15 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
County parks and forest preserves surrounding Eldridge, Iowa offer several tent camping options along the region's waterways, ranging from walk-in primitive tent campsites to permit-based tent-only sites along scenic rivers. Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area provides primitive tent campsites with walk-in access only, situated along a waterway within bottomland woodlands. Indian Meadows Campground in Loud Thunder Forest Preserve features secluded tent-only sites with varying levels of privacy. Joinerville County Park along the Maquoketa River permits primitive tent camping by approved permit application submitted one month in advance. The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center allows limited primitive camping by authorization only, with access to trails and the Wapsipinicon River.
Most tent campgrounds in the Eldridge area feature basic amenities suited for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically include fire rings and picnic tables, with surface conditions ranging from packed dirt to forest floor. Saulsbury Bridge requires campers to park within 100 yards of sites and pack gear in and out. Water and shower facilities are available at the main campground area but not at individual sites. Joinerville Park has gravel access roads but no toilet facilities. Campers should practice Leave No Trace principles, particularly at sites along rivers where proper waste disposal is essential for environmental protection.
Tent-only areas provide distinct advantages for those seeking natural experiences. According to reviews, Indian Meadows Campground offers "individual private sites" that provide exceptional seclusion. One visitor noted that "some are more open, others are like a nature playpen," making the area ideal for tent campers seeking privacy. At Saulsbury Bridge, campers report that sites are "spread along a waterway within bottomland woodlands with water access for fishing, paddling etc." The primitive nature of these tent campgrounds means fewer RVs and less noise from generators. Most sites provide access to water recreation, with Lake George described as "beautiful, perfect for kayaking." Backcountry tent camping opportunities exist at several locations, though advance permits may be required.
"Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife."
"Cabin offers modern amenities: stove, oven,micro, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee pot, toaster, ADA access, shower. AC/heat, covered porch, firewood, picnic table, Charcoal grill, trails."
from $70 - $80 / night
Check Availability"The brick and mortar restroom is far better than the campsite bathroom. Most campsites are close together but enough forest in between to feel private. Quiet hours are enforced."
"Shower/RR nearby, trails including horse and bike . Main park has firewood, boat rentals, etc."
from $14 - $32 / night
Check Availability"Convenient location a lot of amenities and activities"
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"This CG is a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming."
"You have to park off a gravel road on the iowa side and its about a mile walk and a half mile off the tracks. Very beautiful and peaceful place. Great fishing, especially along the spillway."
"The camp is walking only, with few tables and fire rings. Firewood available t main cg all ng with water and showers there too."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Jungletown Ridge is perfect for those looking to get some space from others and enjoy some quiet nights int he woods. Check them out and share some pics from your stay!"
from $20 - $45 / night
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LegendUnique hike or paddle primitive site. 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.
LegendOne of the 6 campgrounds that you will have to choose from here at Scott County Park, Bald Eagle CG & Cabins is one that is more geared for the RV driving and trailer toting tribes as each site has FHUs with electric, water & sewage, fire rings and picnic tables; however, if you wanted to pitch a tent here, you could, although I would recommend nearby Incahias as an alternative. Unlike some of the other campgrounds here, Bald Eagle kind of lives up to its name as there’s not much in the way of tree cover or brush, so the land is somewhat BALD. The land is incredibly flat, back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level grounds are incredibly well-organized and the bathroom / shower facilities with great HOT running water and are about as impeccably clean as can be.
Near by Bald Eagle is Pride Lake, which makes this pet-friendly CG your top pick if you’re an angler or looking to get some decent oaring with your kayak or canoe. Sitting in front of Pride Lake are 2 very large shelters – Whispering Pines and Hickory Hills – as well as a playground for the kiddos and a restroom facility that is also spartan-clean. Surrounding Bald Eagle is also no shortage of hiking / biking / horse trails. We found the CG itself to be fairly quiet, although lacking in privacy without the benefit of any real brush or trees to blot out our next-door neighbors, but that said, everyone was incredibly friendly with full displays of Midwestern hospitality that this area is known for. There is also a single large cabin available for rent that has capacity for 10 people.
We loved Scott County Park so much because there is a lot that this gem offers up, from fresh water catch & release lakes, a combination of topographies (from woodlands, wetlands and prairie grasslands), a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course, outdoor exercise areas, club house and concessions, stand-alone cabins for rent, designated dump stations and trash receptacles, numerous picnic areas, a massive heated swimming pool complete with a snake-like water slide, volleyball court, ranger stations, seasonal on-site hosts, firewood available for purchase at entry stations, Walnut Grove Pioneer Village and St. Anne’s church at the park’s NW perimeter, 7 community shelters, designated picnic areas, a memorial park, equestrian area and an incredibly well-paved network of roads that allows you to easily access just about every corner of this park.
Happy Camping!
