The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Mineola, IA

463 Reviews

Tent campsites near Mineola, Iowa provide basic accommodations with options stretching into nearby states. Riverside Campground at Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Waterloo, Nebraska offers tent-friendly sites approximately 40 miles northwest of Mineola. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area, another tent camping option, is located about 55 miles northwest in Nebraska. Both locations provide established tent camping with varying levels of amenities, while Pioneer City Park in Shenandoah offers a more local option approximately 20 miles south of Mineola.

Most tent campgrounds in the region provide minimal facilities, with amenities varying significantly between locations. Riverside Campground features drive-in tent sites with electric hookups, picnic tables, and access to showers and toilets. Water hookups are available, making it suitable for campers seeking basic conveniences. The nearby Fremont Lakes Recreation Area provides similar amenities for tent campers, including drinking water, electric hookups, and toilet facilities. Pioneer City Park and Lyons Park in Oakland offer more primitive camping experiences with fewer amenities. A visitor at Riverside commented, "For the tent sites I wish there were more amenities but the one we stayed at was in a nice location."

The tent camping experience around Mineola features proximity to rivers and lakes, offering opportunities for water recreation. At Riverside Campground, tent sites are positioned near the Platte River, allowing for activities like tubing and fishing. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "When the river is low, you can go play on the beach. We've even walked through the water to go play on the islands." Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area provides access to multiple small lakes but campers should be aware of potential noise issues. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "There is a very busy set of train tracks that run about every 20 minutes all day and all night." Most tent campgrounds in the region become busy during summer weekends, with more solitude available during weekdays or shoulder seasons.

Map showing campgrounds near Mineola, IowaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Mineola, Iowa (7)

Show More
Showing results 1-7 of 7 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Mineola Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Tent Camping Photos near Mineola, IA

3 Photos of 7 Mineola Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Mineola, IA

463 Reviews of 7 Mineola Campgrounds

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Peaceful Serenity

    I arrived just in time to see the beautiful sunset over the small lake near the primitive campground closest to the Park Office. It only cost $10 for tent camping and $3 for a vehicle pass. Campground and vault toilets were pretty clean. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each tent campsite and there are plenty to choose from near the water. You can bring your own kayak or canoe and even fish here. We had a nice encounter from the campground employee who explained how to put the stake out to claim our campsite. Right away, I saw abundant wildlife, including turkey, deer, black squirrels, woodpeckers, geese, ducks and bats. Come prepared for the mosquitoes but overall I would highly recommend this place!

  • Tarrah C.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Nice Trails

    This is a great weekend spot not much to do around the park. The campsites are nice but close with not much space in between. There are 2 campgrounds, the one north of the highway is a horse campground but required. There are nice trails in this area. The campground on the south is more of a tent site. There are vault toliets, no showers. A lot of great trails o this side. All campsites include a picnic table and fire ring.

  • D
    Sep. 16, 2020

    Memphis Lake State Rec Area

    Camping Right on the Lake

    It is a nice spot a bit off of the main roads. Many of the tent sites allow you to camp right next to the lake. It's generally pretty quiet and people respect the 10 pm quiet hours rule. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    Nice metro campground

    Large concrete pads with patio and permanently mounted mesh steel picnic table with a fire pit grill on the corner.. Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean. Trees surround the campground, but none provide any campground shade. Entry gate code required, which provides some security. all amenities are available within a limited distance. Some lake activity noises during the day, and depending upon wind, some aircraft traffic, otherwise very quiet.

  • Sarah H.
    Aug. 7, 2016

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Easy Family Camping Near Omaha

    Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site. Tent camping here is non-reservable, but once you enter the park, you may choose from any spots containing a fire pit outside of RV loops. Tent sites range from lake-front, to playground side, to more private sites on the outer rim of the park. We chose a large, private site at the back of the park. This site was well maintained and had enough space to easily accommodate two families of four. We even had a picnic shelter all to ourselves. Our site was lined by woods and farmland and had a good view of a small pond. The night was full of exciting animal noises from both the nearby farm and pond. Vault toilets were a short walk away with clean shower facilities just a few loops away. The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable. Hiking trails near the park entrance are rugged. The staff was incredibly kind and easy-going, yet attentive. Just a short drive from neighboring towns, this is a good starter campground for families with younger kids. We hope to return in winter to check out the camping cabins.

  • SkywaystoHighways.com Y.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2021

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Nice and peaceful

    Great spot for an overnight! Restroom is clean w/ pit toilet and tp. Wifi is only accessible in the upper area of the grounds. Site number 13 is the most cozy as there’s no one next to your rig. Firewood is at the right of the entrance. Potable water available!

  • Jerry B.
    Sep. 3, 2019

    Memphis Lake State Rec Area

    One of my favorites

    Tent camping sites. No electrical hookups but you can still camp in campers if you want. Beautiful Campground with lots of trees and shade. Very nice Lake with fishing available. There appears to be an option for canoe rentals available. Boat ramp and dock. Multiple bathroom locations within the campground. Picnic tables near the water. I’ve kayaked the lake! So much fun.

