B
Becky 
Traveler
TravelerFern Cliff Co Park
Great free campsite
We found this on a trip back from MS. It’s free and had men’s and women’s vault toilets. Great sunset opportunities!
Best Campgrounds near Oakville, IA
Campgrounds along the Mississippi River near Oakville, Iowa include several river-focused options with varied access types and amenities. Ferry Landing, situated where the Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet, provides primitive dispersed camping with direct river access. Other options include Keithsburg Riverside Campground with electric hookups and water access, Snively Access Campground with electric sites on Lake Odessa, and Big Hollow Recreation Area offering full hookup sites for RVs, primitive tent camping, and cabin accommodations. The mixed-use campgrounds generally support both tent and RV camping, with some locations offering boat-in access for paddlers exploring the Mississippi River corridor.
Camping availability near Oakville is significantly affected by seasonal flooding, especially along riverfront sites. "Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests. Look out for insects. Pack in/out, gather drift wood for fire, watch barges pass by," notes one Ferry Landing visitor. Road conditions can limit access during wet periods, with several reviews mentioning deep mud holes and steep dirt lanes. Many campgrounds in this region close during high water, particularly in spring and summer when flooding is common. Lake Odessa area campsites sometimes require verification of accessibility by calling Louisa County Conservation before arrival. Most sites provide basic electrical hookups, though water services vary and may be limited to communal spigots at some campgrounds.
Riverside camping represents the primary draw for visitors to the Oakville area, with fishing, paddling, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The region's location at the confluence of major waterways creates excellent habitat for migratory birds, making it popular with birdwatchers. Several campers highlight the opportunity to observe barges passing on the Mississippi and appreciate the relative quiet of the more primitive sites. While amenities are generally basic, many campgrounds offer electric hookups and picnic tables. One camper described the experience as "quiet and slightly more primitive" with "a water front view that felt secluded." Visitors seeking more developed facilities can find them at Big Hollow Recreation Area, which features cement pads, a shower house, playground, and multiple recreational amenities including a shooting range, beach, and canoe rentals.
Best Camping Sites Near Oakville, Iowa (109)
1. Keithsburg Riverside Campground
5 ReviewsKeithsburg, IL5 milesWebsite+1 (309) 374-9070"Shower house is a little bit of a walk but not terrible. Bout a 3 block walk to several bars/restaurant a caseys gas station. Everyone was friendly. Would recommend."
"Shower and head is a bit of a walk. There is a Convenience store I think circle K where people are quite nice ."
2. Big Hollow Recreation Area
6 ReviewsSperry, IA14 milesWebsite+1 (319) 985-2502$15 - $20 / night
"Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out."
"If you want more privacy and easy access to the lake for kayaking I'd go for 14, 15, and 16. I'm in 32 and it is private and very pretty."
3. Big River State Forest Campground
2 ReviewsKeithsburg, IL6 miles"This is an older campground with many hiking trails nearby at the state forest. It was wonderfully quiet during the week."
4. Sturgeon Bay Park and Campground
1 ReviewOakville, IA5 milesWebsite+1 (309) 587-8181$15 - $30 / night
5. Ferry Landing - Mississippi River
2 ReviewsOakville, IA5 milesWebsite+1 (309) 794-4524"Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests. Look out for insects."
6. Louisa County Snively Access Campground
1 ReviewWapello, IA7 milesWebsite+1 (319) 523-8381$12 / night
"Spots are right at the water edge. Boat ramp available. Very steep, dirt lane to access campground. Questionable for an RV over 25’"
7. Snively Access
1 ReviewWapello, IA7 milesWebsite+1 (319) 523-8381"Snively Access Campground is located off of County Road X61 in Wapello, IA. The access road is a steep, well-maintained, gravel drive that takes you directly to Lake Odessa and the campsites."
8. Shady Creek
17 ReviewsIllinois City, IL26 milesWebsite+1 (563) 419-0857$14 - $26 / night
"What a gem we found in Muscatine Iowa. Level poured pad for RV, electric and nice fire pits. Large sites. Clean restrooms and lots of hot water for Shower."
"We could see multiple fire works shows if we walked around the campground with the neighbors across the street putting on a pretty great "amateur" show. "
9. Delabar State Park Campground
2 ReviewsOquawka, IL11 milesWebsite+1 (309) 374-249610. Virginia Grove Rec Area
2 ReviewsWapello, IA15 milesWebsite+1 (319) 523-8381$17 / night
"There is a walking trail that leads to a lake with ducks. Online only reservations."
