Best Campgrounds near Decorah, IA

Decorah camping includes several good options within a short drive of this northeast Iowa town. R Campground sits just off Highway 218 with gravel sites and 50 amp full hookups that work well for RVs. Pikes Peak State Park Campground has walking trails and Mississippi River views that many campers enjoy. About an hour away, Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground in Minnesota lets you take guided tours through underground caves between camping trips. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather with mild temperatures and colorful trees. Summers get hot around Decorah, so bring extra water and something for shade. Winter camping happens but you'll need serious cold-weather gear to stay comfortable. Most campgrounds have good roads leading to them, though some spots might need higher clearance after it rains. The area has hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching when you're not at camp. The town of Decorah has some good stores and places to eat when you need a break from cooking at your campsite. Both tent and RV campers can find spots that match what they're looking for near Decorah.

Best Camping Sites Near Decorah, Iowa (152)

    1. Pulpit Rock Campground

    17 Reviews
    Decorah, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 382-9551

    "This campground is located right outside of scenic Decorah and has trails for hiking or biking. Easy access for kayakers and tubers and walking distance to great breweries."

    "Decorah is so beautiful. The river is right beside the tent sites. Hiking trails close by. Caves and water falls only a short drive away. Tubing, canoeing, and kayaking services behind camp grounds."

    2. Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground

    6 Reviews
    Cresco, IA
    12 miles
    Website

    "We booked a spot for our RV because we wanted to explore the Decorah,IA area and it’s abundant set of activities."

    "Easy access for kayaking and tubing on the Upper Iowa River."

    3. Bluffton Resort

    5 Reviews
    Decorah, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 735-5738

    $25 / night

    "Gorgeous bluffs and river to camp right next to! Can’t wait to go back!"

    "The camping sites also have large tall trees where a camper should be parked which causes you to park way to close to the fire pit."

    4. Pine Creek Cabins & Campground

    2 Reviews
    Decorah, IA
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (715) 495-5836

    5. South Bear Creek

    4 Reviews
    Decorah, IA
    12 miles
    Website

    "The South Bear Creek entrance is located near Highlandville, IA off of Quandahl Road. This is Iowa Department of Natural Resources land and offers primitive camping only."

    "A couple sites are very close to the stream, which is wonderful to have the flowing water sound to help me fall asleep.

    This campground can get very busy during the spring, summer, and fall."

    6. Pulpit Rock Campground

    2 Reviews
    Decorah, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 382-4158

    $28 - $37 / night

    "City water only available central locations otherwise a delight spot in a wonderful town"

    7. Hideaway Camper By The Cave 2.0

    1 Review
    Decorah, IA
    8 miles
    +1 (512) 608-5089

    $100 - $150 / night

    8. Hutchinson Family Farm Campground

    1 Review
    Decorah, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 382-3054

    "We brought are kayak with us and went down the Upper Iowa River Saturday and Sunday, if you are at this campground make sure you spend a day on the river."

    9. Lake Meyer County Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Calmar, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 534-7145

    "As someone who bicycle tours I appreciated fire wood being on site and close to where the tent area is. The bathrooms aren’t the best but they worked."

    "Lake Meyer sits atop a hill above the Lake. Beautiful trails with lots of wild life. Even an eagles nest. There are hook ups and water."

    10. Upper Iowa Resort and Rental

    4 Reviews
    New Albin, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 568-3263

    "Wen I lived in Minnesota and my boyfriend was living in iowa, this was our go-to meeting place for our weekend getaways. "

    "This campground is perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 152 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Decorah, IA

479 Reviews of 152 Decorah Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Lake Hendricks Co Park

    Paved sites, simple Accomodations

    A good place for a place to stop next to a lake. Good hookups and picnic tables

  • Deb M.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Blackhawk Park

    Another nice COE campground

    Nice mix of sites at this park, many with electric hookups. There’s also lots of unnumbered sites FCFS sites around the park. Only 1 bathroom/shower building, and lots of vault toilets. The west loop sites (where we camped) were a bit close together, but large and level. Even on a busy Labor Day weekend, the campground was quiet and peaceful. AT&T service was good, and T-Mobile service was very spotty. There’s a dump station and potable water on site. We will definitely be back.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Lovely space

    There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter. I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed.

