Best Tent Camping near Montezuma, IA

Recent Tent Reviews near Montezuma, IA

245 Reviews of 19 Montezuma Campgrounds

• 

  Kimberly B.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 18, 2021

  Amana RV Park & Event Center

  Very convenient for visiting the Amana Colonies.

  We tent camped here for two nights so we could visit the Amana Colonies. This is an RV park with tent sites on the lawn around the perimeter. A bit of a walk to the bathroom and showers, but the sites were level with short grass. The bathrooms and showers were very clean, and everyone was extremely friendly. The only drawback was that the tent sites don’t have picnic tables, but for two nights we made it work. We’d stay here again.

• 

  Jamee N.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 17, 2020

  Newton KOA

  Family Friendly

  We tried to stay here on probably the hottest day of the year. It was just wayyyyy too hot so we made sandwiches and decided to drive through the night, but it wasn’t this KOA’s fault! Very friendly staff. Tons for kids and families to do. My only complaint is that where we were, tent spot #1...there wasn’t really any soaration of the tent sites. People moved in beside us and were literally in our site because there wasn’t anything stopping them. Probably a better place for RV camping over tent camping.

• A

  Amanda H.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 19, 2023

  Wallashuck

  Convenience with some space

  We were able to camp in a tent near RVs without feeling crowded. The restrooms, showers, and playground were all close by…great for camping with kids. There were some nicer than ours and some with less privacy or further away than we’d prefer.

  A nice mix of convenience and privacy. Perfect location to showers and playground for kids. Ample space for our needs, but not overly private

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  May. 31, 2020

  Newton KOA

  KOA is OK

  Newton KOA

  This is the primary location for camping in Newton. It’s right off interstate I-80 and is very close to the Iowa Speedway.

  There are places to go tent camping but it’s primarily setup for rvs. The tent camping spots have a picnic table and fire pit.

  The RV sports are pretty nice, most have the usual hookups. This place can get pretty busy when there is a race going on.

  There is a creek in the back and some pretty easy hiking trails to explore. There is a fish cleaning station near the creek. They do also have a pond with bass and bluegill. They also have a pool by the office but it’s currently being painted.

  Overall this is a pretty nice KOA and it’s very clean and maintained. You can hear the interstate but you get used to it.

• 

  Sarah H.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 23, 2016

  F. W. Kent Park

  Nice Midwest Campground off I-80

  Our family enjoys tent camping at Kent Park because the sites are grassy and open, but more private than many Midwest campgrounds because they are lined with tall prairie grasses and trees. We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park. Prairie life makes for good photo ops and bird-watching. Restrooms and campsites were clean and well maintained. We will definitely be back!

• C

  Cassie K.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 5, 2022

  Sleepy Hollow

  No Pets?

  Was looking forward to camping there until I found out they do not allow pets at tent sites. Apparently they don’t feel responsible pet owners use tents. Not happy will never stay there

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 1, 2020

  Mariposa Recreation Area

  Country Camping

  If you want to go out in the country and do some tent camping this is the place!

  The lake has been drained and dredged and is slowly filling back up. It’s pretty spacious and has lots of room for tent camping. I wouldn’t bring an RV here.

  There are bathroom facilities by the lake area and the camping area which is near the back.

  The fishing here used to be really good with catfish, bluegill, bass. They do allow boats (electric motor only), kayaks and canoes. I haven’t fished here since they updated the lake.

  There are hiking trails and one that goes to a back pond. There is a butterfly garden and playground for the kids to explore. There is also a shelter to have parties with picnic tables.

  It’s nice that’s it’s been updated and cleaned up.

• M

  Maybo H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 2, 2021

  Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

  Amazing free find

  Got here a bit late and almost didn’t get a site. Very clean and nice with grassy tent sites. Best free site I have ever been to.

• 

  Michael M.

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 19, 2019

  Diamond Lake County Park

  Great view

  Fills up fast on rv side but great views. 1st come 1 serve. Lots of sites on the water and plenty of tent sites. Decent fishing, lots of bluegill and some crappie.

• 

  Dani K.

