Best Campgrounds near Decorah, IA

Decorah is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. Decorah is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Decorah, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Decorah, Iowa (149)

    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. 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."

    5. Hideaway Camper By The Cave 2.0

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

    $100 - $150 / night

    6. 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."

    7. 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."

    8. Pulpit Rock Campground

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

    $28 - $37 / night

    9. 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."

    10. Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground

    21 Reviews
    Caledonia, MN
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 724-2107

    "The park has a lot of very well maintained trails. The only thing to know is there is no cell reception because of the valley."

    "Water, garbage and recycling (separated) were all close by. There as no cell signal, so we went to town for that. The park has nice trails that are pretty well marked."

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Showing results 1-10 of 149 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Decorah, IA

459 Reviews of 149 Decorah Campgrounds



Guide to Decorah

Camping near Decorah, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the campfire, there are plenty of options to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Pikes Peak State Park Campground. “Beautiful overlooks above the great Mississippi River! Very nice trails!” said one happy camper.
  • Fishing: Head to Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground for some great trout fishing. A visitor mentioned, “Good trout fishing here, some sites are primitive, some have electric and water.”
  • Cave Tours: Don’t miss the cave tours at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground. One reviewer raved, “Love the cave tours! Some trails in the park are horse trails also, so you may encounter the occasional horseback rider.”

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers at Nelson Dewey State Park Campground love the stunning views. One camper shared, “Campsite D's views were unbeatable. A storm rolled in over the Mississippi as we were heading to bed; it was a magical experience.”
  • Privacy: Many appreciate the spacious sites at Perrot State Park Campground. A visitor noted, “The sites are well spaced and well separated by trees.”
  • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Minnesota Whitewater State Park Campground said, “Restroom with showers also available in campground. Site was large and easy to back into.”

What you should know:

  • Train Noise: If you camp at Nelson Dewey State Park Campground, be prepared for train noise. One camper warned, “When trains are blowing their horns miles away, the sound carries. When they go past the site, it's incredibly loud!”
  • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Great River Bluffs State Park Campground, have spotty cell service. A visitor mentioned, “There is little to no cell coverage.”
  • Mosquitoes: Be ready for bugs, especially in summer. A camper at Perrot State Park Campground noted, “Lots of vegetation around the camp site that made it feel a bit more private but that also brought lots of bugs and mosquitoes.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby swimming areas, like Minnesota Whitewater State Park Campground. A reviewer said, “Swimming beach about half a mile from campground.”
  • Playgrounds: Check out campgrounds that have playgrounds for kids. One camper at Pulpit Rock Campground mentioned, “Large playground, internet at the front building in case you need to work.”
  • Group Sites: Consider campgrounds with larger sites for family gatherings. A visitor at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground noted, “Campsites are flat and grassy. They back up to each other so good for groups camping together.”

Tips from RVers:

  • Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park, offer electric hookups. A reviewer said, “Restrooms were nice, shower house was closed and locked but the scenery on the hiking trail was amazing.”
  • Space Between Sites: Look for campgrounds with spacious layouts. A camper at Wyalusing State Park Campground mentioned, “Site layouts a little less private. Great hiking.”
  • Dump Stations: Ensure the campground has a dump station for convenience. A visitor at Pikes Peak State Park Campground noted, “Very Easy to use dump station.”

Camping near Decorah, Iowa, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the occasional train noise and bring some bug spray!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Decorah, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Decorah, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 149 campgrounds and RV parks near Decorah, IA and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Decorah, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Decorah, IA is Pulpit Rock Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 17 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Decorah, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Decorah, IA.

What parks are near Decorah, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Decorah, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.