Keith P.
Scout
ScoutMississippi Palisades State Park Campground
Great find!
We really enjoy this park. It’s almost empty during the week days. We stay Monday through Thursday and always find a spot. Quiet and peaceful.
Camping near Monmouth, IA
155 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Search destinations
Add dates
SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
The area around Monmouth, Iowa includes access to various types of camping and campgrounds. Nearby options include Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, Eden Valley Refuge, and Central Park in Center Junction, offering a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, with several offering shower facilities and modern restrooms. Eden Valley Refuge stands out with cabin options, while Central Park features glamping opportunities for those seeking more comfort. Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area provides more primitive camping for those looking to get away from developed sites. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Monmouth to find detailed information about amenities and seasonal availability.
"This campground is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of an outdoor recreation complex around a large dam on the Iowa River," noted one visitor about a nearby camping area. Seasonal considerations affect camping in the Monmouth area, with many campgrounds operating from April through October or early November. Flooding can impact accessibility, particularly at sites near the Mississippi and Iowa Rivers. Several campgrounds, including Maquoketa Caves State Park, operate from April 1 to December 31, while others like Eden Valley Refuge remain open year-round. Visitors should check ahead during spring months when water levels may be high. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few sites maintaining services during colder months. Road access to most campgrounds is generally good, with paved or well-maintained gravel roads leading to most established sites.
Campers report high satisfaction with sites that offer water access and natural features. Maquoketa Caves State Park receives consistently positive reviews for its unique cave system and hiking trails, with one visitor describing it as a "secluded gem" with "beautiful hiking trails easy to explore." The park's campground provides a convenient base for exploring the caves, though visitors are advised to bring headlamps and prepare for wet conditions when exploring the cave system. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with several campgrounds situated near wildlife management areas. Fishing access is another highlight mentioned in reviews, particularly at campgrounds along the Cedar River and Mississippi River. Sites with more privacy and shade tend to receive higher ratings, with walk-in tent sites often providing more seclusion than RV-accessible locations.
Best Campgrounds near Monmouth (155)
1. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground
"cave system of Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa."
"This is a great weekend stay, with short trails that show some beautiful and unusual scenery for central Iowa. The natural bridge is incredible, and the sites are well spaced out."
from $20 - $28 / night
Check Availability2. Eden Valley Refuge
"Near Lost Nation, Oxford Junction, and Wyoming, IA this park is an unexpected find in rural, eastern Iowa. The camping areas have expanded."
"Well we found a pretty good one that is relatively close to our home and is rarely reserved. Its only 1 hour North of the Quad Cities where I live & open year round!"
3. Central Park
"Trails, nature center, shelters, restrooms/showers, and lake access for beach, paddling, fishing, etc. Prairie plantings mixed in the wooded areas."
"Small lake to fish and kayak!"
4. 6B's Campground
"Massive bonus points for the location of this campground, which apart from rural country farmers and bat cave tourist passerby traffic, there was virtually no noise pollution to battle with."
"platform and calm waters for kayaking or just floating; (4) The peace and quiet are unbeatable, with the only background noise being a chorus of crickets and the soft babble of the river; and (5) Location-wise"
5. Walnut Grove Co Park
6. Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area
"Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river. Site is along river, has table, fire ring, latrine. Pack in, pack out and Leave No Trace."
7. #JTRidge Sites/Clothing Optional
from $20 - $45 / night
Check Availability8. Joinerville County Park
9. Riverview Ridge
"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."
10. Massillon Park
from $7 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 42 min from Dubuque, IA
- 48 min from Davenport, IA
- 55 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 1 hr 11 min from Iowa City, IA
Recent Camping Photos near Monmouth, IA
172 Photos of 155 Monmouth Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Eden Valley Refuge
Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground
Riverview Ridge
Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Monticello
Sherman Co Park
Wapsipinicon State Park Campground
Swiss Valley County Park
Worthington Sportsman's Club - Members OnlyB- Olde Massey Campground and RV Parkr
Blanding Landing
Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins
Miller Riverview City Park
Recent Reviews near Monmouth, IA
793 Reviews of 155 Monmouth Campgrounds
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendInterstate RV Park
EZ I-80 Stop When the Road Gets Long
Sometimes on a family road trip, you don't need a campground to entertain you ... you just need a comfortable place to pull in, hook up and give everyone a break from the highway. Interstate RV Park sits conveniently just off I-80 on the outskirts of Davenport and that's really where this approximately 100-site campground earns its keep: it's an EZ-in, EZ-out stopping point for travelers crossing Iowa or exploring the Quad Cities. The campground is more practical than picturesque, with a mixture of overnight travelers and longer-term campers, but RV families will appreciate full hookups with 30/50-amp electric service, pull-thru options, restrooms & showers, laundry, a seasonal swimming pool, pavilion, game room and small camp store. One of those simple road-trip moments I always appreciate is finally getting everyone out of the vehicle after hours of driving, watching the kids stretch their legs while we get camp organized and realizing that, for tonight anyway, we don't have anywhere else we need to be. Some campgrounds are the destination, while others simply give your family a place to catch its breath between adventures. From what we saw, I'd choose one of the campground's dedicated overnight sites away from the longer-term residents, and travelers with larger rigs or multiple slides should ask for one of the wider sites because spacing can be tight. We did note uneven gravel, potholes and less than polished conditions in some of the common facilities, so expectations should be kept to a minimum. Overall, we'd recommend Interstate RV Park for RV families needing a convenient 1-night stop because of its outstanding I-80 access, full hookups and proximity to Davenport, but for families seeking privacy, polished facilities and a campground where the kids can spend the weekend exploring, there are stronger choices around the Quad Cities area.