  Guide

  

  May. 31, 2017

  Lake Darling State Park Campground

  Favorite Childhood Site

  The Lake has been recently drained and refilled. The new trails around the lake are so wonderful. Electric and tent sites. Brand new five season cabins. Great all year round!

• 

  Iris A.

  Ranger

  

  Dec. 8, 2021

  Sleepy Hollow

  Under new ownership

  This campground has many amenities for the whole family. From tent sites, to Airbnb cabins for 9 people they have a site for everyone. They have laundry, showers, horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, fishing and a swimming beach.

• 

  Mary H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 28, 2019

  F. W. Kent Park

  Pleasant stay, quiet campground

  Unique mix of RV and tent sites in a variety of sizes. Some close together would be good for groups and some remote. One shower room with flush toilets near entrance but vault toilets and water available throughout park. No other services.

• 

  Ben K.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 28, 2023

  Thomas Mitchell County Park

  Clean and quiet in tent

  Spent 2 nights tent camping here. We stayed at site 4, glad I read reviews on here. I personally would not want to be in a site beyond number 7 as it gets too close to the dump station and subsequent “sewage lagoon”

  Shower house was clean, pretty quiet, and only 5 miles off the highway

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 13, 2019

  Thomas Mitchell County Park

  Best little park

  Great place to go tent camping, very clean and quiet. They sell firewood bundles for $5. Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat. There is even a pond for fishing that you can take a trail from the campsite to. 100% going to go back and camp again.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 29, 2021

  Union Grove State Park Campground

  Campsite at a beautiful little Iowa lake

  Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing.

  The campground has mostly RV sites, but there are a handful of smaller tent sites at the back, which are my favorite. The campground is quiet.

  Amenities:

  Showers and toilets

  Dump station

  Water

  2 cabins

  Things to do nearby:

  Enjoy the lake

  Matchstick Marvels in nearby Gladbrook

• 

  Christine R.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 11, 2021

  Rock Creek State Park Campground

  Early Spring Visit

  Used to go here as a kid, was always good fishing. We visited one week before the water and modern bathrooms were ready, so that was challenging. The park seemed a little rough to be on the cusp of true spring camping. Derecho looks to have hit here, lots of clean up to do. I never saw a ranger or any staff. Gorgeous tent camping area and waterfront sites. Great bike trail that goes right into Grinnell. We were in site 39 and it’s a great one!

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 25, 2021

  Riverview Park Campground

  Urban campground is near a busy highway

  This campground has many sites to choose from - RV with hookups as well as some non-electric tent sites. There are quite a few activities in Marshalltown, and it is within the Marshalltown city limits.

  The downside is proximity. It is right next to the highway. When I was there in a tent, the hog trucks would drive by all night (loud and smelly). The RV sites are closest to the road, so maybe it is not so bad in an RV, but it is not particularly enjoyable in a tent.

  Pros:

  + Marshalltown has quite a few places to eat

  + Nice bike trails (and a great bicycle store downtown)

  + It is near the Iowa River

  + Nice park in general with activities like a dog park

  + Camp host on-site

  + Decent sized campsites

  + Playground for the kids

  Cons:

  + It can get busy on a summer weekend

  + Noisy - right by the highway

  + Mosquitos are really bad here

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 1, 2021

  Timmons Grove County Park

  Electric sites only, but beautiful area

  All campsites at Timmons Grove are$18/night and are electric. I have visited this place many times but only camped once. This place has never been busy when I have visited.

  I generally do not camp electric, so$18/night was steep for non-electric tent camping. There is no shower and the restroom is a port-a-potty.

  The area itself is really beautiful. There are good hiking trails, including a walk through some wildflowers. Bird watchers will love this place. Also expect to see deer and turkeys.

  There is boat access to the Iowa river as well as a public hunting area(I have not gone boating or fishing here, or hunting).

  Other than the nearby highway, which is not too bad for noise, the campground is really quiet.

  The price and the nearby highway are my only real complaints here. I am giving it 4 stars.

• 

  Dave N.

