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Best Tent Camping near Dolliver, IA

140 Reviews

Tent campers visiting Dolliver, Iowa have several established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Iowa Lake Co Campground offers tent-specific sites with basic amenities including vault toilets. Bright Lake County Park in nearby Ceylon, Minnesota provides tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables, accessible via drive-in, hike-in, or boat-in options. Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground, located near Forest City, accommodates tent campers with electric hookups and water access during its April to November season.

Most tent sites near Dolliver feature minimal improvements, with natural terrain and limited amenities. Iowa Lake Co Campground provides drinking water and vault toilets but lacks picnic tables and fire rings. Bright Lake County Park allows fires and provides firewood, picnic tables, and toilet facilities, making it more accommodating for primitive tent setups. According to one visitor, Bright Lake has "fire rings, picnic tables and room for quite a lot of tents." Most campgrounds in the area permit pets, though Iowa Lake does not allow pets or alcohol. Seasonal considerations affect availability, with Ambrose A. Call State Park operating only from April through November.

Tent camping experiences vary across these locations. Areas around Dolliver offer different levels of seclusion and natural settings. Bright Lake County Park provides sites with partial lake views through trees, creating scenic opportunities for tent campers. A camper noted that Iowa Lake can be "a great little spot" when seeking solitude, though weekend traffic occasionally brings more activity. The terrain throughout the region is generally level, making tent setup straightforward for backcountry tent camping enthusiasts. Ambrose A. Call State Park features several hiking trails adjacent to the campground, allowing campers to explore the surrounding landscape. Most primitive tent sites in the area require self-sufficiency, as amenities are limited and campers should bring their own supplies.

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Best Tent Sites Near Dolliver, Iowa (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Dolliver, IA

2 Photos of 8 Dolliver Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Dolliver, IA

140 Reviews of 8 Dolliver Campgrounds

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Devine Wildlife Area

    Free and fairly primitive

    Dispersed camping really. You can bring a big rig in. No really prepared sites. Maybe 5 places you could set up. No water, no electric, no toilet. Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent. But the price is right.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Island Park

    Small waterfront campground

    Nice little park to stop at for a night on a trip. Only stayed here for a night on my way out west in 2024. Arrived a bit before dark and decided to sleep in my car rather than my tent just due to the timing and being tucked away by the river by myself. Never did figure out where a bathroom was unfortunately. There was a gas station right down the road for any conveniences you may need. There is a kayak launch right by the campsites that I would've put my inflatable into if I'd had more daylight/time here.

    Not sure how larger campers would set up given the layout and how small the pads look, but there was plenty of room in front and behind the pads.

  • Clint G.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Korte's Checkers Welcome Campground

    Great value as Passport America member

    This is a small private campground that offers a quiet nights stay.  Site size was moderate with some shade, a fire ring, picnic table, on a level gravel pad.  $20 per Passport America members for FHU is sweet.  The grounds were well cared for and was not to far from the interstate but far enough away that there was little noise.

  • Evan W.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Watona City Park

    Perfect Stop On a South Dakota RoadTrip

    We pulled into this place at 2:00 AM so we weren't really able to see much of the environment. In the morning though we awoke to a beautiful park with good shade coverage from the trees. Our group only hammock camps so we were glad to see the abundance of trees between each camp slot. The only downside to this place was the gnats. Although not that bad we woke up with tiny bites on us. That being said if we would have brought a bug net or been in a tent we would have had no problem with them. Overall this camp site was a great place to stop while we were driving to the Badlands.

  • Matthew H.
    Feb. 13, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Great Campground! Conveniently located!

    Great Campground. The park Ranger on Duty was very helpful. Campsites were generous in space. Well kept. Fire Ring and picnic table on site were kept up well. Trails and scenery through the back hills are well kept and maintained.

  • Meg W.
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Peaceful Prairie Spot

    Chosen at the last minute for its proximity to the Twin Cities area, the drive was about 2 hrs 45 minutes. Park is quiet, clean and very easy to hike. Entire park can easily be hiked in a day, with prairie, river and oak savanna views. The park rangers were not at the station at any point while we visited, meaning payment for firewood and parking must be done online. Really nice facility with flush toilets and showers sits between the two campground loops. Camped in Walk-In Site #1 and the seclusion from the electric sites was great. The walk-in sites are nestled in the woods and fairly private. From the parking spot to the campsite was an easy ~100’.

  • Lord J.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Secluded slice of paradise.

    Stayed in the walk-in section of the campground. Just a short walk from the parking and vault toilet. Beautiful Oaks surround you as does the sumac, raspberries and mosquitos. Even though it rained it was a superb experience 🙏

  • Jen A.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    memoirs park

    Great Campground

    This is a great campground in Mankato, MN.  The sites are huge and offer water and electric.  The shower house/bathrooms were decent - a little outdated, but not too bad.  There was also a portable toilet near our site.  We wish there was sewer, but we understand that being so close to the river this may not be possible.  We will definitely stay here again if we are in the area.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    Mixed bag

    Small campground. Not busy while I was here. Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites. Pit toilets. No showers. Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night.

Guide to Dolliver

Tent camping near Dolliver, Iowa offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Specific local attractions

  • Visit the picturesque setting of Cenla Campgrounds, which is big rig friendly and offers convenient electric hookups for a comfortable stay.
  • Check out the scenic views at Mini-Wakan State Park, a great spot for those looking to relax and enjoy nature.
  • Discover the charm of Oneota Little Sioux Access, where you can enjoy a quiet camping experience with basic amenities.

Amenities that enhance your camping experience

  • At Bright Lake Co Park, you’ll find picnic tables and fire rings, making it ideal for family gatherings and evening campfires.
  • Iowa Lake Co Campground provides essential amenities like drinking water and vault toilets, ensuring a comfortable stay for tent campers.
  • Experience the convenience of Cenla Campgrounds, which features water hookups and sanitary dump facilities for a hassle-free camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Dolliver, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Dolliver, IA is Iowa Lake Co Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

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

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