Top Tent Camping near Denison, IA

Looking for an adventure where you can explore Denison and then fall asleep in your tent? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Denison campgrounds for you and your tent. Each tent site offers quick access to one or more of Denison, Iowa's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Denison, IA (8)


Recent Tent Reviews In Denison

175 Reviews of 8 Denison Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jones Pond
    Nov. 4, 2024

    Jones Pond

    Hidden Gem

    Very quiet and peaceful place I have been there few times and I never see anyone else around. There is no bathroom or drinking water so make sure you are ready for that. October is a very colorful time of the year very peaceful the pond for what I heard isn’t a good place for fishing but just a mile away there is a hunting park highly recommend it

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Hitchcock County Nature Center
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Meh, for tent camping

    Stopped overnight in late August. Did not want to drag our gear up/down a hill to the tent campsites in the lower loop. Paid more to stay in the upper RV loop where we listened to a neighbor's generator all night. Pretty buggy. Showers/toilets okay. Note there are at least 2 railroads running nearby in the wee hours of the morning. Also, this is on the flight path for jets leaving (I assume) the Omaha airport. Not a restful night--won't be back.

  • Steve R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Decatur Bend Access
    Sep. 10, 2024

    Decatur Bend Access

    Quiet and safe. Been twice now

    We live(my dog and I) on a motorcycle - think Van Life on two wheels. A quiet place to put up a tent is so welcome. There are no amenities. It's strictly dry and pack out but a great place for a few tents or a couple vans. Highly motorcycle travel recommended

  • Christopher W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hildreth Lighthouse Campground
    Jul. 30, 2024

    Hildreth Lighthouse Campground

    Nice flat piece of grass

    Stayed July 2024,

    Good: Flat piece of grass to place two tents for only $ 20 bucks. Just what I needed at 10pm 

    Bad: One quote from son sums it nicely, "saw the mens room and so used the women's". Also, two miles of dirt road was less than fun. Would have been nice if the pay station had more directions.

    Future: I would remember to make a reservation at the KOA 10 minutes away.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hitchcock County Nature Center
    Jul. 5, 2024

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Amazing!!

    We camp all the time at different locations, and I 100% recommend this campground! The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate. Even the pit toilets were spotless and didn’t smell. The hosts went around several times a day collecting trash and even mopping the pit bathrooms. Camping here also gives you access to the playground and nature trails into some beautiful countryside. The only downside is bring several bottles of bugspray, the mosquitos are terrible!

  • Madison H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park
    Jul. 5, 2024

    Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park

    10 out of 10

    This was the perfect place for us — just passing through on our way out to Wyoming. This camp ground is awesome all around — especially for tent campers. Absolutely beautiful views of the lake and so many open camp sites even on the 4th of July. I wish we could have spent more time here.

  • a
    Camper-submitted photo from Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park
    Jun. 15, 2024

    Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park

    Perfect getaway

    Perfect place to get away for the weekend. Grounds are clean bathrooms are clean. Shout out to Dave the park ranger for being very generous. We drove from Davenport to stay here for Father’s Day weekend and we will definitely be back. You also can tent camp right next to the water as well. Love it!

  • Joshua D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver Sioux Recreation Area
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Silver Sioux Recreation Area

    Hidden gem

    Was it expecting how nice this campground was compared to more primitive ones in the area. Beautiful site! Has tent camping, full rv hook ups, and a nice playground for the kids.

  • Joshua D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Stieneke Area Park
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Stieneke Area Park

    Small county park

    Small park, peaceful, river access for canoe/kayak. No designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper.

  • Joshua D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ranney Knob Area
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Ranney Knob Area

    Small county park

    Small park, has some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can. Says you can pay to camp but no designated camp sites and limited parking. Does offer access for canoe/kayaking on the river. Camping is $10 a night, pay on site.

