Best Campgrounds near Marengo, IA

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Marengo, IA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Iowa camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Marengo, IA. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Marengo, Iowa (87)

    1. Amana RV Park & Event Center

    10 Reviews
    Amana, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 622-7616

    $25 - $42 / night

    "Relatively wide open, sites adjacent to one another. Utilities all worked fine, decently maintained."

    "Campground is a nice bike ride away from the Amana villages and overall a great base camp"

    2. F. W. Kent Park

    18 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 645-2315

    $20 / night

    "We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."

    "It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."

    3. Hannen County Park

    4 Reviews
    Marengo, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 454-6382

    4. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    13 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 628-6900

    $45 - $65 / night

    "Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and"

    "Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped"

    5. Lake Iowa County Park

    7 Reviews
    Williamsburg, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 655-8465

    "Not too far off the highway.  Very clean and quiet.  The campground is above the lake but a short trail will take you to the lake.  "

    "The good: The area around the lake and near by pond, is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife."

    6. Sudbury Court Motel & RV Park

    1 Review
    Marengo, IA
    1 mile
    +1 (319) 642-5411

    "One of the few places around Cedar Rapids that is open in winter. 35$/night. Management is pleasant."

    8. Sugar Bottom Campground

    24 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2102

    $14 - $240 / night

    "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."

    "Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors, and Macbride State Park as well."

    9. Iowa Lake Co Park

    2 Reviews
    Williamsburg, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 655-8466

    "Well that was the case when I informed friends I was going to Iowa for a quick getaway. While there are a bunch of corn fields, the lakes and campgrounds are nice and good for an adventure."

    10. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    15 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $25 - $35 / night

    "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "

    "Close access to boating and town"

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Recent Reviews near Marengo, IA

353 Reviews of 87 Marengo Campgrounds


  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Linder Point Campground

    Well designed and maintained small RV campground j

    Natural setting with plenty of trees and located near Coralville Reservoir. Paved roads and sites. Ample roam for big rigs, but no pull through sites. Electricity only, with fresh water and a dump station nearby. Modern and clean bathhouse. Open sky at most sites for Starlink. No other amenities at this campsite for children, but there are hiking trails and activities at the nearby reservoir recreation areas.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Campground Diamond In The Rough

    Following up on my review from over a year and a half ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this county park campground gem in a very rural part of Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) EZ access and just a 20 minute / 9 mile drive due south from I-80 via Exit 201; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (4) The RV area looks to be brand spanking-new and offers very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas as well as most have an excellent view of Lake Diamond; (5) The hiking trails and bountiful fishing spots make this a simply wonderful campground; (6) Incredibly simple honor system to accessing any site on a first-come, first-served basis – simply stick your money in an envelope and pick out whatever location suits you; (7) While basic, the bathhouses were in pretty good condition and very clean; (8) Kid’s playground is fantastic and nearly brand new; (9) Reasonably priced bundles of pre-cut firewood; and (10) Overall the overnight price to stay here, whether RV or tent-camping is very cheap, so great value for $

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic in here, although you are so far out in the boondocks, it’s not really much of a concern; (2) The newly minted RV area slopes down to the lake, but as you park perpendicular, it shouldn’t be an issue; (3) Also, because the RV area is new, there’s no trees or brush, which creates a lack of privacy between sites; (4) Nearly all of the RV slots – save the few that are right next to the lake - have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings, at least in the tent camping areas, are worn-out and in pretty poor condition and should be replaced or refurbished; (7) The water in Lake Diamond is quite dark and murky, so unless you are an adventurous soul, I don’t recommend swimming here

    Happy Camping!

