Best Glamping near Elkader, IA

Looking to get away and reconnect with nature? Glamping near Elkader is the perfect choice. Glamping near Elkader is especially popular among campers who enjoy beds and electricity. The Dyrt's camping photos, reviews, and tips are an easy way to find the right Iowa glamping spot for you.

Best Glamping Sites Near Elkader, IA (13)

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Showing results 1-10 of 13 campgrounds

Recent Glamping Reviews in Elkader

75 Reviews of 13 Elkader Campgrounds


  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
    Sep. 24, 2024

    Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

    Great place for a short trip

    I’ll begin by saying this is by far the cleanest campground I have stayed at. The facilities were well kept including the vault toilet houses. We stayed in a walk to site and the views were incredible. Our tent pad was quite rocky so I would recommend sleeping pads or you will be very uncomfortable. Our site was also extremely dusty which wasn’t a problem at all just be prepared to be a little dirty. The campground was quiet except for the occasional train that rolled through those are quite loud due to how close they are to the campground. I would definitely come back to Nelson Dewey and stay again. There was not a ton to do in the area so a short weekend stay was perfect. A highlight is that the park provided cart to use to haul all your stuff to the walk to sites. There is 1 designated parking spot per walk to site as well. The walk to sites are small and only accommodated our one (6 person) tent which was not a problem for us as we knew this ahead of time.

  • Jeff and Linda L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant River Recreation Area
    Sep. 20, 2024

    Grant River Recreation Area

    Feet from the Mississippi

    The park is on the beautiful might Mississippi river. It’s 2 miles from Potosi, WI with a large brewery with good food as well. Army Corps so half price with America The Beautiful senior discount card. If you like trains you will see many, close and going fast.

  • Dj Y.
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant River Recreation Area
    Aug. 19, 2024

    Grant River Recreation Area

    Sandy and Gentleman worker=AMAZING

    I was hitchhiking thru, was dropped off by a ride that said he was buying a $14 tent site for me, come to find out he never did, I just was honest with sandy and the gentleman worker and offered the only 8$ I had, no sir, they said please stay for free and just enjoy. WONDERFUL PPL THAT CARE ABOUT OTHERS!! THANKS YALL

  • Laura
    Camper-submitted photo from Bailey Ford Delaware County Park
    Mar. 16, 2024

    Bailey Ford Delaware County Park

    Great park and campground

    Bailey's Ford has everything you need for a night or a week. It's clean and beautiful. Trout stream, trails, river access, showers and a playground. I recommend!

  • Brian M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Waukon City Park
    Sep. 9, 2023

    Waukon City Park

    Great campground

    Free firewood, free wifi, water and electric at each campsite. Found a nice shady site for tent camping.

  • Rose L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bluffton Resort
    Aug. 26, 2023

    Bluffton Resort

    LOVE THE BLUFFS & UPPER IOWA RIVER CAMPING!

    Dre, the campground manager, is a stellar guy to talk to. Excellent customer service! Gorgeous bluffs and river to camp right next to! Can’t wait to go back!

  • Ron G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant River Recreation Area
    Jul. 19, 2023

    Grant River Recreation Area

    Nice view at the Mississippi River

    Very nice hosts. Army camping. Nice view at the Mississippi River $20 per night with electrical hook up. 

  • Elizabeth K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Delaware County Coffins Grove Park
    Jul. 5, 2023

    Delaware County Coffins Grove Park

    Quiet, peaceful family campground

    Nice, smaller campground! No designated spots, so great for groups to circle up and camp together (we camp here every year for our family reunion). Newer playground that my kids love, sand so that’s an extra play optional. Small creek runs through the park (on the edge of the campground) and a fun place for kids to explore and play in.

  • D
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant River Recreation Area
    Jun. 16, 2023

    Grant River Recreation Area

    Nice Campground on the River

    Nice campground. Cement pads and blacktop roads. Clean shower houses. Train tracks border the campground and train horns are loud. Has sites with views of the Mississippi.

  • Tonya B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bluffton Resort
    May. 12, 2023

    Bluffton Resort

    Decent place to camp

    The campground had quite a few geese when we went so lots of honking and goose poop which dont work out if you want peace and quiet and clean shoes. The camping sites also have large tall trees where a camper should be parked which causes you to park way to close to the fire pit. Luckily we were camping in a group and could hang out at another campsite with better placement. On the plus side, the view is beautiful and the bar is nice!

