Are you planning a tent camping trip to Derby? We've got you covered. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Donated by Ferold and Dorothy Grant, this 150 acre park in northeast Warren County features a picnic shelter, a secluded pond, some wonderful woodland trails, and—new in 2018—10 primitive campsites! The picnic shelter is available for reservation by calling the WCCB office at (515) 961-6169. Grant Park has ten primitive campsites. There is a pit latrine in the campground. Water is not available. Reservations are not accepted. This campground is free of charge. Registration is required and is available at the campground entrance. Campers may stay in WCCB campgrounds for 14 days out of any 30 day period.
Miner’s Retreat Enclosed Shelter is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowas largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.
Click here for a virtual tour of the area.
Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lakeshore at Miner’s Retreat Enclosed Shelter, offering shade and scenic views.
Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrates through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March, and white-tailed deer and river otters are commonly viewed along the shoreline.
Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline.
Anglers will find crappie, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill.
Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area
Miner’s Retreat is an enclosed shelter that offers 20 amp electrical service, air conditioning, electric baseboard heaters, refrigerator, electric stove, microwave, and flush toilets.
Des Moines, Iowas capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.
North Overlook Picnic Shelter is located adjacent from North Overlook Campground on Lake Red Rock, Iowas largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife.
Click here for a virtual tour of the area.
Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lake shore at North Overlook, offering shade and scenic views.
Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrates through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March, and white-tailed deer and river otters are commonly viewed along the shoreline.
Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline.
Anglers will find crappie, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill.
Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area,
North Overlook Picnic Shelter is a conventional open shelter that offers 20 amp electrical service, an outdoor grill, fire ring, water fountain and nearby flush toilets.
Des Moines, Iowas capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.
South Overlook is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowas largest lake. It is just 10 miles from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 miles from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world.
Click here for a virtual tour of the area.
Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lake shore at South Overlook, offering shade and scenic views.
Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrate through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March, and white-tailed deer and river otters are commonly viewed along the shoreline.
Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline.
Anglers will find crappie, walleye, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill.
Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area.
South Overlook offers two reservable picnic shelters with 20 amp electrical outlets. Flush toilets are located nearby. A large parking lot will provide ample space for larger crowds.
Des Moines, Iowas capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo.
Ranger
Nice city park campground close to lots of covered bridges and other things to see. The sites are pretty well spaced with lots of grass and some trees in between. It was a good value for full hookup sites. The bathroom was decent, and phone service was adequate. We just spent one night here on our way home from Colorado, but will be returning in the fall to explore more and see some colors.
Guide
Very nice view of the lake, lots of campsites around the lake. Not many lights around and no big cities and a low horizon so it’s a good place to visit for a visual observation night with a telescope or binos. Only one other camper at my campsite when I visited, so it’s a good weekend retreat from the city life. This is a primitive campsite; there are two waterless bathrooms and 8 or so gravel spots at site B on the Eastern side of the lake.
Traveler
Pretty grounds with woodland coverage on all sides in addition to the lake. We visited in August and realized it was prime family vacation time before school starts up again, so a little crowded and noisy. Spots are pretty close together too. But the grounds are quite lovely and the facilities were super clean. We plan to go back when Autumn arrives, mid week. Bonus easy shore fishing access.
Legend
East not west as satellite view in Dyrt is old and doesn’t show East campground. I did add a screenshot of current satellite view. FHU. Easy in and around campground. A lot of space between sites. Sites are fairly level with hard pack gravel.
Traveler
We've stayed here a number of times now in the past 2 years (not during fair weeks.) Campgrounds are located on the east side of the actual fairgrounds. There are hundreds of sites here. Some are flat, some are no where near flat, but there are so many, you can find one that will work for you! Almost all of the sites are full grass sites. The main shower house is the only one we've ever used and have no complaints. They are clean and bright and well kept.
The sites are $32/night.
Ranger
Well maintained campground with mature shade trees. Gravel sites, a little bit of leveling required. Poor Verizon cell signal, no internet signal. Not much natural privacy between sites, but sites were well spaced apart. Paved trail nice for biking and walking. Fishing nearby and the Dutch themed town of Pella is a short drive and a must see. Bathrooms and showers were nice, clean. Handicap camp site and bathhouse available. Firewood for sale at front gate. The potable water available at the dump station was clear and good for drinking. Dump station is easily accessible. Dumpsters were positioned around the campground. Staff was friendly. The night we stayed, there was a severe weather threat, and the staff, at the end of the night, had unlocked the storm shelters (utility area in the middle of the bathhouses) should the need arise. We ended up having to seek shelter because of a tornado warning.
