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Best Campgrounds near Monmouth, IA

727 Reviews

The area around Monmouth, Iowa includes access to various types of camping and campgrounds. Nearby options include Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, Eden Valley Refuge, and Central Park in Center Junction, offering a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. Most established campgrounds provide electric hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings, with several offering shower facilities and modern restrooms. Eden Valley Refuge stands out with cabin options, while Central Park features glamping opportunities for those seeking more comfort. Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area provides more primitive camping for those looking to get away from developed sites. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Monmouth to find detailed information about amenities and seasonal availability.

"This campground is maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers as part of an outdoor recreation complex around a large dam on the Iowa River," noted one visitor about a nearby camping area. Seasonal considerations affect camping in the Monmouth area, with many campgrounds operating from April through October or early November. Flooding can impact accessibility, particularly at sites near the Mississippi and Iowa Rivers. Several campgrounds, including Maquoketa Caves State Park, operate from April 1 to December 31, while others like Eden Valley Refuge remain open year-round. Visitors should check ahead during spring months when water levels may be high. Winter camping options are limited, with only a few sites maintaining services during colder months. Road access to most campgrounds is generally good, with paved or well-maintained gravel roads leading to most established sites.

Campers report high satisfaction with sites that offer water access and natural features. Maquoketa Caves State Park receives consistently positive reviews for its unique cave system and hiking trails, with one visitor describing it as a "secluded gem" with "beautiful hiking trails easy to explore." The park's campground provides a convenient base for exploring the caves, though visitors are advised to bring headlamps and prepare for wet conditions when exploring the cave system. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the region, with several campgrounds situated near wildlife management areas. Fishing access is another highlight mentioned in reviews, particularly at campgrounds along the Cedar River and Mississippi River. Sites with more privacy and shade tend to receive higher ratings, with walk-in tent sites often providing more seclusion than RV-accessible locations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Monmouth, Iowa (153)

    1. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Baldwin, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 652-5833

    "cave system of Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa."

    "This is a great weekend stay, with short trails that show some beautiful and unusual scenery for central Iowa. The natural bridge is incredible, and the sites are well spaced out."

    2. Eden Valley Refuge

    7 Reviews
    Baldwin, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 847-7202

    "Near Lost Nation, Oxford Junction, and Wyoming, IA this park is an unexpected find in rural, eastern Iowa. The camping areas have expanded."

    "Well we found a pretty good one that is relatively close to our home and is rarely reserved. Its only 1 hour North of the Quad Cities where I live & open year round!"

    3. Central Park

    6 Reviews
    Anamosa, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 487-3541

    "Trails, nature center, shelters, restrooms/showers, and lake access for beach, paddling, fishing, etc. Prairie plantings mixed in the wooded areas."

    "Small lake to fish and kayak!"

    4. 6B's Campground

    2 Reviews
    Maquoketa, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 202-3262

    "Massive bonus points for the location of this campground, which apart from rural country farmers and bat cave tourist passerby traffic, there was virtually no noise pollution to battle with."

    "platform and calm waters for kayaking or just floating; (4) The peace and quiet are unbeatable, with the only background noise being a chorus of crickets and the soft babble of the river; and (5) Location-wise"

    5. Walnut Grove Co Park

    4 Reviews
    Wheatland, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 847-7202

    6. Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area

    1 Review
    Monmouth, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 652-3783

    "Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river. Site is along river, has table, fire ring, latrine. Pack in, pack out and Leave No Trace."