  • Chelsie W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
    Feb. 12, 2023

    Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

    Delightful Dewey

    There are 4 walk-in campsites that overlook the Mississippi River (A, B, C, & D). We stayed at campsite D, which had the most incredible view! The trails were enchanting and abundant in life. It flash stormed around sunset, which is not uncommon for summer in the Midwest. The sunset seemed to last for hours as the light danced in the storm clouds. It was one of those, “wow I am grateful to be alive” experiences. Couldn’t have asked for a better bedtime show than a powerful and beautiful display of nature, it was such an unexpected delight. As the storm dissipated, the pitter-patter of the raindrops was the perfect audio to fall asleep to. Despite the humidity, we managed to get a fire going pre-storm and cooked some nice grub. There is a shed with firewood on the way into the campsite, you can pick some up for a small fee. Be prepared for humidity and bugs, it’s right by the river so it’s kind of inevitable during the summer. Insect repelling incense and spray kept us comfortable. There’s a train track right next to the river, which you may hear toot it’s horn occasionally, but it didn’t really bother us. The lovely small town of Cassville is close by may you need any creature comforts. Overall, an amazing place to camp and I can’t wait to go back!

  • Steph P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
    Oct. 9, 2022

    Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

    Walk-in sites or bust!

    We stayed in walk-in site C, which the furthest site from the parking lot. Arrive before dark!! The wheelbarrows provided are a lifesaver, the trail to the site is manageable until the last 50 feet, which is steep and rocky.

    It is a smaller site and mostly slanted so we had to use our backpacking tent (90"x70") on the small patch that's sort of level, as our car camping tent (10'x14') was entirely too huge.

    The views are stunning. There was a pair of bald eagles in a nest down by the river - bring binoculars!

    HUGE caveat - this site sits on a ridge above a county highway and freight train tracks. There are also train tracks on the other side of the river. When trains are blowing their horns miles away, the sound carries. When they go past the site, it's incredibly loud! I was amazed at the racket - we live in Chicago on a busy street, a block from the L and the Metra tracks. 

    Bring ear plugs, trains rolled through until just after midnight and started up around 5am (that I noticed anyway).

    While Site C is incredibly difficult to reserve (best dates I could find were a Mon-Wed in October which I booked in APRIL), it's worth the views and the privacy.

    Site D is the first of the four walk-ins, huge, level, has a wide view, and  a bend in it's trail so isn't exposed. A great choice if C is booked.

    Site A is next, least amount of privacy, medium sized, looked level. Sites B was occupied our entire time there so wasn't able to check it out, but it's a bit more private.

    Pit toilet by the walk-in sites was as nice as pit toilet gets, it even has a urinal. Water is conveniently located near the parking.

    Shower house with flush toilets was really nice, 2-3 shower stalls and 4 toilets. No pay, just have to push the button over and over since the water only stays on for 10 seconds.

    The electric and non-electric sites are well spaced and on the larger side. A nice campground overall.

    For supplies and firewood, I recommend the Okey Market. It's convenient and has everything you need, huge beer cave too. If you want some local flavor, stop into the Silver Spigot Saloon, cheap beer, tasty fries, and they have a dog-friendly patio.

  • Khenia F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Grant River Recreation Area
    Sep. 20, 2022

    Grant River Recreation Area

    Spacious with train tracks

    The tent site that we were at was very specious for my dog to run freely with his long leash. A lot of shade and space for everyone. We stayed right by the bathrooms. Showers have a push button so water pressure and temperature was not very great. The river was a great view and campground was big to walk around. Plenty of people coming through but a quiet neighborhood. Other than the train passing right by us, we enjoyed our time there.

  • David S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pinicon Ridge Park
    Sep. 1, 2022

    Pinicon Ridge Park

    Nice clean and generally spacious

    Stayed in The Plains area. Water and electric hookups, dump station near by. Clean shower house with storm shelter. Mixed sun and shade with generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table.

  • Lyla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
    Aug. 4, 2022

    Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

    Neat overlook!

