Best Tent Camping near Lewis, IA

Tent camping options near Lewis, Iowa include several primitive campgrounds within driving distance. Ross County Park in Braddyville offers free tent camping with drive-in access. This primitive park allows campfires and pets, making it suitable for basic tent camping experiences. Other options include Rooted Timbers, which features picnic tables, toilets, and fire pits, and Middle River Forest Area near Dexter for more secluded tent camping.

Most tent campgrounds in the Lewis area provide minimal amenities, requiring campers to bring their own supplies. Ross County Park has no drinking water, electric hookups, or toilet facilities available, but does provide trash collection and allows alcohol. Campers should plan to pack in water and other essentials for their stay. The area maintains a simple, rustic approach to camping with few developed facilities. Fire rings are available at some locations, but firewood must typically be brought in or gathered on site where permitted.

The tent camping experience near Lewis offers quiet, less crowded alternatives to larger campgrounds. Ross County Park provides a remote setting with shelter houses and multiple fishing ponds. The park's isolated location means fewer visitors and more privacy for tent campers. Sites are generally unmarked and informal, allowing flexibility in choosing where to set up. One camper described it as a "nice out of the way location with no services of any kind," noting it's "a nice place to get away from people." Another visitor mentioned the park offers multiple ponds for fishing and recreation, making it popular for day use as well as overnight tent camping.

Best Tent Sites Near Lewis, Iowa (5)

Show More
Showing results 1-5 of 5 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lewis, IA

2 Photos of 5 Lewis Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Lewis, IA

285 Reviews of 5 Lewis Campgrounds


  • J
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Peaceful Serenity

    I arrived just in time to see the beautiful sunset over the small lake near the primitive campground closest to the Park Office. It only cost $10 for tent camping and $3 for a vehicle pass. Campground and vault toilets were pretty clean. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each tent campsite and there are plenty to choose from near the water. You can bring your own kayak or canoe and even fish here. We had a nice encounter from the campground employee who explained how to put the stake out to claim our campsite. Right away, I saw abundant wildlife, including turkey, deer, black squirrels, woodpeckers, geese, ducks and bats. Come prepared for the mosquitoes but overall I would highly recommend this place!

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    Nice metro campground

    Large concrete pads with patio and permanently mounted mesh steel picnic table with a fire pit grill on the corner.. Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean. Trees surround the campground, but none provide any campground shade. Entry gate code required, which provides some security. all amenities are available within a limited distance. Some lake activity noises during the day, and depending upon wind, some aircraft traffic, otherwise very quiet.

  • Sarah H.
    Aug. 7, 2016

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Easy Family Camping Near Omaha

    Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site. Tent camping here is non-reservable, but once you enter the park, you may choose from any spots containing a fire pit outside of RV loops. Tent sites range from lake-front, to playground side, to more private sites on the outer rim of the park. We chose a large, private site at the back of the park. This site was well maintained and had enough space to easily accommodate two families of four. We even had a picnic shelter all to ourselves. Our site was lined by woods and farmland and had a good view of a small pond. The night was full of exciting animal noises from both the nearby farm and pond. Vault toilets were a short walk away with clean shower facilities just a few loops away. The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable. Hiking trails near the park entrance are rugged. The staff was incredibly kind and easy-going, yet attentive. Just a short drive from neighboring towns, this is a good starter campground for families with younger kids. We hope to return in winter to check out the camping cabins.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2023

    Lenon Mill Park

    Good Campsite but expensive compared to other similar sites

    I’ve maked this down to 3 stars purely on the basis of the fee - it’s a $20 flat fee whether in an RV with a hookup, or a tent with no hookup, and for that, you get a restroom and a spigot with drinking water, but no shower. Apart from that, the location is quiet and peaceful. Lots of space in the tent area, with some shade and soft grass. Close to town, with restaurants and a grocery store.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2021

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Nice and peaceful

    Great spot for an overnight! Restroom is clean w/ pit toilet and tp. Wifi is only accessible in the upper area of the grounds. Site number 13 is the most cozy as there’s no one next to your rig. Firewood is at the right of the entrance. Potable water available!

