Best Tent Camping near Milford, IA

Tent campers visiting Milford, Iowa have several established campgrounds within driving distance. Iowa Lake County Campground offers tent-specific sites with basic amenities, while Bright Lake County Park in nearby Minnesota provides lakeside tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables. Mini-Wakan State Park north of Milford provides additional tent camping options, though amenities are limited at this location.

Most tent sites in the Milford area feature minimal improvements, with primarily dirt or grass surfaces. Iowa Lake County Campground provides drinking water and vault toilets but lacks picnic tables and shower facilities. Bright Lake County Park offers more amenities for tent campers, including fire rings, picnic tables, and toilet facilities. Dog Creek County Park and Oneota Little Sioux Access provide more primitive tent camping experiences with vault toilets but few other amenities. Firewood availability varies by location, with Bright Lake being one of the few sites where it's provided.

Tent campers at these locations benefit from direct access to lakes and natural areas. A review mentioned that Iowa Lake County Campground is "a great little spot" for tent camping, noting its lakeside location and basic facilities make it particularly suitable for tent campers rather than RVs. Bright Lake County Park receives positive feedback for its lake views and spacious tent sites. One camper noted the "awesome sunset" views through the trees and ample space for multiple tents. Walk-in tent sites are available at Bright Lake County Park, which offers boat-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options. Most locations remain relatively quiet, though Iowa Lake can occasionally attract groups of visitors, particularly during peak summer weekends.

Best Tent Sites Near Milford, Iowa (7)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Milford, IA

2 Photos of 7 Milford Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Milford, IA

144 Reviews of 7 Milford Campgrounds


  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Island Park

    Small waterfront campground

    Nice little park to stop at for a night on a trip. Only stayed here for a night on my way out west in 2024. Arrived a bit before dark and decided to sleep in my car rather than my tent just due to the timing and being tucked away by the river by myself. Never did figure out where a bathroom was unfortunately. There was a gas station right down the road for any conveniences you may need. There is a kayak launch right by the campsites that I would've put my inflatable into if I'd had more daylight/time here.

    Not sure how larger campers would set up given the layout and how small the pads look, but there was plenty of room in front and behind the pads.

  • Clint  G.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Korte's Checkers Welcome Campground

    Great value as Passport America member

    This is a small private campground that offers a quiet nights stay.  Site size was moderate with some shade, a fire ring, picnic table, on a level gravel pad.  $20 per Passport America members for FHU is sweet.  The grounds were well cared for and was not to far from the interstate but far enough away that there was little noise.

  • Matthew  H.
    Feb. 13, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Great Campground! Conveniently located!

    Great Campground. The park Ranger on Duty was very helpful. Campsites were generous in space. Well kept. Fire Ring and picnic table on site were kept up well. Trails and scenery through the back hills are well kept and maintained.

  • Meg W.
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Peaceful Prairie Spot

    Chosen at the last minute for its proximity to the Twin Cities area, the drive was about 2 hrs 45 minutes. Park is quiet, clean and very easy to hike. Entire park can easily be hiked in a day, with prairie, river and oak savanna views. The park rangers were not at the station at any point while we visited, meaning payment for firewood and parking must be done online. Really nice facility with flush toilets and showers sits between the two campground loops. Camped in Walk-In Site #1 and the seclusion from the electric sites was great. The walk-in sites are nestled in the woods and fairly private. From the parking spot to the campsite was an easy ~100’.

  • Lord J.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Secluded slice of paradise.

    Stayed in the walk-in section of the campground. Just a short walk from the parking and vault toilet. Beautiful Oaks surround you as does the sumac, raspberries and mosquitos. Even though it rained it was a superb experience 🙏

  • Jen A.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    memoirs park

    Great Campground

    This is a great campground in Mankato, MN.  The sites are huge and offer water and electric.  The shower house/bathrooms were decent - a little outdated, but not too bad.  There was also a portable toilet near our site.  We wish there was sewer, but we understand that being so close to the river this may not be possible.  We will definitely stay here again if we are in the area.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    Mixed bag

    Small campground. Not busy while I was here. Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites. Pit toilets. No showers. Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night.

  • Chloe T.
    Oct. 3, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Very Quiet | No On Site Payment Available

    First thing to know is that you cannot pay for anything there directly... no cash, no checks, no credit cards, no tap, nothing. You need to use the Yodel app to purchase firewood and, even if there is staff present, you'll need to pay for your site on the MN State Park reservations system. What's nice is that there is no convenience charge when you are on site. This totally threw us as we are used to pulling up and paying with cash or card to a human. And, they have no wifi. So you'll have to use your phone or, like I did, use your phone as a hotspot to use your laptop/tablet.

    Once that was all finally taken care of, we got to enjoy our spacious site. It was HOT, but there is a tree in the center of Site 7 that offered shade and lots of bushes and trees around that offer shade. We just had to keep moving to get it. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. Site 6 has a trail going through it on the edge while Site 7 had a trail on the other side but it was several feet from the actual site. I'm not sure it ever gets busy there, but if it did, you may have people around your site if you choose those edge sites.

    This place was SO quiet! I know that also has to do with the other campers, so thank you to our fellow campers that weekend who kept it quiet. No road noise at all. There are fields nearby, so if it's plowing season I imagine it would be quite noisy and quite dusty.

    At the end of September, along with the heat, there were tons of what we later learned were Asian Lady Beetles, which actually do sting. Surprise! Then when they started slowing down, here came the midges/no-see-ums. So I came away with a lot of stings. Boo! My spouse did not. So I guess they just liked me a lot.

    I would totally recommend Kilen Woods SP! It was a total surprise to use as we were looking for a last minute place to camp, so that was wonderful. If you're driving along I90 in Minnesota or I26 in South Dakota and need an easy overnight, check this place out.

  • Debbie J.
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Maka Oicu County Park

    Large campground

    Tent camping spots are large and separate from RV spots .$15 a night for tents. Only problem was the distance to the bathroom. We had a very nice spot on the lake. Large grassy campsite with shade.


Guide to Milford

Tent camping near Milford, Iowa, offers a variety of scenic spots and amenities for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature. With options ranging from peaceful lakeside sites to well-equipped parks, there's something for everyone.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy a serene stay at Iowa Lake Co Campground, where you can bike tour through Iowa and take in the beautiful lake views.
  • Experience the lively atmosphere at Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground, which features several trails perfect for hiking and exploring the local flora and fauna.
  • Visit Dog Creek Co Park for a peaceful retreat, where you can enjoy fishing and picnicking in a tranquil setting.

Local attractions to explore

  • Take a short drive to Cenla Campgrounds, which is pet-friendly and offers electric hookups for added convenience.
  • Discover the natural beauty at Oneota Little Sioux Access, a great spot for tent camping with access to nearby waterways.
  • Experience the charm of Bright Lake Co Park, where you can enjoy campfires and stunning sunsets over the lake.

Tips for tent camping near Milford

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Milford, IA is Cenla Campgrounds with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Milford, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.