Best Tent Camping near Garwin, IA

Tent camping options around Garwin, Iowa include several established campgrounds within a short drive. Ashton Wildwood Park offers spacious tent sites set among trees with a $7 nightly fee, while Colfax Quarry Springs Park provides waterfront tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables at each site. Mariposa Recreation Area near Kellogg offers a more rustic tent camping experience with basic amenities.

Most tent sites in the Garwin area are primitive with limited facilities. Ashton Wildwood features pit toilets in the campground area with flush toilets and hot showers available at the nearby observatory building. Roadman Roadside Park provides flush toilets but no showers, with grassy tent sites that campers report are well-maintained. Several campgrounds like Stoehr Fishing Area restrict camping to 24-hour stays and prohibit campfires, requiring tent campers to plan accordingly. Water access varies significantly between locations, with some sites requiring campers to bring their own supply.

"I love this secluded little campground!" noted one visitor about Ashton Wildwood Park, highlighting its spacious wooded sites and peaceful atmosphere. Tent campers frequently mention the fishing opportunities at several locations, with Colfax Quarry Springs Park receiving particular praise for its waterfront access and well-maintained grounds. Sites at Ashton Wildwood are described as tucked into the woods and very spacious, making them ideal for tent camping. Interstate noise can be heard at some campgrounds, though visitors report it's minimal at locations like Quarry Springs. Many tent sites in the region offer access to hiking trails, with Ashton Wildwood featuring a small circle hike that's not too difficult, making it suitable for casual walkers and families with children.

Best Tent Sites Near Garwin, Iowa (22)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Garwin, IA

243 Reviews of 22 Garwin Campgrounds


  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Lime Creek Park

    Nice campground with a Quirk

    The pros: $10 fee ($15 electric), campground seems well maintained (grass is mown, security light works, tables in good repair, gravel access road in good shape, etc); no one here but us, the sound of the running Creek is soothing, vault toilet is probably the cleanest I've seen; ATT cell service was 3bars 5G The unusual: no specific site, no specific place to pull into, no site numbers or designation except on the electric pedestals. It's all grass. Pull onto the grass near the table or electric pedestal you want. The cons: 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), dust from vehicles passing on nearby dirt road filters thru the trees (due to dry weather?), and, well, it is, after all, a vault toilet-not my fav,

  • Kerry M.
    Aug. 25, 2021

    Wolf Creek Rec Area

    Quiet campground in the heart of Iowa

    Wolf Creek is a nice little campground near Beaman, IA (Beaman is very small, near Conrad as well which has a grocery store).

    There are 10 RV sites, which are $15/night and several tent/small camper sites which are $10/night.

    The campground has potable water but no showers. There are vault toilets.

    The campground has a nice playground, which was a feature we enjoyed when my daughter was little.

    My favorite part about this campground is the privacy. The tent sites are spread out and it is fairly easy to find one without neighbors too close.

    Activities:

    + Playground

    + Creek fishing

    + Nice benches and swings

    + Comet trail for hiking and biking

    + Hunting nearby

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited

    Happy Camping!

  • Willy W.
    Oct. 22, 2019

    Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    Great Place

    This is my favorite place to go hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing.

    There is a half mile portage with a campsite on the river which you must call to reserve. The other campsites are $10.00 registration. They have porta potties around. Two places to launch kayaks. Most campsites have fire rings, picnic tables and trash bins. Some have grills. They also have firewood for sale or you can find enough wood around still. I didn’t see any water hookups so bring a filter or water. There is a Kum & Go up the road to get missing supplies.

    The only downside of camping is you hear the interstate traffic but it’s minimal. The quiet hours are at 10:30pm and they have a gate which is closed at sunset when the park closes for non campers.

    Lots of hiking trails and wildlife. The fishing is the best place for largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish. No swimming is allowed and only electric motors, no gas.

