17 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Yellow River State Forest offers the most extensive tent camping opportunities near Lansing, Iowa, with multiple primitive tent sites located throughout the forest. Camp Glen Wendel and Camp John Schultz provide backcountry tent camping experiences about 15 miles northwest of Lansing, featuring secluded tent-only sites accessible via hiking trails. Several additional tent campgrounds can be found in the broader region across Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, including Chimney Rock County Park and Houston Nature Center.
Primitive tent setups are the norm at Yellow River State Forest, where campsites feature fire rings and rustic benches but limited additional amenities. Water must be carried in from headquarters areas, as most tent sites lack potable water access. One camper noted, "Sites have fire rings and benches, some more spacious than others," highlighting the varying tent camping environments available. Backcountry tent campsites require registration at headquarters before hiking to camping areas, with multiple trail options leading to designated camping zones. Terrain varies from dense forest settings to more open areas, with some sites positioned near small ponds or creeks.
Yellow River's tent-only camping areas provide excellent trail access for hiking and backpacking. The forest features multiple hiking loops suitable for day hikes or multi-day backpacking excursions. A visitor commented, "We have stayed several times at the Big Paint Campground which is a wonderful drive-up campground that seems to have mostly tent campers." The region offers seasonal advantages, with spring and fall providing less crowded tent campsites and more comfortable temperatures. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound in these primitive tent areas, particularly bird watching and occasional deer sightings. Star-gazing is exceptional at the more remote tent sites due to minimal light pollution, making the backcountry camping experience particularly rewarding for tent campers seeking natural immersion.
"My friend and I were eager to test out some new backpacking gear for the first time in advance of a larger trip this summer."
"Yellow River has great backpacking sites. Park near ranger station and hike in or grab a map and find a smaller parking location near the trail you want to explore. Great scenery."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Hiked into this Camp that includes 5 primitive sites: fire rings and benches. Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects."
"Awesome campground, if you require electric bring a generator. Water is available but needs to be carried in. we loved the lack of cell phone reception!"
"We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background."
"If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners. "
from $40 - $120 / night
Check Availability"The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail."
"This campsite is at the trailhead for the Root River Bike Trail. This bike trail is so awesome and by far the best in the tri-state area!"
from $20 / night
from $100 / night
Check Availability"There are pit toilets at the upper sites, near the pavilion."
"The hiking trail was perfect for a morning stroll with my dog and coffee and there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)"
from $5 / night
Check Availability
LegendHiked into this Camp that includes 5 primitive sites: fire rings and benches. Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects. Leave No Trace ethics include: minimizes fire impacts by gathering only dead, down, wood. Sounded by nature atop of hill hike near Fire tower ( only fire tower in Iowa), cell reception is found up here.
LegendThis review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.
Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?
It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.
Activities
Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.
Amenities
Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.
Cost
You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.
https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&page=siteresult&contractCode=IA&parkId=610130
GuideWonderful time in Perrot State Park. Camped in the group campground, site A. Plenty of room for many tents, and nice level ground to pitch tents on. Huge fire ring for large group fires, and both a large grill on the fire ring, and freestanding charcoal grill. Lots of options for hiking and walking in the park with more than 13 miles of trails. We did a 5 mile hike up and over two of the more popular bluffs. We also did a two-three hour canoe/kayak trip and had a blast.
There is not a swimming beach at the park, so if you're into that, you'll have to leave the park, but there is more than enough to do at Perrot State Park.
GuideThe cart in sites are fantastic at Wildcat Mountain! Each site is spacious with most heavily treed for shade. Each site has a nice large flat pad for a tent or two, fire ring, bench and picnic table. Proximity to potable water, vault or modern toilets and designated parking are all within 400 yards of all sites.
The park is located in the Kickapoo valley area where the driftless area is amazing to hike. You can kayak or tube down the river that is flanked by high limestone bluffs. The hiking trails are well maintained. There is also extensive horse trails, a beautiful outdoor ampitheater for viewing sunsets and access to the river right in the park.