  • George H.
    Camper-submitted photo from University 40
    May. 17, 2024

    University 40

    difficult tas

    You have no idea how helpful you've been. Writing an essay is the most difficult task for me. And I have to pay for essay to keep my grades up. And thanks to your examples and professional help I will be able to write even better.

  • Cire C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds
    Mar. 2, 2024

    Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds

    Overnight or Long Term

    We have been coming to this campground every year. They have recently open during the winter which is great because not many campground are open during this time. Steve is such a great guy who is always looking out for you.

  • RN P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Swan Lake State Park
    Oct. 21, 2023

    Swan Lake State Park

    Perfect

    Tented camped in late October, the weekend before closing.  I was only tent camper in the electric only sites.  If there was a tent only location, I didn't see it.  Those in campers that need water and electricity are regulated to gravel 'parking lot' sites.

    Beautiful park with playgrounds, swim beach, fisbee golf, paved trail, many fishing bars, and more.  

    Electric only sites are small and spaced out well.  Most have level drive perfect for sm camper or suv camping. Grass has slope, but I think you can find a good enough place for tent, I did.  Bathroom clean enough, I didn't use showers. I enjoyed the privacy of lake-front site J.

  • Ryan S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Botna Bend County Park
    Sep. 21, 2023

    Botna Bend County Park

    Another great Iowa county park

    Iowa has many great county parks, and this one is no exception. There are three campgrounds in the park. The South campground, Middle campground, and North campground.

    The South campground is closed for renovations. I read they are adding full hookups to this campground. The Verizon signal at this campground is usable for calls& text, but internet speeds are slow. Streaming will probably work but a video call will probably not. 

    The middle campground has nice level spots, and a nice shower house with warm water. There are 4 individual bathrooms, each with a shower. This campground had about the same Verizon signal as the South campground- good enough for calls and texting.

    The North campground has grass sites with more space between them than at the other two campgrounds. This North campground does not have a shower house, but it has a two room bathroom with running water. The Verizon signal at this campground is a strong 5G signal with great speeds. I also tested T-mobile and AT&T at this campground, and they were plenty usable but no where near as fast as Verizon.

    There is a meat shop and a sports bar restaurant within walking distance from the park. The walk within the park is a long walk. From the North campground to the registration box at the entrance is about 1 mile.

    While at the park I saw deer, raccoons, turkeys, and a 4 inch caterpillar crossing the road. There are also bison and elk in a fenced in area.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds
    Sep. 6, 2023

    Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds

    Super easy I80 stop

    We made a one night stop as we traversed I80. Clean with shaded park like area. Electric, water and sewer available. Bathroom and shower were clean. But old style, so small and well worn.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
    Sep. 5, 2023

    Lewis and Clark State Park

    Not bad for after Labor Day Weekend.

    Campground was as I hoped. Empty except for 3 others. Oxbow lake is nice with a sandy shoreline. The campground is set in an Aspen glade. Very nice.

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Botna Bend County Park
    Jul. 24, 2023

    Botna Bend County Park

    Great Campsite

    Good facilities (flushing toilets, good shower, spigot for drinking water). Spacious and shady tent area. Quiet and peaceful. Friendly and helpful campground staff. Overall, a great campground

  • Frank B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Schildberg Recreation Area
    Jul. 23, 2023

    Schildberg Recreation Area

    Hidden gem

    The trees at the campsites aren't mature enough for shade, but the ponds and trails more than make up for that. Full hookups, shower house and huge dog park are also onsite making this a Cass County hidden gem. Camp host is great and and you're close to old downtown.

  • Jeremy B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hitchcock County Nature Center
    Jul. 20, 2023

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Clean, quiet, and tranquil

    Friendly reminder to bring CASH FIRST COME FIRST SERVE

    Pros

    • great Starlink line of sight
    • super clean bathrooms and hot showers
    • very quiet
    • many nature trails out your door
    • friendly cows :)

    Literally no cons.