    Check out their Facebook page for more updates and if you see me out there say hi!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Campground Diamond In The Rough

    Following up on my review from over a year and a half ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this county park campground gem in a very rural part of Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) EZ access and just a 20 minute / 9 mile drive due south from I-80 via Exit 201; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (4) The RV area looks to be brand spanking-new and offers very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas as well as most have an excellent view of Lake Diamond; (5) The hiking trails and bountiful fishing spots make this a simply wonderful campground; (6) Incredibly simple honor system to accessing any site on a first-come, first-served basis – simply stick your money in an envelope and pick out whatever location suits you; (7) While basic, the bathhouses were in pretty good condition and very clean; (8) Kid’s playground is fantastic and nearly brand new; (9) Reasonably priced bundles of pre-cut firewood; and (10) Overall the overnight price to stay here, whether RV or tent-camping is very cheap, so great value for $

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic in here, although you are so far out in the boondocks, it’s not really much of a concern; (2) The newly minted RV area slopes down to the lake, but as you park perpendicular, it shouldn’t be an issue; (3) Also, because the RV area is new, there’s no trees or brush, which creates a lack of privacy between sites; (4) Nearly all of the RV slots – save the few that are right next to the lake - have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings, at least in the tent camping areas, are worn-out and in pretty poor condition and should be replaced or refurbished; (7) The water in Lake Diamond is quite dark and murky, so unless you are an adventurous soul, I don’t recommend swimming here

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2024

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Lakeside Campground Bliss

    While it was our first time camping in Iowa, we were extremely lucky to land upon this slightly hidden fresh water centered campground just a 20 minute drive south of Route 80 near Montezuma, wherein one needs only follow Road#63, before coming across Diamond Lake County Park. With the fall colors being in full bloom when we visited, the entire campground was awash in bright yellows, reds and oranges from the changing colors of the leaves. Also, as we were visiting in mid-October, versus some of the other reviews here, we found that we had the place mostly to ourselves, which made for a rather peaceful sublime respite we were searching for. 

    As for the campground itself, what we enjoyed most was how this location is, for the most part, very well organized in keeping the RV'ers and 5th Wheeler crowds together, while preserving a nice slice of verdant lakeside pasture for us primitive camper types. Each of the sites for camping come equipped with (in most cases) fairly new aluminum picnic tables, fire ring with folding BBQ grill. While we didn’t stay in the RV areas, given our tent-pitching persuasion, what we did see was fairly impressive and looked altogether rather brand new with freshly poured concrete slots and fairly mint-looking RV hook-ups (50 amp electric and water) and this same area also boasted a brand new restroom facilities. 

    Obviously, the main attraction here is Diamond Lake itself, with its more than 90 acres of fresh water, albeit murky fresh water, was certainly a hit with this camping family. We enjoyed being able to get out on the lake with our kayaks and canoes as well as go for very long walks around the circumference of the lake itself, with which you will find simply splendid trails. And if that’s not enough exploration for you, then head further inland and away from the lake to explore this parks other 660 acres of grassy prairieland. 

    From an amenities standpoint, there’s a decent amount, including: three shower houses, four shelters, 2 dump stations, three his / her latrines (some much more dated than others), boat ramp and fishing dock, a dedicated fish cleaning station and what looked to be a fairly new kids playground. In all there’s a total of 120 sites to choose from, with 80 designated for RVs / 5th Wheelers and 40 earmarked for primitive camping, which do not come with any electric, which was on one hand the biggest bummer, but on the other hand, offered up front-row access to lakeside camping bliss as many of these primitive campsites are located right on the water’s edge. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Check-in is self-registration and is done onsite, so net-net, this place is first-come, first served as no online or advanced registration is taken. While we didn’t mind this, and given that we arrived right around noon as folks were actually checking out, we got the ‘pick of the litter’ of campsites. Electric sites are $20 / night and non-electric are $10, so this place is incredibly affordable; (2) If you are looking for some grub nearby after growing weary of another meal of franks & beans, then there’s really just a few nearby options: Subway, Sauced Pizza & Pub, Casey’s and Yolanda’s Tacos over in the little town of Montezuma; (3) While there are actually few different campgrounds here at Diamond Lake, for primitive campers, the best sites IMHO are located as far southwest as you can possible go around the lake, where there’s more than a dozen or so sites that sit right in front of the water and present a completely isolated surrounding. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Kerry M.
    Sep. 1, 2021

    Timmons Grove County Park

    Electric sites only, but beautiful area

    All campsites at Timmons Grove are$18/night and are electric. I have visited this place many times but only camped once. This place has never been busy when I have visited.

    I generally do not camp electric, so$18/night was steep for non-electric tent camping. There is no shower and the restroom is a port-a-potty.

    The area itself is really beautiful. There are good hiking trails, including a walk through some wildflowers. Bird watchers will love this place. Also expect to see deer and turkeys.

    There is boat access to the Iowa river as well as a public hunting area(I have not gone boating or fishing here, or hunting).

    Other than the nearby highway, which is not too bad for noise, the campground is really quiet.

