Best Tent Camping near Elma, IA

Searching for a tent camping spot near Elma? You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Would you prefer a quiet dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities? Either way, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.

Best Tent Sites Near Elma, IA (19)

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      1. River Ranch Camping

      1 Review
      1 Save
      Plainfield, Iowa
      • Pets
      • Electric Hookups
      • Tents
      • Picnic Table
      • No image available

        2. Chickasaw Park

        1 Review
        Plainfield, Iowa
        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Phone Service
        • Tents
        • Group
        • Standard (Tent/RV)
        Camper-submitted photo from Little Turkey Campground
        Camper-submitted photo from Little Turkey Campground

        3. Little Turkey Campground

        1 Review
        2 Photos
        5 Saves
        Calmar, Iowa
        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Electric Hookups
        • Phone Service
        • Reservable
        • ADA Access
        Camper-submitted photo from Schmidt Farm by Forestville
        Camper-submitted photo from Schmidt Farm by Forestville
        Camper-submitted photo from Schmidt Farm by Forestville
        Camper-submitted photo from Schmidt Farm by Forestville
        Camper-submitted photo from Schmidt Farm by Forestville
        Camper-submitted photo from Schmidt Farm by Forestville

        4. Schmidt Farm by Forestville

        2 Reviews
        15 Photos
        1 Save
        Preston, Minnesota

        Quiet, remote tent camping under dark skies for the minimalist. One mile hike-in to site. Direct access to more remote areas of the NE side Forestville State Park and 50 acres of wooded private trails. Sites are located on the lower area of our property. Approximately 100 yards between sites and each are not within site of each other. All sites are located directly on a main trail circling a walnut grove. A shared centrally located compostable outhouse is located within 50 yards of each site.

        This is a beautiful, remote property nestled between our organic Century Family Farm and Forestville State Park. We offer these limited campsites to a very specific demographic, minimalists looking for a quiet experience in nature. Years have gone into the making of these sites to be in balance with nature and our farm. These sites will be only open during spring and fall months. Camping does not include access to our other agritourism opportunities on our farm.

        Please read through our description carefully and be sure this is the right fit for you prior to booking. Please contact us with questions. I would much rather leave the site open/unbooked than not meet your expectations. You must check in at our office prior to going to your campsite.

        Additional items that will be delivered to your site. Plan ahead. $5 fee per delivery trip.

        • Firewood is available for purchase from Schmidt Farm for $8/bundle
        • Each site has a table and 2 chairs. 2 additional chairs can be requested
        • Tripods and cooking grates are available upon request
        • Bring your own container for water refills
        • Lockable totes for food storage are available upon request.
        • Plan ahead with your requests. Each delivery trip to your site will be $5.

        No hunting on property and no hunting groups.

        Know before you go. Our outhouse has a dry compostable SunMar toilet. Instructions are located inside the outhouse. There is a solar motion detected light inside the outhouse.

        Up to 2 dogs are allowed per site. Dogs must be vaccinated and not display aggressive behavior towards people or other animals. Dogs must be leashed and supervised at all times. For the safety of your pets and our livestock, visiting dogs are not allowed on the private trails. Hiking with your dog is available on and off trail in Forestville.

        Please meet us at a pre-arranged time at our farm store/camping office at least one hour prior to sunset. You will be given parking instructions and directions to hike in to your site at that time. Please pack and plan accordingly to be able to carry/pack in all of your personal items. Additional items (listed above) are available on loan to check out for your camping experience. These items will be brought to your campsite for you.

        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Reservable
        • Tents
        • Group
        • Market

        $35 / night

        • No image available
          Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
          Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
          Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
          Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
          Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
          Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve

          6. Shellrock River Co Preserve

          2 Reviews
          15 Photos
          12 Saves
          Nora Springs, Iowa

          Camping at Shellrock River Greenbelt and Preserve

          The Shellrock River Greenbelt Preserve provides both primitive and equestrian camping opportunities all year round. Two small shelters, fire rings, pit toilets, and hitching posts are provided at this site.

          Located on Yucca Avenue between 290th and 280th Streets.

