Best Dispersed Camping near McGregor, IA
The driftless region near McGregor, Iowa offers free primitive camping options in Richard J. Dorer Memorial State Forest Reno Unit and Crater Island. The Reno Unit requires hiking in to reach camping spots, with steep terrain featuring drop-offs and limited campsite markings. According to one visitor, "This is a hike in camping spot, camp spots are not well marked I stayed in the old rock Cory when I camped here." The forest provides scenic overlooks of the Mississippi River and surrounding driftless landscape.
Crater Island provides boat-in only dispersed camping with sandy beaches along the river. The site becomes busy during summer weekends, particularly in the cove area where larger gatherings occur. No facilities of any kind exist on the island—no bathrooms, drinking water, or trash service. A camper noted, "Big parties in the cove. No bathrooms no showers, just sand and water. Very busy on weekends in the summer, as long as there is no dredging operations going on, otherwise it's closed." Both locations allow pets, campfires, and alcohol, but campers must pack out all waste and bring necessary supplies.