Best Glamping near Marion, IA

Recent Glamping Reviews in Marion

58 Reviews of 14 Marion Campgrounds

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Nov. 6, 2024

  Otter Creek Lake and Park

  Nice County CG along lake

  CG has basic amenities- fire ring, table, gravel pad, electric, and water though shower houses are closed for season. Nature Center offers education displays and programs. Lake offers paddling, fishing, etc.

• 

  Mandy F.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 10, 2024

  Lake Iowa County Park

  Wasn't free

  It was beautiful, full of wildlife, easy to find,not too far from highway but far away enough to not hear

• 

  Ken G.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 23, 2024

  Lake Iowa County Park

  very nice and clean. Lots of sites but well spaced

  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.  Couldn't see the lake from where we camped, but nice woody area behind our campsite.  Nice little visitor area.  Lots of trails to walk with the dog including a nice trail along the lake.

  Great place to spend one night.  If I had more time, I would have gone paddle boarding or fishing on the lake.

• 

  Randall K.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 9, 2024

  Lake Iowa County Park

  Great spot for a great price

  Very well kept campground! Bathrooms and entire area was really in perfect shape. One of the cleanest showers and bathrooms I have seen. $10 for tent, $16 for electric - how can you go wrong?

  Only issue is that the spots are pretty close together. Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed. At 3am we decided we needed to move to an electric site because it was too much to have the windows open. I felt really bad for anyone in a tent. I coughed all the next day.

  The campground was not that busy so there is no way I would stay here on a busy holiday weekend due to the spots being too close. If a few people make a fire you better shut down all your windows. No sleeping in the cool, night air here.

  But this is an issue at other places too. Just never experienced anything on this level before. Esp considering no one in our section even had a fire going.

  I wish campgrounds would start banning these fires. But that’s a topic for a later date.

  Other than that it was a great spot.

• 

  Big D.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 27, 2024

  Cedar River Campground

  Cedar river campground

  Camped there for years. Never again. Last 2 years under current owners\ management, I would not spend another dime there. They are nothing but drama. Behind office towards owners home looks like a salvage yard. They have removed families who have camped there for years. Only ones left are scared, no place to move to, or suck up to them for special privileges. Last two years were horrible. Will only return if sold to again new owners who care about campers vs money.

• 

  Avery Z.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 11, 2024

  Cedar River Campground

  Family friendly

  So many things to do for adults and kids!! Family fun, The owners are so helpful too.

• C

  Cedar R.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 11, 2024

  Cedar River Campground

  Camping fun

  Always working to keep the Campground an inviting fun place to come and enjoy some family time make some memories.

• 

  Family F.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 11, 2024

  Cedar River Campground

  Nice Campground

  Convenient location a lot of amenities and activities

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 1, 2024

  Little Bear Campground

  Convenient EZ On- & Off-Highway Family-Style Campground Outpost

  It’s smaller than a football field and tucked behind one of those old-school gas stations that you see in the middle of a desert that looks permanently closed, but then you see old Jethro sitting on the corner around the bend from the fuel pumps smoking a cigarillo not worrying about whether the place blows up or not. That’s how I found Little Bear Campground. When I arrived, the place was closed, but thankfully there was a sign posted on the door to call Mike, so I did. And he couldn’t have been nicer, offering me up any open site in the place. 

  So, I took a spin around the joint, which I would describe as ‘intimate’ with all of the very level grassy spots being fairly close to one another, interspersed with plenty of cover shadow from all of the trees that you’ll find this place populated by. The place was half empty, so I guess whatever crowdedness might actually exist in reality was somewhat lost on me. That said, if you are driving an RV or hauling a 5th Wheeler, I would certainly be less than impressed by seemingly the great proximity you will have to your fellow neighbor. Maybe that matters to you or maybe it doesn’t as many of the RV locations I have seen over the past year all land on more intimate quarters than not. The sites for RV / 5th Wheelers are small rock / gravel, which I gather from my mobile home hauling friends is that it is the preferred surface when concrete is not available. 

  While we showed up the last week of the season to encounter that the community pool was closed, apart from this, there really wasn’t a ton of other amenities to speak of although there was a community hall where I understand that group activities like bingo, euchre and other family-friendly games are played. Of course, there were the basics of in-ground fire ring and standard-issued picnic tables. There was a kid’s playground with swingset and teeter-totters that had definitely seen better days. Apart from the main office, which I presume served also as a mini-market and as I understand has both showers and laundry facilities (although I wouldn’t know as it was locked up) there isn’t much here. 

  The few primitive camping sites that do exist here are located on the western side of the property up against the corn fields, which I actually appreciated, and had very good mature trees growing around the area, but one would definitely feel like a ‘second class citizen’ here. As a tent pitcher myself I was absolutely bummed by the lack of privacy, where seemingly you would be on full display for the rest of the RV parking crowd having full view of your campsite. In all, there’s 45 RV slots here with all of the basic hook-ups including water, sewage and 30 / 50 electric amp. By my count, there was 5 or so individual primitive camping sites. And for $22/night for tent camping and $33/night for RV parking, you really can’t beat the prices. 

  Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) Should you be looking for some place to try out the local fare, while there’s Taste of India (which by the look of the place I would steer you away from), there’s only just a handful of other joints nearby that might be of interest like Saap Saap, a Loatian joint (yeah, I just said that, a Loatian joint in the middle of nowhere, Iowa) that is actually quite good in the little town of West Liberty, which is, ironically, south of here (not west) and offers up a few other culinary finds like JB’s Grub & Pub, Shanghai Chinese, Puebla Mexican Restaurant and El Patio; (2) If you are looking to marinate in some good US history, then you are in luck as there is a museum near here to little known / revered President Herbert Hoover that has a bunch of exhibits and other dusty things; and (3) Should you be wanting to embrace nature, then head west to Hickory Hill Park that offers up some really nice hiking, biking and walking trails on 185 acres of pristine Midwest prairieland. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Laura

  Scout

  

  Mar. 16, 2024

  Bailey Ford Delaware County Park

  Great park and campground

  Bailey's Ford has everything you need for a night or a week. It's clean and beautiful. Trout stream, trails, river access, showers and a playground. I recommend!

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Mar. 1, 2024

  Camp Liberty

  Wonderful camp with many amenities

  Camp offers site for all tastes: primitive and modern cabins and lodges, tents for small or large groups and couples. Hard roads, fire pits, tables, water, showers, supplies. Surrounded by nature with forest, prairie, and lake.Trails, and even guided activities.

• C

  Chip M.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 14, 2023

  Central Park

  Very nice park

  We love this place , very quiet

• 

  Patrick B.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 5, 2023

  Pinicon Ridge Park

  Ok site

  The tent area is on a small mound, not a very level area. But was able to make it work. $18 a night for tents

• 

  Elizabeth K.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 5, 2023

  Delaware County Coffins Grove Park

  Quiet, peaceful family campground

  Nice, smaller campground! No designated spots, so great for groups to circle up and camp together (we camp here every year for our family reunion). Newer playground that my kids love, sand so that’s an extra play optional. Small creek runs through the park (on the edge of the campground) and a fun place for kids to explore and play in.

• C

  Cassie K.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 5, 2022

  Sleepy Hollow

  No Pets?

  Was looking forward to camping there until I found out they do not allow pets at tent sites. Apparently they don’t feel responsible pet owners use tents. Not happy will never stay there

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 21, 2022

  Central Park

  Very well maintained County Park with lake

  This park is well maintained with full service and primitive sites. Trails, nature center, shelters, restrooms/showers, and lake access for beach, paddling, fishing, etc. Prairie plantings mixed in the wooded areas.

• 

  Khenia F.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 20, 2022

  Palisades-Kepler State Park

  First time, one night

  Super chill and plenty of space, especially for tents on site 39. Bathrooms are very nice and modern and clean, maintenance was very nice to let me shower before he could clean it. It was our only night there and we heard a lot of movements by the woods that it creeped us out but we were hearing haunted stories before arriving so the Halloween vibes was definitely there. Loads of shade and quiet nice neighbors.

• 

  David S.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 1, 2022

  Pinicon Ridge Park

  Nice clean and generally spacious

  Stayed in The Plains area. Water and electric hookups, dump station near by. Clean shower house with storm shelter. Mixed sun and shade with generous grassy sites, fire pit and picnic table.

• L

  Leslie P.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 10, 2022

  Lake Iowa County Park

  Good, but.

  The good: The area around the lake and near by pond, is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife. We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through. The bad: very few sites have a view of the lake. To walk to the lake or near by pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for any one with mobility issues. Once down to the water trail are easy to walk. I would say if you can try and get sites, 67-70. They have beautiful views.

• J

  Jenny

  Scout

  

  Jul. 3, 2022

  Cedar River Campground

  Perfect getaway!

  Recently under new ownership, you can tell they’ve been working hard getting the place going again. Yes, you hear traffic, but it didn’t bother us. They had a great fireworks display for the fourth. Spots are tighter than what we prefer, but will be back again.

• A

  Ashley S.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 1, 2022

  Pinicon Ridge Park

  Pinicon Ridge Linn County

  This park is beautiful and there is tons to do. The playground is fantastic and keep the kids entertained all day. The water is great for fishing, swimming and boating. Central City also has everything you need within minutes of your site. There is boat rentals and the new showers are amazing.

• 

  James M.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 3, 2022

  Cedar River Campground

  Private cg along Cedar River

  Seasonal cg along the Cedar River with camp store, ice, wood, propane, showers/restrooms. Has playground, pool, mini golf, Cedar River access too.

• 

  Iris A.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 8, 2021

  Sleepy Hollow

  Under new ownership

  This campground has many amenities for the whole family. From tent sites, to Airbnb cabins for 9 people they have a site for everyone. They have laundry, showers, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, fishing and a swimming beach.

• 

  Brandon T.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 23, 2021

  Pinicon Ridge Park

  Quiet weekend on the flying squirrel loop

  Great place to kick back and relax. The trail through the campground takes you across the river where you can find canoe and paddle boat rentals, and our favorite an off leash do area.  We all took the trail into town and found a BIT Brewery where we enjoy woodfired pizza and brought some beer home in a growler for around the fire that night.

• 

  Matthew B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 28, 2021

  Delaware County Coffins Grove Park

  Peaceful county park.

  Electric and water only. Nice playground for young kids. Limited activities.

• 

  Clint G.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 19, 2021

  Pinicon Ridge Park

  Perfect County Campground

  We stayed at this campground for 7 nights with W/E hook ups.  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.  The bathrooms and shower were very clean with lots of hot water.  There is hiking in the park and very little road noise.

• 

  Jackie J.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 1, 2021

  Cedar River Campground

  Friendly, green scenery, a bit noisy

  We stopped over for the night, and it was a good respite. They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids. Unfortunately, the pool was closed for the evening cleaning, so we didn't get to use it. There was a beautiful wetland just down from the campground. It is right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400. The manager, son of the owner, was really nice and helpful. His mom has owned the RV park for 27 years and ready to retire. There are some friendly seasonal and long-term residents who are in a separate section, but you see them driving through on their golf carts and are super fun and gregarious.