  Guide

  

  Jul. 17, 2020

  Lake Keomah State Park Campground

  Nice state park

  The campground at this state park is very well maintained. Multiple electric site are available to reserve, along with a handful that are first come-first serve. They also have a bunch of tent sites as well. Pit toilets and a modern showrhouse. Drinking water is available throughout the campground. Most sites are level with at least partial shade. Picnic tables and fire rings at each site. The campground is clean and quiet. Gets busy on the summer weekends, but very quiet during the week. There is a beach to swim, and great fishing in the lake.

• 

  Whitney S.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 9, 2022

  Yellow Banks County Park

  Ever changing

  I camped here in 2021 and I enjoyed it but the first night I was there I ran my vehicle down the second night I was there I took a tour on the campgrounds and got verbally accosted but another camper for walking near their campground and then I mistakenly left some food out and my dog and I were woken up by wild dogs.
  In 2022 I came out again and it was a much better adventure the campgrounds are beautiful they have two different electric sights and they have a newly furnished tent site.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 25, 2021

  Wolf Creek Rec Area

  Quiet campground in the heart of Iowa

  Wolf Creek is a nice little campground near Beaman, IA (Beaman is very small, near Conrad as well which has a grocery store).

  There are 10 RV sites, which are $15/night and several tent/small camper sites which are $10/night.

  The campground has potable water but no showers. There are vault toilets.

  The campground has a nice playground, which was a feature we enjoyed when my daughter was little.

  My favorite part about this campground is the privacy. The tent sites are spread out and it is fairly easy to find one without neighbors too close.

  Activities:

  + Playground

  + Creek fishing

  + Nice benches and swings

  + Comet trail for hiking and biking

  + Hunting nearby

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 29, 2021

  T. F. Clark Co Park

  Off the beaten path county park in Iowa

  This campground offered much privacy when I went - I was the only person camping (tent camping). It was very quiet.

  That being said, there are not many amenities. It has a vault toilet. I did not check the water hydrant, or even try to locate it, since I brought my own water for one night of camping. There is a small playground for the kids, but it is definitely not a modern playground (think back to the 1970's style playground when I was a kid!).

  There are opportunities to hike and view wildlife - my favorite outdoor activities.

  This campground is a real bargain. It was $10/night for any site, including the electric (I stayed in one of the non-electric sites near the back).

  For me, it offers solitude. I will be coming back regularly.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 1, 2020

  Rock Creek State Park Campground

  Rock Creek Rocks

  Rock Creek is known for its crappie and large mouth bass fishing. The lake has lots of features like brush piles, vertical structures, mossy areas and you can go over by the bridge and fish the rocks. It’s a great place if you have a boat or kayak/canoe.

  The camping is very nice. There are RV electrical sites available along with water/sewage. Most of them have tables also. The spots aren’t huge but there are lots of places to camp. On the weekends it’s pretty busy but during the weekday it empties out.

  The tent camping side is really big also and it’s hardly ever filled up. You can reserve some spots right on the water and fish from your tent. Most all the sites have their own fire ring and some have tables.

  There are lots of restroom facilities located around the lake that are pretty clean.

  For activities you can go hiking, fishing, there is disc golf and there is a beach to go swimming in. Morel mushroom hunting is pretty popular here in the wood areas. They have grill pits to grill on and picnic tables through out the area. There are also some playgrounds for the little ones to play in.

  I highly recommend this place.

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Dec. 26, 2024

  Sleepy Hollow

  Short Jog to This Campground Outpost From I80

  If you’re looking for a family-friendly place to pull over for a decent escape to nature, then you may very well want to consider Sleepy Hollow, which is just a few minutes north of I80. Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped both the non-stop whir of incessant highway traffic and the unsightly view of a heavily trafficked main roadway. Add on top of this that you’ll find this location is perfectly suitable to the RV crowd as much as it is the tent-pitching bredren that belong to my tribe of outdoor enthusiasts.