  • Allison J.
    Jul. 8, 2016

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Loess hills getawayg

    The park has cabins, rv sites, tent camping and backcountry hike in camping. The nature center is a nice place to cool down the the summer and learn about the loess hills. The backcountry campsite have pads with pea gravel for tents and fire rings. Nice and quiet.

  • Pat V.
    Sep. 7, 2019

    Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area

    Really nice campground that is missing shade

    Lake Wanahoo is a fairly new lake in Saunders county Nebraska. The lake is part of the local NRD and was originally managed by the state parks department. You used to be able to use your state park permit to gain entry, but now you need to either buy a day pass or a yearly pass from the NRD.

    There are plenty of places to camp here including gravel pads and grass pads for RV’s. While most people seem to prefer the gravel pads closer to the lake, we actually prefer grass pads because they are 2-3 larger, so you have more room to setup.

    The tent camping area is huge and there always seems to be plenty of availability. We were the only tent in the entire area. The tiered tent area allows you to have a great view of the lake from wherever you setup. All RV and tent spots have picnic tables and fire rings. Unfortunately when the lake and campground were built they planted saplings, so during the hot months there is no shade to be found.

    The is still plenty to do at the lake from getting the fishing boat out, using their three wide boat ramp or fishing from the shore using bank or using a jetty. There is a gravel trail that goes all the way around the lake, which provides about a three mile loop. The trail also leads down into the town of Wahoo. There are two large play areas for kids. One is in the campground and one is across the lake in the day use area.

    No matter where you go you are not far from a restroom. There are nice clean vault toilets available all around the lake. There is also a large bathroom/shower house in the campground. The shower house does have a change machine on the outside of the build to get change for the showers. These are kept very clean and tidy.

    When pulling your RV out here the water fill is in an awkward spot in a parking lot of the campground. To get to the dump station you have to leave the campground, get on the highway and drive to the opposite side of the lake to the day use area. These were just installed a couple years ago. They are nice and level, but just add a bit of driving to get to them.

    All-in-all this is a nice place and in a few more years of tree growth, it could be even better!

Guide to Mineola

Tent camping options near Mineola, Iowa cluster primarily along river corridors in the region's rolling hills. The area sits at approximately 1,100 feet elevation with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during peak camping season from May through September. The region experiences significant seasonal variation with spring often bringing muddy conditions to unpaved campground roads.

What to do

Water recreation access: Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area provides multiple small lakes for fishing, swimming and non-motorized boating. "Impressive recreation area. Campsites on and off of the water, all very nice. Lots of walking and bike riding. Very woodsy feeling through the whole park," notes a camper at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area.

Biking opportunities: Several campgrounds connect to regional trail networks. "A nice bicycle trail leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River," reports a visitor at Fremont Lakes.

Riverside activities: When water levels permit, campers can enjoy riverside beaches. "The lake was awesome, not much shade on most tent sites. Make sure you ask when they dredged the lakes that you want to stay on," advises a Fremont Lakes camper.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. "Facilities were very clean. Cleanest I have ever seen in a campground," states one review of Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area Tent Campsites.

Convenience to urban areas: Several campgrounds offer easy access for weekend trips. "A short drive from Omaha, Two Rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. Fun and quick trip if you're in the Omaha area," writes a visitor at Riverside Campground.

Wildlife viewing: Camping areas provide opportunities to observe local fauna. "The park has deer and turkey and many birds. There is also fishing," mentions a Riverside camper.

What you should know

Train noise: Railway lines run near several campgrounds, creating noise issues. "There is a very busy set of train tracks that run about every 20 minutes all day and all night. Didn't get any sleep, even with earplugs," cautions a visitor at Fremont Lakes.

Weekend crowds: Most tent sites fill quickly during summer weekends. "There were not any other campers but I could see it getting pretty busy on the weekends," notes an off-season camper at Riverside Campground — Two Rivers SRA.

Limited tent-specific amenities: Many campgrounds prioritize RV facilities. "For the tent sites I wish there were more amenities but the one we stayed at was in a nice location," reports a Riverside camper.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. "I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground. My boys (4&7) loved it," shares a visitor to Riverside Campground — Two Rivers SRA.

Educational opportunities: Some parks provide nature-based learning. "The park has many opportunities to earn badges. You can even take a short hike into a little outdoor nature classroom," mentions a Riverside camper who visited with Cub Scouts.

Breakfast options: Some campgrounds offer food service. "There is a convenience store ran by a very nice family and they make a great breakfast for a low cost. We like to get up early and walk across the park to breakfast and then walk back to our campsite," states a Riverside visitor.

Tips from RVers

Full hookup availability: Fairground camping provides affordable utility connections. "Located near downtown Wahoo. $20 per night for full hookup. Appear to be approximately 40 sites," reports a camper at Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground.

Site selection strategy: Different camping loops offer varied experiences. "I tent camped in the old lakes part of the campgrounds. The new lakes are busy and full of RVs. If you want a less busy area, find the older section," advises a visitor to Fremont Lakes.

Firewood procurement: Campground supplies may be unreliable. "I would suggest brining your own wood because when we were there, they were out," mentions a camper at Riverside.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mineola, IA is Lyons Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

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

Keep Exploring