Best Campgrounds near Hiawatha, IA

Hiawatha is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Hiawatha is surrounded by family-friendly activities. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Hiawatha, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Hiawatha, Iowa (115)

    1. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)

    6 Reviews
    Marion, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    $23 - $33 / night

    "We camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance.  Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. "

    "There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through."

    2. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Shellsburg, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 436-7716

    $17 - $60 / night

    "We stayed here for the easy access to the water for the Scouts to get out in canoes and fishing.  I have been camping here off and on for the last 25 years.  I have not had any issues at all. "

    "There is plenty of access to the lake for fishing whether it's from shore or on a boat."

    3. Pinicon Ridge Park

    9 Reviews
    Central City, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 438-6616

    "Dump available on entrance/exit.  The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table.  Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. "

    "Great county campground with water and electric sites, dump at exit. Bathrooms on loop B are dirty and dated. I suggest going up to the Plains loop and use it's facilities."

    4. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Ely, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 895-6039

    $15 - $80 / night

    "Great walking trails through wooded areas near the river. Beautiful place."

    "Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."

    5. Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Atkins, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    "Trails close by and only about 5 min from expressway."

    "Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping expirence but still have work or other things to get done."

    6. Sugar Bottom Campground

    24 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2102

    $14 - $240 / night

    "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."

    "Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors, and Macbride State Park as well."

    7. Morgan Creek County Park

    3 Reviews
    Palo, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 396-2363

    $23 - $40 / night

    8. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    15 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $25 - $35 / night

    "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "

    "Close access to boating and town"

    9. Wickiup Hill Primitive Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Toddville, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6485

    $54 / night

    "Linn County, Iowa, county pack in Primitive site is near nature scape, pit toilets, offers fire pit with sitting blocks and firewood included with camp fee, nature center just yards away, trails, forested"

    "The site offers primitive amenities near Wikiup Hill learning Center. Taking a short trail to the site, the permanent wake up offers shelter, fire ring with grate, and restrooms nearby."

    10. F. W. Kent Park

    18 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 645-2315

    $20 / night

    "We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."

    "It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."

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Recent Reviews near Hiawatha, IA

426 Reviews of 115 Hiawatha Campgrounds


  • Jorge F.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cedar River Campground

    Good place to go camping with friends and family.

    “This place became my wife’s and daughters’ favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful. The managers are always courteous and attentive.”

  • Steve T.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area - Cedar River Campground

    Enjoyable Stay

    The sites are spaced apart well and clean with a beautiful view of the Cedar River. If you camp on the riverside campground be sure to bring a bike or extra vehicle if you camp on the far end because the bathrooms are bit of a walk. And bring a grate with you for your fire ring as some have them and some don’t. All and all it was an enjoyable stay with a fantastic view, even caught a few fish since our campsite was literally on the river edge

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Great campground

    Beautiful park. The campground has less than 30 sites, most of which have power. The walk in sites are very private but still less than 75 yards from your car. You are in thick forest and will hear lots of animal sounds at night.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Bennett Park

    Nice smaller County CG with small lake

    CG has newer RR/shower house. Sites have electric, fire rings, gravel pads. There is a Play area, shelter , host site, dump station. Park has small lake for paddling and fishing.

  • Isaac H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Deerwood Park

    Cash Only

    Good place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!

  • Clifton B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Very nice campground off the beaten path

    Wife and I met friends here in August 2025.  This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY.  The campground was very well maintained.  Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional.  We really enjoyed the long weekend here.  Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August.  Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did.  Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees.  Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Neat place but it's not flat

    Super nice staff.  We stayed here for a few weeks while working in the area. The land is not flat.  The spots are good and most are pull-throughs but some are too short for a 30' camper.  Would definitely stay there again. 

    We stayed there in October, 2017

  • Chad R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    Great Experience

    This is a great campground.  The camp sites were nice and the restrooms were not bad.  There is plenty of access to the lake for fishing whether it's from shore or on a boat.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    West Overlook Campground

    Amazing Iowa stop for 2 nights

    On our way across the state and was concerned about needing power. Was able to find 1 spot for 2 nights only a day early. Very popular place. E/W with dump station in the campground. Water access by beach and boat. Next to the dam on lake side. Spacious sites. Well maintained. Concrete pad with picnic table and fire pit. Close to town if needing shopping.


Guide to Hiawatha

Camping near Hiawatha, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore the caves: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, you can hike through unique caves. One visitor said, "The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous."
  • Fishing and swimming: Backbone State Park has a nice beach area and canoe rentals. A camper mentioned, "I couldn’t swim on our stay but nice beach canoe rentals."
  • Hiking trails: George Wyth State Park Campground offers great hiking trails. One reviewer noted, "The connection to hiking trails throughout the park is fantastic."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms. A visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "Clean bathrooms and good Starlink north clearing."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of Sugar Bottom Campground. One camper shared, "Quiet at night, convenient bath houses and large fill/dump station."
  • Spacious sites: Campers at West Overlook Campground appreciate the spaciousness. A reviewer mentioned, "The sites are spacious and angled for ease of backing into."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes can be a problem: At George Wyth State Park Campground, one camper warned, "There were tremendous amounts of mosquitoes at the campground during our visit."
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Shady Creek has no showers, which some campers found inconvenient. A visitor noted, "No showers but there is a pit toilet nearby."
  • Train noise: Campers at Nelson Dewey State Park Campground mentioned train noise. One camper said, "When trains are blowing their horns miles away, the sound carries."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for kids: Many campgrounds have playgrounds. At Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA, a reviewer said, "Kids had fun at the swimming pond."
  • Bring bug spray: Due to mosquitoes, especially at places like George Wyth State Park Campground, it's wise to pack insect repellent. One camper advised, "Insect repelling incense and spray kept us comfortable."
  • Plan for meals: Some campgrounds, like Lake Macbride State Park Campground, are close to stores for supplies. A visitor mentioned, "Not too far from a store to buy things we forget to get."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: At Sugar Bottom Campground, some sites are closer together. A camper noted, "The sites here are closer together."
  • Look for electric hookups: Many campgrounds, like Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, offer electric hookups. One visitor said, "We did see quite a few big rigs fit into the spaces."
  • Be prepared for limited cell service: Campers at Backbone State Park mentioned spotty service. A reviewer shared, "Service was definitely spotty in most areas of camp."

Camping near Hiawatha, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Hiawatha, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hiawatha, IA is Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) with a 4.8-star rating from 6 reviews.