Searching for a tent camping spot near Emmetsburg? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Emmetsburg with tent camping. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Emmetsburg, Iowa's most popular destinations.
Traveler
First thing to know is that you cannot pay for anything there directly... no cash, no checks, no credit cards, no tap, nothing. You need to use the Yodel app to purchase firewood and, even if there is staff present, you'll need to pay for your site on the MN State Park reservations system. What's nice is that there is no convenience charge when you are on site. This totally threw us as we are used to pulling up and paying with cash or card to a human. And, they have no wifi. So you'll have to use your phone or, like I did, use your phone as a hotspot to use your laptop/tablet.
Once that was all finally taken care of, we got to enjoy our spacious site. It was HOT, but there is a tree in the center of Site 7 that offered shade and lots of bushes and trees around that offer shade. We just had to keep moving to get it. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. Site 6 has a trail going through it on the edge while Site 7 had a trail on the other side but it was several feet from the actual site. I'm not sure it ever gets busy there, but if it did, you may have people around your site if you choose those edge sites.
This place was SO quiet! I know that also has to do with the other campers, so thank you to our fellow campers that weekend who kept it quiet. No road noise at all. There are fields nearby, so if it's plowing season I imagine it would be quite noisy and quite dusty.
At the end of September, along with the heat, there were tons of what we later learned were Asian Lady Beetles, which actually do sting. Surprise! Then when they started slowing down, here came the midges/no-see-ums. So I came away with a lot of stings. Boo! My spouse did not. So I guess they just liked me a lot.
I would totally recommend Kilen Woods SP! It was a total surprise to use as we were looking for a last minute place to camp, so that was wonderful. If you're driving along I90 in Minnesota or I26 in South Dakota and need an easy overnight, check this place out.
Ranger
Just stopped for the night. It's like a fair grounds. Friendly host. Adorable green giant statue.
Traveler
We struck out 4times before finding this place and we are so happy that we did! What a great little gem - lakeside, crickets chirping and perfect
TravelerDidn’t realize it was on the fairground. Very small. Very clean. Host family was very friendly and helpful. Free firewood was nice. Enjoyed our stay. Great for a one day stop
Guide
Large campground with a play park and other sporting area. Lake to swim in - no lifeguard offered. Large sites with water/electric hook up - some full hook sites and big rig friendly. The site we were put in was not set up well for the connections however it was a large site. Very muddy site but they offered to let us use a rug so we didn’t get ours all Muddy.
GuideVery quiet and clean, goid WiFi. Gary was very helpful. This campground is just beautiful. There is a lake you can fish,swim,rent kayaks and canoe. Laundry and showers.
Scout
It was serene and beautiful. The sunset over the water was absolutely amazing. Breathtaking scenery. There is a shower and toilets. And it costs $20 for a tent sight, $25 for a power hookup sight. We'll worth the stop, I almost didn't want to leave. I would stay here again!
Legend
Camped in Site #59 on Oct. 6-7, 2023. Our site had a fire ring, table, as well as electric & water. Spirit Lake is behind the site, although there was no lake access from there. Nice hearing the water lapping on shore. Registering for a site was a little confusing. There was a friendly host in the campground. Our site sloped down toward the lake; had to use our traction boards to level the van as best we can. No privacy between sites. The 6 room restroom/shower was clean. Overall, the campground was large and well maintained. It had an RV park feel to it, which is not our preferred type of camping. I believe folks in larger rigs will be comfortable here.
GuideGreat 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.
TravelerWe stayed here per the recommendation of a friend and had a great experience. The camp host, Denise, was very nice upon arrival. The grounds were quiet and bathrooms were clean. Fast wifi and free firewood were great added benefits that made our night after a long day of driving.
Traveler
This place is HUGE. We were shocked at the size of the state park and how many many campsites there were. We were back on Taylor Ridge so we had a noticeable drive in/out anytime we went anywhere. Bathrooms were clean and maintained. Sites had ample space. Because it is all on the ridges of the park, there is a significant decline after the campsite “flat area”
GuideChosen 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’.
Traveler
Stopped for the night , so I could see the Grotto in the morning. Very clean restrooms/showers. Only one other camper here. Shaded spots, great Wi-Fi, good cell service. Next to train tracks but only one train came by and it wasn’t loud. Definitely recommend if you’re in the area. You pay at the gift shop across the street. $20 for RV and $10 for tent.
Scout
We decided to camp here after a long day on I-90. We got here at 3am and the first thing we saw was a “historic cemetery”. After setting up camp an old mini van kept driving by us, with no one there. He had stopped for a second to look at us and drove away. 10 minutes later he was back and we PACKED up and left. This place is suspicious, take caution.
