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Best Campgrounds near Marion, IA

432 Reviews

Camping near Marion, Iowa encompasses a mix of county parks, state recreation areas, and riverside campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) in Marion provides tent and RV camping from April through mid-October, while nearby Palisades-Kepler State Park offers additional options including cabins and glamping opportunities. The area features several Army Corps of Engineers facilities around Coralville Lake and the Iowa River, including Sugar Bottom Campground and the West Overlook campground. Lake Macbride State Park, approximately 20 miles south of Marion, contains both modern and primitive camping areas with varying levels of amenities.

Most campgrounds in the Marion area operate seasonally, with the primary camping season running from April through October. Pinicon Ridge Park and Matsell Bridge Natural Area remain open year-round for those seeking winter camping options. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-90°F with moderate humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with temperatures between 50-75°F. Flooding can occasionally affect riverside campgrounds, particularly in spring. According to reviews, "spring camping is quieter; fall camping is also quiet, and the fall leaves are beautiful." Reservations are recommended for weekend stays during peak summer months.

The camping options around Marion accommodate various preferences and needs. RV campers will find numerous sites with electric hookups (30/50 amp), water connections, and dump stations at locations like Morgan Creek County Park and Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area. Tent campers can choose between developed sites with amenities or more secluded options at places like Primitive South Campground at Lake Macbride. Many campgrounds feature water recreation opportunities, with one visitor noting that Sugar Bottom Campground offers "nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing." Family-friendly amenities include playgrounds, beaches, and hiking trails, while most locations welcome pets with standard leash requirements.

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Best Camping Sites Near Marion, Iowa (121)

    1. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)

    6 Reviews
    Marion, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    $23 - $33 / night

    "We camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance.  Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. "

    "There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through."

    2. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Ely, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 895-6039

    $12 - $80 / night

    "Great walking trails through wooded areas near the river. Beautiful place."

    "Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."

    3. Pinicon Ridge Park

    9 Reviews
    Central City, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 438-6616

    "Dump available on entrance/exit.  The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table.  Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. "

    "Great county campground with water and electric sites, dump at exit. Bathrooms on loop B are dirty and dated. I suggest going up to the Plains loop and use it's facilities."

    4. Sugar Bottom Campground

    24 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    20 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."

    5. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

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

    $20 / 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"

    6. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Shellsburg, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 436-7716

    $12 - $60 / night

    "We stayed here for the easy access to the water for the Scouts to get out in canoes and fishing.  I have been camping here off and on for the last 25 years.  I have not had any issues at all. "

    "There is plenty of access to the lake for fishing whether it's from shore or on a boat."

    7. Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Atkins, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    "Trails close by and only about 5 min from expressway."

    "Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping expirence but still have work or other things to get done."

    8. Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    10 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    18 miles
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $10 - $25 / night

    "You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that."

    "This is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa. Their is a modern campsite on the north side as well. This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful."

    9. Morgan Creek County Park

    3 Reviews
    Palo, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 396-2363

    $23 - $40 / night

    10. West Overlook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Coralville, IA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 338-3685

    $22 - $28 / night

    "The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."

    "LuLu and I stayed for 10 days while visiting family in Iowa City. The campground hosted mainly locals but it’s only a couple of miles off the I80."

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Recent Camping Photos near Marion, IA

110 Photos of 121 Marion Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Marion, IA

432 Reviews of 121 Marion Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Central Park

    Late Season Camping

    Great weather.. The sites were clean.. Small lake to fish and kayak!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.”

  • Steve T.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area - Cedar River Campground

    Enjoyable Stay

    The sites are spaced apart well and clean with a beautiful view of the Cedar River. If you camp on the riverside campground be sure to bring a bike or extra vehicle if you camp on the far end because the bathrooms are bit of a walk. And bring a grate with you for your fire ring as some have them and some don’t. All and all it was an enjoyable stay with a fantastic view, even caught a few fish since our campsite was literally on the river edge

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Great campground

    Beautiful park. The campground has less than 30 sites, most of which have power. The walk in sites are very private but still less than 75 yards from your car. You are in thick forest and will hear lots of animal sounds at night.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice, quite, cabin surrounded by forest

    Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Bennett Park

    Nice smaller County CG with small lake

    CG has newer RR/shower house. Sites have electric, fire rings, gravel pads. There is a Play area, shelter , host site, dump station. Park has small lake for paddling and fishing.

