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Best Tent Camping near Marshalltown, IA

406 Reviews

Tent camping options surround Marshalltown, Iowa with several established county parks and wildlife areas offering primitive sites within a 30-mile radius. Ashton Wildwood Park and Colfax Quarry Springs Park provide secluded tent camping with spacious sites set among wooded areas. Mariposa Recreation Area offers more open camping terrain with access to fishing opportunities when water levels permit.

Many tent sites in the Marshalltown region feature basic amenities with picnic tables and fire rings, though facilities vary considerably between locations. Colfax Quarry Springs Park provides porta-potties and trash collection, while Ashton Wildwood has pit toilets in the camping area with flush toilets available at the nearby observatory building. Most locations require self-sufficiency as drinking water is limited or unavailable. Sites typically cost between $7-10 per night, with self-registration available at most locations. Several parks like Mariposa and Roadman Roadside Park allow camping on level grass areas with partial shade from mature trees.

The backcountry tent camping experience near Marshalltown offers quiet natural settings with minimal development. Ashton Wildwood Park provides walk-in tent sites that are "very spacious, could easily accommodate multiple tents" and remain uncrowded even during peak seasons. Stoehr Fishing Area offers more limited primitive tent camping with 24-hour stay limits but provides good shore fishing opportunities. Colfax Quarry Springs features sandy tent sites near water access points that appeal to fishing enthusiasts. According to one visitor, "It's quiet, set in a lovely setting with trees and a small lake/pond." Most walk-in tent locations are relatively short distances from parking areas, making them accessible for campers carrying standard tent equipment without requiring extensive hiking.

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Best Tent Sites Near Marshalltown, Iowa (21)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Marshalltown, IA

12 Photos of 21 Marshalltown Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Marshalltown, IA

406 Reviews of 21 Marshalltown Campgrounds

  • Kerry M.
    Aug. 25, 2021

    Wolf Creek Rec Area

    Quiet campground in the heart of Iowa

    Wolf Creek is a nice little campground near Beaman, IA (Beaman is very small, near Conrad as well which has a grocery store).

    There are 10 RV sites, which are $15/night and several tent/small camper sites which are $10/night.

    The campground has potable water but no showers. There are vault toilets.

    The campground has a nice playground, which was a feature we enjoyed when my daughter was little.

    My favorite part about this campground is the privacy. The tent sites are spread out and it is fairly easy to find one without neighbors too close.

    Activities:

    + Playground

    + Creek fishing

    + Nice benches and swings

    + Comet trail for hiking and biking

    + Hunting nearby

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2024

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Lakeside Campground Bliss

    While it was our first time camping in Iowa, we were extremely lucky to land upon this slightly hidden fresh water centered campground just a 20 minute drive south of Route 80 near Montezuma, wherein one needs only follow Road#63, before coming across Diamond Lake County Park. With the fall colors being in full bloom when we visited, the entire campground was awash in bright yellows, reds and oranges from the changing colors of the leaves. Also, as we were visiting in mid-October, versus some of the other reviews here, we found that we had the place mostly to ourselves, which made for a rather peaceful sublime respite we were searching for. 

    As for the campground itself, what we enjoyed most was how this location is, for the most part, very well organized in keeping the RV'ers and 5th Wheeler crowds together, while preserving a nice slice of verdant lakeside pasture for us primitive camper types. Each of the sites for camping come equipped with (in most cases) fairly new aluminum picnic tables, fire ring with folding BBQ grill. While we didn’t stay in the RV areas, given our tent-pitching persuasion, what we did see was fairly impressive and looked altogether rather brand new with freshly poured concrete slots and fairly mint-looking RV hook-ups (50 amp electric and water) and this same area also boasted a brand new restroom facilities. 

    Obviously, the main attraction here is Diamond Lake itself, with its more than 90 acres of fresh water, albeit murky fresh water, was certainly a hit with this camping family. We enjoyed being able to get out on the lake with our kayaks and canoes as well as go for very long walks around the circumference of the lake itself, with which you will find simply splendid trails. And if that’s not enough exploration for you, then head further inland and away from the lake to explore this parks other 660 acres of grassy prairieland. 

    From an amenities standpoint, there’s a decent amount, including: three shower houses, four shelters, 2 dump stations, three his / her latrines (some much more dated than others), boat ramp and fishing dock, a dedicated fish cleaning station and what looked to be a fairly new kids playground. In all there’s a total of 120 sites to choose from, with 80 designated for RVs / 5th Wheelers and 40 earmarked for primitive camping, which do not come with any electric, which was on one hand the biggest bummer, but on the other hand, offered up front-row access to lakeside camping bliss as many of these primitive campsites are located right on the water’s edge. 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Check-in is self-registration and is done onsite, so net-net, this place is first-come, first served as no online or advanced registration is taken. While we didn’t mind this, and given that we arrived right around noon as folks were actually checking out, we got the ‘pick of the litter’ of campsites. Electric sites are $20 / night and non-electric are $10, so this place is incredibly affordable; (2) If you are looking for some grub nearby after growing weary of another meal of franks & beans, then there’s really just a few nearby options: Subway, Sauced Pizza & Pub, Casey’s and Yolanda’s Tacos over in the little town of Montezuma; (3) While there are actually few different campgrounds here at Diamond Lake, for primitive campers, the best sites IMHO are located as far southwest as you can possible go around the lake, where there’s more than a dozen or so sites that sit right in front of the water and present a completely isolated surrounding. 