    The price and the nearby highway are my only real complaints here. I am giving it 4 stars.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Newton KOA

    This KOA Deserves Your Attention

    Literally a single stone’s throw from I80, one of the busiest thoroughfares you’ll find yourself on here in the great ‘Hawkeye State,’ this is one campground that very much deserves your attention, despite being a KOA. In fact, this campground outpost is so close to the highway that you’ll be hard pressed not to see or hear it during your entire stay. While this KOA does sit down a bit from the hustle & bustle that comes with a major interstate highway, a good number of the available RV sites sit on a sloping hill that is the same elevation as the highway itself, so if you do have the choice, opt for the lower sites (more on that later). 

    Sitting just 30 minutes east of Des Moines, Newton KOA offers up about 100 sites for RVs and 5th wheelers offering up all the standard hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp- but be careful because some sites only offer 30 or 50, while some do offer both, so be sure to ask when making your reservation). For mi tent pitching bredren, there’s about a dozen or so sites to choose from and all are fairly intermingled with the RV sites, although each site does sit on a plush patch of grass, so this KOA does a nice job on that front of integration. Oh, and if you don’t have an RV, 5th wheeler or a tent, on worries, this KOA will rent you one of its three cabins. 

    As this is a KOA you can expect a ton of amenities and this place does not disappoint with: catch & release fishing pond w/ fish cleaning station (that is oddly placed about as far away from the fishing pond as you can get), disc golf course, K9 camp for the puppies, cable TV, WiFi, in-ground pool (available 5/25 until 9/3) with ADA pool lift, horseshoes, meeting rooms, firewood for sale, LP gas refueling station, pool table, shuffleboard, social lounge, two kids playground, laundr-O-mat, basketball court, restroom & shower facilities, mini-market with basic groceries, ping pong, jump pad, game room, gaga pit, designated dumpster and dump station and of course the scattered fire pits and picnic tables. Just to go above and beyond, this KOA serves up free breakfast of flapjacks on Saturdays. Yahoo! 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Whether you are pitching a tent or pulling up in your RV, the best sites IMHO are those in the lower valley, but located right in front of the main office, where there are 6 RV slots numbered #45 – 50 and 6 tent sites numbered T1 – T6; (2) Should you get hungry and might want to try some local fare, check out Taco John’s and La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant, which I guess stand for ‘local’ around here, although there is Newton Family Restaurant. If you are looking for something really different and amazing, I would suggest heading on over to Dan’s Sandwich Shop, which feels like real Americana from a bygone era, complete with a diner-esque vibe and matching elbow counter to warm up to over a nice piece of apple pie, scoop of ice cream washed down with a hot mug of coffee; (3) While this KOA has a mini-market, you will find a bigger selection with better prices just down the road at the local Walmart, where just due west of this, you’ll find a Hy-Vee Grocery store with a wine & spirits shop positioned there as well. Further down the road, you have excellent fresh cut meat from Fareway Grocery, but check out the local hotspot, Newton Market as well; and (4) While what you will discover from an outdoor standpoint at Newton KOA is interesting, if you want something more substantial, head to Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for 6 acres of family-friendly landscape to explore with more displays and demonstrations that you can shake a stick at! Seriously, there’s a butterfly garden, peony border and nearly 200 individual species of trees here to check out. 

    Happy Camping!

  • Willy W.
    Jun. 1, 2020

    Rock Creek State Park Campground

    Rock Creek Rocks

    Rock Creek is known for its crappie and large mouth bass fishing. The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas and you can go over by the bridge and fish the rocks. It’s a great place if you have a boat or kayak/canoe.

    The camping is very nice. There are RV electrical sites available along with water/sewage. Most of them have tables also. The spots aren’t huge but there are lots of places to camp. On the weekends it’s pretty busy but during the weekday it empties out.

    The tent camping side is really big also and it’s hardly ever filled up. You can reserve some spots right on the water and fish from your tent. Most all the sites have their own fire ring and some have tables.

    There are lots of restroom facilities located around the lake that are pretty clean.

    For activities you can go hiking, fishing, there is disc golf and there is a beach to go swimming in. Morel mushroom hunting is pretty popular here in the wood areas. They have grill pits to grill on and picnic tables through out the area. There are also some playgrounds for the little ones to play in.

    I highly recommend this place.


