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Tent campsites near Monmouth, Iowa include several primitive options along rivers and within wildlife areas. Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area offers hike-in and walk-in tent camping along the Maquoketa River with basic amenities including a table, fire ring, and latrine. Joinerville County Park provides tent camping by permit only, with access to the Maquoketa River for paddling and fishing. Wakpicada Natural Area, located near Central City, offers year-round tent camping with more developed facilities.
Most primitive tent sites in the region require campers to pack in and pack out all supplies and waste. Fire rings are common at established sites, though firewood availability varies by location. Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area follows strict Leave No Trace principles with no drinking water available on site. Joinerville County Park requires advance permit applications at least one month before planned stays. Toilet facilities range from basic latrines at Buzzard Ridge to no facilities at all at Joinerville, making proper waste disposal planning essential for backcountry tent camping experiences.
The tent camping experience in this region often centers around water access and natural settings. Sites at Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area can be reached either by hiking in from two parking areas or by paddling along the Maquoketa River. Wakpicada Natural Area provides tent campsites adjacent to a pond with good tree cover, creating natural separation between sites. The fishing opportunities are particularly notable, with bass and panfish available in the pond. According to one visitor, "Campsites right next to the pond and good tree cover made the experience fun. Good bass and panfish fishing with quiet campgrounds that aren't right next to each other."
"Unique hike or paddle primitive site. 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."
"Jungletown Ridge is perfect for those looking to get some space from others and enjoy some quiet nights int he woods. Check them out and share some pics from your stay!"
from $20 - $45 / night
Check Availability"Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife."
"Cabin offers modern amenities: stove, oven,micro, dishwasher, refrigerator, coffee pot, toaster, ADA access, shower. AC/heat, covered porch, firewood, picnic table, Charcoal grill, trails."
from $70 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Convenient location a lot of amenities and activities"
from $35 - $50 / night
Check Availability"People driving around the pond didn't even know we were there! The camping spot was beautiful (although you have to watch out for nettles). Great fishing while we were there too."
"This CG is a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming."
"Campsites right next to the pond and good tree cover made the experience fun anyway. Good bass and panfish fishing with quiet campgrounds that aren’t right next to each other."
LegendUnique hike or paddle primitive site. 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.
ScoutNice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up. HOWEVER, take bug spray and enjoy the rustic peacefulness of this "best kept secret" for primitive and inexpensive camping sites. Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Good for RV, trailer or tent camping… level ground and lots of shade. Primitive bathrooms, no showers or running water.
LegendOne of the 6 campgrounds that you will have to choose from here at Scott County Park, Bald Eagle CG & Cabins is one that is more geared for the RV driving and trailer toting tribes as each site has FHUs with electric, water & sewage, fire rings and picnic tables; however, if you wanted to pitch a tent here, you could, although I would recommend nearby Incahias as an alternative. Unlike some of the other campgrounds here, Bald Eagle kind of lives up to its name as there’s not much in the way of tree cover or brush, so the land is somewhat BALD. The land is incredibly flat, back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level grounds are incredibly well-organized and the bathroom / shower facilities with great HOT running water and are about as impeccably clean as can be.
Near by Bald Eagle is Pride Lake, which makes this pet-friendly CG your top pick if you’re an angler or looking to get some decent oaring with your kayak or canoe. Sitting in front of Pride Lake are 2 very large shelters – Whispering Pines and Hickory Hills – as well as a playground for the kiddos and a restroom facility that is also spartan-clean. Surrounding Bald Eagle is also no shortage of hiking / biking / horse trails. We found the CG itself to be fairly quiet, although lacking in privacy without the benefit of any real brush or trees to blot out our next-door neighbors, but that said, everyone was incredibly friendly with full displays of Midwestern hospitality that this area is known for. There is also a single large cabin available for rent that has capacity for 10 people.
We loved Scott County Park so much because there is a lot that this gem offers up, from fresh water catch & release lakes, a combination of topographies (from woodlands, wetlands and prairie grasslands), a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course, outdoor exercise areas, club house and concessions, stand-alone cabins for rent, designated dump stations and trash receptacles, numerous picnic areas, a massive heated swimming pool complete with a snake-like water slide, volleyball court, ranger stations, seasonal on-site hosts, firewood available for purchase at entry stations, Walnut Grove Pioneer Village and St. Anne’s church at the park’s NW perimeter, 7 community shelters, designated picnic areas, a memorial park, equestrian area and an incredibly well-paved network of roads that allows you to easily access just about every corner of this park.
Happy Camping!