    7. #JTRidge Sites/Clothing Optional

    1 Review
    Wyoming, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 350-3881

    $20 - $45 / night

    8. Joinerville County Park

    1 Review
    Baldwin, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 652-3783

    9. Massillon Park

    2 Reviews
    Oxford Junction, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 886-6930

    $7 / night

    10. Horseshoe Pond

    2 Reviews
    Maquoketa, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 652-2484

    $21 / night

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Recent Camping Photos near Monmouth, IA

167 Photos of 153 Monmouth Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Monmouth, IA

727 Reviews of 153 Monmouth Campgrounds

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2026

    Summit Campground - West Lake Park

    Clean County CG

    Summit campground offers basic amenities, including firings, Tables, water, electric, sewer, hard pads, seasonal host, firewood, play area, shower, house, and restrooms. The park offers, swimming, fishing, paddling, lakes, with concessions, disc golf, course, trails, and cabins nearby.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2026

    Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park

    Well maintained County CG

    Park Terrace campground offers basic sites, including firing, water, electric septic, picnic tables, gravel, pads, firewood, on site, camp, ground host, seasonally, recycling station, shower, house, and restrooms, play area. The park itself offers lake, fishing and paddling, a beach open seasonally, disc golf course, shelters for rent, tent areas as well.

  • MickandKarla W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 29, 2026

    Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA

    Nice Campground

    We followed our GPS along with the campground instructions, though the written directions were slightly off. Coming off I-80 to IL-92 west, the instructions said to turn left at the third stoplight onto 78th Street, but the correct turn was actually at the second stoplight. Other than that small hiccup, both the GPS and campground directions worked fine. Check-in was quick and easy, and we were guided by golf cart to our site. We were told to make wide turns where the cart did, and by following that advice we had no issues pulling into pull-through site 31 with full hookups. The site was more than long enough for our 40-foot fifth wheel and F450. Most of the utilities were located near the middle of the pad, but we needed about 25 feet of water hose to comfortably reach the connections and align with the sewer. We had 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on T-Mobile. The campground has mature trees throughout, so satellite users may need to reposition for a clear shot, though it would be possible. Since our T-Mobile signal was solid, we used T-Mobile Home Internet instead of deploying Starlink. Water pressure was decent during our stay. The campground offers a mix of deluxe patio sites and water-view or water-access sites, though for our one-night stay we were in a basic gravel site. There are permanent and seasonal residents in the campground, but the sites were neat and orderly. Overall, this was a decent campground for a short stop or even a longer stay.

  • Ashley F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 9, 2026

    Park Terrace Campground - West Lake Park

    Well maintained county park

    I live in the area we have visited many times throughout my life. The park is always well maintained, clean, friendly rangers, and good accommodations for the size of the park. There’s a swimming area, play grounds, shelters, trails, plenty of places to fish, plenty of parking, and beautiful scenery. I have stayed in both tent sites and camper sites. All were what you would expect from a county park. Nothing extraordinary or fancy but great for what it is and where it is located. It is very popular and there are always many campers even in winter.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 2, 2026

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Hidden Cave Country

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional reflections and tips as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this camp loop near the remarkable cave system of Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) The campground is nestled under a dense canopy of tall trees, offering shade, peace and a deep-woods feel rarely found so close to a major trail and cave network; (2) It’s just a short walk from the trailhead of the park’s famed 13-cave system, making it ideal for early morning spelunkers or families wanting adventure without long drives; (3) Campsites are reasonably spacious and include essential hookups with 24 of the roughly 28 sites featuring 20 / 30 / 50-amp electric and many are well separated from neighbors; (4) The modern bathhouse and showers are clean and appreciated, especially after muddy hikes through the caves; (5) Wildlife and geology lovers will be delighted, where you can expect to see deer, turkey, and perhaps even a bat fluttering near dusk, with cave formations and hiking trails that are genuinely outstanding; and (6) The campground here really is one of the best I’ve ever come across, where it is nicely tucked away AFTER you pass by the tourist trappings that these bat caves produce, but what you will enjoy most is the serenity of the place, watching as the thick mist lifts from the campground area as the sun rises higher during the day giving off a very cool vibe to this place.