Andy M.LegendSugar Bottom Campground
Nice clean campground. With a great view.
Nice clean single room bathroom/showers. Big enough grounds to find a great spot.
- BBRIAN F.
GuideRustic Barn Campground RV Park
Beautiful Spot
Campground sits on a hill overlooking a number of farms. Absolutely beautiful. Decent sized sites, full hook-ups. Also a dump station. Small store on site. Trees provide shade. Many acres of paths and grass to walk the dog. Very clean bathrooms and showers. Whole place is neat and tidy. Only negative is highway noise. Pull through sites are farther from highway so may be less noisy there.
- MMikayla E.
TravelerLundeens Landing
Beautiful location
We stopped here for one night on our trip and it was a nice and small campsite. It is right on the river and very pretty.
Stuart K.LegendWilderness Campground, Scott County Park
The Most Peaceful Campground in Scott County Park
If you're the kind of camper who measures a campground by the number of trees instead of the number of amenities, Wilderness CG continues to be THE hidden campground gem within Scott County Park. Surrounded by mature hardwood forest, generous-sized campsites with decent privacy and miles of interconnected hiking trails, this campground delivers a camping experience that feels far more secluded than you'd expect to find just minutes from the Quad Cities. While my original review from just over a year ago goes into considerable detail about each aspect of the campground and the park itself, I thought I'd follow up that review with a quick summary of what continues to stand out most.
Here's a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Easily the most wooded, private and peaceful campground within Scott County Park, making it an outstanding choice for tent campers, in particular, and anyone seeking a true forest setting; (2) Spacious campsites tucked beneath a dense tree canopy (expert tip: be sure to look up at any potential 'widow makers' before setting up camp) that provides excellent shade, natural privacy and a genuine 'away from it all' atmosphere; (3) Immaculately maintained restroom and shower facilities with dependable hot water that rival many commercial campgrounds; (4) Outstanding access to some of the park's best hiking trails, allowing campers to step directly from their campsite into miles of beautiful woodland; and (5) Scott County Park itself offers an impressive collection of amenities, including: 2 fishing lakes (and 2 smaller ponds), a championship 9-hole golf course, massive family-friendly swimming pool, various scattered playgrounds, an abundance of picnic areas in and outside of excellent shelters and friendly park staff ... all just a short drive from your campsite.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The heavily wooded terrain means some sites are uneven with exposed roots, making leveling RVs and 5th wheelers more challenging than at neighboring campgrounds; (2) There is no lake or waterfront access directly within Wilderness Campground, so paddlers and anglers will need to drive to other areas of the park; (3) The abundance of trees and leaf cover can make portions of the campground appear a little less manicured, even though it is very well maintained - when we were there in the Autumn, we wished we would have brought our rake!; (4) Only one of the campground's restroom buildings includes shower facilities, so some campers may have a short walk or drive depending on their site; and (5) Larger RVs may find neighboring campgrounds such as Bald Eagle or Woodside better suited to their size and setup.
Happy Camping!
- RRussell H.Traveler
Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)
Very nice basic campground
Driving thru. Stayed for a quick stop over. County Park. Loop A takes reservations. Loop B first come first served. It was a long trek to the bathroom and showers which were well maintained. Great price $35
- AArielGuide
Buffalo Shores County Park
Great spot to camp with a view of the Mississippi
We just stayed a quick night on the way driving across country. We pulled up in the dark, and were awakened the next day by an amazing view of the Mississippi River. Some camping spots have water, They all have electricity, and there is one bathroom with showers. Portapotties and dumpsters are situated throughout. There is a slightly confusing registration process of a QR code on you camping spot. Overall, a great place to stop.
