Best Tent Camping near Lake View, IA

Tent camping options near Lake View, Iowa include several county parks with primitive tent sites scattered throughout the surrounding area. Moorehead Pioneer County Park in Ida Grove provides tent sites in a wooded setting with designated camping spots located on a picnic loop. Other tent camping opportunities can be found at Stieneke Area Park in Washta and Ranney Knob Area, which offer riverside locations suitable for tent campers seeking a more secluded experience.

Sites typically feature minimal amenities, with most tent camping areas providing basic facilities like pit toilets and picnic tables. Stieneke Area Park offers drinking water from a hand pump well, though campers should consider treating this water before consumption. Fire rings are available at some locations, including Stieneke Area Park, where fires are permitted. Most tent camping areas in the region require a small fee, with Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area charging $10 per night through an on-site payment system. Park rangers may visit in the afternoon to collect fees and maintain facilities.

The tent camping experience in this region tends to be quiet and uncrowded. Many sites provide access to water recreation, with both Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area offering launch points for canoes and kayaks on nearby rivers. The small, peaceful nature of these campgrounds appeals to tent campers looking for solitude. As one visitor noted about Stieneke Area Park, "It's a quiet little campground with only three visible sites, though there is room for several more. I was the only person in the campground." Most tent areas lack designated campsites but provide adequate space for setting up tents in areas with good tree cover for shade and wind protection.

Best Tent Sites Near Lake View, Iowa (5)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Lake View, IA

110 Reviews of 5 Lake View Campgrounds


  • L
    Nov. 5, 2021

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful and tranquil

    Dolliver State Park was our maiden voyage in our travel trailer and it was obvious we were pitiful newbies! The park's beauty and tranquility did get disturbed a couple times when our dogs got loose (newbs!). The park staff were friendly and very helpful as were our fellow campers. The sites are mostly level with picnic tables and fire rings. Sites range from shady to sunny and the reservation website depicts the sites with a small photo and details about the amount of slope and shade. Cell service was good but no WiFi without a hotspot for us. We had fun, learned a lot and plan to camp here again!

  • M
    May. 9, 2021

    Prairie Rose State Park Campground

    Gorgeous in the fall!

    We stayed during the campground's last weekend in October, and loved it. It was so gorgeous with all the fall colors, and it's really a gem of a campground.

    Pros:

    -Beautiful, huge lake with lots of pretty views

    -Primitive spots are separated from electric spots, which is great if you're looking for quiet, peaceful tent camping

    -Primitive spots are relatively private and generously sized, you don't feel like you're right on top of your neighbors

    -Decent portapotty in close distance

    -Plenty of picnic spots

    -Electric spots are right along the lake, which offers beautiful views

    -On-site firewood

    Cons:

    -Full modern bathrooms are a long walk/drive away

    -Not much for activities

    -Water hydrants are right in the middle of people's camping spots, so it feels awkward to grab water

    -The only hiking trail is EXTREMELY poorly marked and when it ends (it doesn't tell you it's ending) you either have to just turn around or walk a mile along the busy highway with very small shoulder. We mistakenly took the highway expecting the trail to continue, but it didn't and it was very scary, 0/10 don't recommend.

    -Not many walk-in spots

    -Lots of primitive spots are on a hill, so your tent is a little sideways

    -Not many dumpsters

    -No lights in the portapotty, so you'll need a headlamp at night

    EDITED TO ADD: We stayed again in May, and it was a great place to spend a weekend. Quiet, friendly but not a party crowd, and a nice, relaxing environment overall. Word on the streets (from the DNR warden) is that they’re looking into creating 2 more hiking trails too.

  • RN P.
    Oct. 21, 2023

    Swan Lake State Park Campground

    Perfect

    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.

  • Kandace F.
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Springbrook State Park Campground

    Small town camping

    Electric sites, no reservations required I don't think. Nice bathrooms, 3 showers for the women's room with a family size shower. Nice playground, volleyball net, basketball court. Picnic tables and fire rings. No cell service down at the campground. You could call that a pro or a con! Really nice campground employees.

  • Joshua D.
    Jun. 2, 2024

    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.

  • Sarah H.
    Aug. 2, 2016

    Prairie Rose State Park Campground

    Traditional Prairie Camping

    Our family of four tent camped one night at an electric lake front site. Sites are close together, but we had no neighbors so we had our privacy. The outhouse style bathroom was clean, but flies were abundant. The grounds were well maintained and DNR staff was very helpful. They even helped us with a small bike repair. The kids enjoyed biking and swimming. The whole family enjoyed prairie wildlife such as a blue heron, geese, bald eagles, frogs etc. The hiking trails were well cut out and offered views of the lake, woods, and natural prairie. Showers, no wake boating, and fishing were also available. We would have been happy to stay a few more days!