Scout
Facilities are available and very convenient and comfortable. Nice lake to swim and fish. Absolutely beautiful park and really nice trails. Thanks, Tina
Scout20 bucks a day you submit your fill out sheet at the service area and drop it off in a drop box.
Scout
We really enjoyed our stay at site 4 in the woods. It was absolutely beautiful with the fall colors and leaves falling all around us. We also enjoyed the trails around our site and a pretty view of a pond a short walk away. Anna was very responsive and gave thorough directions for us. We would stay again.
Guide
First, there is no dump station! All sites have water and electricity with 20, 30, and 60 amp plugs. The sites are 20 dollars. The campsites located near the entrance are pull-through but need maintenance. The campsites along the lake will support short to medium length RVs or trailers, and all are back in. As of this posting, all are not level and in poor condition. The city of Huneston, Iowa is a few minutes away and has several gas stations and a grocery store.
Traveler
Came in late, even though there were several empty spaces turns out they were reserved. Very nice camp host told us we could have a non-electric site, none of them were reserved. Bathroom/showers were clean.
Traveler
Stayed two nights with my son and we absolutely loved it.
ScoutWe had a great time at this site:) Anna was very responsive and helpful when we had questions. I would definitely recommend to others, and I would return again.
Scout
We stayed 2 nights, the park was nice and well maintained with walking trails. It is wooded so there is a lot of shade. The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine.
ScoutSpent 2 nights tent camping here. We stayed at site 4, glad I read reviews on here. I personally would not want to be in a site beyond number 7 as it gets too close to the dump station and subsequent “sewage lagoon”
Shower house was clean, pretty quiet, and only 5 miles off the highway
Guide
The campground was clean and quiet with water and electricity at each site. The dump station was set aside from the camp sites. The trees at the campground were recently planted so no shade. The best part is that there is plenty of room between camp sites so your not camping on top of your neighbors. Playground and bathrooms on site.
Scout
Very clean campground with friendly host. Showers were warm and sites were either paved or good gravel. Road in could easily allow motorcycle access
GuideLarge spacious sites with a fire ring and picnic table. Cost per night is low. Firewood available and camp host was a wonderful older gentleman. Close proximity to the state fair without being to close. Great stay! Our site had an open field behind it definitely recommend.
Guide
Large sites and plenty of space between sites.
Scout
We were able to camp in a tent near RVs without feeling crowded. The restrooms, showers, and playground were all close by…great for camping with kids. There were some nicer than ours and some with less privacy or further away than we’d prefer.
A nice mix of convenience and privacy. Perfect location to showers and playground for kids. Ample space for our needs, but not overly private
Traveler
Timberline is among my favorite campgrounds, always has great people, nice shade trees, fun pool, and quality facilities.
ScoutWonderful setting and quiet place to stay. Beautiful views with quick access to Bridges of Madison County. Great hook ups and utilities!
ScoutMarta and crew were so friendly and helpful! Clean bathrooms, beautiful property. Close to hwy but far enough away. We called ahead to arrive after hours and had to get back on the road in the morning. Wish we could’ve stayed longer!
Traveler
This park is beautiful with plenty to do and see. We camped out at site 82 which is a non-electric site and close to a Red Rock Lake shoreline. Spots are pretty close but they perfectly have grass tall enough to give you some privacy between spots. I was never bothered by either neighbors. The grass also gives you a path to the water spout. The staff member at the front was such a gentlemen and helped us with our firewood. There are some walking paths down to the lake which you can fish from. The views by the lake are beautiful too. The only thing to keep in mind with this spot is it is as far away from the bathrooms as possible. I, personally, didn't mind, but wanted to make note of it. We will be returning to this park.
Restrooms: Cleaner than I expected! And they are not port-a-potty type bathrooms, plumbing with nice stalls, toilets and sinks.
Dog-friendliness: My dog LOVED this campground. We kept her on a long-line stake(per parks' guidelines) and she had plenty of room to roam.
Picnic area: A picnic table is provided but they are older, so I recommend bringing your own table cloth and some towels or something for the seats.
Guide
This is a beautiful park with lots to do and miles of woods to explore. AT&T cell service was excellent throughout. And camping fees are extremely reasonable. I didn't stay the night but will be back.
TravelerFull hookups and easy to park, small spots but not too small. Shower and bath houses are clean.
RangerPeaceful and quiet our last stop in our week long overlanding trip. Plus just 6 miles from our fav brewery in Iowa.
Camping near Derby, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful getaway or an adventure-filled trip, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.
Camping around Derby, IA, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. Enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Derby, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Derby, IA is Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board) with a 4-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Derby, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Derby, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
