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Best Tent Camping near Graettinger, IA

142 Reviews

Tent campgrounds near Graettinger, Iowa provide basic accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts seeking simplicity in northwestern Iowa. Iowa Lake County Campground offers lakeside tent camping with vault toilets and water access. Bright Lake County Park in neighboring Minnesota (approximately 15 miles northeast of Graettinger) provides additional tent camping options with fire rings and picnic tables in a lake-adjacent setting.

Most tent sites in the Graettinger area feature minimal amenities. Iowa Lake County Campground provides drinking water and toilet facilities but prohibits fires, alcohol, and pets. Bright Lake County Park allows pets and fires, with firewood available on site. Both locations offer primitive camping experiences with limited facilities. Devine Wildlife Area, located south of Graettinger, provides completely undeveloped camping with no toilets, water, or prepared sites. During summer months, mosquitoes can be problematic near wetland areas, particularly at Devine Wildlife Area.

The tent camping experience varies across these locations. Iowa Lake County Campground attracts different crowds depending on timing, with some periods offering solitude and others drawing more visitors. One camper described it as "a great little spot to stay bike touring through Iowa" with lake access and basic facilities. Bright Lake County Park provides sites with partial lake views through the trees and enough space for multiple tents, making it suitable for family camping. Devine Wildlife Area offers the most rustic experience with approximately five potential camping spots in an undeveloped setting. According to one visitor, "No really prepared sites... No water, no electric, no toilet. Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent. But the price is right."

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Best Tent Sites Near Graettinger, Iowa (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Graettinger, IA

2 Photos of 8 Graettinger Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Graettinger, IA

142 Reviews of 8 Graettinger Campgrounds

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Devine Wildlife Area

    Free and fairly primitive

    Dispersed camping really. You can bring a big rig in. No really prepared sites. Maybe 5 places you could set up. No water, no electric, no toilet. Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent. But the price is right.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Island Park

    Small waterfront campground

    Nice little park to stop at for a night on a trip. Only stayed here for a night on my way out west in 2024. Arrived a bit before dark and decided to sleep in my car rather than my tent just due to the timing and being tucked away by the river by myself. Never did figure out where a bathroom was unfortunately. There was a gas station right down the road for any conveniences you may need. There is a kayak launch right by the campsites that I would've put my inflatable into if I'd had more daylight/time here.

    Not sure how larger campers would set up given the layout and how small the pads look, but there was plenty of room in front and behind the pads.

  • Clint G.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Korte's Checkers Welcome Campground

    Great value as Passport America member

    This is a small private campground that offers a quiet nights stay.  Site size was moderate with some shade, a fire ring, picnic table, on a level gravel pad.  $20 per Passport America members for FHU is sweet.  The grounds were well cared for and was not to far from the interstate but far enough away that there was little noise.

  • Matthew H.
    Feb. 13, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Great Campground! Conveniently located!

    Great 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.

  • Meg W.
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Peaceful Prairie Spot

    Chosen 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’.

  • Lord J.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Secluded slice of paradise.

    Stayed in the walk-in section of the campground. Just a short walk from the parking and vault toilet. Beautiful Oaks surround you as does the sumac, raspberries and mosquitos. Even though it rained it was a superb experience 🙏

  • Jen A.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    memoirs park

    Great Campground

    This is a great campground in Mankato, MN.  The sites are huge and offer water and electric.  The shower house/bathrooms were decent - a little outdated, but not too bad.  There was also a portable toilet near our site.  We wish there was sewer, but we understand that being so close to the river this may not be possible.  We will definitely stay here again if we are in the area.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    Mixed bag

    Small campground. Not busy while I was here. Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites. Pit toilets. No showers. Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night.

  • Chloe T.
    Oct. 3, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Very Quiet | No On Site Payment Available

    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.

Guide to Graettinger

Tent camping near Graettinger, Iowa, offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tips for tent camping near Graettinger

  • For a peaceful experience, consider the Iowa Lake Co Campground, which is often quiet and ideal for tent campers.
  • Bring your own firewood and picnic supplies, as amenities like firewood and picnic tables are not available at the Oneota Little Sioux Access.
  • Be prepared for a rustic experience at the Devine Wildlife Area, where basic facilities are provided, but you’ll need to pack out your trash.

Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $25

  • The Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground offers a budget-friendly option for campers looking to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank.
  • At Cenla Campgrounds, you can find reasonable rates with amenities like electric hookups for those who need them.
  • Expect to pay around $15 for a night at the Mini-Wakan State Park, which provides a serene environment for tent camping.

Tent campers should check out Bright Lake Co Park

  • The Bright Lake Co Park features picnic tables and fire rings, making it a great spot for family gatherings.
  • With options for boat-in access, the Bright Lake Co Park is perfect for those looking to combine camping with water activities.
  • This campground is pet-friendly, allowing you to bring your furry friends along for the adventure at Bright Lake Co Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Graettinger, IA is Iowa Lake Co Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Graettinger, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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