LegendThe camp is walking only, with few tables and fire rings. Firewood available t main cg all ng with water and showers there too. Sites are spread along a waterway within bottom land woodlands with water access for fishing, paddling etc. Parking is within 100 yards so must pack in/out, use Leave No Trace ethics.
RangerCampground Review:
Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area is 675 acres, nestled between rolling fields of corn, dairy farms, native prairie, and the Cedar River. Located in Muscatine County in southeast Iowa, this rec area offers well-maintained campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and seasonal hunting.
There are three separate campgrounds. The main campground has electrical hookups, picnic benches, fire rings, modern restroom facilities including showers, a dump station, playground, and firewood for purchase. There are 24 sites, and they run $20 per night.
The primitive campground area sits along Chicken Creek and offers four, tent-only sites, and is just off the main campground. The sites are well spaced and surrounded by large trees. These are walk in sites with parking in the main campground. It’s a short hike in from the parking area, and within walking distance of the restrooms and firewood. Primitive sites are $10 per night.
Across the road from these two campgrounds is the main boat access and fishing dock for Chicken Creek. Only non-motorized boats are allowed here. If you don’t have your own, you can rent kayaks and canoes through the Muscatine County Conservation office. There is also a large shelter, which is reservable along with day use picnic areas, playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, and vault toilets. There’s large, open expanses of grassy fields and oak shade trees; perfect for relaxing on a hot summer day.
The river campground sits right along the Cedar River and allows easy access to fishing along with a boat ramp. This campground is a short hike to the old Saulsbury Bridge and Lodge. The bridge has a small gazebo-like structure and bench which provides a nice view of the river. There are vault toilets in this campground, but the modern restrooms are within walking distance as well. There are 10 sites in this campground and run $17 per night.
All campsites are self-registration and are on a first come, first served basis. There is a campground host on duty in the main campground and the park officer lives on site. Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash in the campgrounds and on trails. However, they are allowed to run in the designated hunting areas. These areas are marked with signs. If you plan to hike during hunting season, it’s a good idea to wear bright colors/blaze orange so you are visible to hunters and not mistaken for a deer or other wildlife.
This park also has prairie/natural habitat restoration areas that, in spring and summer, attract Monarch butterflies, and an abundance of birds including indigo bunting, red headed woodpecker, and goldfinch. In the colder months you can spot bald eagles flying along the river. There are also deer, wild turkey, and pheasants. While there, we walked around the campground areas that were open and over to the day use area along Chicken Creek to roast marshmallows. We hiked the short distance out to the Saulsbury Bridge to watch the Cedar River flow by and caught a beautiful sunset.
The one downfall to this park is the possibility for flooding. When the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds.
A call ahead to the conservation office to check on closures is a good idea. We had hoped to camp at a primitive site, but learned the trail leading into the campground was under water, which also meant the river campground was closed as well. Though there was some water over the road in the main campground, it was minimal and we were able to choose an electrical site. We opted to car camp as we were only staying one night. Only about a third of the campground was filled and we had no one on either side of us which meant for a more quiet camping experience.
This is one of my favorite local areas to hike and camp that’s close to home. It offers a full picture of Iowa’s varied landscapes and outdoor activity opportunities.
Product Review:
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. On this camping trip, I tried out VivoBarefoot Primus Trail SG Womens sneakers. VivoBarefoot’s goal is to provide an environment that allows the feet to remain in their natural state while providing a protective shoe. https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/womens/off-road/primus-trail-sg-womens?colour=Olive
LegendThere’s something instantly comforting about Colona Scott Family Park, tucked right along the Hennepin Canal where the trees lean in close and the boys could finally stretch their legs without a single car in sight. This medium-sized, family-run campground has a gentle, lived-in charm with wide grassy sites, EZ pull-ins and a friendly check-in that feels more like stopping by a neighbor’s porch than traditional ‘campground operations.’ The amenities are simple but thoughtfully kept with clean restrooms, hot showers, picnic tables, fire rings and plenty of soft ground for kids to toss a football or chase fireflies before bed. One of my favorite moments was taking the boys down to the pond in the golden light, watching them skip rocks while my husband and I listened to the water slip by (ironically listening to 'sitting on the dock of the bay!'), which felt wonderfully unhurried. For families, this is a sweet overnight pick thanks to the calm setting, caring staff and the pond's built-in nature opportunities for biking, strolling and birdwatching. For the best campsite recommendation, choose Site 11, which is closest to the pond path with an open grassy backdrop that gives the kids room to roam while still keeping everything peaceful and EZ.