The campers were respectful and quiet. Our campsite was fairly clean when we arrived. Contactless registration due to covid 19. That made getting set up quick and easy! The cart provided was fairly big for less trips. I would happily camp here again!
GuideI’ll begin by saying this is by far the cleanest campground I have stayed at. The facilities were well kept including the vault toilet houses. We stayed in a walk to site and the views were incredible. Our tent pad was quite rocky so I would recommend sleeping pads or you will be very uncomfortable. Our site was also extremely dusty which wasn’t a problem at all just be prepared to be a little dirty. The campground was quiet except for the occasional train that rolled through those are quite loud due to how close they are to the campground. I would definitely come back to Nelson Dewey and stay again. There was not a ton to do in the area so a short weekend stay was perfect. A highlight is that the park provided cart to use to haul all your stuff to the walk to sites. There is 1 designated parking spot per walk to site as well. The walk to sites are small and only accommodated our one (6 person) tent which was not a problem for us as we knew this ahead of time.
GuideSome of the spots are a little uneven. Bring some leveling devices. This a very peaceful campground. Fire rings are on cement. Can find fire starters everywhere. No bugs in the 1st of June when we were there. Will plan on going back for sure. Reserve your spots cuz they go fast. If you love a great view and the smell of the outdoors this is your place!
LegendThe Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail. Trail Head Park is a nice tent only campground with walk-in sites. A majority of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits. The Nature Center has clean bathrooms and free showers. They recommend donations for the use of the showers.
$20 per night camping fee. You can pay inside the Nature Center or at the slot between the restroom mirrors. The sites are first come, first serve. Local firewood is available near the restrooms as well; take what you need and leave the center a donation.
Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. When I visited during the week, I only saw a small group of people using the playground. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more. Inside the Nature Center, they have interactive and interesting displays. The highlight of this campground is the Root River State Bike Trail and the Owl Center in the town of Houston.
I'd give the campsite 4/5 review. The location, the bluffs, the bike trail, and center get 5/5 review.
ScoutStayed here in a tent while on a bicycle camping trip and it was adequate. It is located in a city park within a couple minutes walk of the downtown area. The bike trail crosses the south end of downtown so close to that too. This would not be a good place to camp if you'd like to be out in nature
Biggest gripe is the slope of the tent sites. The majority of the tent sites are on an incline around a pond. There are also a lot of ducks that aren't very afraid of humans. None got into my gear though. There are fire rings at the tent sites. No picnic tables at the individual sites but there are some nearby in the park and there's also a covered picnic shelter. Hammocks would be difficult to impossible as the tent area is a strip of grass between pond and bluff, which has mostly brush or too whimpy of trees to hang from at the base. There are a couple huge oaks but none in pairs.
Quarter showers and clean restrooms are available. $20/night/tent which seemed a bit steep to me considering how slanted the sites were and quarter showers. It is cheaper than the other places within immediate biking distance which were $25/night.
RangerThe South Bear Creek entrance is located near Highlandville, IA off of Quandahl Road. This is Iowa Department of Natural Resources land and offers primitive camping only. There are no shower or restroom facilities and we brought our own water. There was a makeshift fire ring made out of rocks and so we used this to build our campfire. Be sure to bring a camp shovel for bathroom breaks. There was no fee at the time to camp here. It might be a good idea to call ahead to the Iowa DNR to see if that has changed.
Bear Creek is known for trout fishing and is stocked by the DNR. Bear Creek runs for a little over 5 miles at this entrance. Highlandville does have a general store, so you can stock up on items such as snacks, firewood, and angling supplies if you plan to fish the creek.
Note: There is also a Bear Creek Campground which offers electrical sites along with restrooms, showers and a playground as well as Bear Creek Cabin rentals if you're looking for something with more amenities.
We camped the last weekend in October and had the entire area to ourselves. We walked along the creek and Quandahl Road. It was a quiet area and we enjoyed camping in a more primitive setting.
Yellow River State Forest area offers primitive backcountry tent camping options near Lansing, Iowa, with sites ranging from secluded forested spots to streamside locations. The region features distinct terrain differences between Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin camping areas, with elevations varying from river bottoms to limestone bluffs rising 400+ feet. Most tent camping options don't require reservations but fill quickly during summer weekends.