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) Some of the access roads and pads are packed sand and gravel rather than smooth pavement, which can challenge level setup for larger rigs after rain; (2) Trail signage can be minimal and navigating the caves may get confusing without a good flashlight or headlamp; (3) Although the hookups exist, this campground is still basic compared to full-service resorts (which, TBH is why I love it here so much), so no big clubhouse or elaborate amenities; (4) Sites closer to the entrance (like #1-#3 or #27-#28) can register more traffic and less tranquility than those deeper in the loop; and (5) Bee and mosquito activity near the creek and cave edges can pick up at dusk in the summer, so a bit of bug protection goes a long way.

    Happy Camping!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2026

    6B's Campground

    Two Levels of Relaxation and Riverfront Charm

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, here’s a refreshed look at this warm, unpretentious, and delightfully layered campground just east of Maquoketa Caves State Park.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) The campground’s two-tiered design offers a unique blend of rustic seclusion and riverside serenity where the upper plateau caters to tent campers with grassy lawns, mature shade trees and well-maintained fire rings, while the lower level hugs the slow-moving Maquoketa River and is more suited to the RV camping tribe; (2) Karen Townsend, who manages the place, and her welcoming crew embody true Midwestern hospitality – you know, the kind that makes strangers feel like locals; (3) The lower section features spacious riverfront sites with water and 30-amp hookups, plus a small boat ramp, diving platform and calm waters for kayaking or just floating; (4) The peace and quiet are unbeatable, with the only background noise being a chorus of crickets and the soft babble of the river; and (5) Location-wise, it’s hard to top, being just minutes from Maquoketa Caves State Park, and surrounded by scenic farmland with zero city intrusion.

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) The campground operates strictly on cash, money order, or check, so if you’re the ‘tap-to-pay’ type, plan ahead or you’ll be driving back into town for funds; (2) The gravel descent to the river level can be tricky for longer trailers or heavy rigs, particularly after a good Iowa rain; (3) Amenities are minimal here with no frills, no WiFi, no clubhouse… but that’s exactly what keeps this place authentic and peaceful.

    Happy Camping!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 9, 2025

    Iowa 80 Truckstop

    Good overnight parking and I 80 access

    This overnight access is a small town in itself. This site offers not only the basic communities and needs of fuel, including EV, charging stations, but auto parts, showers, dentist, Chiropractic, care, gifts, dog park, and is right next to the I 80 trucking museum. Good lighting in the overnight spots which has room for long RVs.

  • B
    Nov. 20, 2025

    backbone state park

    What a hidden gem! Great hiking, fishing and camping.

    We visited Backbone State Park with our two young kids, and it quickly became one of our favorite Iowa getaways. The park’s rugged cliffs and shaded trails made it feel like a real adventure without being too challenging for little legs. The Backbone Trail was a hit– the kids loved scrambling over rocks and exploring the forest, and we loved that the scenery kept all of us engaged. 

    The campground was perfect for our family. Our site was spacious and tucked among the trees, giving the kids plenty of room to play while still feeling safe and close by. The restrooms were clean, the campground was quiet at night, and having a mix of electric and non-electric sites made it easy to choose what fit our setup. We could walk straight from our campsite to the lake and several trailheads, which made the trip feel super low-stress. 

    Overall, Backbone State Park gave us that great balance of adventure and ease— a beautiful spot where the kids could explore, and we could unwind together. It’s definitely a place we’ll return to.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 19, 2025

    Interstate RV Park

    Overnight/short stay by I-80

    This campground needs updating, including gravel lanes and roads, pads. Sites have tables, electric, water, and an Office/general store. They appear to be numerous permanent residence as well. The location is a bonus, being near the interstate with fuel, Supplies, and a Blaines Farm And Fleet store across the entrance.

Guide to Monmouth

Campsites near Monmouth, Iowa offer diverse terrain options with elevations ranging from 700 to 950 feet along the rolling hills and waterways of eastern Iowa. The area sits within the Paleozoic Plateau landform region, characterized by limestone bluffs, caves, and spring-fed streams. Camping season typically extends from April through October with July temperatures averaging 85°F during the day and 65°F at night.