          Open Year Round

          There is no charge for using this rustic campground

          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Electric Hookups
          • Phone Service
          • Tents
          • Group
          Camper-submitted photo from South Bear Creek
          Camper-submitted photo from South Bear Creek
          Camper-submitted photo from South Bear Creek
          Camper-submitted photo from South Bear Creek
          Camper-submitted photo from South Bear Creek
          Camper-submitted photo from South Bear Creek
          • No image available
            Camper-submitted photo from Echo Valley State Park Campground
            Camper-submitted photo from Echo Valley State Park Campground
            Camper-submitted photo from Echo Valley State Park Campground
            Camper-submitted photo from Echo Valley State Park Campground
            Camper-submitted photo from Colwell County Park

            10. Colwell County Park

            Be the first to review!
            1 Photo
            Floyd, Iowa

            This peaceful primitive campground includes a picnic shelter, pit toilet and fishing access to the Little Cedar River. Purchased in 1966, this park is managed for camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

            • Pets
            • Fires
            • ADA Access
            • Tents
            • Standard (Tent/RV)
            • Trash
          Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

          Recent Tent Reviews in Elma

          246 Reviews of 19 Elma Campgrounds


          • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
            Oct. 8, 2024

            Clear Lake State Park Campground

            Surprisingly quiet campground on a summer weekend

            We tend to stay at campgrounds during the off or shoulder season for a quieter experience so it was with some apprehension that we reserved this campground for a summer weekend so that we could meet friends for Paddlefest. We were happy to discover that despite being a full campground, it was quiet at almost all hours of the day and night. It was, however, an entirely different story on the lake itself, where boats gathered all day to party!

            There is little separation between the sites but there are trees located throughout, some of which provide shade to the site. The camper pads were a mix of dirt and gravel and mostly level. We were lucky to snag Site 34 (reserved about three months in advance) – it was on the end, making it a much larger site than the interior sites (all end sites in our section were larger) and we had plenty of shade trees, a welcome relief on a very hot weekend. 

            The paved roads leading to the sites are very narrow and would appear to be one-way but are not designated as such, resulting in some confusion. The site numbers are only listed on one side, even though most of the sites appeared to be pull-through. 

            The restrooms and showers were clean and had soap and (dated) air dryers. 

            Overall, we had a very pleasant two-night stay even though we were prepared for a different experience.

          • RThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Cedar View Park
            Sep. 28, 2024

            Cedar View Park

            Beautiful park, gross bath house

            This is a lovely park. It is fairly quiet, you can hear some highway noise in the distance. The lake is lovely and clean. The spots are gravel, most sites will require some leveling but are not too bad. 

            Each site has a newer electric pedestal with 30 and 50 amp service, and each site has a water spigot, as well as a picnic table and fire ring.

            There are a few sites that back up directly to the lake. There is a swimming beach and a dock. There is a city park adjacent to the campground with a playground and picnic shelter.

            I had 3 bars on on T-mobile which got me 64 down and 18 up. On Verizon I had 3 bars which got me 65 down and 12 up.

            The shower house was pretty bad though. It was older, which doesn't bother me, but it was dirty. There are camp hosts on site but I guess their duties do not include ever cleaning the restroom. There was food trash in there all week, and if you look around you'll find feces, blood, and personal hygiene trash including used condoms.

            I would stay in this campground again because I have a self contained unit and do not need to use the on-site shower house.

          • RThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Oelwein City Park
            Sep. 22, 2024

            Oelwein City Park

            This is a beautiful city park campground

            I enjoyed my 5 night stay at Oelwein City Park Campground. It's located on the south end of town, there is only one business within walking distance. It's a great restaurant (Oelwein Family Restaurant) and it's about a 15 minute walk.

            There is one shower house, and several vault toilets throughout the park. The shower house is old and a little run down but was very clean. I had no problems using it.

            The city park is adjacent to the campground and has picnic shelters, a playground, and a dog park.

            There are electric and water hookups at most sites, and there is a dump station. The park was pretty full on the weekend as you would expect, but very quiet during the week.

            I had great Verizon and T-mobile service here.

          • A
            Camper-submitted photo from Schmidt Farm by Forestville
            Sep. 18, 2024

            Schmidt Farm by Forestville

            A very peaceful camping experience

            If you're looking for a simpler camping experience focused on getting away from everything and solitude, then this is the place for you.   You can tell that the hosts have put a ton of work and love into their property and I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know them.   The campsites are large and kept up and I picked campsite two so that I could hear the creek behind me and I enjoyed hearing it the whole time I was there plus the Forestville State Park was just across the creek.   The peace and quiet allowed me to have one of the best nights of sleep while camping that I've had, I didn't hear a person or a vehicle the whole night and the crickets, frogs, and occasional hooting owl just added to the nighttime experience.