- DDavid A.Scout
Riverview Ridge
A few concerns for tent camping
Arrived late at night and struggled to find correct site as there were no numbers posted. Also no external lighting or picnic table. Bathrooms were clean and office help was accommodating when reservation was made.
Guide to Monmouth
Campsites near Monmouth, Iowa offer diverse terrain options with elevations ranging from 700 to 950 feet along the rolling hills and waterways of eastern Iowa. The area sits within the Paleozoic Plateau landform region, characterized by limestone bluffs, caves, and spring-fed streams. Camping season typically extends from April through October with July temperatures averaging 85°F during the day and 65°F at night.
What to do
Cave exploration at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground: Pack headlamps and sturdy footwear for the 13 caves located within the 370-acre park. One visitor advises, "This Iowa SP campground is simply AMAZING and if you are a bat cave spelunker, you are going to be absolutely excited by this place. For the rest of us outdoor enthusiasts who are simply looking for a great campground, then you've also struck the campground lottery."
Fishing access at multiple sites: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities in different waterways, including the Maquoketa River and Bear Creek. A visitor to Eden Valley Refuge noted, "If you bring a base camp filtration system the creek is not a very far walk to retrieve water. There are about 5 trails to explore nearby."
Stargazing from elevated points: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at several campgrounds. As one Eden Valley visitor described, "At night you can hike about a 1/2 mile to the Watchtower and watch the beautiful sun set over the horizon of treetops and if you stay long enough you can stargaze. It is absolutely pitch black. PERFECT for stargazing on a clear night."
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Walk-in tent sites often provide more privacy than drive-up locations. A camper at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground reported, "If you can forgo electricity and don't mind a 50yd walk, the walk in sites are enclosed in beautiful groves of trees."
Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and open spaces keep children entertained. At Central Park, one camper appreciated "a beautiful little lake. Nice beach area. Camping sites pretty level. Park has free WiFi."
Natural features beyond campsites: Unique geological formations make the area distinctive. A Maquoketa Caves visitor shared, "Maquoketa Caves is a must visit destination for camping! There are several factors to take into consideration when planning a trip here; due to concerns for wildlife (primarily bats) the caves close frequently, check the park website for details about when they will be open."
What you should know
Seasonal cave closures: Bat hibernation periods restrict cave access at certain times. "I would STRONGLY encourage you to mind your dates taking note of when bat hibernation ends and begins – for what it's worth, my brother and I drove all the way here only to find out that hibernation began the day of our arrival," reported one Maquoketa Caves visitor.
Water level fluctuations: River and creek access points can change with rainfall. At Massillon Park, primitive sites include "fire rings with grates, and picnic tables. There is a small play area, and a shelter to rent. The boat ramp offers access to the Wapsipinicon River for fishing and paddling."
Payment methods vary: Some locations require cash only. A visitor to 6B's Campground noted, "This camping outpost only accepts cash, money order or checks, which was a major bummer for us as we didn't have any of those with us and while there were banks nearby, we weren't members of the bank."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience. At Maquoketa Caves, "If you have kids and want to be planted near the playground, you might want to target sites #26-#28, where the spacious kids playground sets right behind these sites."
Beginner-friendly caves: Assess cave difficulty levels before bringing children. A camper shared about Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area, "Unique hike or paddle primitive site. Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river."
Beach access for hot days: Central Park offers swimming options. "Beautiful little lake. Nice beach area," wrote one camper, while another mentioned, "This campground has a beautiful museum. The museum is fun afternoon trip to hike to and visit."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger vehicles: Back-in sites vary in size and accessibility. At Maquoketa Caves, "All sites designated for RV's are back-in and range in driveway length between 31 and 68 feet."
Water and electric hookups: Availability differs between campgrounds. A visitor to Walnut Grove Co Park described it as "Basic cg with open and shaded sites with $17 or w/o electric $12. Restrooms with showers and soda machine, cg host onsite, river access, playground."
Two-level camping at specialty sites: Some locations offer different experiences within the same property. As described at 6B's Campground, "This nature-infested outpost is split into 2 levels with an upper plateau section that is more geared towards the tent-pitchin' bredren of my tribe, while the lower level straddles the Maquoketa River and offers up splendid waterfront views."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Monmouth, IA?
Which is the most popular campground near Monmouth, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Monmouth, IA is Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 35 reviews.
What parks are near Monmouth, IA?
What parks are near Monmouth, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Monmouth, IA that allow camping, notably Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 and Coralville Lake.
Keep Exploring