    Passing though the area and this park was on my list to check out. Drove though and found a pretty amazing overlook view. There were wildflowers that smelled amazing. It was really cool to see the hawks flying below the overlook. Driving through the campsites they do look pretty nice and larger than normal. Some do look like the have a “mound” on them, which was interesting. I did get great cell service, LTE with us cellular. Overall, I would visit again!

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
    Jul. 24, 2022

    Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

    Beautiful sippi

    This was our 2nd time camping here and it did not disappoint. It’s a lovely state park with some beautiful lil trails. Campsite Ds views were unbeatable. A storm rolled in over the Mississippi as we were heading to bed; it was a magical experience

  • A
    Camper-submitted photo from Pinicon Ridge Park
    Jul. 1, 2022

    Pinicon Ridge Park

    Pinicon Ridge Linn County

    This park is beautiful and there is tons to do. The playground is fantastic and keep the kids entertained all day. The water is great for fishing, swimming and boating. Central City also has everything you need within minutes of your site. There is boat rentals and the new showers are amazing.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Meyer County Park Campground
    Jun. 12, 2022

    Lake Meyer County Park Campground

    Great spot, tents included

    This is a great little park if you need a place to stop for the night. It was very inexpensive for tents ($10 I think) and the tent camping area was very nice with 3 giant pine trees and some picnic tables and fire rings. As someone who bicycle tours I appreciated fire wood being on site and close to where the tent area is. The bathrooms aren’t the best but they worked. Overall its a safe, clean, welcoming campground for both tents and RV’s.

  • h
    Camper-submitted photo from Waukon City Park
    Jun. 11, 2022

    Waukon City Park

    Great value free firewood

    $15 tents. Includes electric and water and showers and firewood. Best value I have found yet. They have a bunch o pavilions and facilities. Pool, tennis, lake.

  • Reah E.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bluffton Resort
    Jun. 4, 2022

    Bluffton Resort

    Scenery to die for

    Absolutely love coming to this campground. This is the first year with the new owners but it looks like they're doing their best and doing a lot of great updates. The scenery is amazing. I had the most peaceful stay which was exactly what I was wanting. We drive about 3.5hrs to stay and its definitely worth it! We enjoyed one day of kayaking and another day of cycling on the trout run trail. Both days were SO serene! After our bike ride we treated ourselves to some delicious ice cream from Whippy Dip and dinner at Don Jose's Mexican Restaurant and they did not disappoint 😍😋 I'm looking forward to going back!

  • Christie Z.
    Camper-submitted photo from Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
    May. 31, 2022

    Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

    Incredible Views

    Just south of Wyalusing near the Mississippi. Far less people (which we prefer) with great sights and incredible views of the Mississippi. We did switch sites once we got there bc the electric was on the opposite side, but if you have an extension cord, not a big deal. We were there early in the season so everything was incredibly clean! We drove up to Wyalusing to check out for future camping and it was a lot more crowded. Nelson Dewey is also in the town of Cassville which looks to have an incredible swimming pool if you are there in season.

    There were bugs but we use a fan at the campsite which really kept most of them away. I think it’s to be expected when you’re that close to the Mississippi.

  • Jp M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
    May. 16, 2022

    Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

    Great weekend get away.

    Beautiful weekend getaway at a very quiet and great state park! Bath house was clean the park was clean, the park was extremely quiet. Only complain would be the mosquitoes, however that’s just nature and a part of camping!!

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Swiss Valley County Park
    Feb. 20, 2022

    Swiss Valley County Park

    Stacked on top of each other

    My wife and I checked it out and it’s just not for us we like to be a lil secluded from others no offense just like to listen to Mother Nature to relax but if you have a rv it might be for you. The park was closed but we like to check it out before we go with the whole crew of 6

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Nelson Dewey State Park Campground
    Jan. 8, 2022

    Nelson Dewey State Park Campground

    Nelson Dewey State Park

    Friendly Crowds and secluded spot despite us staying next to the main road for the camping area. Sunsets were beautiful looking west over the Mississippi River. The Driftless region is fun to explore and nearby parks that are more popular for camping are close by to hike.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Elkader, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Elkader, IA is Nelson Dewey State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 20 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find glamping camping near Elkader, IA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 13 glamping camping locations near Elkader, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.