Best Tent Camping near Delhi, IA

Recent Tent Reviews near Delhi, IA

491 Reviews of 21 Delhi Campgrounds

• A

  Amanda C.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 4, 2020

  Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

  Great park!

  I tent camped at Six Pines Campground for 3 nights in August. The park has two campgrounds and this one is non electric with pit toilets and water. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a really nice grill. The sites are large and flat and the ones on the outside of the loop are well shaded. Two trails can be accessed from the tent campground - Six Pines trail and West Lake trail. There are two shower houses that you can use at the RV campground but it takes about 15-20 minutes to drive across the park to that campground. The park is very large with about 20 miles of trails. There is a spring fed creek and, if you stay away from the trout fishing area, you can play and wade in the creek. It has a sandy/rocky bottom and sandy banks. It felt wonderful on a hot day. There is a swim beach on the lake but it was closed due to E. coli in the water. There’s a small camp store too. At night in this campground there are no lights except in the registration kiosk so it’s perfect for star gazing. The Field of Dreams movie site is just 45 minutes away and makes for a fun side trip. There is a town about 10 minutes away with a couple restaurants and coffee shops. The Six Pines trail can be taken from the campground to the Backbone trail. The Backbone trail is along a rocky ridge. There are side trails down to the base of the cliffs and lots of rock climbing to do. Very fun to explore the side paths and climb up the rock walls.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 26, 2022

  Jolly Rogers Campground

  Larger CG along Iowa River (Seasonal) currently named Scales Pointe

  Large marina on Iowa River, Bobbers Grill restaurant on site, sand volleyball lots, playgrounds, horseshoe pits, camp store with propane/firewood, shower house, full hookups, tent sites.

• J

  Jamee H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 18, 2016

  Lake Macbride State Park Campground

  Highly recommend! Non-modern site was great for us! Clean, family-friendly, quiet, but no shower house

  Lake MacBride State Park is divided into two areas, and you need a car (or boat) to get between the two sections. You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that. One side is called the "modern campground" and has spots for RV camping and tent camping, and this campground has toilets, playground, beach, and shower house. The other side is the "non-modern campground" and has RV and tent sites, playground, boat access to the lake, modern bathroom and pit latrine, but NO shower house. Our family of two parents and 2 young boys stayed a Friday night in the non-modern campground in site #49, which is off to the side, close to the woods, and is appropriate for two tents. We had no complaints at all! The campground is well-maintained, the lake is beautiful, the modern toilet house was clean, there was water on site. Our kids played with other kids in the campground at the small but nicely maintained and modern playground. There were some safe little trails in the woods next to our campsite that our kids walked around on with lanterns and looked for bugs and spiders. There was a normal amount of chatter from a Boy Scout group that was near us, but the sound died down fairly early, and it was quiet sleeping. The next morning, we got up and did some exercise and watched the lake while the fog was still low. Saw lots of neat birds, including a great blue heron. There is no swimming beach on this side, but you can launch a boat (boat ramp) or kayaks and canoes. Many of the campsites were empty when we went, and for the empty ones, you just get your campsite on the honor system. I do sort of wish there was a shower house on that side, just in case, but that is probably what is keeping this site quiet. We reserved the campsite through ReserveAmerica, and unfortunately we had to reserve for a minimum of 2 days, so my only other wish would be that we could reserve for just one day, BUT the campsite was very inexpensive, only $9/night, so for $18 plus a very minimal processing fee (I think we paid $22 total for the 2 nights), we had a great place to camp, and much cheaper and quieter than a cheap motel, along our destination from Wisconsin to Kansas! Things nearby to check out include: the beach at the park, the Devonian Fossil Gorge in Coralville, and the Coffee Press (for coffee lovers) in Iowa City.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Aug. 5, 2021

  Swiss Valley County Park

  Great County park, preserve, campground

  Campground is well maintained, restrooms, showers, recycling station, fire wood available, campground host onsite, resident park ranger, standard RV sites, some electric tent sites otherwise primitive with fire rings and tables. Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails.

• 

  Chris C.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 3, 2017

  Bloody Run County Park

  Hidden gem

  Quiet park with beautiful campground. Great for tent camping. Had no luck fishing the stream but a friend with me caught a couple.

• 

  Chelsea M.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 31, 2019

  Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area

  Beautiful

  It's a great recreational area, and a beautiful campground, tent camping is a breeze with very secluded sites, and well water very close to each site and a trail that leads to a large dumpster. Awesome lake to go kayaking on too!

• A

  Ann B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 9, 2018

  Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area

  Well maintained with trees!

  The tent sites are very nice and private. There are waist high prairie flowers between the sites to provide privacy and beauty. New picnic tables. Lots of shade. visited in July

• 

  J. T.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 13, 2021

  Sugar Bottom Campground

  Sweet tent sites on the lake!