  Here at this campground you’ll find RV and 5th Wheel sites offering both pull-thru and back-in sites complete with full hook-ups (water, 30 / 50 amp electric and sewage). There’s 7 tent sites that are very well shaded, have a decent patch of land and include picnic tables, fire pits and scattered stand-up BBQ grills. Whether you have a tent, an RV or not, this campground has a small handful of cozy cabins available to rent that come with running hot & cold water as well as electricity and are located close to the fishing pond. What I enjoyed most with the primitive camping area was the serenity offered by the abundance of new growth Oaks that shaded the place, along with unfettered views of the lake itself. Priceless.

  Sleepy Hollow offers a number of amenities including: ‘catch& release’ pond (both swimming and fishing potential), ball pit, kid’s playground, puppy park, designated dumpsters, fairly decent WiFi, community firepits, general market store, laundr-O-mat, shower facility, pavilion, horseshoes, game room, volleyball and basketball courts, artificial beachhead with swim area and windmills. There’s a lagoon with hundreds of ducks, but depending upon how you look at this, it may or may not be considered an amenity, but if you have kids like I do, it’s a great distraction that offers up a lot of duck-feeding fun.

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) If you’re looking for a decent bit of hiking, there’s a nice slice of nature near here at Sleepy Hollow a bit NE called Hawkeye Wildlife Management Area where there’s plenty of trails, shooting ranges and some fairly decent bird watching; (2) When you get tired trying to conjure up that next meal from your cooler or on-board fridge, then head over to nearby Renee’s Roadhouse where this roadside stand serves up standard Americana fare like burgers, sandwiches and wraps. For anything more substantial, you’ll have to take a longer drive east to Iowa City of which I recommend Steak & Shake, Back Berner Bar & Grill or Barrel House; (3) If you’d like to embrace the Amish vibe that exists here in rural Iowa, then head due north to Amana Colonies where you’ll come across hand-made blankets and artisan-crafted cabinetry all while offering you some very warm Midwestern hospitality.

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Jan. 1, 2024

  Diamond Lake County Park

  Lakeside Campground Bliss

  While it was our first time camping in Iowa, we were extremely lucky to land upon this slightly hidden fresh water centered campground just a 20 minute drive south of Route 80 near Montezuma, wherein one needs only follow Road#63, before coming across Diamond Lake County Park. With the fall colors being in full bloom when we visited, the entire campground was awash in bright yellows, reds and oranges from the changing colors of the leaves. Also, as we were visiting in mid-October, versus some of the other reviews here, we found that we had the place mostly to ourselves, which made for a rather peaceful sublime respite we were searching for. 

  As for the campground itself, what we enjoyed most was how this location is, for the most part, very well organized in keeping the RV'ers and 5th Wheeler crowds together, while preserving a nice slice of verdant lakeside pasture for us primitive camper types. Each of the sites for camping come equipped with (in most cases) fairly new aluminum picnic tables, fire ring with folding BBQ grill. While we didn’t stay in the RV areas, given our tent-pitching persuasion, what we did see was fairly impressive and looked altogether rather brand new with freshly poured concrete slots and fairly mint-looking RV hook-ups (50 amp electric and water) and this same area also boasted a brand new restroom facilities. 

  Obviously, the main attraction here is Diamond Lake itself, with its more than 90 acres of fresh water, albeit murky fresh water, was certainly a hit with this camping family. We enjoyed being able to get out on the lake with our kayaks and canoes as well as go for very long walks around the circumference of the lake itself, with which you will find simply splendid trails. And if that’s not enough exploration for you, then head further inland and away from the lake to explore this parks other 660 acres of grassy prairieland. 

  From an amenities standpoint, there’s a decent amount, including: three shower houses, four shelters, 2 dump stations, three his / her latrines (some much more dated than others), boat ramp and fishing dock, a dedicated fish cleaning station and what looked to be a fairly new kids playground. In all there’s a total of 120 sites to choose from, with 80 designated for RVs / 5th Wheelers and 40 earmarked for primitive camping, which do not come with any electric, which was on one hand the biggest bummer, but on the other hand, offered up front-row access to lakeside camping bliss as many of these primitive campsites are located right on the water’s edge. 

