Best Campgrounds near La Motte, IA

Several campgrounds dot the Mississippi River corridor near La Motte, Iowa, providing a mix of developed facilities and primitive sites. The landscape includes county, state, and federal recreation areas with tent and RV accommodations. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups and showers, while Swiss Valley County Park provides year-round camping with boat-in access options and trail connectivity. Many sites throughout the region include water and electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, with some offering sewer connections for RVs.

Seasonal operations affect campground availability in the area, with most facilities open from April through October or early November. "Nice size sites, good water, plenty of electricity, and a great price on wood," noted one camper about Swiss Valley County Park. Winter camping options are limited, with only Swiss Valley and Mississippi Palisades State Park maintaining year-round operations. Campers should be aware that spring flooding can affect riverside sites, particularly at Miller Riverview City Park and COE Mississippi River Recreation Areas. Most campgrounds require reservations during peak summer months, with sites along the Mississippi River typically filling first.

Waterfront locations represent a key attraction for many area campgrounds, with fishing opportunities in Catfish Creek and the Mississippi River frequently mentioned in visitor reviews. A camper described Swiss Valley as having "trout stream runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR." Train noise affects some camping experiences, particularly at Blanding Landing where tracks run near campsites. Several visitors mentioned occasional noise disruptions but noted overall satisfaction with campground cleanliness and amenity access. Campground hosts received mixed reviews across properties, with some praised for their helpfulness while others were criticized for their response during weather events. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including restrooms, fire rings, and picnic tables, with varying levels of shower facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near La Motte, Iowa (116)

    1. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Baldwin, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 652-5833

    $20 - $28 / night

    "This is a great weekend stay, with short trails that show some beautiful and unusual scenery for central Iowa. The natural bridge is incredible, and the sites are well spaced out."

    "Maquoketa Cave State Park , Maquoketo, Iowa We stopped here for two days on our “Westward Ho” road trip in mid August 2020. Temperatures 80’s in the day to 60’s overnight."

    2. Swiss Valley County Park

    9 Reviews
    Dubuque, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 556-6745

    "Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails."

    "Fishing seemed popular in catfish creek about 50 feet away from our sight. There is a sign that states firewood is for sale at 6pm but the ranger was about 45 min late bc he tends to two other parks."

    3. Palace Campground

    8 Reviews
    Galena, IL
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 777-2466

    "This campground is tucked into a little area next to a Walmart, Culvers, and Mini golf course. It sits between east Dubuque and Galena. When we stayed they had a dirt bike rally."

    "Campground was right next to Walmart, which was convenient, and a short walk down to the high school to get the shuttle into Galena itself."

    4. Bellevue State Park Campground — Dyas Unit

    8 Reviews
    Bellevue, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 872-4019

    $12 - $28 / night

    "CG site atop river bluff with pads, fire rings, tables, RR, recycling, trails, shelters nearby. Sites are close to each other but plenty to do."

    "The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem."

    5. Blanding Landing

    5 Reviews
    Bellevue, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 582-0881

    $14 - $25 / night

    "Hosts are friendly and I saw rangers driving through multiple times. Each site includes picnic table and fire pit. Most have electric. "

    6. Rustic Barn Campground RV Park

    15 Reviews
    Dubuque, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (608) 568-7797

    "There’s a cute store and a cute little area with outside games like corn hole and yard checkers. There’s a huge grassy area for walking the dog and several stations set up with poop bags/garbage."

    "We don’t typically prefer to stay in RV-style campgrounds, but it was conveniently located with easy access off Route 151 just over the Wisconsin border from Iowa, we were warmly welcomed, and enjoyed"

    7. Spruce Creek Park

    3 Reviews
    Bellevue, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 652-3783

    "Nice shower house and close to bike trail that leads to Bellevue"

    "There's fishing, exploring, a playground, and when you see a paddleboat you have time to drive to town before it hits loch & damn #12. It's a beautiful spot right on the river with views galore."

    8. Miller Riverview City Park

    7 Reviews
    Dubuque, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 589-4238

    "All the sites had fire pits but one site, either 51 or 52 had that pit too close to the bushes so it wasn't really useable. We were right on the river bank with a good view of the bridge."

    "But it was very quiet and our spot (55) was right on the river and a bit tucked in the woods which was great and had an amazing view of the bridge."

    9. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Savanna, IL
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (815) 273-2731

    "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."

    "It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."