Recent Camping Photos near Oakville, IA
43 Photos of 109 Oakville Campgrounds
Kyle J.
Keithsburg Riverside Campground
Jeff F.
Big River State Forest Campground
Jessica H.
Snively Access
Jessica H.
Langwood Education Center
J&KAllbee
Shady Creek
Art S.
Riverview Campground - Loud Thunder Forest Preserve
James M.
Wildcat Den State Park Campground
Stephanie S.
Clarks Ferry
Wendy R.
Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area - Cedar River Campground
Teresa M.
Updog RV & Camping
Rachel G.
Camelot Campground Quad Cities USA
Stephanie S.
Allison Lake Storey
Recent Reviews near Oakville, IA
423 Reviews of 109 Oakville Campgrounds
James M.
LegendWapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.
Great County Cabin among native habitats
This cabin sleeps six people, is modern and includes full service kitchen, bathroom with ADA accessible shower, picnic table, fire ring and grill, freed firewood! Trails along the Wapsipinicon River, prairie, and woodlands. Nature Center has love animals, exhibits, and offers programs . River landing offers river access for paddling. Observatory offers night programs by local university.
- James M.Legend
Scott County Park- South East Corner Campground
Very basic camp area with equestrian Trail access.
This campsite has a hard parking lot surface, picnic table, charcoal, grill, firing, and a pit toilet, horse tie up. Trail access starts here, recycling station is adjacent, and Scott County Park Road is just to the south.
- James M.Legend
Woodside Campground, Scott County Park Iowa
Nice county open campground
This campground is well-maintained, includes basic amenities: hard surface, picnic table, fire rings, water, electric, sewer, firewood for purchase on site, full shower, house and restrooms, seasonal campground host, and lots to do within the Park itself. This site is a few years old, and trees planted our continue to grow.
- James M.Legend
Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins
Nice County year round campground
This campground has hard services, fire rings, picnic tables, water, electric, sewer, firewood on site, full shower house, restrooms, electric site charging, seasonal host, dump station, and play area.
- James M.Legend
Iowa 80 Truckstop
Busy overnight parking with Supplies
This overnight location is located along interstate 80 and includes restaurants, fuel, food, ice, showers, chiropractor, dentist, auto supplies, propane, car wash. This space though it is well lit, it is very busy. Regular idling sounds from trucks are heard.
- James M.Legend
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.Legend
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.LegendCamelot 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.
Guide to Oakville
Camping areas surrounding Oakville, Iowa provide access to both Mississippi River frontage and inland recreation areas. The Ferry Landing campground at the confluence of the Iowa and Mississippi rivers offers dispersed camping with river views and fishing opportunities. Other nearby options include Big Hollow Recreation Area, featuring full hookup sites, primitive camping areas, and recreational facilities like a boat launch and shooting range. Campground options range from basic riverside sites with minimal amenities to more developed facilities with electricity, showers, and sanitary stations. Both tent and RV camping are supported at most locations, with a few sites also offering cabin accommodations.
Road conditions and seasonal flooding significantly impact camping availability in the region. The Mississippi River floodplain experiences periodic high water, especially in spring and early summer, making some sites temporarily inaccessible. As one visitor noted, "Tried to camp here, but dirt road going in was submerged in deep mud holes after some heavy rain." Many campsites require self-registration within 30 minutes of arrival, particularly at county-managed locations. Cell service varies throughout the area, with limited connectivity at more remote riverside locations. Campers should check with Louisa County Conservation about potential closures during flood season before planning trips to riverside campgrounds, as gates may be closed with high water signs posted.
The riverside setting represents a dominant feature for camping in this area. Campers appreciate the natural surroundings and wildlife viewing opportunities, particularly for birdwatching. "Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests," shared one reviewer about Ferry Landing. Several campgrounds provide electrical hookups and basic amenities, though shower facilities may be limited or require a walk from campsites. Mixed-use campgrounds in the region balance privacy with accessibility, offering varied site spacing from densely arranged to more secluded options. Public boat launches near camping areas facilitate fishing and paddling activities, with opportunities to observe river barges, explore wildlife refuges, or paddle on Lake Odessa. Noise levels remain relatively low at most sites, particularly during weekdays, though some riverside locations may have seasonal or weekend activity increases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Oakville, IA?
Which is the most popular campground near Oakville, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Oakville, IA is Keithsburg Riverside Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
Keep Exploring