  • Amber M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hitchcock County Nature Center
    Jul. 8, 2023

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Secluded and well-kept

    This is my favorite place to tent camp! Nice bathhouse, and even the pit toilet is clean and unoffensive. Tent sites are spacious and most are separated by lots of trees so there's plenty of shade, privacy, and wildlife. Firewood is available and hiking trails are nearby. Unfortunately, I have to find a new favorite spot because I can no longer lug my gear up and down the hill between my car and my tent.

  • Frank B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Botna Bend County Park
    Jul. 1, 2023

    Botna Bend County Park

    Love this place

    Love camping at Botna Bend. Been coming here for years as a Scouter and non-scouting. You can drop into the Nishna Botna with a fishing line or kayak/canoe, hike or check out the wildlife on site.

  • Luckybreak R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Huff - Warner Access Area
    Jun. 26, 2023

    Huff - Warner Access Area

    Not at all what I expected

    Clean and well kept campground. The Monona County has raised the bar. 5 concrete pads with gravel on the rest. Level and well spaced sites. Located far enough from the interstate to avoid any traffic noise River barges were unloading next to the campground when we were here.

  • Tammie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Elkhorn Creek Rec Area
    Jun. 3, 2023

    Elkhorn Creek Rec Area

    Hiking and research

    I haven't stayed yet. I did take a nice hike though. It's beautiful and secluded with a small town not to far away.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park
    Jun. 1, 2023

    Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park

    The staff are amazing

    We rolled into the campground looking for a clean place to spend the night. Since it was pre-memorial day, we had our pick of prime spots. Once we found our site, we went for firewood and to pay. The staff were so nice when we got there. They took care of everything and we were on our way to a peaceful night.



Guide to Denison

Camping near Denison, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and well-maintained campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Hiking and Nature Trails: Many campgrounds, like Hitchcock County Nature Center, have access to scenic trails. One camper mentioned, "Camping here also gives you access to the playground and nature trails into some beautiful countryside."
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At Lake Anita State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy fishing and swimming. A reviewer noted, "The lake is beautiful with bike paths and walking trails around the entire lake."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campgrounds like Lewis and Clark State Park Campground are great for spotting wildlife. One happy camper shared, "Great sites right on the water. Easy back in for my rig."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-kept restrooms and showers. A review for Hitchcock County Nature Center highlighted, "Even the pit toilets were spotless and didn’t smell."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campgrounds have welcoming staff. A visitor at Arrowhead Park Campground said, "The people who run this campground are really nice!"
  • Affordable Rates: Campers love the low prices at places like Adair City Park. One reviewer mentioned, "$15 full power / $6 tents / $5 dump only."

What you should know

  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A camper at Hitchcock County Nature Center reminded others, "Friendly reminder to bring CASH."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. A review for Lake Manawa State Park Campground noted, "There are tons of things to do here... unless you have your own kayak or boat."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. One camper at Hitchcock County Nature Center warned, "The only downside is bring several bottles of bug spray; the mosquitoes are terrible!"

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds and Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. A family at Spring Lake County Park enjoyed, "This park is peaceful... with a playground and disc golf."
  • Safety and Cleanliness: Choose campgrounds known for cleanliness and safety. A parent at Lake Anita State Park Campground mentioned, "Great location, good facilities... Plenty of space in the tent area."
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Be mindful of noise levels, especially at night. A camper at Springbrook State Park Campground noted, "Campers are loud well beyond midnight."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground said, "My 35-foot rig made it to the back-in spot easily."
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A camper at Lake Cunningham Campground appreciated, "Full access with concrete pad. Tons of room between spots."
  • Reservations Recommended: During peak seasons, make reservations to secure your spot. A visitor at Adair City Park mentioned, "Arrived around 10 pm on a Tuesday and there were 3 spots left."

Camping around Denison, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to pack your bug spray and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Denison, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Denison, IA is Preparation Canyon State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Denison, IA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Denison, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.