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Recent Reviews near La Motte, IA

465 Reviews of 116 La Motte Campgrounds


  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Spruce Creek Park

    Great place to camp

    One of my favorites. Right on the water. Nice shower house and close to bike trail that leads to Bellevue

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Sac-Fox Campground, Scott Co Park

    The Brady Bunch of Campgrounds

    SOC-Fox Campground is like the middle child in a family of seven - yes, count 'em seven - campgrounds within Scott County Park. Think Brady Bunch, but with fire pits and RV hookups instead of bell bottoms and avocado-colored kitchens. It’s not the flashiest sibling, but it’s got that reliable Midwest charm that makes you go,'Yep, it's not the most attractive, but it will get the job done.' First impression? Clean, organized and incredibly less chaotic than you’d expect from the Jan of the camping family.

    The sites here are roomy, shaded, and well-behaved, just like campers who say 'please' and 'thank you' everywhere you go, well, because you're in the Midwest. You’ve got a mix of electric and FHU options, so everyone from RV royalty to tent campers with coolers full of questionable lunch meat can settle in comfortably. Roads are wide enough that you won’t have to close one eye and pray when maneuvering your rig. Bathhouses? Shockingly nice. Like, did a spa consultant sneak in here when no one was looking?!  Nice. Fire rings and picnic tables come standard, and the pet-friendly vibe means your dog will probably make more friends than you do.  There's some shade, but most of it is on the treeline on the perimeter.

    And let’s talk about Scott County Park itself, which is like the Disney World of county parks. You want hiking? Got it. Equestrian trails? Saddle up. Disc golf? Fore! Playground for the kids? Absolutely. And then there’s the aquatic center. Not a pool. Not a splash pad. A full-on aquatic wonderland with waterslides, diving boards and enough chlorine to strip a small car of paint. Meanwhile, other campgrounds are out here bragging about their kiddie swings. Weak, right?!

    Insider Tips?  Here's a handful: (1) Shady sites near the woods are perfect for naps and hiding from the in-laws, while open sites are better if you need your daily satellite news fix; (2) Hungry? Roll into nearby Eldridge for The Rustic Ridge, where the burgers are taller than your nephew’s science project and fries are an entire food group all to itself; (3) Kayak fans can float the Wapsipinicon River where it’s calm, scenic and you’ll get to wave at locals fishing with that 'I’ve lived here since 1842' energy; and (4) Don’t skip the aquatic center as your kids will cannonball themselves into exhaustion while you finally finish that camp chair beer in peace.

    Happy Camping!

  • Susan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Creek Valley Campground

    Trip to Mackinac

    A little cramped, nice people. We didn't use the pool but it had adults only after dark. Our site backed up to the forest, there's a short trail thru the trees. Most sites have FHU, most are back-in. We had one of the sites with only water and electric. There is a dump station, small concession, playground. A small creek runs around much of the outside of the property.

  • Sam B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Loud, crowded.

    I don't think we'll be back. The best part about the whole experience was the crazy road that leads to the overlooks. The campground is stacked close together, there's no signs for directing you towards sites, no place to put garbage, only a couple vault toilets. Never did see the shower house, but we just left the next day anyways. Loud people singing, playing music and snapping limbs till almost 4am, trains run all night. Not really my kinda place.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 5, 2025

    Blanding Landing

    Safe, peaceful and friendly! Will definitely be back!

    I stayed at site 36 over the Labor Day weekend, and it was incredible. I was a solo female traveler with my two service dogs. When I arrived, the site was clean, and we had a site with an open site on one side making it feel twice as big. The other campers were friendly, and the one site neighbor we had (a young couple about my age with a pup too!) even came to visit and meet my dogs and gave them organic dog treats.🥹 The icing on the cake was the woman who monitored the sites, Anne. She was so kind and welcoming, and made me feel comfortable and safe. I can’t wait to come back and visit again. Highly recommend!

  • 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.

  • M
    Sep. 2, 2025

    Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground

    Serene Campground with Great Amenities

    Everything about our stay was enjoyable. Campsites were spaced out well and amenities were great. Don’t forget to check out the hiking trails!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice, quite, cabin surrounded by forest

    Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail.

  • 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.


Guide to La Motte

Campsites near La Motte, Iowa cluster along the Mississippi River's western shores, with elevations ranging from 585 to 850 feet above sea level. The region experiences distinct seasonal changes with summer highs reaching 85°F and winter temperatures dropping below freezing. Primitive camping options become limited between November and April due to seasonal closures, though several locations maintain year-round availability.

What to do

Explore limestone caves: Maquoketa Caves State Park offers 13 distinct bat caves accessible via 6 miles of hiking trails. "The trails/scenery are AMAZING! LOVED IT! Needs some maintenance (ie, downed trees) but they may have limited staffing right now. I would suggest a visit even if you only have a few hours," notes a visitor to Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground.

