If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Ida Grove, look no further. You can find tent campsites by type, including drive-in, walk-in, and even hike-in for a backpacking adventure. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Ida Grove, Iowa's most popular destinations.
Preparation Canyon State Park, in the heart of the Loess Hills in western Iowa, encompasses 344 acres, including what used to be the town of Preparation. Today, Preparation Canyon is a quiet enclave offering backcountry hiking, picnicking and beautiful views of the unique Loess Hills.
Camp in one of ten hike-in camping sites, which are some of the only hike-in sites in the Iowa state park system. The trailhead to the hike-in sites is located in the southeast corner of the park. The sites each have a table and fire ring, but no bathroom facilities. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis with self-registration in the east parking lot.
$9 / night
$15 / night
Traveler
Was it expecting how nice this campground was compared to more primitive ones in the area. Beautiful site! Has tent camping, full rv hook ups, and a nice playground for the kids.
Traveler
They have 62 RV spots and seven tent camping sites the RV spots have a really nice level concrete pad half of them have electric and water and the other half also have a sewer hook up charge was $20 a night beautiful old trees new management that is really keeping everything clean Showers and restrooms Fills up on weekends
 
RangerThe campsite seems to be more for RVs. Tent camping is just a field with a few picnic tables in it and has a bit of a walk from the parking lot with your equipment. The shower house was nice and clean. There is a barn there to use as a picnic shelter which is very pretty. The overall campground is pleasant and in beautiful country.
Legend
The small town of Ida Grove is known for its castles (!) and as we were driving through town, we saw this campground. It is located right on Hwy 59 so you will definitely hear road noise when staying here. Many sites are shaded but there is no physical separation between the sites. It was very quiet on a Monday morning in August (only about two sites were occupied) and I could not find anyone to speak with. The ladies room was reasonable. There is a path that goes around the campground and two play structures but other than that, I don’t think there would be much to do, making this good for a pass-through overnight stop.
Scout
Tented camped in late October, the weekend before closing. I was only tent camper in the electric only sites. If there was a tent only location, I didn't see it. Those in campers that need water and electricity are regulated to gravel 'parking lot' sites.
Beautiful park with playgrounds, swim beach, fisbee golf, paved trail, many fishing bars, and more.
Electric only sites are small and spaced out well. Most have level drive perfect for sm camper or suv camping. Grass has slope, but I think you can find a good enough place for tent, I did. Bathroom clean enough, I didn't use showers. I enjoyed the privacy of lake-front site J.
Traveler
Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa! We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water. Short walk to the very clean restrooms with flush toilets & showers. Will come back!
RangerThis state park camp site close to Carroll, Iowa was nice, but we were the only tent campers there, it seemed more like a permanent RV home site. The bathrooms while nice had no working showers, they had showers but no way to turn on the water. There was a cute frisbee golf on property, a beautiful lake, and a nice paved walking path.
Traveler
Scenic park is across the Missouri river from Sioux City, Iowa. It is easy to get to. Very friendly staff. Restrooms are kept clean. It is a large campground with several different restrooms with showers. There is a number of permanent campsites, there is also some that can be reserved. Some are also pull thru's. Ice and firewood are available on site. There is a separate area available for tents. With it being on the edge of South Sioux City, Ne and across the river from Sioux City, Ia. there is lots of shopping options close by. It can also be reserved for groups, with a shelter available for use. There are some sunny spots and also spots with lots of shade. I really like this campground!
TravelerWe live(my dog and I) on a motorcycle - think Van Life on two wheels. A quiet place to put up a tent is so welcome. There are no amenities. It's strictly dry and pack out but a great place for a few tents or a couple vans. Highly motorcycle travel recommended
Traveler
Small park, peaceful, river access for canoe/kayak. No designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper.
TravelerNice campground. Very few tent only - mostly RVs/trailers. Washrooms basic but clean. Large site under trees with mix of sun & shade. Grassy area for tent. Access to water close by. Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak. Everyone seemed friendly though some folk stayed up pretty late on Friday!
GuideThis is our go to spot when we travel to Sioux City Iowa for basketball. Right across the river with a great view! Clean restrooms and showers! Third year here. Great staff too!
