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

Best Tent Camping near Mineola, IA

438 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

438 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.

  • 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.

  • TThe 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!

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Really good hiking trails

    Stayed one night on Sept 4. Camped at site 35 in the non-equestrian campground; non-electric fee $15. Parked van on the grass at this site. Like nearly all of the sites in this campground, this site was close to the campground road. Overall, I felt that the campsites were all bunched together - offering no privacy and spacing between sites. The shower house was closed during our visit. Water was also turned off at the wayer pumps in the campground. There was one single vault toilet available for all of the campers; it was reasonably clean. Wayne, the campground host, was nice & helpful. There is a self-serve firewood station in the campground; cost is either $5 or $10, depending on the amount of wood you purchase. The campsites have a picnic table & metal fire ring. I wasn't too pleased with this campground, but I was very happy with the nearby hiking trails within the park. It's a pretty state park with hills & lush forest. The day use areas looked great. I recommend those traveling along I-29 to stop at this park - not necessarily for the camping, but for the hiking. Had some T-Mobile 4G service.

Guide to Mineola

Tent camping near Mineola, Iowa offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the tranquility of the outdoors. With several options available, campers can find sites that cater to their needs.

Local Attractions for Tent Campers

  • Enjoy the serene environment at Lyons Park, where you can relax by the water and take in the natural beauty.
  • Visit Olde Towne Co Park for a peaceful day out, perfect for picnicking and enjoying the outdoors.
  • Explore the scenic views at Pioneer City Park, which offers a great backdrop for photography and nature walks.

Activities to Enjoy While Camping

  • Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunities at Johnson Park, where you can cast a line in a picturesque setting.
  • Take a leisurely stroll or bike ride around the trails at Luther Hormel Memorial Park, enjoying the fresh air and wildlife.
  • Engage in outdoor games and activities at the spacious Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground, which is conveniently located near downtown Wahoo.

Tent Camping Prices in the Area

  • Tent camping at Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground is budget-friendly, with rates starting at $20 per night for full hookups.
  • While Johnson Park does not allow camping, it’s worth noting for its beautiful park amenities and fishing opportunities.
  • For a simple camping experience, Lyons Park offers a no-frills environment, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

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