The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Farmington, IA

154 Reviews

Farmington, Iowa and its surrounding communities offer diverse camping experiences along the Des Moines River corridor. Campers have access to both developed county parks and state-managed facilities including Indian Lake Park, which provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals within a forested setting. The nearby Shimek State Forest contains multiple camping units including the Lick Creek Unit and Donnelson Unit, catering to both standard camping and equestrian use, with several specialized horseback riding facilities available within 15 miles of Farmington.

Access to most campgrounds remains available year-round, though services may be limited during winter months. Several parks offer full hookups with electric, water, and sewer connections, particularly at Indian Lake Park and Wilson Lake Park. Reservations are recommended during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity, though midweek availability remains good throughout the season. Many campgrounds utilize an honor system for payment or have on-site camp hosts. A camper noted: "Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends. Hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, bird watching. There are many things to keep you busy here."

Waterfront camping ranks consistently high among visitor reviews, with several parks offering direct river or lake access. Indian Lake Park features a sandy beach and swimming area that families particularly appreciate, while Bentonsport Riverside Park provides scenic views of the Des Moines River and the historic Bentonsport Bridge. Campers frequently mention the abundance of outdoor activities available, from fishing to paddling to hiking on established trail networks. Bathroom facilities vary significantly between locations, with some parks offering modern showers and restrooms while others provide only vault toilets. A reviewer of Wilson Lake Park shared: "Very nice. Clean rest rooms and coin op showers. There were a lot of ticks, but the camp was quiet. I saw many people fishing."

Map showing campgrounds near Farmington, IowaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Farmington, Iowa (75)

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 75 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Farmington Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Farmington, IA

12 Photos of 75 Farmington Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Farmington, IA

154 Reviews of 75 Farmington Campgrounds

  • TANK'S NOMADIC TAILS
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Henry Sever Lake Conservation Area

    Stunning Sever Lake Conservation Area

    Mid week, stayed 2 nights, free camping, tables, fire pits, beautiful lake and plenty of wildlife. We had this entire area to ourselves! Just nature, breathing, meditation….very healing and will be back. Hats off to Missouri, this is a beautiful hidden little campground!

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Duck Haven Campground

    Hidden campground with a neat backstory

    July, 2017

    Neat little hidden campground with a neat back story. They owner bought it at auction just for a place to hang out with his friends but offers it for the public.  He loves cash and will usually give you a discount if you pay in cash.

    There is a bathhouse but he had to unlock it for us. 

    There is no store but you're at the edge of town so you can get anything you need.  There's no wifi but the cell service is good.

    If I recall, it's a 7 acre stocked pond.  catch and release only.

  • J
    Jun. 27, 2025

    Henderson County State Fish and Wildlife Area

    Small and quiet

    There are only a handful of sites that are RV friendly. A small lake has some decent fishing. Cell service will Verizon was awesome. There is no potable water, dump station, showers, flushed toilets. There are a few pit toilets. I really enjoyed my week here but it is definitely a boondock experience. Grass was mowed and trash cans were empty. I didn’t use the pit toilets. I looked in one and it was your basic out house.

  • Travis R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2024

    Wilson Lake Park

    Nice campground

    I didn't stay here as it was winter. The campground is nice with cement pads as well as primitive campsites and cabins.

  • Travis R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2024

    Lee County Pollmiller Park

    Nice campground

    I didn't stay here, just visited. Campground had all amenities you would expect with a beach, cabins, all on a small lake. Close to town for any camping needs.

  • Travis R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 18, 2024

    Louisa County Fairgrounds

    Typical Fairground Camping

    A small number of electrical sites was all that I saw. I'm sure there are bathrooms somewhere in one of the fairground buildings, but I didn't see any signage for them.

  • Travis R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 18, 2024

    Virginia Grove Rec Area

    Small and quaint

    This is a small campground with electric camper spots. I didn't see any dump station. It features a playground and has vault toilets. There is a walking trail that leads to a lake with ducks. Online only reservations.

  • Travis R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 18, 2024

    Big Hollow Recreation Area

    Full Featured Camping

    This site has a large number of mostly cement camper spots, including pull through. There is a large playground and shower house. Primitive camping for single or group spots. Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out. This is the .most full service camp site that I have seen in Iowa so far.

  • Travis R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 17, 2024

    Big Hollow Recreation Area

    Really excellent campground

    Lots of cement camping pads, playground, and shower house. Primitive single and group camping sites. Canoe rental and shooting range.

Guide to Farmington

Camping near Farmington, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From serene lakes to spacious campgrounds, there's something for everyone looking to enjoy nature.

What to do:

  • Fishing: Many campgrounds have great fishing spots. At Thousand Hills State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "Nice calm lake great for swimming, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and small motored boats."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around the area. A visitor at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park noted, "Excellent hiking trails. Great area to explore around the park as well."
  • Boating: Rent a kayak or canoe at places like Lake Darling State Park Campground. One camper shared, "The lake area offers great fishing and there are boat rentals available."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Hickory Haven Campground highlighted, "The bathrooms and laundry were very clean."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots for tents and RVs. A visitor at Wakonda Lake Campground mentioned, "Sites were spacious, clean, plenty of space between sites."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful surroundings. One reviewer at Spring Lake Park - Macomb said, "Nice and quiet and convenient to the highway."

What you should know:

  • Limited cell service: Many campgrounds have spotty cell reception. A camper at Lake Wapello State Park Campground mentioned, "Generally limited cell signal might be better that way."
  • Crowded during peak season: Some campgrounds can get busy in the summer. A visitor at Boulder Lake Campground noted, "During the summer it’s always full and kids running around."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife sightings. A camper at Lacey-Keosauqua State Park shared, "Bonus: the deer came out each evening to forage."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. One reviewer at Thousand Hills State Park Campground mentioned, "There are several playgrounds for kids."
  • Swimming areas: Choose campgrounds with swimming options. A visitor at Wakonda Lake Campground said, "GREAT weekend! Vast sandy beach."
  • Group sites: Consider campgrounds that offer group camping. A camper at Lake Darling State Park Campground noted, "We stayed on the primitive group side of the lake."

Tips from RVers:

  • Full hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A reviewer at Crossroads RV Park stated, "The site was a full hookup- electric, water and sewer."
  • Easy access: Choose campgrounds that are easy to navigate. A camper at Hickory Haven Campground mentioned, "Good level sites with full hookups, gravel."
  • Quiet spots: Seek out campgrounds that are away from busy roads. One visitor at Crossroads RV Park noted, "Clean, well organized and spacious. The issue is NOISE!!"

Camping around Farmington, IA, has a lot to offer, whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Farmington, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Farmington, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 75 campgrounds and RV parks near Farmington, IA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

Which is the most popular campground near Farmington, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Farmington, IA is Indian Lake Park with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Farmington, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Farmington, IA.

Keep Exploring