  Great open air tent sites right on the side of the lake. Perfect access to restrooms close to the beach and close to the beach and write-off the boat dock.

• P

  Patti M.

  Ranger

  

  Oct. 19, 2018

  Scales Pointe Camping and Boating

  Super nice owner!

  Just looking for a layover spot after a long day of driving. Couldn't figure out where to register so we walked into the bar/restaurant, Bobber's Grill. The owner was at the bar. Was going to charge us $35 because he thought we needed hook ups. Explained we were self sufficient and really just needed a place to park...very willing to pay for a tent site. After confirming we needed nothing else, he said "Well if that's all you want, you can park in my lot here and buy a beer." Deal!! The tent sites were really muddy that day so we were thrilled to have a lot. Place is right on the lake. Lots of boating. Quiet at night. Really a fun place to be.

• 

  Laura B.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 3, 2018

  Riverview Ridge

  Love this place

  Great private campground. Lots of trailer sites but the gem is the tent sites down by the river. Very clean and the office was so friendly. Every Friday they do a themed dinner and play a movie.

• 

  Therese T.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 15, 2021

  Baileys Ford

  Love this campground

  I keep coming back to this park. The tent camping sites are quiet, well shaded and good access to the fishing stream. Running water Bathrooms closed due to covid but the vault toilets are fine. Hiking trails are absolutely gorgeous, 3 playgrounds for the kids. Little nature center was nice. Staff there were great. Highly highly recommend Bailey’s Ford!

• 

  Stephen R.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 2, 2021

  Miller Riverview City Park

  Pretty spot, but one big issue

  Miller River is a good urban campground, as it is tucked away from the city but still within 5 minutes of downtown. Its location on the river is very nice, and the tent sites are set apart from the RV area, which I appreciated. Upon check-in, the workers were friendly and helpful. The bathrooms are clean and fine. And it is inexpensive, at about$15 a night for a tent site. Now to the negatives. Unfortunately, most of what we found negative is out of the control of the campground itself; it's simply the location. Ambient noise includes auto traffic of speeding cars coming over the nearby highway bridge, and loud semi-trucks that are air-braking as they come into town. Also, multiple trains rumbled by the campground across the river, many blowing their horns repeatedly as they passed at all hours of the night. Finally, and somewhat hilariously, there is a greyhound dog racetrack within a few hundred feet of the tent sites. It's mostly unnoticeable until you hear the dogs. When we stayed there the dogs were let out early in the morning, around 7 am, into a big open fenced area. They all barked and whined and yelped together, a giant pack of hounds disturbing our sleep after a night of the aforementioned noise. Overall, this campground could be a good choice if noise does not bother you much, or if you have good earplugs. Avoid it probably if you are sensitive to noise or a light sleeper.

• 

  Katie J.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 8, 2020

  Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

  Favorite Iowa Park

  This park is perfect for families or anyone looking for plenty of activities. They have boat rentals, amazing trails, a camp store onsite, a swimming beach and super clean bathrooms. Stayed at tent site #24 in the Southlake Campground, and it was fairly quiet even on a busy holiday weekend.

• T

  Trish I.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 2, 2016

  Fontana County Park

  Relaxing

  Fontana is a small campground which fills up relatively fast. The park boasts animal displays and a nature center, fishing, trails and a playground all within the park, It's a quiet park with primitive and electrical hookups. Though I recommend better for campers since many tent sites are under pine trees.

• 

  Jacob W.

  Ranger

  

  Apr. 1, 2021

  Lake Macbride State Park Campground

  Wooded walk-in tent sites (MNRA)

  My son and I tent-camped at Macbride Nature Recreation Area (not nearby Lake Macbride State Park) several times circa 2005. Always a good time. You can walk through the forest to get to the injured raptor center with outdoor aviaries. I marked this campground as new to the Dyrt map but the Dyrt changed it to a review of the state park. Oh well!

• 

  Therese T.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 20, 2021

  Sugar Bottom Campground

  Great campsite

  Last minute on Saturday night they had only 2 spots left. We were tent camping but they only had electric sites remaining. We got site 31, beautiful spacious area, right off the River for fishing! Bathroom facilities were clean and had hot water. Each site has a water faucet. Host was helpful and the site was well maintained. Glad we found it in a last minute change of plans. Will definitely go back again!

• 

  Chet D.

  Scout

  

  May. 26, 2020

  Bellevue State Park Campground - Dyas Unit

  Decent. Not the best tent sites.

  Stayed there recently for Memorial Day weekend. The site we had was fairly steep as far as tent sites go. The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem. It was rainy so we didn't get to enjoy the trails but we were told they were decent.

• W

  Wayne K.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 24, 2024

  Riverview Ridge

  Unique River and Trail Access Campground

  Two hour float trips on the North Fork Maquoketa River are available directly from the campground. There is a mix of permanent and temporary campers. The tent sites, nearest the river, are well spaced with flush toilets. Apparently there are also good trails, as many of the campers have ATV’s parked at their sites. The shower house, under the office, was spacious and clean.

