Best Tent Camping near Hawarden, IA
Searching for a tent campsite near Hawarden? Find the best tent camping sites near Hawarden. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Hawarden's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Hawarden, IA (4)
3. Bow Creek Recreation Area
Be the first to review!Vermillion, South Dakota•8 SavesCamping is allowed and free. Camp only in designated sites marked with brown camping signs and metal fire rings. Visit the Camping Page for more rules and regulations. No camping fees are required but we do ask that you leave us your basic itinerary for your safety. https://www.nps.gov/mnrr/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm Watch campfires. Dead and down wood may be collected. Motorized vehicles and horses are prohibited on the property. Do not damage or remove the cultural or natural features. Bow Creek Recreation Area provides many opportunities for the public to experience a part of the Missouri National Recreational River. The 205-acre property includes a mix of wetlands, grasslands, riparian cottonwood forest, and mesic-bur oak forest. Rock and sediment exposures along the Missouri River reveal past geologic events. A mowed grass trail is planned for the property to loop through these environments. In the restored prairie, look for dragonflies and butterflies. In the cottonwood and oak forests, watch for wildlife sign including resident whitetail deer and turkey.
- Fires
- Tents
Recent Tent Reviews in Hawarden
306 Reviews of 4 Hawarden Campgrounds
Pat V.
Ranger
Scenic Park
Great spot close to everything
We found the Scenic Park RV Campground when we were looking for a spot to stay close to Sioux City, IA for a sports event for our sons. We were extremely happy with this city run campground.
The pads are in great shape. They offer full hookups. We did not have a full hookup site, but still had water, electric, and free cable tv. The view from our camper of the Missouri River and the Sioux City skyline was pretty great.
The staff is friendly and welcoming. The location is quiet and everyone staying there seemed very nice as well. Will definitely be back when we’re up that way again next year.
Ken G.
Guide
Palisades State Park Campground
beautiful area, clean campsite
This was a wonderful spot. Lots of really nice short hikes down by the water which was really beautiful with the cliffs on the water. Sites were very nice and clean. We were able to get a site on a Friday night last minute by calling ahead.
Julia V.Guide
Stone State Park Campground
Great for a night
Had a grassy & shady tent site. There were vault/pit toilets close and regular restrooms with showers a little walk away (showers needed to be cleaned). Water spigot was close by too. Wish we had more time to explore the park itself because there was lots of hiking/waking trails. Overall no complaints
Carolyn M.
Scout
Split Rock Park
Beautiful Scenery, Clean Park
This place is so cool! The falls was constructed during the Great Depression by the WPA, and the visitors center is made from the same pink quartz that lines the river. Really cool kayaking into Devils Gulch and up the Split Rock Creek. Will return to this nicely kept State Park. Gas station in town is quaint but has a public restroom and some basic supplies. Really lovely town. Falls lull you to sleep at night and the trains passing by are really neat to hear. Trains will go by till around midnight.
- EErin G.Guide
Gunderson Park
Great Simple Free Spot!
I found this on Campendium and google maps. It's a great little free park where you basically just park wherever. No designated spots, just park in the grass. The grass was not overgrown or anything, and there's a great little paved path that leads into town. Verizon cell service was pretty good and the park itself wasn't too crowded either. I imagine that the local county maintains it. Also tons of mulberry trees around! And be sure to go into town and pick up a breakfast sandwich and some donuts in the morning, it's a lovely walk in.
- LLumpie C.
TravelerPalisades State Park Campground
New King section open in Palisades
Totally new entrance with easy access to new section that will handle larger RVs with toads. Open area with no shade but easy placement for satellite reception on RV or ground. New hard surface roads with gravel sites.
- EEric P.Ranger
Tower Campground
Clean Rv park
Went to visit friends in SD. Park is clean and well kept. Right off the highway.
Bibs O.
Legend
Parker RV Campground
Next to busy roadway. Nice stop over.