ScoutThere’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers. Very nice for Iowa state parks.
Legend
Out in the farm fields in the middle of nowhere is this tiny little park and campground. When I first pulled up I didn’t see the campground, just the park. The park is actually divided in two parts with a wooded area in between. On the left is the park with bathrooms, meeting building and playground and on the right is the campground. The campground is really just a place for rvs to pull up and have some power and water. There are only about a dozen of these pull thru’s and no designated tent area. There are some trees that are well spaced for hammocks but you would be right next to someone’s RV. You have to walk to the other side of the woods to access the bathrooms. It was mown and maintained, but nothing special. Thankfully the place was empty so I could hang my hammock between two sites to relax and no one was around to care that I put my tent up in the grass instead of in a pull thru.
Guide
Stayed July 2024,
Good: Flat piece of grass to place two tents for only $ 20 bucks. Just what I needed at 10pm
Bad: One quote from son sums it nicely, "saw the mens room and so used the women's". Also, two miles of dirt road was less than fun. Would have been nice if the pay station had more directions.
Future: I would remember to make a reservation at the KOA 10 minutes away.
Traveler
I stayed here on a long road trip across the country. Had no idea such a scenic place could be found in Iowa! I chose the closest walk-in spot, less than a mile in. It was great! Near a little creek if you need water, and really nicely secluded. Picnic table and fire ring included. Also, there’s a trail up a hill right near by that had great views of the area and a lovely sunset! I would definitely recommend. Just a head’s up: I saw some pics of people car camping here on this site. Not sure how that would work since it’s supposed to be walk-in only and pretty clearly roped off from access with a car.
LegendScenic Park Campground is in South Sioux City along the Missouri River. Our campsite had a river view, picnic table, and fire ring. The campground is part of a large park and was full hookups with cable and wifi included. Our site was a pull through. The area was clean and had a nice appearance. There was also 4 unique modern looking cabins and a tent area.
The park also has tennis courts, soccer fields, and baseball fields. There is a swimming pool and playgrounds, along with trails. The trails I loved were along the river. The only con was that There was a major highway on the other side of the river and ambulances would pass by with sirens going. Otherwise a nice campground.
LegendThis place was pleasantly clean to me. Blue lake which is the lake this state park sits on. When you drive in from the road you see on your right the lake and to your left are houses. You go farther down and you see picnic accesses off the lake. And there is a swimming area and beach further down with a fully accessible restroom. There is also a keelboat on display and visitor center with a musuem. The center was closed when we were here, (thanks covid). Behind that is a dock and a little look out tower next to it. This is where we saw people kayak mainly. You go farther down and this was where the campsites were. This appeared to be more of a park set up for rv and campers than any tents. You go farther down pass this and you find more accesses to trails, and taller grass. This is a great park especially for a rv, and how clean it is.
GuideContinuing our tour of the best Backpacking parks in our great state of Iowa, my comrade and I spent 2 nights at Preparation Canyon State Park. Located directly adjacent to the Preparation Canyon Unit of Loess Hills State Forest; the flora, fauna, and geology of this park are amazing and unique to North America. If you have not visited this area, put it high on your to-do list. The weekend was blistering hot at 95° F and a 9/10 UV index, but we were conditioning for a larger trip this summer, so we welcomed the challenge.
The park boasts 10 backpacking, hike-in campsites. However, you will find maps and literature that reference only 8, for seemingly good reason. Sites 9 and 10 (apparently more recent additions) are the most remote in the park and might tempt those seeking that added level of solitude. We examined both of them and they were both found to be overgrown and the nearby creek tributary was mostly dry. Instead, we spent both of our nights at Site 3, which seems to be the crown jewel. It is a small trek up a hillside and looks out across the general area, with a phenomenal star gazing opportunity. The creek just to the North was still flowing and provided our water source. You will not regret staying here. The other sites are mostly in the woods and line said creek. I'm certain they would be great as well.
