McGregor, Iowa camping options range from riverside spots to forested parks within the undulating Driftless Region. This area contains rock formations and topography untouched by glaciers, creating a uniquely rugged landscape with elevations between 600-1200 feet above sea level. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with limited winter availability.
What to do
Trout fishing spots: Big Paint Campground at Yellow River State Forest offers direct access to stocked trout streams. "Came to learn more about Tenkara fly fishing. Had a ball. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush," notes a visitor at Big Paint Campground.
Riverside activities: Bloody Run County Park provides creek access for fishing and swimming. "Caught plenty of German brown trout and cooked over the fire pits at the site (grate included). Each sight also has a table and ample space to park car and pitch tents," writes a camper at Bloody Run County Park.
Lookout points: Yellow River State Forest includes three major viewpoints. "Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa only Fire tower. I had no phone service. Campsites are well mown, have a picnic table and fire ring," explains a Big Paint visitor.
What campers like
Open field camping: The Big Paint camping area provides spacious sites in a clearing. "The sites there are pretty spacious and level, but they don't feel very private because this campground is essentially just an open field with line of sight to all other campsites," explains a camper.
Woodland camping: Backbone State Park offers more secluded sites amid trees. "We hiked on the famous Backbone trail - a really fun hike that isn't too incredibly long. The grounds were well kept and we had a phenomenal time. The girls gathered our firewood in the neighboring tree line," reports a group leader at Backbone State Park.
Hospitality: Rustic Barn Campground hosts make visitors feel welcome. "The owners were the nicest couple i have ever met at a campground. The husband would make his rounds for trash or dropping off firewood and he would stop and talk for a while, like we had know each other for years," notes a visitor at Rustic Barn Campground RV Park.
What you should know
Railroad noise: Bloody Run County Park sits along active railroad tracks. "Only weird thing is it's along the Canadian pacific railroad so a train comes through at 10pm and 3am every night almost," warns a camper.
Water quality concerns: Some parks have inconsistent swimming conditions. "Lakewater often unsafe for swimming. To the extent the beach had weeds growing on it," notes a Backbone State Park visitor.
Shower facilities: Facility quality varies widely across campgrounds. "This is one of the nicest public bathrooms I've ever been in. Not just in a state park, ever. It was built in 2019 and has been treated well by visitors and well maintained by the park and campground hosts," shares a camper at Wyalusing State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Skip-A-Way Resort offers multiple recreation options. "They have a beach for swimming. Boats for renting but they were out of order for repairs when we were here. You can rent kayaks, bikes. They have mini golf but you have to pay 8 dollars for that," explains a visitor at Skip-A-Way Resort.
Swimming areas: Several parks offer designated swimming spots. "Nearby Harper's Ferry is a neat little town, so be sure to visit there!" recommends a Big Paint Campground visitor.
Off-season visits: Consider weekday camping to avoid crowds. "This would be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. If you want it to be quiet and prefer less crowds but you still want to enjoy the park, I highly suggest taking some time off of work during the week and avoiding the weekend," advises a camper.
Tips from RVers
Utility information: Full hookup RV sites near McGregor, Iowa offer varying amenities. "All sites had gravel driveways and looked level. Decent separation between sites although they are close together, as would be expected in an RV park. Our site had a patio and decent-sized picnic table," reports an RVer at Rustic Barn Campground.
Wind exposure: Wyalusing sites on ridges experience stronger winds. "This campground is noted for its rip-roaring winds, one camper told us that during the rainy and wind night before, their shelter took off and tumbled down the valley," cautions a visitor.
Site selection: Some campgrounds offer better options for larger rigs. "We were at site #125 which has fantastic views of the river and surrounding area's, but the wind is stronger at this spot because it's open. The entire campground is situated on top of a bluff so this compounded our wind issue," notes a Wyalusing camper.
