Dispersed camping near Floyd, Iowa centers primarily on county parks and wildlife management areas offering primitive sites with limited or no amenities. Several locations provide free or low-cost camping options, including Eagle City County Park near Iowa Falls, Lake Considine near Dumont, and Gates Bridge County Park in Marble Rock. These areas typically feature riverside or lakeside settings on public land managed by county conservation boards or the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Access to these dispersed sites varies considerably across locations. Many areas require navigating gravel or dirt roads that may become challenging during wet conditions. Eagle City County Park features both upper and lower camping areas with hand-pump water and vault toilets, though recent reviews indicate a $10 fee is now required despite previously being free. Lake Considine represents truly primitive camping with no facilities, water, or designated sites. Rice Lake and Eagle Lake Wildlife Management Areas provide drive-in access but lack amenities, making them suitable for self-contained camping.
Most dispersed areas near Floyd maintain a rustic, secluded atmosphere popular with anglers, paddlers, and those seeking quiet camping experiences. Sites are generally first-come, first-served with no reservations accepted. Campers describe varying levels of privacy depending on season and location. At Lake Considine, one camper noted it is "completely and gloriously primitive" with no tables or facilities but excellent fishing opportunities. For Eagle City Park, feedback indicates "secluded campsites" where visitors "often are the only ones down there." Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at several locations, with river access common at Eagle City and Gates Bridge parks. During summer months, some sites may have higher usage from paddlers and local visitors.
"There is a nice lake that is great for fishing, there was access for small boats previously (think kayak/canoe)."
"This park is located on 172 acres of land. It has an enclosed picnic shelter, hand pump well, vault rest rooms, primitive camping, and 2 swing sets."
"Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site."
"When you come in on the dirt road, it hooks to the right, and you'll come upon a dirt cul-de-sac. On the right, you'll see a grassy area set into the woods where you could camp."
"Winter/ early spring) It's about a 1/4 mile off of the dirt road and makes a left towards the end with water access that is great for a kayak."
RangerThis spot is exposed with virtually no privacy. (Winter/ early spring) It's about a 1/4 mile off of the dirt road and makes a left towards the end with water access that is great for a kayak. During the summer, when the corn is in, it's looks like there would be plenty of privacy. There are NO amenities here. There's plenty of room here for any size rig.
GuideThis park is located on 172 acres of land. It has an enclosed picnic shelter, hand pump well, vault rest rooms, primitive camping, and 2 swing sets. The park was named after the town of Eagle City platted in 1878 and at one time contained a general store, post office, grist mill, saw mill, blacksmith’s shop and doctor’s office. This area has been used for primitive camping with an upper and lower level. The Iowa River runs next to this campground. The campground is down a couple miles of maintained gravel Rd.
GuideNote that they do now require a permit to stay here. Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site. Great camping area, pit toilet, regularly mowed, great riverside view, level spots for tent and vehicle camping with fire rings.
RangerIt's a nice spot off of the main road. It's pretty quiet, but there aren't many spots to camp. When you come in on the dirt road, it hooks to the right, and you'll come upon a dirt cul-de-sac. On the right, you'll see a grassy area set into the woods where you could camp. Other than that, your parking in the perimeter. There's enough room that virtually any size camper could navigate into this spot, but if there are other people, that will really complicate your life.
There is a boat launch and paths down each side of the launch you could fish. On the way in, you'll see a deck to the left, providing a scenic overlook. There's also a spot there you could potentially park, but you'll be very exposed if there is any foot traffic.
GuideIf you're coming out here plan to bring a table. It's that primitive. For us that's great though!! There is a nice lake that is great for fishing, there was access for small boats previously (think kayak/canoe). It is located out literally in the middle of nowhere wrapped by trees on both sides with a cleared out area that you could set a tent or bring a camper if you're ok with no hookups. We love the simplicity and seclusion this area provides. We have never been charged to camp here.
RangerEagle City Park has two parts - a lower campground that is a paddlers camp on the Iowa River, and an upper campground with a few secluded campsites.
All campsites are free, and there are many to choose from. I have camped in both the upper and lower campgrounds, in summer and fall. I tend to prefer off-season when I am (often) the only camper in either campground. Summer will have more campers, ranging from tents to small RVs, but there are plenty of campsites so it is never full.
