Best Campgrounds near Kalona, IA

Kalona is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Kalona camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Kalona, Iowa (99)

    1. F. W. Kent Park

    18 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    17 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."

    2. Sugar Bottom Campground

    24 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    20 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."

    3. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    13 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 628-6900

    $45 - $65 / night

    "Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and"

    "Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped"

    4. West Overlook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Coralville, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 338-3685

    $22 - $28 / night

    "The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."

    "LuLu and I stayed for 10 days while visiting family in Iowa City. The campground hosted mainly locals but it’s only a couple of miles off the I80."

    5. Windmill Ridge Campground

    1 Review
    Kalona, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 656-4488

    6. Hills Access Campground

    3 Reviews
    Riverside, IA
    11 miles
    Website

    "Awesome place by the Iowa river.. clean and quiet, no drinking water..."

    7. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    15 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    23 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"

    8. River Junction

    1 Review
    Riverside, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 645-2315

    "24 years ago River Jct Lone Tree Iowa was Just stumptown. Outhouse at the top. Just a spot by the river. A lone camper. How things have changed . Still primitive tent campgrounds there."

    9. Marr Park

    4 Reviews
    Washington, IA
    15 miles
    Website

    $20 / night

    "Close to major highway. Gravel sites. Clean campground. Many paved and grass walking trails surrounded by trees and natural areas. Bath/shower house is under construction. Child’s play equipment."

    "There are trails and fishing ponds, play grounds and picnic shelters. It is nice for group camping, but you are so close to other campers."

    10. Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    10 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    23 miles
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $12 - $25 / night

    "You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that."

    "This is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa. Their is a modern campsite on the north side as well. This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 99 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Kalona, IA

385 Reviews of 99 Kalona Campgrounds


  • Michael P.
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Fairport State Recreation Area Campground

    Host not friendly very rude woman would not recommend staying here at all

    Would not recommend fairport camping  in muscatine iowa at all the host is rude and non caring personality more like two faced   i would recommend  shady creek  or one of the others on the same hwy if looking for nice and great host

    On the note dnr are great thou

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • 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. 6, 2025

    Shady Creek

    Beautiful View

    Site #12 with electric hookup was in my opinion the best site. Right on the back of the mighty Mississippi. Very clean friendly stay

  • 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.

  • 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.


Guide to Kalona

Camping near Kalona, 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:

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms. A review for Sugar Bottom Campground stated, "Very clean, for me the star attraction here was the solo bathroom & shower both together with lockable door for extreme privacy when needed."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. A visitor at Scott County Park mentioned, "The sites themselves are HUGE and some of them would accommodate the largest camping rigs you could imagine."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of the staff. One review for F. W. Kent Park said, "The park staff were very friendly and helped me get to the campsite I needed."

What you should know:

  • Noise from trains: Some campgrounds are near train tracks. A camper at Clarks Ferry noted, "If it weren’t for the trains going by constantly, it would be a five-star place."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have stores nearby. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "There’s no place to buy firewood nearby so come prepared."
  • Seasonal access: Some campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Iowa Shady Creek is open from May 2 to October 26.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with play areas for kids. One review for Scott County Park mentioned, "There are playgrounds for your kids to play in."
  • Activities for all ages: Choose campgrounds that offer various activities. A visitor at West Lake Park - Park Terrace Campground said, "The park has hiking trails, world-class disc golf course, playgrounds, picnicking, shelter rentals."
  • Safety: Ensure the campground has good lighting and is well-patrolled. A camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground noted, "There were rangers checking out the area every so often."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The higher up the hill you are, the flatter the campsite is."
  • Electric hookups: Look for campgrounds with adequate power options. A visitor at F. W. Kent Park stated, "Electric hookups with 120-volt power outlets."
  • Dump stations: Ensure the campground has a dump station for convenience. A camper at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "They have a double-hole dump station that can be accessed in both directions."

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Windmill Ridge Campground in Kalona?

Windmill Ridge Campground offers water hookups and toilet facilities for campers. The campground is big-rig friendly, making it suitable for larger RVs and motorhomes. For those seeking additional amenities in the general area, campsites like Sugar Bottom Campground in the region typically offer beautiful settings with wildlife viewing opportunities, hiking trails, and access to recreational activities. Many Iowa campgrounds provide fire rings, picnic tables, and access to nearby natural attractions.

Where is Windmill Ridge Campground located in Kalona, Iowa?

Windmill Ridge Campground is located just outside Kalona, Iowa. While not directly referenced in reviews, this campground is situated in the scenic Kalona area, known for its Amish community and rural landscape. Kalona is approximately 20 miles southwest of Iowa City, making it easily accessible for visitors traveling through eastern Iowa. The area provides a peaceful setting with rolling hills and agricultural surroundings typical of this region.

Are there RV rental options available in Kalona, Iowa?

While Kalona itself has limited RV rental options, the surrounding area offers alternatives. Nearby Iowa City and Coralville provide more rental possibilities. Visitors can also consider overnight parking options like Walmart — Coralville Supercenter, which has a large parking lot convenient to I-80 if you're bringing your own RV. For longer stays with rentals, Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow is family-friendly and located just minutes from I-80, making it accessible for those with rental RVs from larger nearby cities.