  • 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?!

Guide to Marion

Camping near Marion, Iowa, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. With stunning landscapes and plenty of activities, it's a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.

What to do:

  • Explore the caves: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, you can hike through unique caves. One visitor said, "The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous."
  • Fishing and boating: Shady Creek is right on the Mississippi River, making it perfect for fishing and boating. A camper noted, "Nice boat launch. Right on the Mississippi."
  • Hiking trails: Backbone State Park has great hiking options. One reviewer mentioned, "There are tons of trails, specifically the spot we camped at was right by the trail."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "Clean bathrooms and good Starlink north clearing."
  • Quiet atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at F. W. Kent Park shared, "A nice out of the way campground. Very quiet."
  • Spacious sites: Campers often mention the spaciousness of the sites. One camper at Sugar Bottom Campground noted, "I was pleased with the size of our site and how it was positioned among the others on our loop."

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes can be a problem: At George Wyth State Park Campground, one camper warned, "There were tremendous amounts of mosquitoes at the campground during our visit."
  • Limited amenities at some sites: Some campgrounds, like Nelson Dewey State Park Campground, have fewer amenities. A visitor mentioned, "There are no water hookups."
  • Train noise: If you're sensitive to noise, be aware that some campgrounds, such as Shady Creek, are near train tracks. One camper noted, "There’s a train track upon entering the park."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Bring bug spray: Given the mosquito issue, it's smart to pack insect repellent. A camper at George Wyth State Park Campground suggested, "Insect repelling incense and spray kept us comfortable."
  • Plan for activities: Make sure to check out the local attractions. One family at Backbone State Park enjoyed the naturalist station, saying, "Several activities that would be good for families."
  • Check site amenities: Before booking, look into what each site offers. A camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground mentioned, "Only about 2-3 of the walk-in-only sites can fit bigger campers."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Sugar Bottom Campground noted, "The entry on this app says big rig friendly, but it might be hard to fit a big rig on the electrical only sites."
  • Use leveling blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A visitor at Rustic Barn Campground RV Park mentioned, "We had to use all our blocks to get us as level as possible."
  • Bring a fan for bugs: To keep bugs away, consider using a fan at your site. A camper at Shady Creek shared, "We used a fan at the campsite which really kept most of them away."

Camping around Marion, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What RV rental options exist in Marion, Iowa?

While Marion itself has limited RV rental services, the Cedar Rapids metro area (which includes Marion) offers several RV rental companies that provide various motorhome and travel trailer options. For overnight parking needs, Walmart — Coralville Supercenter offers a convenient option for RVers with its spacious parking lot located just off I-80. Costco — Coralville also provides overnight parking about 5-7 minutes from I-80. Both locations are within reasonable driving distance of Marion and serve as practical options for RV travelers passing through the area or needing a short-term parking solution.

What campgrounds are available near Marion, Iowa?

Several campgrounds are available within a short drive of Marion. Wanatee Park is the closest option, offering drive-in sites with water and toilets that can accommodate big rigs. Just a bit further, Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground provides boat-in, drive-in, and walk-in options along with toilets. Other nearby options include Pinicon Ridge Park near Central City, Morgan Creek County Park near Palo, and several excellent Corps of Engineers campgrounds along Coralville Lake south of Marion, including West Overlook and Sugar Bottom campgrounds. Most of these parks offer reservable sites, but availability varies by season.

What amenities do Marion campgrounds typically offer?

Campgrounds near Marion typically provide a mix of essential and recreational amenities. Sugar Bottom Campground offers electrical hookups, grassy sites near the lake for fishing, hiking trails, and opportunities for wildlife viewing. It's also near the Iowa Raptor Project. West Overlook Campground features both electric and primitive sites, multiple shower houses and restrooms, a beach, boat ramp, recycling facilities, and is well-maintained with access to trails. Most area campgrounds include fire rings, picnic tables, and access to water. The nearby recreation areas also offer swimming beaches, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails, making them suitable for a range of camping preferences.

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