There is nowhere to buy firewood, but a short hike in the woods usually produces a small supply for a campfire.
Negatives:
As there are no trash containers, it is not uncommon to find the firepits full of burned or unburned trash.
There is a very poorly kept vault toilet in the lower campground. I do not believe that it is ever pumped out. The upper campground has no toilet. I always bring my own stool "just-in-case" but otherwise just take care of business after I take the 20 minute drive to get home.
The gates are closed all winter, often into late spring. The roads are not plowed in either campsite. It is a nice place to hike in winter time, but there is no camping.
ScoutFirst, there is no pit toilet. Second, you need to pay ($10) via a website. Scan the QR code by the entrance. I couldn't get it to work.
Sites are fine. A couple of options for hammock camping. Nothing special.
We stopped driving cross country.
GuideWe go to Eagle City a least once a year to just get away from it all, it's close to home but feels cut off which is what I look for when camping. We have only camped on the lower side to facilitate fishing the river, but we walk up to, and through the upper side every time also. We love how quiet it is, we are quite often the only ones down there. Kayakers frequent the river access on the lower side as well as some equestrian use for river access. Hand pump for water. Grounds are well maintained but not bug treated, so be prepared. We have camped with an RV when its cooler and doesn't need an A/C but we love to tent camp out there. We've gone at all different times from Memorial day through Labor day. My boyfriend has gone later in the year though also.
GuideWow! This campground surprised us! Not only is it directly on a river with wildflowers, it has a pit toilet and hand pump water. There was only one other group while we were there. Such a sweet place that we will be back to every time we pass through that area. Definite recommend.
Dispersed camping locations near Floyd, Iowa concentrate in county parks and wildlife management areas across north-central Iowa. During spring and fall, these sites typically experience cooler temperatures averaging 45-60°F with occasional overnight frost. Most locations require campers to navigate gravel roads which can become rutted after heavy rainfall, particularly at Rice Lake and Eagle Lake Wildlife Management Areas.
Fishing opportunities: The Iowa River at Eagle City County Park offers good angling prospects for local species. One visitor mentioned, "The Iowa River runs next to this campground. The campground is down a couple miles of maintained gravel Rd."
Kayaking and paddling: Several sites provide water access points ideal for small watercraft. A camper noted about Siggelkov County Park: "Has electric sites and also places to tent camp right on the Wapsi River" and another mentioned it's a "good kyack location."
Wildlife viewing: During winter months when vegetation is sparse, Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area offers open sightlines. "This spot is exposed with virtually no privacy. (Winter/ early spring) It's about a 1/4 mile off of the dirt road and makes a left towards the end with water access that is great for a kayak."
Seclusion and quiet: Most dispersed sites around Floyd offer genuine solitude, especially on weekdays. One visitor to Eagle City County Park shared: "We go to Eagle City a least once a year to just get away from it all, it's close to home but feels cut off which is what I look for when camping. We love how quiet it is, we are quite often the only ones down there."
Simple amenities: Despite being primitive, some sites offer basic facilities. A camper at Eagle City County Park wrote: "Wow! This campground surprised us! Not only is it directly on a river with wildflowers, it has a pit toilet and hand pump water. There was only one other group while we were there."
Level camping spots: Several locations provide naturally flat areas suitable for tents and small campers. A visitor reported about Eagle City: "Great camping area, pit toilet, regularly mowed, great riverside view, level spots for tent and vehicle camping with fire rings."
Payment systems vary: Some previously free sites now require payment. At Eagle City County Park, a recent visitor noted: "Note that they do now require a permit to stay here. Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site."
Limited facilities: Most areas around Floyd offer minimal or no amenities. At Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area, a camper observed: "There aren't many spots to camp. When you come in on the dirt road, it hooks to the right, and you'll come upon a dirt cul-de-sac. On the right, you'll see a grassy area set into the woods where you could camp. Other than that, your parking in the perimeter."
Seasonal changes: Site conditions vary dramatically throughout the year. At Eagle Lake Wildlife Management Area, a visitor noted: "During the summer, when the corn is in, it looks like there would be plenty of privacy. There are NO amenities here. There's plenty of room here for any size rig."
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Floyd, IA is Gates Bridge County Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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