    Happy Camping!

  • 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.

  • A
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Jester County Park

    Solid campground

    Stayed at this campground for 3 nights while visiting Des Moines.  We stayed in Loop 1- site 138 because we wanted electrical.  The electrical box has 2 standard household plugs which is nice.  This loop was mostly RVs due to the electrical hook ups.  There aren't really trees between the sites, but it is in a wooded area which is nice and there is some space between the sites so you don't feel like you are right on top of the other people.  Generally, people were pretty quiet, especially once it got dark.  Each site as a gravel drive and then open gravel area with a picnic table and fire pit with grill grate.  Plenty of room for camp chairs and other furniture you may want to set up.  There is a grassy area all around the gravel with plenty of room for multiple tents.  2 bath/shower houses within a short walk from the site- they were both clean and solid to use.  There are some short trails within the park which are generally well marked, but just 1 trail is longer than about 1/2 a mile.  Didn't check it out, but there is also a large lake.  Lots of picnic areas throughout the park.  There's also a volleyball court and free lending library near one of the bathhouses.  Overall, I'd recommend this campground as long as you don't mind seeing your neighbors.  Quick drive into Des Moines too.

Guide to Marshalltown

The primitive tent camping areas surrounding Marshalltown, Iowa lie predominantly within Marshall, Jasper, and Grundy counties on gently rolling terrain that rarely exceeds 1,000 feet in elevation. Most camping locations sit within hardwood forests containing oak, walnut, and maple trees, creating natural windbreaks during spring and fall when temperature fluctuations can exceed 30 degrees within a single day. Late summer camping typically experiences humidity levels above 70% with overnight temperatures dropping into the 60s.

What to do

Fishing for multiple species: Colfax Quarry Springs Park offers excellent largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish fishing opportunities in its quiet quarry waters. One visitor noted, "It had plenty of space for a large tent and canopy. It had a nice access spot for fishing." The park prohibits gas motors, allowing only electric motors on boats.

Observe the night sky: Ashton Wildwood Park features an observatory that's open most Saturday evenings. According to a camper: "The observatory that's open on Saturday's (except the 1st Saturday) was awesome and the astronomers were great people and very knowledgeable. They showed how their telescopes worked and took us a tour of the building and classroom."

Hiking through diverse terrain: Mariposa Recreation Area maintains several trail systems including one leading to a back pond. A visitor mentioned, "There are hiking trails and one that goes to a back pond. There is a butterfly garden and playground for the kids to explore." The newly updated lake area provides additional hiking routes with seasonal wildflower viewing.

What campers like

Spacious, private sites: The camping areas at Ashton Wildwood Park provide exceptional room between sites. One camper reported: "Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious. It's only $7/night!" The natural tree coverage creates separation between camping parties.

Budget-friendly options: Roadman Roadside Park offers basic tent camping at minimal cost. As one visitor explained, "It's quiet, set in a lovely setting with trees and a small lake/pond, and it has flush toilets (but no showers). It is well maintained even if it is a bit older."

Reliable maintenance: Colfax Quarry Springs Park maintains clean facilities even with primitive accommodations. A camper noted, "Awesome campground, clean and well maintained. Even the outhouses smelled good. Garbage bins, picnic tables and fire pits at all sites." The sandy composition of many sites results from the park's quarry history.

What you should know

Limited water access: Most camping areas require bringing your own water. At Ashton Wildwood Park, "The bathroom at the campground doesn't have plumbing and no water available so make sure to bring plenty of water." Some locations offer water spigots only at central facilities.

Stay duration restrictions: Certain fishing areas like Stoehr Fishing Area enforce strict camping limitations. A local visitor explained, "Camping is free, but limited to 24 hours." This makes the area better suited for overnight fishing trips than extended stays.

Variable facilities: Restroom options range from pit toilets to flush toilets depending on location. Many campgrounds provide only basic amenities, and as one camper at Mariposa Recreation Area stated, "I wouldn't bring an RV here." Self-registration is standard at most locations.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: Mariposa Recreation Area includes playground equipment alongside natural exploration opportunities. A visitor mentioned, "There is a butterfly garden and playground for the kids to explore. There is also a shelter to have parties with picnic tables."

Educational opportunities: Bring children to Ashton Wildwood Park for both recreation and learning. A local camper shared: "I live just 7 miles away, but I love to take my grand daughter here for overnight camping... There is some play equipment for children. There is only a pit toilet in the campground and it's nice enough for midnight runs. (Bring your flashlight!)"

Pack extra supplies: With minimal facilities at most sites, families should bring additional water, lighting, and entertainment. Twin Anchors Campground offers more amenities but comes with different considerations, as one camper noted: "They have a small petting zoo and a small beach. This place feels more like a neighborhood verses camping in nature."

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions matter: Most primitive sites near Marshalltown accommodate tents better than RVs. For Quarry Springs, one camper advised: "Campsite right on the water. Great fishing. Isolated campgrounds. Tent only none of that RV B.S." Consider smaller units if attempting RV camping at primitive sites.

Leveling considerations: Sandy soil at former quarry sites may require additional leveling equipment. One camper at Colfax Quarry Springs reported: "Level enough for our rooftop tent with no difficulties. Would definitely stay here again." The naturally compacted sand provides decent stability for small trailers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Marshalltown, IA is Mariposa Recreation Area with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near Marshalltown, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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