Evansdale, Iowa and surrounding areas offer multiple camping options ranging from established campgrounds to more primitive sites. Deerwood Park in Evansdale provides year-round camping with electric hookups, water access, and shower facilities. Within a short drive, campers can access George Wyth State Park Campground in Waterloo, which features boat-in access and accommodations for tents, RVs, and glamping from April through December. The Waterloo-Lost Island Waterpark KOA offers cabin camping in addition to tent and RV sites, operating throughout the year with full hookup amenities.
Seasonal considerations affect camping experiences in the region, with most campgrounds operating year-round but offering different amenities depending on the season. "This campground is near home so I know it well," noted one camper about a nearby state park. "This is a great place to stay but make sure you get your reservations in early if you plan on staying on the weekend." Many campgrounds in the area are situated along rivers or lakes, making flooding a potential concern during heavy rain periods. The Iowa River runs adjacent to several camping areas, providing recreational opportunities but occasionally causing site closures due to high water. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, with most established campgrounds offering basic amenities like drinking water, electric hookups, and toilet facilities.
Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for the Evansdale area, with several campgrounds positioned along the Iowa River, Cedar River, and various lakes. A camper described one nearby park as "located on the Iowa river near a takeout, so you can put in upstream and paddle down, or do as I do and paddle upstream and then back down." Fishing opportunities abound in the region's waterways, with trout streams available in some areas. Hiking trails connect many campgrounds to natural areas, though they tend to be less extensive than those found in more mountainous regions. Noise levels vary by location, with some campgrounds reporting occasional disruptions from nearby highways or shooting ranges, while others offer more secluded experiences. Wildlife viewing, particularly bird watching, represents another popular activity, with deer and turkey sightings common in the more remote camping areas.
$16 - $24 / night
"** Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.)"
"On Cedar Valley bike trail (100+miles of interconnecting bike trial. major Hwy on two sides of park, sleeping in a tenet it was very noisy at night. and a train track close by (again at night)"
"Just stayed one night passing through Iowa. Very pretty Campground with colorful Kabin’s and a lake for swimming or paddle boats. Level sites but not much shade."
"Played a bit of lake-side volleyball in the evening. Beautiful sunset!"
"Nice lake very close to the campground."
"Nice park with a bike path around the lake. A few nature trails, but nothing I would call hiking. Two vault toilets placed on the bike path. One modern bathroom with showers in the campground."
"The lake is small, no wake lake - but great for using your SUP or kayaks."
"Sigglekow Campground in Black Hawk County Iowa is one of a kind! Quite and secluded, if that's what you're looking for. To get out and decompress it's a great spot."
"Would be nice if it had gravel parking but that's a small inconvience.. also good kyack location."
"Right on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp..."
"The playground was impressive and the Cedar Valley nature trail was very well kept."
"Volleyball net, frisbee golf, bike trail, and playground! Be prepared for mosquitoes though! Lots of standing water and lots of mosquitoes!"
"Nice County camp ground (Black Hawk), Electric and non-electric sites. campground sits on edge of lake."
$10 - $15 / night
"Pull onto the grass near the table or electric pedestal you want."
"Electric, pit toilets, fire ring, picnic table, fishing stream, playground and NOBODY AROUND. This is a gem no more than 5 min off the highway."
TravelerComing in from the west there is a large u-shaped pull-off to the left just before a gate that is used to close the road for flooding. There are no signs. The lot area appears to be mowed annually. I parked along the lake/river shore without issues and popped up my truck tent. Over 40 bird species and a curious bald eagle dropped in and observed me through sunset.
ScoutCampground Hosts were amazing. We were short on some food the first night, Chuck was gracious to lend us some food and a 30amp extension cord. We had some nasty weather that first night also and we received a call from the host asking how we were doing!
Very clean park and very family friendly! Also has an excellent pond for fishing.
Will absolutely be coming back
GuideJust spent one night. It’s self pay, and only $20per day, for water, electricity, picnic tables, and fire ring. They’re good sized spaces. There’s clean bathrooms
ScoutVery friendly and clean! The bathrooms and showers are very nice. We enjoyed our short stay and will be back.
ScoutGreat place to camp and go swimming
TravelerArrived just before dusk and I was the only person in the park. Set up across the road from the Accessible Porta-potty. There is a nice playground for kids, and a couple of shelter houses. The park is set up to handle a large amount of horses with access to the trails throughout the park. The Iowa river backs up the park, and I felt it was a nice and peaceful evening.
Make sure you check out the boulder down by the creek!
There were just a couple of minor annoyances, and the first was someone’s dog barking at everything for a good part of the night, and the other was some machine noise down the road into the late evening. Other than that though, I felt it was a great time, and plan to visit again, maybe later in the summer or even in the winter, as the park is open all year.
The cost was$10 per night, and you can register on-site with a dropbox.
ScoutVery clean, hookups in great shape, everything is brand new. Lots of cement. But missing the charm of a more established campground.
ScoutNice new clean great wi fi with Verizon
ScoutNice and quiet along a small river. No restroom, just a portapotty. Few fire rings, but we'll maintained. Canoe launch is just a dirt ramp.