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Check-in is self-registration and is done onsite, so net-net, this place is first-come, first served as no online or advanced registration is taken. While we didn’t mind this, and given that we arrived right around noon as folks were actually checking out, we got the ‘pick of the litter’ of campsites. Electric sites are $20 / night and non-electric are $10, so this place is incredibly affordable; (2) If you are looking for some grub nearby after growing weary of another meal of franks & beans, then there’s really just a few nearby options: Subway, Sauced Pizza & Pub, Casey’s and Yolanda’s Tacos over in the little town of Montezuma; (3) While there are actually few different campgrounds here at Diamond Lake, for primitive campers, the best sites IMHO are located as far southwest as you can possible go around the lake, where there’s more than a dozen or so sites that sit right in front of the water and present a completely isolated surrounding. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Stuart K.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 1, 2024

  Newton KOA

  This KOA Deserves Your Attention

  Literally a single stone’s throw from I80, one of the busiest thoroughfares you’ll find yourself on here in the great ‘Hawkeye State,’ this is one campground that very much deserves your attention, despite being a KOA. In fact, this campground outpost is so close to the highway that you’ll be hard pressed not to see or hear it during your entire stay. While this KOA does sit down a bit from the hustle & bustle that comes with a major interstate highway, a good number of the available RV sites sit on a sloping hill that is the same elevation as the highway itself, so if you do have the choice, opt for the lower sites (more on that later). 

  Sitting just 30 minutes east of Des Moines, Newton KOA offers up about 100 sites for RVs and 5th wheelers offering up all the standard hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp- but be careful because some sites only offer 30 or 50, while some do offer both, so be sure to ask when making your reservation). For mi tent pitching bredren, there’s about a dozen or so sites to choose from and all are fairly intermingled with the RV sites, although each site does sit on a plush patch of grass, so this KOA does a nice job on that front of integration. Oh, and if you don’t have an RV, 5th wheeler or a tent, on worries, this KOA will rent you one of its three cabins. 

  As this is a KOA you can expect a ton of amenities and this place does not disappoint with: catch & release fishing pond w/ fish cleaning station (that is oddly placed about as far away from the fishing pond as you can get), disc golf course, K9 camp for the puppies, cable TV, WiFi, in-ground pool (available 5/25 until 9/3) with ADA pool lift, horseshoes, meeting rooms, firewood for sale, LP gas refueling station, pool table, shuffleboard, social lounge, two kids playground, laundr-O-mat, basketball court, restroom & shower facilities, mini-market with basic groceries, ping pong, jump pad, game room, gaga pit, designated dumpster and dump station and of course the scattered fire pits and picnic tables. Just to go above and beyond, this KOA serves up free breakfast of flapjacks on Saturdays. Yahoo! 

  Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Whether you are pitching a tent or pulling up in your RV, the best sites IMHO are those in the lower valley, but located right in front of the main office, where there are 6 RV slots numbered #45 – 50 and 6 tent sites numbered T1 – T6; (2) Should you get hungry and might want to try some local fare, check out Taco John’s and La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant, which I guess stand for ‘local’ around here, although there is Newton Family Restaurant. If you are looking for something really different and amazing, I would suggest heading on over to Dan’s Sandwich Shop, which feels like real Americana from a bygone era, complete with a diner-esque vibe and matching elbow counter to warm up to over a nice piece of apple pie, scoop of ice cream washed down with a hot mug of coffee; (3) While this KOA has a mini-market, you will find a bigger selection with better prices just down the road at the local Walmart, where just due west of this, you’ll find a Hy-Vee Grocery store with a wine & spirits shop positioned there as well. Further down the road, you have excellent fresh cut meat from Fareway Grocery, but check out the local hotspot, Newton Market as well; and (4) While what you will discover from an outdoor standpoint at Newton KOA is interesting, if you want something more substantial, head to Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for 6 acres of family-friendly landscape to explore with more displays and demonstrations that you can shake a stick at! Seriously, there’s a butterfly garden, peony border and nearly 200 individual species of trees here to check out. 

  Happy Camping!

• 

  Evan G.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 22, 2024

  F. W. Kent Park

  The perfect weekend get away

  My dad and I tent cramped here in mid August. It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City.