What to do

Cave exploration at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground: Pack headlamps and sturdy footwear for the 13 caves located within the 370-acre park. One visitor advises, "This Iowa SP campground is simply AMAZING and if you are a bat cave spelunker, you are going to be absolutely excited by this place. For the rest of us outdoor enthusiasts who are simply looking for a great campground, then you've also struck the campground lottery."

Fishing access at multiple sites: Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities in different waterways, including the Maquoketa River and Bear Creek. A visitor to Eden Valley Refuge noted, "If you bring a base camp filtration system the creek is not a very far walk to retrieve water. There are about 5 trails to explore nearby."

Stargazing from elevated points: Take advantage of minimal light pollution at several campgrounds. As one Eden Valley visitor described, "At night you can hike about a 1/2 mile to the Watchtower and watch the beautiful sun set over the horizon of treetops and if you stay long enough you can stargaze. It is absolutely pitch black. PERFECT for stargazing on a clear night."

What campers like

Secluded tent sites: Walk-in tent sites often provide more privacy than drive-up locations. A camper at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground reported, "If you can forgo electricity and don't mind a 50yd walk, the walk in sites are enclosed in beautiful groves of trees."

Family-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and open spaces keep children entertained. At Central Park, one camper appreciated "a beautiful little lake. Nice beach area. Camping sites pretty level. Park has free WiFi."

Natural features beyond campsites: Unique geological formations make the area distinctive. A Maquoketa Caves visitor shared, "Maquoketa Caves is a must visit destination for camping! There are several factors to take into consideration when planning a trip here; due to concerns for wildlife (primarily bats) the caves close frequently, check the park website for details about when they will be open."

What you should know

Seasonal cave closures: Bat hibernation periods restrict cave access at certain times. "I would STRONGLY encourage you to mind your dates taking note of when bat hibernation ends and begins – for what it's worth, my brother and I drove all the way here only to find out that hibernation began the day of our arrival," reported one Maquoketa Caves visitor.

Water level fluctuations: River and creek access points can change with rainfall. At Massillon Park, primitive sites include "fire rings with grates, and picnic tables. There is a small play area, and a shelter to rent. The boat ramp offers access to the Wapsipinicon River for fishing and paddling."

Payment methods vary: Some locations require cash only. A visitor to 6B's Campground noted, "This camping outpost only accepts cash, money order or checks, which was a major bummer for us as we didn't have any of those with us and while there were banks nearby, we weren't members of the bank."

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience. At Maquoketa Caves, "If you have kids and want to be planted near the playground, you might want to target sites #26-#28, where the spacious kids playground sets right behind these sites."

Beginner-friendly caves: Assess cave difficulty levels before bringing children. A camper shared about Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area, "Unique hike or paddle primitive site. Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river."

Beach access for hot days: Central Park offers swimming options. "Beautiful little lake. Nice beach area," wrote one camper, while another mentioned, "This campground has a beautiful museum. The museum is fun afternoon trip to hike to and visit."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger vehicles: Back-in sites vary in size and accessibility. At Maquoketa Caves, "All sites designated for RV's are back-in and range in driveway length between 31 and 68 feet."

Water and electric hookups: Availability differs between campgrounds. A visitor to Walnut Grove Co Park described it as "Basic cg with open and shaded sites with $17 or w/o electric $12. Restrooms with showers and soda machine, cg host onsite, river access, playground."

Two-level camping at specialty sites: Some locations offer different experiences within the same property. As described at 6B's Campground, "This nature-infested outpost is split into 2 levels with an upper plateau section that is more geared towards the tent-pitchin' bredren of my tribe, while the lower level straddles the Maquoketa River and offers up splendid waterfront views."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Monmouth, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Monmouth, IA is Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 34 reviews.

What parks are near Monmouth, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Monmouth, IA that allow camping, notably Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 and Coralville Lake.

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