A quick drive from the park lands you at the State Forest Lookout, which is partnered with a short 0.91 mile loop trail that is picturesque. Around the "back," (Northwest side) of the park there are shelters, picnic areas, and overlooks. You cannot park at these locations while camping in the park.
The immediate surrounding towns provide very little in the way of amenities, so plan ahead. The cultural history of the park is intriguing, as it was the site of a 19th century Mormon town (from which the park gets its name). The town however is completely gone, there are no abandoned historical structures to explore.
You won't miss them. Hike through the hilled prairie trail which is the first right as you enter from the Eastside Boundary, and you'll know why you came.
In summary, this park is the quintessential example of the diversity that Iowa has to offer, and rivals Yellow River for it's backpacking. It's proximity to the larger State Forest means you could spend weeks exploring if so inclined.
TravelerDon't let the name mislead you!! I don't think you could consider this a campground at all... it's basically literally a parking lot at the far end of the property for RV hookups outside of the casino. There's power hookups I'm sure don't know about water or dump site at all even but other than the casino / Hotel / restaurant there are zero accommodations to consider this camping otherwise. But hey if you like gambling, Park your RV outside and enjoy! The closest actual campgrounds would be in Salix Iowa, on Browns Lake including Bigelow Park (last I knew it was closed temporarily for construction,) and Snyders Bend campgrounds but the water on that side has all dried up and there's not much to the campground. Otherwise go down to Onawa and there's several places there on Blue Lake including Lewis and Clark or the koa, or even hit the River Campground in Whiting. Not a fan of River camping but it's not a bad looking Campground otherwise if you don't mind being a bit crowded
Guide
Clean and mostly well-kept campground. Much nicer than I had expected. Has on-site host, but we didn't see much of her/him/them. Had good cell service (ATT).
The only serious complaint I can make is that the water, while potable (so we were told), has a very, very strong iron/metallic taste. To the point that, for us, it was undrinkable.
The campsite we chose was level, concrete, and cost $20 (the site we wanted by the water had electric). Very little shade though, which made it really hot (other sites had more shade).
Other observations:
The river current is quite fast here. I wouldn't plan on letting my kids or dogs get into the water, except to, maybe, wade at the boat ramp where it is protected from the current by small islands where the creek comes in.
They have a table near the boat ramp that, I assume, is for cleaning your caught fish. If it matters, it did not have running water.
The small dock from the boat access area felt unstable and one had to step across a couple of rocks to get to it from land, maybe because the river level was up(?).
Of the 4 bathroom/shower combination rooms in the bathhouse, only two were unlocked. That said, we were the only tent campers and the RV campers didn't seem to be using them. And they were clean and in good repair.
Our campsite was right next to the facility loading/unloading barges next to the campground. (They were unloading dried soybeans while we were there.) There are also security lights, but the light is mostly blocked by the trees at night. They start work at 7am and seem to stop at 4pm during the week.
I would call this location reasonably quiet. But not absolutely quiet. There is noise from various sources at various times: the loading/unloading from the barges, the farming going on across the road from the campground, boats going up or down the river, and, minimally, the sound from the traffic on the highway. So not absolutely quiet, but it wasn't loud enough or continual enough to detract from the stay.
Lastly, it probably doesn't need to be said, but I didn't think of it before our stay (duh), so just a reminder. You're camping by a river (i.e., water), so there are many, many flying insects. Be sure to have insect repellent, as they are merciless.
Guide
We camped here over the weekend, sites are pretty spacious and friendly camp hosts!
ScoutNice bath houses. Clean area. Good for the family.
TravelerMultiple play areas for kids. Water good for fishing, kayaking and swimming. Nice cabins for rent.
TravelerCute tiny town with a cute little spot to park the camper. Located near the crick and manicured walking path. It didn’t offer much but it’s a nice spot to park for a night or two. Town has a little drive-in and a couple gas stations.
Scout
Amazing place
GuideGreat campground with lots of campsites to choose from, they have lots of buddy system sites!
Ida Grove, Iowa, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With scenic landscapes and access to recreational activities, it's a great spot for a camping getaway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ida Grove, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ida Grove, IA is Preparation Canyon State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Ida Grove, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Ida Grove, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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