Best Campgrounds near Muscatine, IA

Camping near Muscatine, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

• Explore the caves: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, you can hike through unique caves. One visitor said, "The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous."
• Enjoy the lake: Lake Macbride State Park Campground is perfect for swimming and fishing. A camper mentioned, "Beautiful lake. Will stay here again when come back to visit her."
• Go boating: Shady Creek has a nice boat launch right on the Mississippi River. One reviewer noted, "Nice boat launch. Right on the Mississippi."

What campers like:

• Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "Clean bathrooms and good Starlink north clearing."
• Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer large, well-spaced sites. A reviewer at Scott County Park mentioned, "The sites themselves are HUGE and some of them would accommodate the largest camping rigs you could imagine."
• Friendly staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River shared, "The hosts were absolutely the best! They walk through the camp each night checking sites."

What you should know:

• Limited amenities: Some campgrounds, like Sugar Bottom Campground, do not have showers. A visitor noted, "NO showers, toilets, trash, water hookups."
• Busy during weekends: Popular spots can fill up quickly on weekends. A camper at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground mentioned, "We were dismayed when we arrived at 3 pm on a Sunday to find the place packed with day-use visitors."
• Wildlife: Be prepared for some bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "Bugs (actually had a hornets nest in my electrical plug-in compartment)."

Tips for camping with families:

• Activities for kids: Many campgrounds have playgrounds and trails. A reviewer at Scott County Park mentioned, "There are playgrounds for your kids to play in."
• Plan for meals: Some campgrounds don’t have markets nearby. A camper at F. W. Kent Park advised, "There’s no place to buy firewood nearby so come prepared."
• Quiet hours: Respecting quiet hours is essential for a good experience. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground noted, "Everyone was respectful of quiet hours and very friendly."

Tips from RVers:

• Check site sizes: Some sites may not accommodate larger RVs. A camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground mentioned, "The biggest downside: hard to tell until you see your site if you have water pump close enough!"
• Use leveling blocks: Many sites may require leveling blocks for a comfortable stay. A reviewer at Sugar Bottom Campground said, "We did have to put blocks under the passenger-side tires."
• Cell service: Check cell service availability before you go. A camper at Shady Creek noted, "Good cell reception. We have Verizon."

Camping in Muscatine, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!