Scoutfirst timers/ young kids- yes. Primitive campers- no. My husband had never been camping. I grew up with very primitive camping- no electricity, only pit toilets, sometimes fresh water, and no showers (milk jug showers!) Little by little, I’m warming him up to camping. This is a great place for new campers, families of young kids, or just looking for an easier trip. There’s a shower house with flush toilets, warm showers, and surprisingly CLEAN! The site was medium size. Enough room to spread out. Ground was flat so finding a tent site was no problem. Electric hookup worked. Picnic table was good. Check your site before booking! One section of sites is like an open field? No trees and full view of others. But these surround a playground- also very nice. Glamping with young kids? These sites would be a perfect. AT&T and Verizon cell service worked fine
LegendThe campground offers to camp areas: one better suited for RVs, and the other area is better suited for primitive tent, camping. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, our recites include electric. There is a campground host, shower house, shelter and playground area there too. The tent sites are prone to flooding occasionally from the gun river. There is a boat ramp with access to the river for fishing and paddling.
RangerWe stayed in a walk-in site for one night at the Non-Modern campground. It was wonderful! We arrived at dark and set up our backpacking tents but were able to see stars and be separated from our neighboring site. The campground had a water spigot to fill containers and dumpsters (no trash at site). There are no amenities at the campsites in this campground. A restroom with pit toilets similar to a National Park are on-site. They were very clean, as was the campground. It is on a lake so you will hear boats in the early morning hours and wildlife.
LegendTent area among trees includes fire rings. Showers/restrooms onsite, walk in sites too, firewood available at West Overlook permit station, beach nearby, Iowa River and Coralville Lake nearby (good fishing).
Tent campsites near Eldridge, Iowa can be found within county parks and forest preserves spanning both Iowa and Illinois. The Mississippi River watershed defines the region, with tributaries including Cedar River and Wapsipinicon River flowing through natural areas at elevations between 600-750 feet. Camping options range from walk-in primitive sites to modern cabin facilities with varied access to water recreation.
Fishing opportunities: At Cedar River Campground, visitors can access the Cedar River for fishing. "They had a great fireworks display for the fourth. Spots are tighter than what we prefer, but will be back again," notes Jenny, highlighting seasonal activities beyond fishing.
Kayaking and canoeing: Lake George at Silva Campground provides water recreation access with boat ramps and docks. According to James M., the campground offers "access to a boat ramp and docks on Lake George, flush toilets, water access, playground, picnic area, and pavilion."
Hiking trail exploration: The Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr. features multiple trail systems. One reviewer notes, "After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail." Trails wind through forests and prairie areas, offering diverse hiking experiences.
Dark skies for stargazing: Campers appreciate the minimal light pollution at several campgrounds near Eldridge. At #JTRidge Sites, Jake C. mentions it's "perfect for those looking to get some space from others and enjoy some quiet nights in the woods," making it ideal for stargazing.
Cabin amenities: The Kestrel Cabin at Wapsi River Environmental Center receives consistent positive reviews. One camper states, "Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin." Another notes it offers "modern amenities: stove, oven, micro, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee pot, toaster, ADA access, shower."
Swimming opportunities: Koch's Meadow Lake Campground provides swimming access in addition to fishing and paddling. James M. describes it as "a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming."
Permit requirements: Some camping areas require advance planning. At Joinerville County Park, "primitive camping is by approved permit application 1 month in advance of stay. Gravel access road into and around park. No toilets. Maquoketa River access has hard surface access entry."
Walk-in camping logistics: Several tent camping areas require carrying gear from parking areas. At Saulsbury Bridge Primitive Tent Camp, "The camp is walking only, with few tables and fire rings. Firewood available t main cg all ng with water and showers there too. Parking is within 100 yards so must pack in/out, use Leave No Trace ethics."
Campground ownership changes: Before booking, check current management reviews. Cedar River Campground changed ownership recently, with one camper noting, "Recently under new ownership, you can tell they've been working hard getting the place going again. Yes, you hear traffic, but it didn't bother us."
Recreational facilities: For families seeking activities beyond nature exploration, Cedar River Campground offers "mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids." One reviewer mentioned, "This place became my wife's and daughters' favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful."
Educational opportunities: Koch's Meadow Lake Campground provides opportunities for children to learn about aquatic ecosystems. The campground includes "community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming."
Nature programs: The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center offers structured educational activities. A reviewer mentions the "education center onsite with live animals, trails, open year round," and the center "specializes in environmental education and the Eagle View Eco Center with exhibits and native live animals."
Site selection considerations: At Hidden River Campground, RVers should note that there are "lots of year round campers" and "many people seem to take advantage of the year round rates and stay all summer." The campground operates from "April 15-October 15" and is "close to I-80 if you need somewhere to stay during your travels."
Unlevel sites: Some campgrounds in the area present challenges for larger RVs. One camper at Cedar River Campground mentioned "sites are unlevel and next to the interstate," suggesting travelers with larger rigs should call ahead to request specific sites.
Hookup availability: For RVers needing full hookups, Koch's Meadow Lake Campground provides water and electric connections. The site is described as "a full service CG for RVs" indicating amenities suitable for recreational vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Eldridge, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Eldridge, IA is Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr. with a 4.6-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Eldridge, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 tent camping locations near Eldridge, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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