Backpacking routes: Yellow River State Forest's Camp Glen Wendel offers multiple trail loops designed for overnight trekkers. Camper Brooke M. noted, "great park with a few longer trails for backpacking. have used these trails/this park to prepare for longer trips." The Paint Creek loop specifically offers diverse terrain with elevation changes suited for overnight backpacking.
Trout fishing: Access multiple stocked streams at Echo Valley State Park Campground where sites are positioned along a fishing-friendly creek. According to Kerry M., "This campground is non-electric, self-pay, non-reservable, and has only a few sites. There is a nice trout stream, with a few sites right by the stream." The park provides easy fishing access without crowds.
Star-gazing: Minimal light pollution at Shady Rest Acres creates exceptional night sky viewing. Camper Amy G. reports the pasture campsite is "perfect for stargazing!" The open field setting creates unobstructed views across wide swaths of sky, particularly during new moon phases.
Natural playgrounds: The Houston Nature Center features kid-friendly outdoor play areas beyond standard playground equipment. GoWhereYouAreDraw N. mentioned, "Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. When I visited during the week, I only saw a small group of people using the playground. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more."
Wildlife viewing: Camp John Schultz tent sites are positioned in dense forest habitat where wildlife activity is common. James M. described it as a "Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects." The primitive setting minimizes human disturbance, increasing wildlife encounter opportunities.
Water features: Small ponds and stream access points create swimming opportunities during summer months. James M. observed that at Camp Glen Wendel, "The 2nd site in has a small pond at Camp side." These water features provide cooling options during hot summer camping trips without requiring travel to separate recreation areas.
Limited facilities: Most backcountry sites require carrying in all supplies. Kevin T. stated about Yellow River, "This site fills up really fast because of the cheap price of only 9 dollars. This is the cheapest but one of the best campsites ive been to." Despite lower costs, amenities are minimal across most sites.
Trail conditions: Seasonal weather creates variable hiking experiences. Kevin C. advised, "There are some thin trails down steeper hillsides, so make sure to take it slower if the ground is muddy." Spring camping particularly requires waterproof footwear and careful trail selection.
Noise factors: Interstate proximity impacts some campgrounds. At Sparta Campground, camper Jamee H. warned, "The most disappointing factor for me was the highway noise. I had read about that from another reviewer, and it was indeed bad, all weekend long. I had to wear noise-cancelling headphones to drown out the noise in order to sleep." Research campground locations relative to highways when seeking quieter experiences.
Kid-friendly trails: Several campgrounds feature shorter loop trails suitable for younger hikers. At Houston Nature Center, April S. appreciated that it was "Wonderfully quiet and safe. Had bathrooms and showers. Right at the end of the root river state trail." The connecting multi-use trails accommodate various ability levels.
Space considerations: Site sizes vary significantly between campgrounds. Macel C. noted about Camp Glen Wendel, "Well spaced out camp sites, very primitive. Great spot to view the stars. Awesome for kids." Request specific site numbers when seeking larger camping areas for multiple tents.
Emergency planning: Cell service varies throughout the region. Shyla G. shared her experience backpacking at Yellow River: "Finally, convinced one of my friends to come with, we ended up getting scared around midnight from the noises. Took our hammocks down and ran all the way back... still a fun time beautiful hike and nice area to set up camp, also had service!" Reliable communication exists near the fire tower.
Size limitations: Most tent campgrounds near Lansing cannot accommodate larger RVs. Wilber S. advised about Echo Valley State Park, "Certainly a tent oriented campground, RV's would have a difficult time." Consider smaller teardrop-style campers or truck campers for these primitive locations.
Water access points: RV campers should note water filling locations. Kerry M. mentioned that at Echo Valley, "There is a nice trout stream, with a few sites right by the stream. It is most suitable for tent, truck, or teardrop camping... large RVs would not do well." Most forest campsites require water transport from centralized pumps or headquarters buildings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lansing, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lansing, IA is Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry — Yellow River State Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Lansing, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Lansing, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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