LegendThe camp is walking only, with few tables and fire rings. Firewood available t main cg all ng with water and showers there too. Sites are spread along a waterway within bottom land woodlands with water access for fishing, paddling etc. Parking is within 100 yards so must pack in/out, use Leave No Trace ethics.
RangerCampground Review:
Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area is 675 acres, nestled between rolling fields of corn, dairy farms, native prairie, and the Cedar River. Located in Muscatine County in southeast Iowa, this rec area offers well-maintained campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and seasonal hunting.
There are three separate campgrounds. The main campground has electrical hookups, picnic benches, fire rings, modern restroom facilities including showers, a dump station, playground, and firewood for purchase. There are 24 sites, and they run $20 per night.
The primitive campground area sits along Chicken Creek and offers four, tent-only sites, and is just off the main campground. The sites are well spaced and surrounded by large trees. These are walk in sites with parking in the main campground. It’s a short hike in from the parking area, and within walking distance of the restrooms and firewood. Primitive sites are $10 per night.
Across the road from these two campgrounds is the main boat access and fishing dock for Chicken Creek. Only non-motorized boats are allowed here. If you don’t have your own, you can rent kayaks and canoes through the Muscatine County Conservation office. There is also a large shelter, which is reservable along with day use picnic areas, playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, and vault toilets. There’s large, open expanses of grassy fields and oak shade trees; perfect for relaxing on a hot summer day.
The river campground sits right along the Cedar River and allows easy access to fishing along with a boat ramp. This campground is a short hike to the old Saulsbury Bridge and Lodge. The bridge has a small gazebo-like structure and bench which provides a nice view of the river. There are vault toilets in this campground, but the modern restrooms are within walking distance as well. There are 10 sites in this campground and run $17 per night.
All campsites are self-registration and are on a first come, first served basis. There is a campground host on duty in the main campground and the park officer lives on site. Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash in the campgrounds and on trails. However, they are allowed to run in the designated hunting areas. These areas are marked with signs. If you plan to hike during hunting season, it’s a good idea to wear bright colors/blaze orange so you are visible to hunters and not mistaken for a deer or other wildlife.
This park also has prairie/natural habitat restoration areas that, in spring and summer, attract Monarch butterflies, and an abundance of birds including indigo bunting, red headed woodpecker, and goldfinch. In the colder months you can spot bald eagles flying along the river. There are also deer, wild turkey, and pheasants. While there, we walked around the campground areas that were open and over to the day use area along Chicken Creek to roast marshmallows. We hiked the short distance out to the Saulsbury Bridge to watch the Cedar River flow by and caught a beautiful sunset.
The one downfall to this park is the possibility for flooding. When the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds.
A call ahead to the conservation office to check on closures is a good idea. We had hoped to camp at a primitive site, but learned the trail leading into the campground was under water, which also meant the river campground was closed as well. Though there was some water over the road in the main campground, it was minimal and we were able to choose an electrical site. We opted to car camp as we were only staying one night. Only about a third of the campground was filled and we had no one on either side of us which meant for a more quiet camping experience.
This is one of my favorite local areas to hike and camp that’s close to home. It offers a full picture of Iowa’s varied landscapes and outdoor activity opportunities.
Product Review:
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. On this camping trip, I tried out VivoBarefoot Primus Trail SG Womens sneakers. VivoBarefoot’s goal is to provide an environment that allows the feet to remain in their natural state while providing a protective shoe. https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/womens/off-road/primus-trail-sg-womens?colour=Olive
GuideOur one-night stay at the Sugar Bottom- Coralville Lake Campground was terrific! My husband and I stopped there during our cross-country road trip. We arrived around 7:30pm on a Sunday in September and easily got a spot. The lady at the entrance station was incredibly kind and answered all of our questions.
The campground is very well marked, with easily visible site number labels. Each site is in a grassy area with a picnic table and fire ring with a grate. Our site had a tree or two that provided some shade, but some other sites were a but more shaded.
We ended up staying in site #103, which is right by the water. What a beautiful view we had! Our campsite was very close to a boat dock, a sand volleyball court, and a sandy beach. We didn't have a chance to swim at the beach, but it looked really nice! It had a large, designated swimming area that was marked with floating ropes. We were also located close to a building with restrooms. Each restroom had a clean, hot shower. The showers were free, which was a plus!
In my opinion, this is definitely a 5-star campground. I can't wait to come back!
LegendGeneral: This is a small (29-site) county park campground situated along the North Fork Maquoketa River. Nine of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served. Some sites are primitive, and some have water and 30-amp electricity hookups. There is one ADA-accessible site with a paved camper pad.