Camping spots near Evansdale, Iowa offer a mix of riverfront settings and lake access in the relatively flat eastern Iowa terrain. The area sits at approximately 850 feet above sea level in the Cedar River watershed, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60°F to 85°F. Seasonal flooding can impact camping availability, particularly at riverfront campgrounds during spring and after heavy rainfall events.
Disc golf courses: Hickory Hills Park features a complete disc golf course alongside its camping facilities. "This is a 700+ acre park with hiking, fishing, and disc golf. It also has modern amenities and a small zoo of animals from birds to buffalo," notes one camper.
Biking the Cedar Valley trail system: Black Hawk County Park provides direct access to extensive bike routes. "Right on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp," shares one visitor. Another notes there's "plenty of fishing access archery gun range. Boat access."
Kayaking on quiet waters: For paddlers, Siggelkov County Park offers river access for kayaking. "Sigglekow Campground in Black Hawk County Iowa is one of a kind! Quite and secluded, if that's what you're looking for. To get out and decompress it's a great spot. Has electric sites and also places to tent camp right on the Wapsi River," explains one reviewer.
Animal encounters: Some parks offer unique wildlife experiences beyond typical camping. "This is a great quiet park with animals for visiting and a very clean shower house," mentions a camper about Hickory Hills Park, referencing the small zoo that houses various animals.
Budget-friendly options: Camping near Evansdale often costs less than other regions. "This campground is $10 fee ($15 electric), campground seems well maintained; no one here but us, the sound of the running Creek is soothing, vault toilet is probably the cleanest I've seen," reports a visitor to Lime Creek Park.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good bathroom and shower facilities. "This is a clean and well kept campground. There are great paved trails, and it is close to the free John Deere Museum, and the Cedar Valley Arboretum," writes one camper about George Wyth State Park.
Lake activities: Big Woods Lake Campground offers multiple water-based options. "Nice County camp ground, Electric and non-electric sites. Campground sits on edge of lake. Bike trail runs by campground and connects to the Cedar Valley Trail (100+ miles of interconnecting hard surface bike trails)," states a reviewer.
Family amenities: Many parks include playgrounds and recreational facilities. "Very nice setting! The site layout was a bit confusing but the whole area was very nice. There was a big pavilion for a group gathering and even a frisbee golf course. The playground was impressive," notes a visitor to McFarlane Park.
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise due to proximity to major routes. A camper at Lime Creek Park notes: "Highway traffic noise is easily heard and doesn't seem to stop for more than a few seconds (though the crickets/bug sounds and the creek sound is sometimes louder so you hear that instead)."
Cash payment systems: Deerwood Park in Evansdale has specific payment requirements. "Good place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!" mentions one visitor.
Seasonal closures and flooding: Parks along rivers may close periodically. "The park does occasionally close for flooding," cautions one camper about George Wyth State Park.
Insect populations: Mosquitoes can be problematic in warmer months. "Very nice campground! Friendly and helpful ranger. Not crowded even the weekend immediately after the 4th of July. Be prepared for mosquitoes though! Lots of standing water and lots of mosquitoes!" warns a McFarlane Park visitor.
Water activities for children: Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA offers numerous water options. "Decent sites with full hook ups. Little shade with small trees next to about each site. Gas, propane, laundry room, beach area, small boat rentals, good sized convenience store with ice, beer, snacks, milkshake machine, etc. Enough to do for a day or two without going to the water park," explains one visitor.
Playgrounds and recreational facilities: Many campgrounds feature play areas. "Quiet well kept campground. Showers were nice, sites were decent in size, with some shade. Kids had fun at the swimming pond," shares a visitor about the Waterloo KOA.
Pet-friendly options: For families traveling with dogs, some campgrounds offer specialized areas. "Great RV park. Lots of room and cabin rentals for folks that don't have an RV. The fenced dog park was fantastic for those of us with dogs. A lake with beach area and an area for fishing founded it out!"
Cabin alternatives: For families without camping equipment, cabin rentals provide an entry point. "Campsite and facilities were very nice and clean, though the restroom/shower house is in desperate need of ventilation. Only visited for one night, but would recommend for families," notes a KOA visitor.
Site layouts: Big Woods Lake offers well-designed RV sites. "As far as RV parks go, this one is young and the lack of shade is only evidence of that. Sites are well planned out though, giving each camper plenty of space. Several buddy set ups, allowing two campers to set up with main doors facing each other."
Hookup quality: Utility connections vary between parks. "We stayed at the Lost Island water park KOA for just one night while passing through the area. Sites are gravel for the RV, reasonably level, and very well maintained. Most sites are pull through. Hookups are in very good condition. Each site had a grassy area with a picnic table."
Cell service: Connectivity is important for many RVers. "ATT cell service was 3 bars 5G" notes a Lime Creek visitor, while another KOA camper reports, "We had 4 bar LTE with Verizon. Our hotspot was usable and performed very well."
Dump station access: For RVers without full hookups, dump stations are essential. "Good little quiet park has dump station a water source. Would be nice if it had gravel parking but that's a small inconvience," reports a Siggelkov County Park visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Evansdale, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Evansdale, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 126 campgrounds and RV parks near Evansdale, IA and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Evansdale, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Evansdale, IA is George Wyth State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Evansdale, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Evansdale, IA.
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