Pulpit Rock Campground is located in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa, an unglaciated region known for its steep limestone bluffs and deep river valleys. The Upper Iowa River winds through this unique landscape, creating excellent opportunities for water activities. Camping options near Decorah range from established campgrounds with full amenities to primitive sites along trout streams.
What to do
Kayaking and canoeing: Access the Upper Iowa River directly from several campgrounds for half-day to full-day floats. At Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground, "They run a great canoe/kayak/tube rental with shuttle service" according to Kelly D., who appreciates the "scenic Upper Iowa River" with its 80-foot limestone bluffs.
Cycling the Trout Run Trail: This paved 11-mile loop circles Decorah and connects to multiple campgrounds. A visitor at Lake Meyer County Park Campground noted, "As someone who bicycle tours I appreciated fire wood being on site and close to where the tent area is," making it convenient for cyclists passing through.
Trout fishing: North Bear Creek is stocked by the DNR and offers fishing for various skill levels. At South Bear Creek, 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
Riverside camping spots: Sites along the water are highly sought after but fill quickly. At Bluffton Resort, Ryan notes it's a "nice hidden little privately owned campground" and recommends you "try to get a site closest to the bluff for the best experience!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent shower and restroom facilities. A camper at Lake Meyer County Park Campground shared that "it's a safe, clean, welcoming campground for both tents and RV's," though they noted "the bathrooms aren't the best but they worked."
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer more room between sites than others. At Upper Iowa Resort and Rental, Erin A. found their site was "grass pad - spaced out fairly well from others" and mentioned the campground is "perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River."
What you should know
Site privacy varies significantly: While some campgrounds offer secluded spots, others place sites close together. At Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground, one camper warned that "the campsites are the smallest I've ever seen" with "no privacy, the sites are very close together." However, another visitor had a different experience: "The sites were spread out enough that it really felt like I was at a dispersed spot at times."
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October. Kerry M. notes that winter camping at South Bear Creek "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."
Cell service limitations: Reception can be spotty in the valley areas. One camper at Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground mentioned "there is no cell reception because of the valley. This great if you want to get away from it all, but if you're staying a while and need to work, this isn't the place to do it."
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Some locations offer multiple recreation options in one place. At Waukon City Park, holly notes they "have a bunch o pavilions and facilities. Pool, tennis, lake" making it versatile for families with different interests.
Consider the noise level: Campgrounds vary from quiet to lively depending on location and time of week. At Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground, Laura P. acknowledged that "there was music and people partying" but "they were done before midnight and silence the rest of the night!"
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer excellent value with included amenities. Brian M. found Waukon City Park provides "Free firewood, free wifi, water and electric at each campsite" and was able to find "a nice shady site for tent camping."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Some campgrounds have unusual electrical box placements. Clarke N. at Hutchinson Family Farm Campground noted "we needed 50' of cord to hit electrical box (not a big deal)" but overall found "the sites are huge" and "the lawn was nicely mowed and the sites are very level."
Site spacing: RV sites at some campgrounds can be extremely close. One camper at Pulpit Rock Campground observed that "the sparks from our fire were making their way to our neighbors site" due to how tightly packed the RV area was.
Amenities for longer stays: Campgrounds with full hookups and dump stations work best for extended visits. At Upper Iowa Resort and Rental, campers appreciated that "bathrooms and showers were clean (but very busy)" and the convenient camp store.