Site Quality: Most sites are level. The camper pads are gravel/grass, but not all are clearly defined. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.
Bath/Shower: The bath/shower house was closed when we were there in November but there are vault toilets about a quarter mile from the campground (in the day-use area) that were very clean and well-stocked when we were there.
Activities/Amenities: Many activities including disc golf, three hiking trails, volleyball, two playgrounds (one in the day-use area and one by the campsites). There are two reservable picnic shelters. There is also a dump station.
We were tent camping in November on a backpacking trip so we didn’t take advantage of any of the activities but would return in our van on a future camping trip. We were the ONLY ones in the campground at this time of year!
LegendCampground is well maintained, restrooms, showers, recycling station, fire wood available, campground host onsite, resident park ranger, standard RV sites, some electric tent sites otherwise primitive with fire rings and tables. Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails.
Scoutfirst timers/ young kids- yes. Primitive campers- no. My husband had never been camping. I grew up with very primitive camping- no electricity, only pit toilets, sometimes fresh water, and no showers (milk jug showers!) Little by little, I’m warming him up to camping. This is a great place for new campers, families of young kids, or just looking for an easier trip. There’s a shower house with flush toilets, warm showers, and surprisingly CLEAN! The site was medium size. Enough room to spread out. Ground was flat so finding a tent site was no problem. Electric hookup worked. Picnic table was good. Check your site before booking! One section of sites is like an open field? No trees and full view of others. But these surround a playground- also very nice. Glamping with young kids? These sites would be a perfect. AT&T and Verizon cell service worked fine
Primitive tent camping near Monmouth, Iowa offers several secluded options within a 30-mile radius. This eastern Iowa region features rolling hills, limestone outcroppings, and river valleys with camping sites typically situated at elevations between 800-950 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with high humidity, while spring and fall camping provides milder conditions with temperatures between 50-70°F.
River paddling opportunities: At Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area, campers can access the Maquoketa River. "Unique hike or paddle primitive site. Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river," notes James M.
Fishing for multiple species: The pond at Wakpicada Natural Area offers productive fishing even during hot weather. Parker H. reports, "Went when it was 110 degrees with humidity. Good bass and panfish fishing with quiet campgrounds that aren't right next to each other. I consider it a little hidden gem."
Astronomy viewing: The area offers minimal light pollution for stargazing. At Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr., "No city like that so night sky shines with stars. Trails wind and through forests and prairie areas. Outdoor/environmental programs offered," according to James M.
Natural site separation: Tent sites at Wakpicada Natural Area feature natural buffers between camping spots. "Campsites right next to the pond and good tree cover made the experience fun anyway. Good bass and panfish fishing with quiet campgrounds that aren't right next to each other," explains Parker H.
Environmental education: Cedar River Campground offers family learning opportunities. "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids. There was a beautiful wetland just down from the campground," writes Jackie J.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas support diverse wildlife observation. At Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area, James M. describes, "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."
Permit requirements: Joinerville County Park requires advance planning. "CG is day use year-round though primitive camping is by approved permit application 1 month in advance of stay. Gravel access road into and around park. No toilets," warns James M.
Toilet facilities: Bathroom options vary significantly between sites. At Hidden River Campground, Iris A. notes, "Very rustic, older shower/bathrooms that could use an update. Many people seem to take advantage of the year round rates and stay all summer."
Seasonal timing: Most campgrounds have specific operating seasons. Cedar River Campground operates from "April 15 to October 15," while some primitive areas like Wakpicada Natural Area remain open year-round.
Educational programs: Take advantage of nature-focused learning. The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center offers "exhibits and native live animals, trails, prairie, observatory, amphitheater, 1 mile stretch of the Wapsipinicon River with paddling access," according to James M.
Swimming options: For hot weather relief, Cedar River Campground provides structured water activities. "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids," mentions Jackie J.
Safety precautions: Watch for natural hazards at primitive sites. At Worthington Sportsman's Club, Becky advises, "The camping spot was beautiful (although you have to watch out for nettles)."
Highway noise considerations: Some campgrounds have road noise. At Cedar River Campground, Jackie J. reports, "It is right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400."
Hookup availability: RV services vary widely among area campgrounds. Koch's Meadow Lake Campground is described by James M. as "a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming."
Size restrictions: Many primitive areas cannot accommodate larger rigs. Tent camping near Monmouth typically suits smaller setups, with Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area being accessible only via "hike or paddle primitive site" according to James M.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Monmouth, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Monmouth, IA is Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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