Fish for trout: Swiss Valley County Park provides access to Catfish Creek, regularly stocked by the Iowa DNR. One camper at Swiss Valley County Park mentioned, "Campground is well maintained, restrooms, showers, recycling station, fire wood available, campground host onsite, resident park ranger, standard RV sites, some electric tent sites otherwise primitive with fire rings and tables."

Enjoy river views: Multiple observation points throughout the region provide panoramic views of the Mississippi. "The natural bridge is incredible, and the sites are well spaced out. None of the sites have water, but they do have electricity. If you can forgo electricity and don't mind a 50yd walk, the walk in sites are enclosed in beautiful groves of trees," reports an Andrew Y. about Maquoketa Caves.

Play mini-golf: Some campgrounds offer recreational amenities beyond typical outdoor activities. "Lots to do here with the ability to play mini golf on a very nice course, walk through the trees and property, and get ice-cream from culvers," mentions a visitor to Palace Campground.

What campers like

Clean shower facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive positive reviews for their bathroom amenities. "Very clean as were the showers," notes a reviewer about Rustic Barn Campground RV Park, while another camper adds, "They have a cute store and a cute little area with outside games like corn hole and yard checkers."

Fishing accessibility: Direct water access ranks high among camper priorities. "CG has gravel road, seasonal host, restrooms, fire rings, boat ramp and good river access for fishing, boating, paddling," reports a visitor to COE Mississippi River Recreation Areas Pleasant Creek.

Spacious sites: Campers appreciate adequate separation between camping spots. "I like the spacing, privacy and shade. There are several water hydrants throughout the campground to use," mentions a review of Miller Riverview City Park.

Natural features: Unique landscape elements provide memorable experiences. "This is a very basic park, no lake, no added attractions just trails, picnicking and a small, quiet and well shaded, electric sites," adds another Miller Riverview visitor.

What you should know

Train noise affects some locations: Railway proximity can disturb sleep at certain campgrounds. A visitor to Blanding Landing noted, "Not the worst but not one of the best COE campgrounds. No nice gravel or concrete pads anywhere. Many sites are not real level. Biggest issue is train tracks with trains running by very often."

Seasonal cave closures: Bat hibernation periods limit cave access at Maquoketa Caves. "There are several factors to take into consideration when planning a trip here; due to concerns for wildlife (primarily bats) the caves close frequently, check the park website for details about when they will be open and respect the closures," advises a camper.

Spring flooding: Water levels impact riverside campsites. "You probably don't want sites 56,57,58 because they can flood," warns a Miller Riverview camper, while another mentions, "Checked the availability before you go. We were told this place floods on occasion and has to close. (It's that close to the river!)"

Limited winter options: Only Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground and Swiss Valley maintain year-round operations. "Terrific access to electric site near the bathroom! All to ourselves," reports a Mississippi Palisades winter visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Some campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Maquoketa Caves, "If you have kids and want to be planted near the playground, you might want to target sites #26-#28, where the spacious kids playground sets right behind these sites."

Indoor recreation options: Weather contingencies matter with children. "Nice rec room with TV, games, books, soft seating, pinball, ping pong, and pool table. Outdoor games set-up on the grass like Cornhole, croquet, etc," describes a visitor to Rustic Barn Campground.

Safety considerations: Site selection impacts family experience. A camper at Off Shore RV Park notes, "Resort has many options: even camp sites, 4 villas, resort inn rooms. Sites have hard surfaces, fire rings, water, electric. No shade since trees have not been planted as of this date. Boat ramp nearby, resort has restaurant, playground, water park."

Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences. Swiss Valley "has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails," mentions a camper, making it suitable for families seeking educational activities.

Tips from RVers

Site levelness: Terrain varies significantly across campgrounds. "We stayed in site 25 which was on an end, had great views, a concrete patio with table and chairs, and was level. Not all sites had the patio nor were level," explains a Rustic Barn camper.

Hookup variations: Electric amperage differs between locations. "All sites designated for RV's are back-in and range in driveway length between 31 and 68 feet," notes a Maquoketa Caves visitor, providing specific measurements for planning.

Dump station access: Waste disposal facilities are not universal. "We had a 50amp water site and the dump station was nearby," mentions a Swiss Valley visitor, indicating convenient amenities.

Surface conditions: Pad materials impact setup and comfort. "This campground includes a river resort with events center. CG offers river views, hard lanes, tables, fire rings, RR, playground, food," reports a camper at Off Shore RV Park, highlighting the durable surfaces available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near La Motte, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near La Motte, IA is Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.