Guide to Garwin

Tent campsites near Garwin, Iowa typically remain open from April through October, with most sites closing during winter months due to seasonal conditions. Summer temperatures average 80-85°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall camping offers cooler temperatures around 50-70°F. The terrain around Garwin features rolling hills and wooded areas with elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet above sea level, creating natural drainage that helps campsites dry quickly after rainfall.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Stoehr Fishing Area provides excellent shore fishing on two ponds with black bass and bluegill as the main catch. "I live near Stoehr Fishing Area and fish there often. It has excellent shore fishing on the two ponds. The main species are black bass and bluegill, however I did catch a northern pike once," reports Kerry M.

Wildlife observation: The area campgrounds offer opportunities to view local wildlife including pheasants and songbirds. At Stoehr Fishing Area, campers can "enjoy the sound of pheasants and song birds in this area. It is not heavily wooded, but there are oaks, walnuts, and buckeye trees as well as a variety of aquatic plants."

Astronomy viewing: Ashton Wildwood Park features an observatory that opens on Saturday evenings (except the first Saturday of each month). As Willy W. explains: "The observatory that's open on Saturday's (except the 1st Saturday) was awesome and the astronomers were great people and very knowledgeable. They showed how their telescopes worked and took us a tour of the building and classroom."

What campers like

Spacious wooded sites: Tent campsites near Garwin offer generous space between sites, especially at Ashton Wildwood Park. "The sites are very spacious, could easily accommodate multiple tents," reports Topaz G., while Michael K. adds that the "camp spot was clean and well-maintained."

Water access for recreation: Colfax Quarry Springs Park provides water access for fishing and kayaking. "This is my favorite place to go hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing. There is a half mile portage with a campsite on the river which you must call to reserve," writes Willy W., noting it has "two places to launch kayaks."

Affordable rates: Most campgrounds in the area offer economical rates. Ashton Wildwood Park charges only $7 per night, while Colfax Quarry Springs Park sites are $10 per night with registration required. Christopher M. found Colfax Quarry Springs Park to be "awesome campground, clean and well maintained. Even the outhouses smelled good. Garbage bins, picnic tables and fire pits at all sites."

What you should know

Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Roadman Roadside Park offers flush toilets but no showers. As Annie C. notes: "It has flush toilets (but no showers). It is well maintained even if it is a bit older." At Ashton Wildwood, expect pit toilets at the campground with better facilities at the observatory: "There is only a pit toilet in the campground and it's nice enough for midnight runs. Drive up the road to the observatory and there is a bathroom with flush toilets and a hot shower."

Campfire restrictions: Several campgrounds prohibit fires entirely, including Stoehr Fishing Area. "There is a picnic shelter and grill, but no fire pit - campfires are not allowed," explains Kerry M. Check individual campground rules before planning to cook over an open flame.

Time limits on stays: Some camping areas restrict length of stay. Stoehr Fishing Area limits camping to 24 hours maximum, with Mitch confirming it's a "small park with maybe one primitive tent site no fire pit 24 hour is the length you can stay."

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly trails: Mariposa Recreation Area offers family-friendly amenities. "There are hiking trails and one that goes to a back pond. There is a butterfly garden and playground for the kids to explore," says Willy W. about this recreation area near Kellogg.

Orienteering activities: Ashton Wildwood Park offers an orienteering course for older children and adults looking for a challenge. Willy W. mentions: "There is also a orienteering course but you have to walk in the woods to finish it."

Child-friendly recovery hikes: For families with varying abilities, Ashton Wildwood offers accessible trails. "There is a nice little circle hike that's not too difficult and was great for rehab after my knee replacement," notes Deb K., making it suitable for children and adults needing less strenuous paths.

Tips from RVers

Limited RV accessibility: Most tent campsites near Garwin aren't suitable for larger recreational vehicles. At Roadman Roadside Park, Annie C. observed: "There are no hookups of any kind for RVs and I'm not really sure you can have an RV anywhere but in the gravel parking lot."

Neighborhood-like atmosphere: Twin Anchors Campground caters more to RVs but offers a different camping experience. "The campground was nice, but it seems more for RVs. This place feels more like a neighborhood verses camping in nature. Most people use this as a 'summer home'," explains Abby F.

Noise considerations: RV areas may have more activity and noise than tent-only areas. "Its 1130 pm and we r camping by the playground and there's about 10 children at the playground with no adults. And there's about 5 golf carts running around," reports Bill O. about Twin Anchors Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Garwin, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Garwin, IA is Stoehr Fishing Area with a 2-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 22 tent camping locations near Garwin, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.