Top Tent Camping near Missouri Valley, IA

Searching for a tent camping spot near Missouri Valley? The Dyrt is an easy way to find tent camping spots near Missouri Valley. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Missouri Valley campsites are perfect for tent campers.

Best Tent Sites Near Missouri Valley, IA (9)


Recent Tent Reviews In Missouri Valley

399 Reviews of 9 Missouri Valley Campgrounds


  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Jones Pond
    Nov. 4, 2024

    Jones Pond

    Hidden Gem

    Very quiet and peaceful place I have been there few times and I never see anyone else around. There is no bathroom or drinking water so make sure you are ready for that. October is a very colorful time of the year very peaceful the pond for what I heard isn’t a good place for fishing but just a mile away there is a hunting park highly recommend it

  • Pat V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area
    Oct. 4, 2024

    Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area

    Quiet and relaxed weekend

    It’s been a few years since we stayed at Lake Wanahoo, but we decided to stay there over our anniversary weekend. The place is still great, and this time of year it was very quiet and peaceful.

    I was able to fish at the lake, we used the trails for walking and biking. Being close to town allowed us to have a great anniversary dinner at a steakhouse!

    We are definitely going to be using it more!

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Hitchcock County Nature Center
    Sep. 19, 2024

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Meh, for tent camping

    Stopped overnight in late August. Did not want to drag our gear up/down a hill to the tent campsites in the lower loop. Paid more to stay in the upper RV loop where we listened to a neighbor's generator all night. Pretty buggy. Showers/toilets okay. Note there are at least 2 railroads running nearby in the wee hours of the morning. Also, this is on the flight path for jets leaving (I assume) the Omaha airport. Not a restful night--won't be back.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Platte River State Park
    Sep. 16, 2024

    Platte River State Park

    Just one night

    If you don’t mind lugging your stuff to your tent spot, it’s primitive, no frills camping at its finest! We chose the closest spot to the vault toilets. There are only 4. It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!

  • Jason G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Military Park Camp Ashland Campground
    Sep. 14, 2024

    Military Park Camp Ashland Campground

    Unimpressed

    I planned an event at this military installation because of pricing and being a gated community.  The prices are good and the overall area is clean but the reason for the rating given is below:

    Due to this being a military site with a managed gate, ID or authorization roster is required...I submitted and got my roster approved within the allotted time only to find out that it was not shared with the gate guards so no one was being let in.  The keys for each facility had issues like broken locks or no pin code given for the key system to even get the keys.  The cabins are nice but not very well cleaned and the emergency phone number that is provided is a great feature although no one answered it. 

    If you find yourself looking for a venue for your event, pass on this one.  Too much hassle for the money saved.  I wish the state of Nebraska could figure out how to hire competent people to manage their facilities.

  • Steve R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Decatur Bend Access
    Sep. 10, 2024

    Decatur Bend Access

    Quiet and safe. Been twice now

    We live(my dog and I) on a motorcycle - think Van Life on two wheels. A quiet place to put up a tent is so welcome. There are no amenities. It's strictly dry and pack out but a great place for a few tents or a couple vans. Highly motorcycle travel recommended

  • Christopher W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hildreth Lighthouse Campground
    Jul. 30, 2024

    Hildreth Lighthouse Campground

    Nice flat piece of grass

    Stayed July 2024,

    Good: Flat piece of grass to place two tents for only $ 20 bucks. Just what I needed at 10pm 

    Bad: One quote from son sums it nicely, "saw the mens room and so used the women's". Also, two miles of dirt road was less than fun. Would have been nice if the pay station had more directions.

    Future: I would remember to make a reservation at the KOA 10 minutes away.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Manawa State Park [Permanently CLOSED]
    Jul. 26, 2024

    Lake Manawa State Park [Permanently CLOSED]

    Not great for tents

    This campsite seems nice, but with blaring Omaha heat and no trees, the heat here is absolutely brutal. It was mid July and still 96 degrees at 7:00pm, so I ended up leaving knowing it would be too hot for a comfortable night sleep. Beautiful view of the lake and short walk to the swimming beach.

  • Randall K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino

    Simple, easy and free

    Great spot! Easy on/off. Was $45 for overnight with amenities.

    We opted for the free stay which was great. Nice, flat parking lot with other rv’s and tractor trailers off to the side.

    Slept great. Used the casino bathrooms and really liked it for a free overnight. Casino is fun too!

    Would def stay here again. Felt very safe and well lit. Noise was minimal and only came from the tractor trailers. If I had parked at the other end I wouldn’t have even heard it.

    Got take out from Modern Love to bring back. Molo is amazing - all vegan and most GF too. Never pass through Omaha without a visit there. Great way to end the night.

