized never feel cramped. And they are very well taken care of," notes a reviewer. Another mentions, "Clean bathrooms & showers. We didn't use the pool, but it looked nice."
Level sites: Fishermans Corner receives consistent praise for its site quality. A visitor reports, "Paved everywhere, level concrete pads. Corps of Engineers takes really good care of their recreation areas." Another notes sites are "well spaced and the campground itself feels more like a park that happens to have RV parking."
What you should know
Railroad proximity: Several riverfront campgrounds sit close to active train lines. At Fishermans Corner Mississippi River, "Railroad runs nearby can be loud," according to one camper. Another notes, "As with all the campgrounds along the Northern Illinois Great River Trail, it is along side Rt. 84, and railroad tracks. That is a part of the Mississippi commerce."
Reservation timing: Popular pet friendly camping near Davenport fills quickly during peak season. At Buffalo Shores, one camper advises: "Holiday's get full fast- Plan to come 4-5 days early for a spot." Most campgrounds offer online reservation systems, but several accept walk-ins based on availability.
Seasonal differences: Summer brings more crowded conditions and higher noise levels. A visitor to Summit Campground noted, "The campground was pretty quiet and sparse until Friday rolled around and it filled up fast! All but one site was full!" Winter camping options exist at Park Terrace Campground, which remains open year-round.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Park Terrace Campground offers a swimming beach with concessions during summer. "The pool was open while we were there but we did not partake. It was really hot out so the pool was packed!" noted one visitor. The beach area includes boat rentals and paddling opportunities on the adjacent lake.
Pioneer village visits: Scott County Park includes historical attractions perfect for educational outings. One visitor recalls, "We would always take to hike to Walnut Grove Pioneer Village. Pioneer village if you've never been was the absolute bees knees as a kid to go to, especially since you can hike to get there! I loved climbing around in the train cars, eating icecream/candy canes, and watching the blacksmith work."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature recently updated play areas. At Summit Campground, "There is a playground nearby, park has seasonal pool, garden of course, trails, Pride Lake for fishing and paddling." Another visitor notes the "new playground being installed" as part of ongoing improvements.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: When camping with pets near Davenport, choose sites based on terrain and spacing. At Illiniwek Campground, a reviewer notes "Sites are small however pull through sites are 2x as big, but they cost a little more." Consider the site configuration - "Back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level grounds are incredibly well-organized."
Dump station access: Several campgrounds have recently upgraded facilities. At Summit Campground, one visitor mentioned "campground lanes and walking paths have been recently upgraded with new septic lines." Buffalo Shores similarly completed system upgrades with "new septic system installed."
Supply proximity: Interstate RV Park provides convenient access to pet supplies. "Pet owners appreciate the nearby Farm & Fleet store for emergency pet supplies and the convenient access to fuel stations." Another visitor notes the location is "less than 1 mile north of I-80" making it accessible for travelers needing quick overnight stops.
