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Best Tent Camping near Lucas, IA

329 Reviews

Tent camping options near Lucas, Iowa include several established campgrounds within 25-30 miles. Colfax Quarry Springs Park provides the most highly-rated tent camping experience with sandy sites alongside a small lake. Otter Creek Park in Indianola previously offered dispersed tent camping, though recent reviews indicate it is currently closed for camping indefinitely.

Access to tent camping sites varies significantly across the region. At Colfax Quarry Springs Park, all sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and trash bins, with firewood available for purchase. The campground features porta-potties throughout the property and a new restroom/shower facility described as "very nice and clean" in recent reviews. Sites cost approximately $10 per night with registration required. No drinking water is available at most locations, so tent campers should bring their own supplies. Several other primitive tent camping areas exist in the region, though many lack basic facilities and require advance planning.

Most backcountry tent sites near Lucas provide good access to fishing, hiking, and nature observation. The Quarry Springs Park camping area features level, sandy sites suitable for tent setup, with some positioned directly alongside the water for fishing access. A visitor commented that "Campsite right on the water. Great fishing. Isolated campgrounds. Tent only none of that RV B.S." Site #13 received specific recommendation from another camper for its spaciousness and good fishing access. While some tent campers note highway noise can be heard from the interstate at Quarry Springs, it's described as minimal. For those seeking more remote tent camping experiences, areas like Middle River Forest Area and Quercus Wilderness Area exist in the broader region, though these lack amenities and require complete self-sufficiency for backcountry tent campers.

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Best Tent Sites Near Lucas, Iowa (11)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Lucas, IA

6 Photos of 11 Lucas Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Lucas, IA

329 Reviews of 11 Lucas Campgrounds

  • Matt S.
    Sep. 24, 2016

    Honey Creek State Park Campground

    Ranger Review: Goal Zero Light House 250 at Honey Creek State Park

    Campground Review: Honey Creek State Park is on Rathbun Lake, a very popular place to boat, fish and camp in Southern Iowa. We camped in the Group Campground with out Boy Scout Troop. We pulled into camp after dark and between the headlights of our vehicles and our lanterns (My Goal Zero Light House 250) we set up camp in the dark.

    We explored the campground, there were some nice trails and nice spots to camp. The bathrooms were clean but they were a little bit of a walk from the Group Site. The weather was great and the bugs weren't bad. I would recommend Honey Creek State Park.

    Ranger Review: The Goal Zero Light House 250 is a nice lantern. I give it 4 out of 5 stars. The light settings are perfect. You can use half of the lantern or the full lamp power. You can adjust the lighting power by turning the knob on the front. It can be charged with a wall charger, a solar panel, or the green hand crank on top of the lantern.

    We used it when setting our tent up in the dark and it did a good job. At 250 lumens it is just the right amount of light to let you see what you need with out blinding you in the dark. We did not start a campfire that night, instead we placed the Goal Zero Light House 250 on the ground and we surrounded the lantern with our camp chairs as if it was a camp fire. We were up for three hours talking and never did the lantern light weaken.

    I like this light. It is too heavy and bulky for backpacking but it is great for car camping. There is a smaller model but I don't know if it will work for backpacking.

  • Willy W.
    Oct. 22, 2019

    Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    Great Place

    This is my favorite place to go hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing.

    There is a half mile portage with a campsite on the river which you must call to reserve. The other campsites are $10.00 registration. They have porta potties around. Two places to launch kayaks. Most campsites have fire rings, picnic tables and trash bins. Some have grills. They also have firewood for sale or you can find enough wood around still. I didn’t see any water hookups so bring a filter or water. There is a Kum & Go up the road to get missing supplies.

    The only downside of camping is you hear the interstate traffic but it’s minimal. The quiet hours are at 10:30pm and they have a gate which is closed at sunset when the park closes for non campers.

    Lots of hiking trails and wildlife. The fishing is the best place for largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish. No swimming is allowed and only electric motors, no gas.

    Check out their Facebook page for more updates and if you see me out there say hi!

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

    Beautiful place!

    This place is great! There are 10 beautiful campsites, all with new picnic tables, fire ring and cement pad so you’re chairs are actually level! The fire ring even has a grill you and flip over the fire to cook. There is a vault toilet up on the hill where the campsites are. FYI - the women’s side did not have a lock. The sites were very spacious, some massive and very spread out. You could see neighbors but you aren’t on top on them. And it’s free! You can stay for up to 14 days. They do have registration cards up on the board to complete and post on your site. I had 2-3 bars of LTE via AT&T. The closest gas station is about 7 minutes away and a grocery store about 10 minutes away.