          • Karen S.
            Camper-submitted photo from Schmidt Farm by Forestville
            Sep. 17, 2024

            Schmidt Farm by Forestville

            A quiet, back to nature experience under dark skies.

            This location offers the opportunity to explore both private trails and less traveled areas of Forestville State Park. Secluded campsites so you are not camping side by side with others. Site locations offer ample space for multiple tents. The native wildflowers are a special treat.

          • RThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Klocks Island Park
            Sep. 15, 2024

            Klocks Island Park

            Crowded and quiet

            This seems like a quiet campground. It's just off the highway but there was almost zero traffic on this small highway. I drove through here on a Saturday in mid September. All spots were taken. I had barely usable Verizon service here and no T-mobile service. I was not able to camp here. The restroom building looked fairly new.

          • JThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
            Aug. 15, 2024

            Clear Lake State Park Campground

            Nice but crowded campground

            Nice campground with grassy pull thru sites. But very close together. If full, you would have no privacy. Fortunately, it was 1/4 full, so no problem. Bathrooms clean, nice warm showers! Nice beach, lots to do. Would be a fun place if you don’t mind camping next to neighbors!

          • Nate H.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Oakwoods Trails Campground
            Aug. 12, 2024

            Oakwoods Trails Campground

            Really Great Campground

            The owners Jan and Brian are super nice. The campground is a ways from their home and quite secluded and quiet. There weren’t any kids when we were there though, I imagine they could change the quiet aspect. The bathrooms and showers are very nice as are the sites. Well worth the $25 we paid!

          • J
            Camper-submitted photo from Oakwoods Trails Campground
            Jul. 29, 2024

            Oakwoods Trails Campground

            Late weekend excellence

            Arrived Sunday evening and found the campsite mostly empty, (season pass members had campers here but there was only one other active camper). Staff was very friendly and helpful. TOILETS FLUSH! Showers clean, basketball court, horseshoes, and volleyball all provided. Could see the sites being kind of close and it being a little pricey but more than worth it in my mind. Site 6&7 were perfect for hammocks

          • T
            Camper-submitted photo from Riverside Co Park
            Jul. 22, 2024

            Riverside Co Park

            Great little city/county park!

            Beautiful large sites along the river so you can fish as well as has a pond that you can swim in with three beach entry areas. Large bath house with restrooms and showers and a little free library inside. Very long parking pads- big rig friendly and very roomy sites. Nice walking trails on the east and south side of the park. Very creative natural play park for children to play on. Full hook up sites with a very reasonable nightly rate. It appeared that some of the campsites were seasonal but couldn’t confirm that.

          • Niki S.
            Camper-submitted photo from R Campground, Inc
            Jul. 15, 2024

            R Campground, Inc

            Very clean, friendly owners, great co-campers

            Randy was amazing and very attentive to my questions. Check in was super easy and the directions for check in were clearly spelled out. Everything was mapped out and the website was easy to use as well. The pond itself was pretty to look at and made for great photos, however it was loaded with geese which made it not user friendly. I would recommend this campground, and I will definitely go back to camp again!

          • Heather S.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Bluffs Resort
            Jun. 24, 2024

            Hidden Bluffs Resort

            Babbling Brook and Hosts Activities!

            This campground became our favorite site in quite a while! Minimal bugs, very nice staff, beautiful sites with lots of nature! Dog friendly. Playground, mini golf, and pool all complimentary! 2 trails and babbling brooke were peaceful. They had kid and adult activities scheduled for Friday and Saturday which was a cool surprise when we checked in!

          • Renee H.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Sylvan City Park
            May. 23, 2024

            Sylvan City Park

            Small city park campground right in town

            Walking distance to downtown and easy access to Root River Trail. RV sites were close to each other with little privacy. Many tent sites around the perimeter. Short walk to bathhouse. Showers are not free, 4 quarters for 5 minutes. No laundry available. Campground is first come/first serve and doesn’t take reservations or online payment. Payment is made at adjacent city office.
            Sites are gravel, fairly level. Water and electric available at rv sites.
            Nice park nearby with stocked fishing pond. There is some noise due to the park being tucked into the city. Garbage and dump station free for campers. They ask for a donation for dumping if not camped there. Tight access at dump station might make it difficult for larger rigs. Strong Verizon signal.