This is a very nice stop over. Sites 1 - 4 have water, electric (50, 30, 15 amp) and sewer. Those sites go for $25.00 per day. Dotes 5 - 6 are electric only and are infill sun. Site 7 is electric but has a sewer site as well. Shade found in sites 1 - 4. It is best to call ahead and make reservations. This campground stays busy.
- Bibs O.Legend
Viborg City Campground
Great one night lay over.
This is a 3 site campground. 7 day maximum stay. No water, no garbage. 30 - 15 amp service only. Sites 1 and 2 are shaded until mid afternoon. Site 1 is shaded late afternoon. Locals bring their dogs out to "run." They don't pick up after, so watch your step. We are ¼ mile from highway and semi's Jake break a good deal, so it's quite until they go through. For a one lighter, this is a good cheap place to stop.
- Bibs O.Legend
Peder Larsen City Park
Busy local drive-through.
They have just recently added 4 more sites. Sites hVe 50 - 30 - 15 amp connections. Bathrooms ate across the playground. Showers at the swimming pool. Picnic house (open) has 15, 110 outlets. Site 3 offers most sun protection. The rest of the sites are sunny all day. Playground is very large for such a small village. Disk golf is also found here.
Dave K.ScoutWestside Park
Nice park on the edge of town.
There are 8 spots at this campground for RVs to tents.
- Dave K.Scout
Island Park - Rock Rapids
Campground Currently Closed
Drove over tonight excited for my stay at this neat looking park. Unfortunately it appears that the June 2024 flood damaged the campground and it’s currently closed for repair.
Nathan L.Scout
Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Nice little nook with lots of cover!
This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!
The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one. Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!
Highly recommend!
Jessie C.TravelerBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Fun and relaxing
We booked this site last minute as we needed a place to stop for the night. The website was pretty easy to use to book the site. The ranger at the station was super friendly and helpful. Our camp site is beautiful and there is plenty of room. There are lots of trails here, so I got a good run in. My husband biked over to Brandon to get a good ride. There is a sweet disc golf course too! I’m mad I didn’t bring my discs!
Barb N.RangerBig Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
Wilderness abound
Level spots with electric. Has a nice bike bath and is very peaceful.
- Bibs O.Legend
Heib Memorial Park
Free location
This place is great. Water available. 15, 30 amp service for free. Location is in city limits. No dump site. Great stop over location. Nearby traffic can seem heavy at times.
- Bibs O.Legend
Gunderson Park
Up to 14 days free camping
CAMPING IS NOW ONLY ALLOWED BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY. NO WINTER CAMPING IS ALLOWED ANY LONGER.
Gunderson Park is a nice little boondocking location just ½ mile from the downtown area of Centerville. They have 2 fire pit locations, but, after speaking with the official at city hall we found out you can camp pretty much anywhere in the park you would like.
It is free to camp here, you can stay virtually as long as you wish to according to that same official. There are no hook-ups. No bathroom facilities. No picnic tables. No playground for children. You may fish with a South Dakota license in the lazy rolling Vermillion River that skirts the park on 3 sides. They have a cement boat ramp. I will say when we stayed there the river was so low you would have had great difficulties getting a boat launched. On the west side of the park there are park benches at the beginning (or end of the walk depending on your start location) with a cemented walk way along the road to the park and the Vermillion River. It runs close to a quarter mile long with benches about half way through the walk. The city keeps this park mowed during the summer months. This is an old old park dating back to 1800's. The trees are massive and just as old providing beautiful shade. There are remnants of old stone items remaing in the park, grape vine thingy, a stone fireplace and pillars. Our stay favored us with Bald Eagle sightings. 2 hung around the trees on the other side of the river in full view, it was wonderful.
At the city park you can dump your tanks. We didn't need to so we didn't visit this location. At the four way stop sign located at the center of the town, turn west, travel one block and on the south side of the street you will find city hall. There they will tell you how to find the dump site.