    Let’s talk ticks!! I travel with my dog and during the 3 nights I stayed, I was constantly removing them from him, myself and within the inside of my van. They always got on his feet every time he used the restroom and made their way inside. If you travel with a pet, check them constantly and make sure they are on a tick med!

  • Dare To Everywhere .The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

    Great free campground!

    Stayed 7/13/20- FREE 

    Coming off the main road, you’ll enter onto a Dead End gravel road. You’ll eventually see the park entrance(a sign and fence). Pass the first bathrooms/shelter/info board. Continue down the gravel road that looks kinda like a trail. You’ll open up into the campground. The first site to the left of the info board is the most private, with the fire ring being way off the road. I got in late, in the dark, and turned around because the first board said“no camping”. I gave it another shot and continued down the road and was glad when I saw site numbers. Was in and out pretty quick, but it seemed like a really nice place and the fire pits are awesome! Vault toilets available. 

    I had 3 bars LTE AT&T, with no problems.

  • Tiffany K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Howell Station

    Laid-back Campground

    This campground has great facilities with spacious sites. We have plenty of space for our dogs on two stakes. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are large trees that provide a lot of shade for the campground. There are play grounds for the kids. It is along a river for fishing and bird watching.

  • M
    Jun. 27, 2019

    Honey Creek Resort

    Not your typical RV site

    Honey Creek resort run by the state of Iowa (not to be confused with Honey Creek State Park nearby) is not your typical camping spot. There is a resort hotel with an indoor waterpark, cabins for rent, and an RV Park. The hotel and the RV park are right on the lake. Rathbun is maybe the nicest lake in Iowa (I would say Okoboji, however that has become an overcrowded mess). 

    The RV sites: There are not many of them, 20 I think. But they are all paved, level, full hook ups, spacious, with a view of the lake. I don't even think we exchanged harsh words setting up it was so easy. ;)  There are even a couple sites on the side that have equipment for fall hunters. Trees around the RV area, but not in. Fire ring and picnic table. The boat ramp is at one end of the RV area, so people may drive through with boats. Playground a short walk away on a path, but not right in the RV area. 

    Indoor waterpark: Probably geared to the 4-10 crowd. Only one bigger slide, lazy river, hot tub, pool with some balance platforms and a rope and a basketball hoop. Then a small kiddie pool with a pirate ship structure with some small slides and some fountains. Not a ton to do, however when we were there it rained for an entire day so that was very handy. Snackbar that serves booze. 

    Lake: one of the biggest in the state, not too busy as it is 2 hours from Des Moines so not a lot of day traffic (unlike Saylorville and Red Rock). Boat rentals available. 

    Resort hotel: I haven't been in the guest rooms. There is a lobby, restaurant/bar. I have not eaten at the restaurant. There is a little shop with necessities and firewood. There is a nature program where you can check out backpacks for kids to explore nature. Grounds are nice and lush, paths for walking and biking. There's a golf course.

  • K
    Mar. 24, 2021

    Union County Park Thayer Lake Park

    Not a real campground.

    5 pedestals around new unfinished shelter. No water at all, no dump, no trash, no fire ring, lots of litter. Long winding single lane access road, be a big problem if 2 rigs met. Someone would have tough back up. Pond did look promising for fish cover. Main Amtrak RR line and highway on north border. Town of Thayer on otherside of highway is in a very bad way. Very small camper, tent for fishing only.

  • Matt S.
    Jul. 15, 2017

    Thayer Lake Rec Area

    Skip Thayer Lake and go to Three Mile SP

    This is a really small campground with a few electric boxes to park your camper on the outside of the parking lot next to the lake and one average tent site with a fire ring and picnic table.

    The lake is a good local spot for fishing but I would go to Three Mile State Park to camp with my family, it's just an extra 10 or 15 minute drive away.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2021

    Wallashuck

    Wallashuck Rec Area

    Very nice campground, each sight has a fire ring and table, plus a lantern pole. It is in a city park like setting and on the lake. Fire wood for sale at the entrance, you have to get water at the entrance only electrical hook up. Showers are very clean and there is also a children’s play ground.

Guide to Lucas

Tent camping near Lucas, Iowa offers a blend of natural beauty and outdoor adventure, making it an ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Some prices for tent camping range from $20 to $30

Local activities to enjoy while tent camping

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Lucas, IA is Otter Creek Park with a 2.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Lucas, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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