  • Kay K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Wyalusing State Park Campground

    Gorgeous sunsets

    Clean and beautiful campsite. Dry firewood and kindling available. The toilets were clean. The ridge view sites are spectacular but not for those with a fear of heights.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    great camping

    Stayed in site 71 for 3 nights. Good level campsite and in walking around all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level.  

    The shower house is the newer style - individual shower rooms and then a separate mens/women/handicapped bathroom.   Showers were clean.

    Lots of hiking - down to historic village and back is about 4.5 miles round trip.  

    If you get the chance, go do the the 1 hour walking tour of Mystery Cave - well worth the entry fee.  if you go on weekend probably need to make reservations. 

    and finally need to check out Wykoff - and see Ed's Museum.  Usually open on weekends.  We went over during the week and wasn't open but you can get view inside from the street.

    TV was able to pick up about 15 stations - but there is NO CELL SERVICE in the campground - no Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile.   Wifi down at the ranger office.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Pulpit Rock Campground

    Very Nice

    Very nice City owned facility . City water only available central locations otherwise a delight spot in a wonderful town

  • D
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Wyalusing State Park Campground

    Beautiful views

    Clean sites with some privacy. Great showers and clean bathrooms. There are lots of places to walk the dogs and great hiking.

    Even if you have an inside or non cliff side site, there are plenty of places to sit and watch the sunsets.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 3, 2025

    Blackhawk Park

    Clean and right on the water

    Nice campground. Book the non-electric site to have a better opportunity of being right on the water.


Guide to Decorah

Decorah camping sites offer several options beyond the well-known campgrounds in northeast Iowa. Located in the Driftless Area, this region features unique limestone bluffs and cold-water trout streams not found in most of Iowa's generally flat terrain. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing between November and March, while summer days often reach the mid-80s with higher humidity.

What to do

Kayaking and tubing: Bluffton Resort offers convenient river access with shuttle service. Ryan mentions, "This is a nice hidden little privately owned campground. The host, Randy is super nice and helpful with whatever you need. There is also the bar/store where you can get refreshments and food."

Cycling the trail network: Pulpit Rock Campground connects to extensive bike paths. Jenny K. notes, "This campground is located right outside of scenic Decorah and has trails for hiking or biking. Easy access for kayakers and tubers and walking distance to great breweries."

Trout fishing: South Bear Creek provides free primitive camping with excellent angling opportunities. Kerry M. explains, "North Bear Creek is one of the most popular trout streams in Iowa. It offers fishing for a variety of skill levels from simple power-bait up to fly fishing."

What campers like

River proximity: Many Decorah camping sites feature water access. Kari S. from Pulpit Rock Campground shares, "My boyfriend and I stayed right on the river with our pups (pet friendly) and it was BEAUTIFUL. Easy access to restrooms but secluded and quiet too."

Spacious sites: Hutchinson Family Farm Campground offers roomier camping spots. Clarke N. reports, "The sites are huge but pretty open and we needed 50' of cord to hit electrical box (not a big deal). The lawn was nicely mowed and the sites are very level. We did check out some of the other campgrounds and did find that some have you packed in like cord wood."

Clean facilities: Lake Meyer County Park Campground maintains good amenities. According to B B., "This is a great little park if you need a place to stop for the night. It was very inexpensive for tents ($10 I think) and the tent camping area was very nice with 3 giant pine trees and some picnic tables and fire rings."