  • Allison J.
    Jul. 8, 2016

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Loess hills getawayg

    The park has cabins, rv sites, tent camping and backcountry hike in camping. The nature center is a nice place to cool down the the summer and learn about the loess hills. The backcountry campsite have pads with pea gravel for tents and fire rings. Nice and quiet.

  • C
    Oct. 23, 2019

    Nations Bridge Park

    Great spot

    This was a great spot for our overnight stay while traveling I-80. Its about 6 easy miles off the interstate, and well marked. The lower camp zone looks like it floods easily and was pretty muddy, so we opted for a nice level spot in the upper section. 50 amp plug in, fire rings, picnic tables, great park for our 3 year old. Our review would be 5 stars, but all the restrooms were locked for the season, and the only signage was on the doors of the facilities. No signage about the closures at the self registration. We probably should have checked the restrooms prior to setting up. Still, a very nice place and we would definitely visit 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.

  • Aaron  A.
    Apr. 21, 2017

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Great trails

    The trails are well marked and easy to follow. I was very impressed on the hike in campsites. They already have a nice flat spot for your tent, although I'm a hammock camper. The views from the two south east campsites are amazing, looking over the Missouri River valley and the Omaha skyline in the distance.


Guide to Lewis

Tent camping near Lewis, Iowa offers access to secluded natural settings within southwestern Iowa's rolling hills. The region experiences four distinct seasons with warm summers and cold winters, making spring and fall ideal for camping. Most campgrounds in this rural area sit at elevations between 900-1,200 feet above sea level, providing campers with prairie landscapes and woodland patches.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Ross County Park features multiple fishing ponds that attract anglers throughout the season. One visitor noted, "Multiple ponds. People also go out there and shoot off guns on the upper pond. Personally..... I fucking love this place. One of my favorites to go fishing and drink a few...." The park allows alcohol consumption, making it popular for fishing day trips.

Wildlife viewing: Middle River Forest Area provides woodland habitat where campers can observe local wildlife including deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species. The forest setting offers natural trails for wildlife spotting, particularly during early morning and evening hours.

Target shooting: Some areas permit recreational shooting in designated locations. At Ross County Park, visitors sometimes use the upper pond area for target practice, though campers should maintain appropriate safety distances and check local regulations before engaging in shooting activities.

What campers like

Privacy and seclusion: Campers appreciate the remote nature of sites in this region. One visitor to Ross County Park wrote, "Nice out of the way location. No services of any kind, there is a shelter house, and trash barrel. Nice place to get away from people." This makes it ideal for those seeking quiet camping experiences away from crowds.

Low-cost options: Rooted Timbers provides budget-friendly tent camping with basic amenities like picnic tables, fire pits, and toilets at affordable rates. The campground remains accessible without reservation requirements during off-peak periods.

Natural settings: The undeveloped nature of camping areas allows for a more authentic outdoor experience. Most campgrounds preserve their natural environment with minimal development, allowing campers to experience southwestern Iowa's native landscapes with less human intervention.

What you should know

Limited amenities: Most tent camping areas near Lewis offer minimal facilities. Pioneer City Park provides only the basics, and campers must bring all supplies including drinking water, cooking equipment, and sanitation supplies. No showers or running water exist at most primitive sites.

Weather considerations: The area experiences temperature fluctuations throughout camping season. Summer temperatures frequently reach 85-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall nights can drop below 40°F. Always check weather forecasts before setting out.

Cell service limitations: Many camping areas have spotty or non-existent cellular coverage. Create backup navigation plans and inform someone of your camping location before heading to remote sites.

Tips for camping with families

Safety precautions: When camping with children, be aware that Lyons Park and several other areas have unfenced water features. Maintain constant supervision of children near ponds, streams, or other water bodies.

Activity planning: Pack board games, field guides, and nature scavenger hunt lists for children as most sites lack structured recreational facilities. The surrounding natural areas provide opportunities for wildlife identification and outdoor education.

Campsite selection: Choose sites with natural shade when possible, especially during summer months. Arrive early in the day to secure spots with adequate tree cover, as temperatures can rise quickly in open areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Lewis, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lewis, IA is Lyons Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

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