  • W
    Camper-submitted photo from Memphis Lake  State Rec Area
    Jul. 17, 2024

    Memphis Lake State Rec Area

    Nice simple campground

    Don’t forget the day use fee it’s $14 a day for out of state and seven dollars in state A decent number of mosquitoes on my visit in July in the evening

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hitchcock County Nature Center
    Jul. 5, 2024

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Amazing!!

    We camp all the time at different locations, and I 100% recommend this campground! The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate. Even the pit toilets were spotless and didn’t smell. The hosts went around several times a day collecting trash and even mopping the pit bathrooms. Camping here also gives you access to the playground and nature trails into some beautiful countryside. The only downside is bring several bottles of bugspray, the mosquitos are terrible!

  • Madison H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park
    Jul. 5, 2024

    Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park

    10 out of 10

    This was the perfect place for us — just passing through on our way out to Wyoming. This camp ground is awesome all around — especially for tent campers. Absolutely beautiful views of the lake and so many open camp sites even on the 4th of July. I wish we could have spent more time here.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
    Jun. 20, 2024

    Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

    Great stay passing through

    Populated but spacious. Friendly staff. Lots of greenery and trees. Only stayed one night but the list of activities seemed great. Safe, relaxing place. Bathrooms and showers could use some work but I was happy for a warm shower after traveling so long. Highway and trains can be heard from a distance but I found it soothing.

  • AUDREY S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Weeping Water
    Jun. 18, 2024

    Weeping Water

    Stopped for RV dump only

    Did not stop to Camp!!, only dumped my tanks and filled up water. Wish I would’ve stayed. Looks like a very well done out-of-the-way and quaint park. $20 for dumping, or camping and dumping, seven dollars for tent campers.

  • a
    Camper-submitted photo from Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park
    Jun. 15, 2024

    Arrowhead Park Pottawattamie County Park

    Perfect getaway

    Perfect place to get away for the weekend. Grounds are clean bathrooms are clean. Shout out to Dave the park ranger for being very generous. We drove from Davenport to stay here for Father’s Day weekend and we will definitely be back. You also can tent camp right next to the water as well. Love it!

  • Michael M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Two Rivers State Recreation Area
    Jun. 9, 2024

    Two Rivers State Recreation Area

    Quick getaway to nature

    A short drive from Omaha, two rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground. Fun and quick trip if you’re in the Omaha area. My boys (4&7) loved it.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Czechland Lake Recreation Area
    May. 5, 2024

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Great first come first serve campground

    This is a nice small campground that is well taken care of. We stayed at site number 8 which may be one of the more unlevel spots. The passenger side of our 5th wheel was about 7" lower than driver side and rear of fifth wheel was about 3" lower than front before we levelled out. 

    Pros:

    -Well maintained walking trails that are perfect for dogs

    -Most sites have 30 and 50 amp hookups

    -Fire rings and picnic tables at most sites

    -$18 a night for electric hookups

    -Quiet

    Cons:

    -Some sites are very unlevel  

    -No water or dump station

  • Paula C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino
    May. 5, 2024

    Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino

    Great Free Stop

    We called the casino & they told us we could park in the lot for free. If you want electricity & ahowers, you can pay. We just needed a place to sleep as there are not a lot of campgrounds here. Highway was a bit noisy and a distant train was heard twice through the night. No one bothered us which was all we needed! Got a shower at a nearby truck stop. Big open lot with lots of space. Also had a dumpter I made use of (small bag of car trash).

  • Cire C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds
    Mar. 2, 2024

    Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds

    Overnight or Long Term

    We have been coming to this campground every year. They have recently open during the winter which is great because not many campground are open during this time. Steve is such a great guy who is always looking out for you.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Platte River State Park
    Oct. 8, 2023

    Platte River State Park

    Worthless weekend at Platte River State Park

    Camping in the teepee was hands down our worst camping experience ever. The teepee was hot, dirty and falling apart. We stayed in the“big chief” teepee and it was on a horrible slope with tons of ruts on nothing but bare uneven dirt. There was no privacy as the other two teepees beyond this one were set up so other campers were constantly walking by your camp. Even the door placement to the teepees were bad. There was a more well placed teepee they save for first come first serve camping, not reserved camping. That makes no sense. The worst teepee should be reserved for unreserved campers. There are also bike trails directly around the teepees so in daylight, meaning early and late, you will hear groups of bikers riding around a technical course and lots of whooping and cheering as well as hard landings. To make things worse, they didn’t tell us about an ROTC event they were hosting in the park where groups of ROTC young people were constantly walking by our camp from early morning to afternoon, looking for markers for a kind of seek out practice for them. This was highly disturbing. Zero calm and privacy. The teepee was shabby and the indoor outdoor carpet was dirty and old, and you got the feeling you were sleeping and living over everyone else’s ick. Also, right over the teepee there were loads of huge dead oak branches. With the high winds, we were pretty scared a branch might fall on us. It’s just a matter of time before someone gets hurt, or worse. There were many loud people in cabins with dogs, even dogs barking and crazy dogs running loose the whole time we were there. There was also a lot of trash and littered personal items scattered around in the woods and on the campground area. In the end, it is a very poorly planned campground for comfort, beauty, safety and privacy. We would have been better off to stay home. Like many things now, Platte River State Park feels overrun with activity and under preserved. The exact opposite of why one wants to get away from the city and camp in nature. Waste of time and money.