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation but offers solitude. Kerry M. from South Bear Creek advises, "Winter offers quite a bit more solitude, both in the campground and on the trout stream. Many times I have been the only person camping here during winter. The campsite is not plowed, so a 4WD is recommended."

Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be louder based on location. Tiffany R. warns about Pulpit Rock, "Beautiful scenery, lots of trout streams. Our site was 48 and it was noisy with the highway there. Will go back just move more in ward."

Crowds: Popular sites fill quickly in peak seasons. Mallory S. notes, "The campgrounds was mostly full (even fuller on the website, why don't people cancel when they aren't coming?)"

Tips for camping with families

Swimming options: Upper Iowa Resort and Rental offers kid-friendly water activities. Sheena B. says, "Loved the sand bottom pool, owners were so nice and kids loved getting hard ice cream everyday from the shop! Clean, quiet, friendly place!"

Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. Erin A. explains, "This campground is perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River... The best part of this camp is they offer tube canoe and kayak rentals with a shuttle to the put in then you float back to the campground. Also has a 'pool'/man made pond with a beach all the way around it."

Budget-friendly sites: Some campgrounds offer affordable stays. B B. mentions Lake Meyer County Park Campground "was very inexpensive for tents ($10 I think)" making it accessible for family outings.

Tips from RVers

Electrical access: Check hookup distances before setting up. Clarke N. from Hutchinson Family Farm Campground shares, "We needed 50' of cord to hit electrical box (not a big deal). The lawn was nicely mowed and the sites are very level."

Site spacing: Some RV areas provide more room than others. Travis P. cautions, "What I didn't enjoy was how close each RV site is. The sparks from our fire were making their way to our neighbors site."

Water availability: Not all campgrounds have hookups at each site. Robert T. notes about Pulpit Rock Campground, "City water only available central locations otherwise a delight spot in a wonderful town."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Decorah, Iowa?

Pulpit Rock Campground is a standout option located right outside scenic Decorah with direct river access, hiking trails, and walking distance to breweries. The campground offers affordable rates, clean shower facilities, picnic tables, and fire pits at each site. For those seeking a more spacious option, Upper Iowa Resort and Rental provides a great weekend getaway spot with more room to spread out. Decorah's campgrounds offer excellent access to outdoor activities including kayaking, tubing, hiking to caves and waterfalls, and trout fishing opportunities. The area's bike trail connectivity makes it easy to explore the region's natural beauty without needing to drive.

Are there state parks with camping options near Decorah, Iowa?

Several state parks with camping options are located near Decorah. Yellow River State Forest offers multiple campgrounds including Little Paint Campground, which features excellent trout fishing opportunities that set it apart from other Iowa state forests. Backbone State Park with its Six Pines Campground is another nearby option. Just across the border in Wisconsin, Wyalusing State Park Campground offers clean, well-maintained sites with great hiking trails and is conveniently located near Effigy Mounds. These parks typically provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to outdoor recreation opportunities.

Is there a campground at Chimney Rock near Decorah?

Yes, Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground is located near Decorah. This private campground offers a more rustic camping experience but maintains clean shower facilities and well-kept grounds. The campground features ample space for campers to spread out and is an ideal base for exploring the Decorah area's abundant outdoor activities. The lower campground area sits adjacent to water access, making it convenient for paddlers. While the facilities are basic compared to some more developed campgrounds, its strategic location and spaciousness make it popular with visitors looking to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Decorah region.

What RV camping facilities are available in Decorah?

Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground offers RV camping with a rustic feel but includes clean shower facilities and well-maintained grounds with plenty of space to spread out. It's an excellent base for exploring Decorah's numerous outdoor activities. For those needing more amenities, Hutchinson Family Farm Campground provides toilet facilities and is big-rig friendly. Most RV sites in the area offer the basics like fire pits and picnic tables, though sites tend to be close together with limited privacy. Some campgrounds have electric hookups, but full hookups are less common. Reservation policies vary by location, with some operating on a first-come, first-served basis.