16 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Yellow River State Forest near Marquette, Iowa offers several primitive backcountry tent camping options with Camp Glen Wendel and Camp John Schultz providing designated tent sites. These campsites are situated in a dense, forested environment with hiking trails connecting various camping areas. The region features diverse terrain including forested hills, sandstone bluffs, and trout streams that appeal to tent campers seeking seclusion.
Most tent sites in the Yellow River State Forest require a hike-in approach, with campsites featuring basic fire rings and benches but minimal other amenities. Campers should bring their own drinking water as potable water is only available at headquarters near the registration kiosk. The primitive tent campgrounds lack toilets, showers, and trash facilities, requiring visitors to practice leave-no-trace ethics. One camper noted, "Yellow River has great backpacking sites. Park near ranger station and hike in or grab a map and find a smaller parking location near the trail you want to explore."
The backcountry tent camping in this area provides exceptional solitude, with sites well-spaced and situated in scenic locations including some near small ponds or streams. According to reviews, cell phone reception is limited in most camping areas, though service can be found near the fire tower (the only fire tower in Iowa). Echo Valley State Park Campground offers an alternative tent camping location with sites near a trout stream. A visitor described it as "most suitable for tent, truck, or teardrop camping" with "only a few sites" that are "non-electric, self-pay, non-reservable." The combination of quiet surroundings, hiking trails, and natural features makes this region particularly appealing for tent campers seeking a primitive outdoor experience.
"My friend and I were eager to test out some new backpacking gear for the first time in advance of a larger trip this summer."
"Yellow River has great backpacking sites. Park near ranger station and hike in or grab a map and find a smaller parking location near the trail you want to explore. Great scenery."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Hiked into this Camp that includes 5 primitive sites: fire rings and benches. Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects."
"Awesome campground, if you require electric bring a generator. Water is available but needs to be carried in. we loved the lack of cell phone reception!"
from $20 / night
"There are pit toilets at the upper sites, near the pavilion."
"The hiking trail was perfect for a morning stroll with my dog and coffee and there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)"
from $5 / night
Check Availability"We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background."
"If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners. "
from $40 - $120 / night
Check Availability"People driving around the pond didn't even know we were there! The camping spot was beautiful (although you have to watch out for nettles). Great fishing while we were there too."
LegendHiked into this Camp that includes 5 primitive sites: fire rings and benches. Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects. Leave No Trace ethics include: minimizes fire impacts by gathering only dead, down, wood. Sounded by nature atop of hill hike near Fire tower ( only fire tower in Iowa), cell reception is found up here.
LegendGeneral: This is a small (29-site) county park campground situated along the North Fork Maquoketa River. Nine of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served. Some sites are primitive, and some have water and 30-amp electricity hookups. There is one ADA-accessible site with a paved camper pad.
Site Quality: Most sites are level. The camper pads are gravel/grass, but not all are clearly defined. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.
Bath/Shower: The bath/shower house was closed when we were there in November but there are vault toilets about a quarter mile from the campground (in the day-use area) that were very clean and well-stocked when we were there.
Activities/Amenities: Many activities including disc golf, three hiking trails, volleyball, two playgrounds (one in the day-use area and one by the campsites). There are two reservable picnic shelters. There is also a dump station.
We were tent camping in November on a backpacking trip so we didn’t take advantage of any of the activities but would return in our van on a future camping trip. We were the ONLY ones in the campground at this time of year!
LegendThis review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.
Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?
It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.
Activities
Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.
Amenities
Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.
Cost
You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.
https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&page=siteresult&contractCode=IA&parkId=610130
LegendCampground is well maintained, restrooms, showers, recycling station, fire wood available, campground host onsite, resident park ranger, standard RV sites, some electric tent sites otherwise primitive with fire rings and tables. Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails.
LegendThis campground also goes by the name of Holbert. Small campground but free with a handful of picnic tables and campfires. The vault toilets were cleanish, thou older. This campground is next to a pretty little creek that you can play and fish in. The campground is really just a series of campsites strung out along the creek and road. It was pretty quiet while I was there, not many campers at all. There are no hookups for RV’s/campers so it is primarily tent camping or dry camping. There is an interesting story about how this camping area has come to be: the land was donated by Ella Ellis in memory of her husband William Ellis. They apparently loved the land and wanted to make sure it was never developed and could be enjoyed by all. A lovely story.
RangerMud Lake is a wonderful county park near Dubuque. Beautiful views of the Mississippi River. We stayed one night on our way to Minnesota. The sites are mostly sunny. The park streets are gravel with gravel sites. The park is quiet except for the occasional train from the nearby tracks. Great value for $21. Electric and water hookups. Marina and boathouse next door.
Stayed in campsite #35 which has no shade. It was a gravel site which shares a pull-through with site 36. There was more than enough parking for my TT and truck and grass on either side. The site included: picnic table and fire ring. Utilities were located in the rear. 20A/50A electric and water. Site was level. Neighbors were nearby.
AT&T had 2 bars of LTE and Verizon 2 bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 47 Mbps down, 1.3 Mbps up. Verizon data VERY SLOW. No WiFi.
Would stay here again. We camped at Mud Lake Park in a Travel Trailer.