  • Ryan S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Botna Bend County Park
    Sep. 21, 2023

    Botna Bend County Park

    Another great Iowa county park

    Iowa has many great county parks, and this one is no exception. There are three campgrounds in the park. The South campground, Middle campground, and North campground.

    The South campground is closed for renovations. I read they are adding full hookups to this campground. The Verizon signal at this campground is usable for calls& text, but internet speeds are slow. Streaming will probably work but a video call will probably not. 

    The middle campground has nice level spots, and a nice shower house with warm water. There are 4 individual bathrooms, each with a shower. This campground had about the same Verizon signal as the South campground- good enough for calls and texting.

    The North campground has grass sites with more space between them than at the other two campgrounds. This North campground does not have a shower house, but it has a two room bathroom with running water. The Verizon signal at this campground is a strong 5G signal with great speeds. I also tested T-mobile and AT&T at this campground, and they were plenty usable but no where near as fast as Verizon.

    There is a meat shop and a sports bar restaurant within walking distance from the park. The walk within the park is a long walk. From the North campground to the registration box at the entrance is about 1 mile.

    While at the park I saw deer, raccoons, turkeys, and a 4 inch caterpillar crossing the road. There are also bison and elk in a fenced in area.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Bob Hardy RV Park
    Sep. 20, 2023

    Bob Hardy RV Park

    Convenient & quiet

    Decent park and great price! We stayed 2 nights for my husband to do a job down the road. Shower house could have been cleaner but you can’t beat the price at $17.50/night! They had electric hookups, grills and picnic tables at every site plus a small playground for kids. Free dump station and water fill was nice. Every spot was filled the second night and the parks and recreation guys came through a few times checking on things. We’d definitely stay again if passing through!



Guide to Missouri Valley

Camping near Missouri Valley, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Nice walking trails and facilities. Lots to do for the entire family."
  • Water Activities: At Platte River State Park Campground, you can enjoy paddle boating and swimming. A reviewer shared, "We went paddle boating, swimming, and horseback riding."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Louisville State Recreation Area have spotted deer and other wildlife. One camper noted, "The place is amazingly scenic and reasonably priced."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Hitchcock County Nature Center said, "Even the pit toilets were spotless and didn’t smell."
  • Friendly Staff: Campgrounds like Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area have hosts that make a positive impact. One guest mentioned, "The host was so kind and helpful to us new timers."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the roomy sites at West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday. A reviewer remarked, "The Premium Sites are FANTASTIC... It was HEAVEN!"

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways or train tracks. A camper at Louisville State Recreation Area warned, "With a large amount of active train tracks... this place is the opposite of peaceful."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area lacks showers and trash services, as noted by a visitor: "Sites have cement pads with electric service only."
  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Hitchcock County Nature Center advised, "Friendly reminder to bring CASH... the mosquitos are terrible!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. Platte River State Park Campground has great facilities for families. One parent said, "The playgrounds are the nicest I have ever seen!"
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Choose campgrounds that offer various activities. A visitor at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground mentioned, "The list of activities seemed great."
  • Safety: Ensure the campground feels safe for kids to explore. A guest at Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area felt secure, stating, "We felt super safe letting our kids roam the park."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites for easier setup. A reviewer at West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday appreciated their site, saying, "Our back in site had a patio, fire pit and nice patio furniture."
  • Dump Stations: Check if the campground has a dump station nearby. Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area has a convenient dump station, as noted by a camper: "The dumping station is at the front of the park."
  • Amenities for RVs: Ensure the campground has the necessary hookups. A visitor at Hitchcock County Nature Center mentioned, "Great Starlink line of sight... super clean bathrooms and hot showers."

Camping near Missouri Valley, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to check the specific amenities and features of each campground to find the best fit for your adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Missouri Valley, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Missouri Valley, IA is Preparation Canyon State Park with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Missouri Valley, IA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Missouri Valley, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.