  • Kent H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Stieneke Area Park

    Small, quiet, and $10.

    Quiet little campground. I only saw 3 sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more. $10 per night and the Rangers came at about 3:30 pm to clean the vault toilet and collect my fee from the lockbox. It's about a half mile from a well traveled road, but as I write this it's 7 in the evening and there's no more traffic. I'm the only person in the campground. There's a hand pump water well. Give it a dozen pumps to get it going. I don't suppose it is potable water. There's a river behind and the sign says you can launch a kayak.

  • Mara F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2016

    Silver Sioux Recreation Area

    Meh for tent camping

    The 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.

  • Dean D.
    Jul. 12, 2019

    Springbrook State Park Campground

    Nice Park

    I stayed there last year and am going back this year. It’s a very nice park with several hiking trails. They have 25% of their sites designated as walk in sites.


Guide to Lake View

Tent camping near Lake View, Iowa centers around county parks and riverside locations with basic amenities. Cherokee County maintains several primitive camping areas within a 30-mile radius of Lake View, providing budget-friendly options for overnight stays. Most sites sit on level ground with good tree coverage, offering natural shade during summer months when temperatures typically range from 75-85°F.

What to do

Water recreation access: At Stieneke Area Park, campers can launch canoes and kayaks directly from the camping area. "There's a river behind and the sign says you can launch a kayak," notes one visitor who stayed at this small riverside campground.

Fishing opportunities: Local parks provide access to ponds and rivers with various fish species. One visitor to Moorehead Pioneer County Park observed "fishermen around the pond" during their visit, indicating popular fishing spots within walking distance of camping areas.

Day-use facilities: Several campgrounds include additional recreational amenities. Moorehead Pioneer County Park features "a playground and a couple small pavilions across from where I camped," making it suitable for day activities before setting up camp.

What campers like

Affordability: Most tent sites in the Lake View area charge minimal fees. As one camper at Ranney Knob Area notes, "Camping is $10 a night, pay on site," making these locations budget-friendly options for overnight stays.

Peace and quiet: The small, uncrowded nature of local campgrounds appeals to those seeking solitude. A visitor to Stieneke Area Park appreciated this aspect, writing "Quiet little campground. I only saw 3 sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more. I'm the only person in the campground."

Natural setting: Many campsites feature wooded surroundings and natural landscapes. One camper described Moorehead Pioneer Park as "Safe and lots of trees," highlighting the natural shade that mature trees provide throughout these camping areas.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most tent camping areas offer only basic amenities. A reviewer of Dog Creek Co Park noted the presence of vault toilets but absence of showers, water hookups, or other conveniences commonly found at developed campgrounds.

Water availability concerns: While some parks advertise drinking water, quality may vary. At Stieneke Area Park, a camper advised about the hand pump well: "Give it a dozen pumps to get it going. I don't suppose it is potable water." Campers should bring their own water or treatment methods.

Unclear camping designations: Some areas lack obvious campsite markers. One visitor to Moorehead Pioneer County Park remarked, "It's not really a campground. It's a county park with a few camp spots. If I hadn't found the sign with tent symbols I would have doubted it was a legitimate place to camp."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Children can enjoy dedicated play areas at select parks. Moorehead Pioneer County Park includes "a playground across from where I camped," providing recreational options for younger campers after setting up tents.

Space considerations: Though sites lack formal boundaries, ample room exists for family setups. Joshua D. noted about Stieneke Area Park: "No designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper," allowing families to spread out comfortably.

Seasonal planning: The Lake View area experiences heavy rainfall in spring and occasional severe weather during summer. Trailside Campground offers shelters and picnic tables that provide refuge during unexpected weather events.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookups: Most campgrounds near Lake View cater primarily to tent campers. The few RV-friendly areas typically offer minimal services. Dog Creek Co Park provides thirty-amp hookups but lacks water connections or dump stations.

Parking constraints: Access for larger vehicles may be restricted at certain locations. A visitor to Ranney Knob Area observed "limited parking" that could present challenges for RVs, especially during busier periods.

Level site availability: While formal RV pads are uncommon, some areas accommodate smaller campers on level ground. Joshua D. mentioned that despite no designated sites at Stieneke Area Park, there was "plenty of space for tent or camper" on naturally flat terrain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lake View, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lake View, IA is Moorehead Pioneer County Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Lake View, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 tent camping locations near Lake View, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.