• 

  Dj Y.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 19, 2024

  Grant River Recreation Area

  Sandy and Gentleman worker=AMAZING

  I was hitchhiking thru, was dropped off by a ride that said he was buying a $14 tent site for me, come to find out he never did, I just was honest with sandy and the gentleman worker and offered the only 8$ I had, no sir, they said please stay for free and just enjoy. WONDERFUL PPL THAT CARE ABOUT OTHERS!! THANKS YALL

• R

  Rachel H.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 21, 2018

  Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

  Fantastic location cation for individual or group tent camping!

  I went with a group of entering sixth grade Girl Scouts on a weekend tent camping trip to this park. The campsites were simple to access and the grounds were easy to navigate. We hiked on the famous Backbone trail - a really fun hike that isn’t too incredibly long. The grounds were well kept and we had a phenomenal time. The girls gathered our firewood in the neighboring tree line, and our evenings were filled with fun and friendly camping neighbors. I highly recommend this park.

• 

  James D.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 30, 2016

  Pikes Peak State Park Campground

  Had a great time at this former military fort on the Mississippi

  This park is arranged more for RV's than tent camping and you cannot set up right along the river but can get pretty close if you are in tent spot 25. The sites are really close to each other. Bear Mound is cool to see if you appreciate the history behind it. Bridal falls is also a must see if you are there. The hiking trails can be done with a long day hike and offer some beautiful scenery as the leaves are changing. One of the few spots I have stayed along the Mississippi and one of my favorites.

• 

  Amanda K.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 9, 2021

  Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

  Secluded Gem

  Mostly RV/Campers. We tent camped (1 adult & 4 kids). Odd spot for a tent with a cement slab. Pretty serene and clean park, until about 7am when landscapers show up with lawn mowers etc. each morning. Lots of space between spots and it feel more private than some spots we’ve stayed in. Fire pits with grates at each site. Bathrooms with flushing toilets, floors were a bit flooded and showers are a bit rusty, but warm! Small playground with sand that the younger kids enjoyed. Fire wood is available near the bathrooms with a donation box. Best part of this campsite was the walking distance from Maquoketa Caves State Park site with beautiful hiking trails easy to explore. If you want to go in caves, bring headlamps/flashlights and prepare to have wet shoes. Also only 30-45mins from downtown Dubuque, Iowa.

• C

  Carol M.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 6, 2018

  Matsell Bridge Natural Area

  Nice little inexpensive primitive site... spaces almost always available

  Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up. HOWEVER, take bug spray and enjoy the rustic peacefulness of this "best kept secret" for primitive and inexpensive camping sites. Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Good for RV, trailer or tent camping… level ground and lots of shade. Primitive bathrooms, no showers or running water.

• 

  Mike C.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 4, 2021

  Blue Inn Campground

  Cozy, basic CG

  37 full-hookup sites, some tent sites, all right on edge of town. Adjacent to Kitty Creek, joins Maquoketa River. Some concrete pads, most are gravel, fairly level. Pretty tight layout, average of only 30-40' between sites. New fire rings, picnic tables in good condition. Bakery and other facilities are closed due to COVID. Previous campers at our site left lots of trash on ground...always disappointing. Electrical and water were good. Sewer connections a bit high.

• 

  Kenneth M.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 6, 2024

  Clayton Hills Campground

  Best Owners Ever

  I was looking around for a place and being the weekend after the 4th of July, I knew there wouldn't be many options. This place is literally a hidden gem and should get more focus!!! The owner had a spot for my family and me!!! When he found out that I was only tent camping, he even lowered the price!!! He didn't have to do that at all and it wasn't expected. Grassy locations everywhere. Wonderful water and electric hookups!!! A little piece of heaven here. JJ is an AMAZING host!!!

• 

  Khenia F.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 20, 2022

  Grant River Recreation Area

  Spacious with train tracks

  The tent site that we were at was very specious for my dog to run freely with his long leash. A lot of shade and space for everyone. We stayed right by the bathrooms. Showers have a push button so water pressure and temperature was not very great. The river was a great view and campground was big to walk around. Plenty of people coming through but a quiet neighborhood. Other than the train passing right by us, we enjoyed our time there.

• 

  Chantal C.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 22, 2021

  Baileys Ford

  Great for Families

  The RV/pull behind spots here fill up VERY fast. This was no big deal for us since we went for a long tent camping weekend, there are plenty of sites if you are ok without all the hookups. The park has the river on one end and cold water springs all around the other side. There are restrooms which are well taken care of but no showers at the time as they were 'covid closed'. There are multiple playgrounds with grills and shelter, and tons of easy hiking for families with kids. We played in the springs when we stayed, relaxed and just walked the park. We had no neighbors at our tent spot.