  • Emily B.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    River Junction

    Great views and location, but not private and not well-marked

    This was our first time camping here. We pulled in around 8pm when it was already dark and there was another car that had just entered the campground in front of us. After driving down the hill, he saw the basic “welcome” and “Pay here” signs next to a 4-car parking area. There were no signs marking where the bathroom was or any directions on how to choose a site. The group ahead of us chose to camp next to the boat ramp, so we circled around the loop and chose a dirt pad on the right side of the loop next to the river. We were very confused because the pictures on Dyrt showed picnic tables and fire rings at every site, but these were nowhere to be seen. It was getting late, so we set up the tent and went to bed. It wasn’t until the morning that we had discovered that we weren’t camping in one of the marked sites! As it turns out, all 4 sites were walk-in sites on grass behind the parking area that had been occupied by 2 cars when we pulled in. The signage didn’t clarify this and we couldn’t see the marked sites when it was dark! The marked sites were pretty close together and they offered no privacy between groups. Additionally, upon leaving we discovered that the toilet was on the top of the hill right by the entrance. Due to the lack of signage and privacy in between the official campsites, I rate 3 stars. It was very beautiful and peaceful, but it was very confusing in the dark.

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • Jorge F.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cedar River Campground

    Good place to go camping with friends and family.

    “This place became my wife’s and daughters’ favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful. The managers are always courteous and attentive.”

  • Isaac H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Deerwood Park

    Cash Only

    Good place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!

  • Clifton B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Very nice campground off the beaten path

    Wife and I met friends here in August 2025.  This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY.  The campground was very well maintained.  Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional.  We really enjoyed the long weekend here.  Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August.  Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did.  Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees.  Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Neat place but it's not flat

    Super nice staff.  We stayed here for a few weeks while working in the area. The land is not flat.  The spots are good and most are pull-throughs but some are too short for a 30' camper.  Would definitely stay there again. 

    We stayed there in October, 2017


Guide to Marengo

Camping near Marengo, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic trails to family-friendly amenities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the stunning trails at Backbone State Park. One camper mentioned, "The scenery on the hiking trail was amazing," making it a must-visit for nature lovers.
  • Fishing: Enjoy fishing at Rock Creek State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "Boat and kayak rental and a small store with basic necessities" are available, perfect for a day on the water.
  • Swimming: Visit Lake Macbride State Park Campground for a refreshing swim. One camper shared, "The beach was a plus for the kids as well," highlighting its family-friendly vibe.

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground said, "Bathrooms were very clean," which is always a plus when camping.
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at F. W. Kent Park mentioned, "It is the perfect camping destination," thanks to the ample space to spread out.
  • Quiet atmosphere: Campers enjoy the peaceful surroundings. One camper at West Overlook Campground noted, "Sites are decently spaced out & there is ample natural shade," making it a great spot for relaxation.

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Some campgrounds may not have markets or stores nearby. A visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground pointed out, "There’s no place to buy firewood nearby, so come prepared."
  • Seasonal camping: Many campgrounds are open year-round, but some have specific seasons. For example, Iowa Rock Creek State Park is open from April 1 to December 31.
  • Wildlife: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. A camper at George Wyth State Park Campground mentioned, "There were tremendous amounts of mosquitoes," so bring bug spray!

Tips for camping with families

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A parent at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA said, "Kids had fun at the swimming pond," making it a great choice for families.
  • Plan for meals: Some campgrounds have fire pits and grills. A camper at Newton KOA noted, "The burgers were not the greatest but ok," so consider bringing your own food for grilling.
  • Safety first: Always keep an eye on kids near water. One reviewer at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The lake is pretty," but it’s essential to supervise children while swimming.

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "The sites here are closer together," so plan accordingly.
  • Use amenities: Take advantage of available facilities. A visitor at Kellogg RV Park said, "Clean bathrooms and showers," which can make your stay more comfortable.
  • Stay connected: Many campgrounds offer Wi-Fi. A reviewer at Newton KOA noted, "Our hotspot was usable and performed very well," so you can stay connected while enjoying nature.

Camping near Marengo, Iowa, has a lot to offer, from beautiful parks to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in an RV or tent, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Marengo, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Marengo, IA is Amana RV Park & Event Center with a 4.5-star rating from 10 reviews.