GuideI’ll begin by saying this is by far the cleanest campground I have stayed at. The facilities were well kept including the vault toilet houses. We stayed in a walk to site and the views were incredible. Our tent pad was quite rocky so I would recommend sleeping pads or you will be very uncomfortable. Our site was also extremely dusty which wasn’t a problem at all just be prepared to be a little dirty. The campground was quiet except for the occasional train that rolled through those are quite loud due to how close they are to the campground. I would definitely come back to Nelson Dewey and stay again. There was not a ton to do in the area so a short weekend stay was perfect. A highlight is that the park provided cart to use to haul all your stuff to the walk to sites. There is 1 designated parking spot per walk to site as well. The walk to sites are small and only accommodated our one (6 person) tent which was not a problem for us as we knew this ahead of time.
GuideSome of the spots are a little uneven. Bring some leveling devices. This a very peaceful campground. Fire rings are on cement. Can find fire starters everywhere. No bugs in the 1st of June when we were there. Will plan on going back for sure. Reserve your spots cuz they go fast. If you love a great view and the smell of the outdoors this is your place!
RangerThe South Bear Creek entrance is located near Highlandville, IA off of Quandahl Road. This is Iowa Department of Natural Resources land and offers primitive camping only. There are no shower or restroom facilities and we brought our own water. There was a makeshift fire ring made out of rocks and so we used this to build our campfire. Be sure to bring a camp shovel for bathroom breaks. There was no fee at the time to camp here. It might be a good idea to call ahead to the Iowa DNR to see if that has changed.
Bear Creek is known for trout fishing and is stocked by the DNR. Bear Creek runs for a little over 5 miles at this entrance. Highlandville does have a general store, so you can stock up on items such as snacks, firewood, and angling supplies if you plan to fish the creek.
Note: There is also a Bear Creek Campground which offers electrical sites along with restrooms, showers and a playground as well as Bear Creek Cabin rentals if you're looking for something with more amenities.
We camped the last weekend in October and had the entire area to ourselves. We walked along the creek and Quandahl Road. It was a quiet area and we enjoyed camping in a more primitive setting.
Yellow River State Forest in northeast Iowa provides primitive backcountry tent camping in a unique Driftless Area landscape. The terrain features diverse topography with elevation changes of 200-300 feet between ridges and valleys. Backcountry sites at Camp Glen Wendel and Camp John Schultz can be accessed via well-marked trails with some steep sections requiring careful footing during wet conditions.
Fishing opportunities: Camp Glen Wendel offers access to trout streams with minimal pressure from other anglers. "Very secluded with good fishing opportunities and great fishing in the area," reports Lindsey R., who found the area perfect for a "cheap getaway."
Hiking preparation: Yellow River State Forest trails provide excellent training ground for longer backpacking trips. "Great park with a few longer trails for backpacking. Have used these trails/this park to prepare for longer trips," explains Brooke M., who appreciates the "wonderful spots to camp" and "very clean and pretty" creeks.
Stargazing: The rural setting creates excellent night sky viewing conditions with minimal light pollution. At Worthington Sportsman's Club, a camper noted the secluded nature creates perfect conditions for evening astronomy: "So secluded without being in the middle of nowhere. People driving around the pond didn't even know we were there!"
Limited crowds: Most backcountry sites receive minimal visitor traffic, especially on weekdays. "I've backpacked here multiple times and have only run into other people once or twice. Hidden gem," shares Brooke M. about the backcountry experience.
Diverse terrain: The region offers unexpected topography for Iowa. "Amazing place to explore for all ages. Who knew that Iowa has hills like this?!" exclaims Lynn G. after visiting Camp Glen Wendel.
Affordable camping: Sites are budget-friendly compared to developed campgrounds. "This site fills up really fast because of the cheap price of only 9 dollars. This is the cheapest but one of the best campsites I've been to," reports kevin T.
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping is possible with proper equipment. "The entire place is opened to hunting and there is hikes you can do. There is snow in the winter," notes kevin T., highlighting year-round accessibility.
Trail conditions: Some routes have challenging sections requiring careful footing. "I've done this loop several times, and have never been disappointed. Lots of quiet, and many more great views on the upper trails. There are some thin trails down steeper hillsides, so make sure to take it slower if the ground is muddy," advises Kevin C.
Limited facilities: Most sites lack modern amenities. At Camp John Schultz, James M. describes "5 primitive sites: fire rings and benches. Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects."
Kid-friendly sites: Some campsites offer more space for children to explore safely. "Well spaced out camp sites, very primitive. Great spot to view the stars. Awesome for kids," reports Macel C. about Camp Glen Wendel.
Educational opportunities: Bring field guides to identify local plants and wildlife with children. At Echo Valley State Park, one visitor enjoyed "a morning stroll with my dog and coffee and there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)."
Safety considerations: Noise concerns can arise with younger campers unused to forest sounds. "Been coming to yellow river for years but have always wanted to go backpacking. Finally, convinced one of my friends to come with, we ended up getting scared around midnight from the noises. Took our hammocks down and ran all the way back," recounts Shyla G. about her adventure.
Size limitations: Most tent camping areas near Marquette have restrictions for larger vehicles. At Echo Valley State Park, Kerry M. cautions: "It is most suitable for tent, truck, or teardrop camping... large RVs would not do well."
Alternative options: Little Turkey Campground provides more RV-friendly amenities while still offering a natural setting. "Clean shower free wood staff is friendly," notes Douglas M. about this more developed alternative for vehicle-based camping.
Parking considerations: When backcountry camping, secure parking locations are available near trailheads. "Park near ranger station and hike in or grab a map and find a smaller parking location near the trail you want to explore," suggests a regular visitor to the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Marquette, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marquette, IA is Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry — Yellow River State Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Marquette, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 tent camping locations near Marquette, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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