TravelerWell maintained campground with fishing piers and a swimming beach. A lot of seasonal/permanent sites. Transit spots were a little tight but owners did what they could to space you out. Very accommodating.
TravelerVery nice park with a nice restaurant and many things to do in the area. Very pretty and taken care of.
ScoutThe host is very kind, helpful. This was our first stay at an RV park. Although we did not realize this coming in, we were pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness and quiet surroundings in this cute little RV park. For an incredibly low price, we were able to connect to water, dump, and electricity. Neighboring RV’s were equally kind and helpful to provide helpful hints with hookup. Thank you for making our last stay from South Dakota before we reached home in Wisconsin, very pleasant and safe.
GuideGreat location right off I-90! Camp host was very friendly and the facilities are clean! It’s right by the 60’ Green Giant statue! Pretty buggy this time of the year as one would expect!
Guide
We stayed at the Grotto of the Redemption RV park for two nights. We were in our class C while slowly making our way across the country. We had no problems getting a spot here. There are two areas. One is very close to a train line, which runs infrequently. Sites are grass, level, and reasonably well maintained. All sites are pull through. Only electrical hookups are available at the sites. This is in good condition. There is fresh water and a dump station available. Each site has a nice grassy area and there are plenty of large trees. Staff was very friendly and helpful. There was a park nearby with a playground.
The RV park is near the Grotto. The Grotto is a fascinating achievement worth a look if you are in the area.
We had 2 bar LTE with Verizon. Our hotspot was usable and performed very well. Campground wifi was not available.
We enjoyed our brief stay at this campground. We will stay again when traveling this way.
Guide
Very polite staff. Roads are nice. Facilities are clean. Sites are pull through but are set up with utilities for back in sites. $40 a night. It looked like some campers were extended stays. Good Verizon signal and right off Interstate 90.
GuideAmazing campground, highly recommend! The facility is ran by a very nice and knowledgeable owner—you are greeted right away and given lots of information to make your stay enjoyable. Services were easy to hookup. Bathroom/showering area was very clean. The whole facility was great, nice and quiet and best of all dog friendly!
GuideSnug if you have slide outs, must watch to see you don't hit neighbor's trailer as you extend. Awnings literally touch neighbors. Crazy good time, if that's what you're into. I like the cabins!
Guide
This is a lovely and expanding park. Spacious, level pull through sites with full hookups. Decent Verizon coverage. Shower houses could use updates.
Guide
Decent smaller county park with newly installed blacktop trail around lake and golfcourse next door. No cell service provider functions in this park. The WIFI is shared between dozens of sites, speed averages right around 5mps. The rest of everything out here is WONDERFUL! Great neighbors, wildlife, the trail, fishing, boating, the playground… everything else is wonderful.
GuideGreat sites, phenomenol hosts. LOVE the playground, and the culture; this is home during the summer months. Terrible WIFI, absolutely no cell coverage out here. Not sure how they justify raising camping rates here if the ameneties do not reflect modern needs for family enjoyment. Yes we like smores, and watching the birds, and fishing, and hiking; but so help me, we like our Netflix too, and I sure would like to be able to watch the weather report. Even Dish coverage is spotty out here. It's weird, we're not down in a valley or anything. Not sure why this is such a dead zone out here.
Guide
We stopped here for 2 nights on our way to South Dakota. The park is small, but very well maintained, and man, literally every person there was INCREDIBLY nice! I met the previous owner of the park and his wife, and told about some cool things to do in the area including the Jeffers Petroglyphs, a fort in the town of Jackson, and the town from Little House on the Prairie.
Our site was level, easy to get into, and had a nice tree providing some shade. Water pressure was good, no issues with electric. One thing I noticed that I thought was really cool was they had a good sewer hose at the dump station for guests to use so they didn’t have to dig theirs out. That is the kind of thought the owners put into the experience at their park. Simple, nice perks that make the experience just that little bit extra good, and there were things like that throughout the park.
There is a small grocery store about 5 mins south of the park, a Burger King right across the street, and a few gas stations. New Ulm is about an hour away and well worth the visit! Cool little downtown area with lots of history, great restaurants, and cool shops.
Scout
hope you like flooding and bugs all over the bathrooms.the city clerk was nice to your face but not when your back is turned , but other than that the town people are very nice
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Emmetsburg, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Emmetsburg, IA is Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Emmetsburg, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Emmetsburg, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