This seems to be a favorite location for locals to drive through. Sometimes we found traffic through the park on the heavy side but most of the time very quiet. People are small town friendly. Population is around 900 people. Town has a grocery store, convenience store, bank, medical clinic, pharmacy, restaurant, bowling alley, auto parts store, bakery and other businesses. We noticed 4 churches in our drive around the town. At the city park they have a community swimming pool, Frisbee golf, 2 ball diamonds, tennis courts, playground equipment, volleyball courts, 2 picnic house areas and a location for 4 RV campsites with electrical plug ins [2 50 amp and 2 30 amp) for $10.00 a night with limited stay.
Rich J.Ranger
Cottonwood Cove Park Campground
Nice
Nice little city campground just a few miles off the interstate and right next to the Missouri River. Quiet large sites at a reasonable price. Picnic tables and fire rings. Water and electric only....there is a sewer dump near the bathrooms but not at the sites.
Elizabeth D.TravelerScenic Park
Close to river.
Great place very dog friendly. Spots are spacious and on pavement. Close to the river for your fishing needs.
- JJohn R.Legend
Scenic Park
Beautiful city life in a park.
Spacious site well cared for grounds. Close to everything in the city.
Ila R.GuideSplit Rock Park
No showers/toilets
It is a beautiful little park. Good place for kayaking or fishing. I was just there to camp. The park is small. There are no showers or toilets, just outhouses, and they were a good distance for me to walk being disabled. If you have T-Mobile, there is absolutely NO service.
Joshua D.Traveler
Stieneke Area Park
Small county park
Small park, peaceful, river access for canoe/kayak. No designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper.
- Joshua D.Traveler
Ranney Knob Area
Small county park
Small park, has some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can. Says you can pay to camp but no designated camp sites and limited parking. Does offer access for canoe/kayaking on the river. Camping is $10 a night, pay on site.
Marci S.Guide
Clay County Park — Clay County
Nice trail system, near river, well-kept
Electric, water, and dump station available here. In the trees, shaded, and a short walk along a pleasant trail to the Missouri River. The trail system, which is accessible from campground, is great. We were in site 18, which is near the playground. In busier months, that part of the campground could get loud.
- MMary L.Guide
Lions Park
Good price
I stopped here, May 1 of 2024. They have completely redone this park and it is open. There were two spots that had concrete pads. The pedestals look good. There were a couple that were just gravel when I was there. It was kind of muddy and I decided to continue on and go further that day, but I would gladly have stopped there. It was $10 for the night. There is water available. The lady said that there was a dump station. I did not see it, and only stay two nights
Renee H.RangerCottonwood Cove Park Campground
City campground in quiet neighborhood
Concrete pads, very little leveling needed. Plenty of space in between sites. Dappled shade. Easily accessible for any size rig. We didn’t use bath/shower facility; it required a code from the city. Portapotties were available in campground. Garbage dumpster, but no recycling. Dump station available, but area may be a bit tight for larger rigs to access. Camp host on site. No laundry. Some train noise. Excellent Verizon signal. Nice park with boat ramp and scenic overlook on the Missouri River. Campground is located about 5 minutes off the interstate.
Fabian S.GuideScenic Park
Central Campground
Very centrally located, well-kept complex, friendly and helpful staff, the restrooms and shower are very simple but clean.
Guide to Hawarden
Tent camping near Hawarden, Iowa, offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the simplicity of outdoor living. With several options available, campers can find spots that cater to their needs.
Tent campers should check out Stieneke Area Park
- This well-reviewed park provides peaceful surroundings and river access for canoeing and kayaking, making it a great choice for those looking to enjoy water activities while camping. Stieneke Area Park
Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $10
- At Ranney Knob Area, camping is available for a nominal fee, allowing you to enjoy the outdoors without breaking the bank. Ranney Knob Area
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- Bow Creek Recreation Area allows fires and is free of charge, making it an attractive option for those who want a simple camping experience without the hassle of permits. Bow Creek Recreation Area
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Hawarden, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Hawarden, IA is Ranney Knob Area with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Hawarden, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 tent camping locations near Hawarden, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.