          • Eugene O.
            Camper-submitted photo from Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging
            May. 20, 2024

            Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging

            Good campground, rude and unprofessional management

            If you want to experience very rude and unfair treatment where you will be mistreated and ripped off by the staff and ow era you must come to Eagle Cliff campground. Was double charged for the room without any options and negotiations and knees delivered to us after we already left the campground. Staff is very rude and unwilling to be reasonable, professional and understanding. Campground looks good but rules are ridiculous and staff and owners are very shady and make non sense decisions. Stay away if you want nice peaceful stay and don’t want to be ripped off.

          • E
            Camper-submitted photo from Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging
            May. 20, 2024

            Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging

            Management is beyond horrible. Very unprofessional.

            If you want to experience very rude and unfair treatment where you will be mistreated and ripped off by the staff and ow era you must come to Eagle Cliff campground. Was double charged for the room without any options and negotiations and knees delivered to us after we already left the campground. Staff is very rude and unwilling to be reasonable, professional and understanding. Campground looks good but rules are ridiculous and staff and owners are very shady and make non sense decisions. Stay away if you want nice peaceful stay and don’t want to be ripped off.

          • c
            Camper-submitted photo from Camp At The Woods
            May. 3, 2024

            Camp At The Woods

            Open year round

            Very accommodating super nice people helped us back in and set up in middle of winter after dark after we had drove 2 days from the east coast. Our spot was on an incline but the water worked when temp was below freezing the camp was nice with new park for kids new basketball court new pavilion wish we could have been there in the summertime I’m sure the pool is nice when uncovered. I saw laundry and bathrooms by the river.

          • c
            Camper-submitted photo from Twins Campground
            May. 3, 2024

            Twins Campground

            Serene

            Serenity, nature at its best, birdsong all day long wildlife at every turn our campsite was level the owners and manager were great hosts. We stayed several weeks the price was very reasonable, honey wagon service was included ; riding/ hiking trails from campsite.

          • Greg K.The Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Twins Campground
            Apr. 13, 2024

            Twins Campground

            Twins campground- cresco,Iowa.

            Very friendly and helpful owner. He even drove to town so we could follow him in. Has playground community area fire pit and a structure built to cover picnic tables. atv trails. Turkey river right there was 20 feet from my site. Porta potty and shower water is hot. 30/50 amp power with water on each site. Water fill station and dump station. Garbage .

          • Jon M.
            Camper-submitted photo from Big Joes Little Campground
            Mar. 24, 2024

            Big Joes Little Campground

            Never Again

            It is not meant for weekenders. The campground is 97% concrete pad sites for people who want to park their camper and ent for the year. The two "weekender sites they do have are over 100 yards away and the water smells like sulphur. The owner will also personally take the time to drive out and chew you out if you inadvertently park on the grass. Bottom line, they care about getting their cash and trying to make it look like Augusta National golf course. I will never go back.

          • Lisa T.
            Camper-submitted photo from George Wyth State Park Campground
            Nov. 10, 2023

            George Wyth State Park Campground

            Good local camping

            Easy in and out late fall camping.  I got a great tent spot next to the river.  This is a fine campground that I much prefer during the off season (it gets too busy during the warm season for my liking).  The connection to hiking trails throughout the park is fantastic.

          • Terry F.
            Camper-submitted photo from Gilbertson Conservation Education Area
            Nov. 1, 2023

            Gilbertson Conservation Education Area

            Great place!

          • 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.

          • AThe Dyrt PRO User
            Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Bend Park
            Sep. 7, 2023

            Cedar Bend Park

            Peaceful place

            It was so clean and peaceful. Not overly crowded. The camp host was so friendly and helpful.

          • v
            Camper-submitted photo from Cedar View Park
            Sep. 3, 2023

            Cedar View Park

            Wonderful Find!

            Great find! We thought we would be dry camping because it was Labor Day weekend. We found this Park on the app and thought we would check it out. It’s first come first serve. I really never thought there would be any hookups because of what I had read, but they had electric and water! We found a spot right on the Lake! Very busy but wonderful view, location and was only $20.00!

          • S
            Camper-submitted photo from Oakwoods Trails Campground
            Aug. 29, 2023

            Oakwoods Trails Campground

            Lovely campground with lots of trees!

            This is a great campground with lots of shade and spacious tent pads! The large oak trees throughout the campground made for beautiful scenery and nice spots to string a hammock up. My site was right next to the bathroom building which did have a light on all night, but I had an eye mask so that didn’t bother me. $25/night for a tent site



          Frequently Asked Questions

          • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Elma, IA?

            According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Elma, IA is River Ranch Camping with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

            TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Elma, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.