Best Tent Camping near Oakville, IA

The campground offers to camp areas: one better suited for RVs, and the other area is better suited for primitive tent, camping. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, our recites include electric. There is a campground host, shower house, shelter and playground area there too. The tent sites are prone to flooding occasionally from the gun river. There is a boat ramp with access to the river for fishing and paddling.

We tent camped here a few weeks ago and it was pretty nice. You self check in and cost is only $10/night for primitive. They don’t have electric or water hookups for tent camping which was ok for us. It was easy to find and quiet. The only downside is the lake was filled with algae. So if you’re wanting to fish or swim, this isn’t the place for you! There’s a gun range, horse farm, playground, bathrooms, and even a place to use a few telescopes to see the stars!

Seasonal cg with RV and tent sites, cabins, clubhouse, pool, pavilion.

This campground has the best tent camping sites we have stayed at. It also has great hiking! We have been 2 times and plan to go again!

CG has both RV and tent sites, playgrounds, volleyball , restrooms, shelters, open spaces, and fishing/boating/paddling along Mississippi River.

Very nice, affordable and peaceful campsite. Stayed one night for tent camping, campsite was clean and accommodating with fire pit, picnic table, lights, Wi-Fi, and power plug. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Perfect camping site.

CG has RV/tent sites including water, restrooms, dump station, wood, playground, outdoor amphitheater, hosts, fishing/baiting/paddling access to Mississippi River. Great River bike trail too.

A little pricy for tent camping. Ten dollars per tent per night and you’re restricted to the primitive area. It’s not bad if you’re just wanting to get away for a little bit but stay close to town. Otherwise if you’re looking for a better get away from it all I’d recommend some place else.

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!

Very well organized, friendly host, green and easy to access off the highway even though we got in after dark. We were able to register our campsite the following morning since we got in late. We’re tent camping and thrilled with the clean hot showers. Just had a bit of road noise.

CG open all year, offers standard sites including electric, water, septic, fire rings, tables. Firewood, ice, recycling, showers/RR, host available. Sites have shade and Tent sites available. Park offers 4 lakes for fishing, paddling, and a seasonal beach for swimming with concessions. Park has hiking trails, world-class disc golf course, playgrounds, picnicking, shelter rentals.

Train tracks are right next to the sites. It would wake us up in the middle of night and honk its horn right next to us. We had a tent site right next the bathroom, plenty of shade for those back end sites. The showers had a push button so it was hard to get the right water pressure and temperature. Host was very nice and attentive, she warned us about severe weather coming our way. Small spaces but neighbors were also nice.

This campground is located in West Lake Park about 5 miles from downtown Davenport. There are two campgrounds – Summit and Park Terrace. Summit campground is water and electric; whereas, Park Terrace is full hook-up. West Lake Park has lots to do and is a great place to come with kids. There are multiple large playgrounds, a disk golf course, large sandy swim beach, a concession stand, four lakes with boat rentals, and plenty of miles of hiking trails.

We stayed at this campground for two nights before it closed for the season and then moved to Park Terrace because it is open year-round. All sites are long pull-thrus capable of fitting any size RV. All sites are paved with gravel patios (except for a few of them that may have been ADA sites). They were all level with mature trees that provided would provide shade during the summer.  The campground is first come, first served but we called ahead to see how full they expected the campground to be and told us it would not be a problem, but we were set to arrive on a Tuesday in late October so this was not really the busy season. Sites are nice long pull thrus but we didn’t see any specific tent sites. Check out is 3 p.m. so don’t plan on arriving early if you are coming on a busy summer weekend. You enter the campground in Gate 1 but have to register at the campground office at Gate 5. 

Our site #105 was a nice long site with water and electric hookups that were spaced well. Fire pits at this campground are well-placed in your patio area just outside your door. We loved all that there was to do at this campground especially the hiking and kayaking. Had we been here during the busy summer season I don’t know if we would have liked it so much but we definitely loved the quiet fall season.

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. Note: the entrance sign to the campground is a little difficult to see from the road, and the campground does sometimes close due to high water. Gates will be shut with a High Water sign on them if that's the case. It's best to call ahead to Louisa County Conservation if you're planning to camp in the spring/summer when flood season tends to be most prevalent in this area.

There are two separate campgrounds, all are electrical sites, (no dump station) except for one tent-only site which is situated up on a hill by itself with a round about road off to the right as you drive down the main access road. The second campground is to the left, with no bathrooms, and also butts up to a community of seasonal/year round cabins. This means it may be a bit more noisy during the warmer months. We chose the second campground and only one other site was in use. All was quiet by 10:00pm. We did wake up once or twice to the sound of barred owls calling back and forth in the night which only added to the ambiance of tent camping. This area is known as a hub for migratory birds, so if you're a bird person, it's a prime location. We saw red-headed woodpecker, yellow warblers, and a handful of other birds. About 5 minutes north of the campground is Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge which offers an interpretive center, modern restroom facilities, hiking trails and bird watching.

Each campsite has a graveled drive, picnic bench, fire ring and garbage can with lid. There is a public parking area and dock to put in boats on the lake and fish. All campsites have a lake view, and several are in shaded spots along the timber line. This is a dog-friendly campground and dogs must be leashed at all times. These sites are first-come-first serve and are $12/night. You are required to self-register within 30 minutes of your arrival time. There is a registration kiosk to the right, at the bottom of the main access road.

This was a nice, smaller campground with a water front view that felt secluded and slightly more primitive.

Once there was a time where almost every weekend from spring to fall I would camp here with my family. Scott County Park has been the standard from which I judge all other campgrounds.

When you come into the park you check in at the entry station. The people there always friendly and knowledgeable. This is also where you can purchase firewood if you want to.

For tent camping, I preferred Wilderness over Incahaias mainly because Wilderness feels much more private, as some of the individual sights towards the back are surrounded by bushes/trees. Wilderness is primitive and Incahaias has electric hookups.

By far though I spent most of my youth at the Pine Grove campsite. Electric service is 30 Amp and there is a dump station and potable water up front. My father had a 28' travel trailer and he never had a problem backing it into whatever spot we had. We played a lot on the playground there and rode our bikes wherever.

There is a trail head on the west of the campsite that we would always take to hike to Walnut Grove Pioneer Village.

Pioneer village if you've never been was the absolute bees knees as a kid to go to, especially since you can hike to get there! I loved climbing around in the train cars, eating icecream/candy canes, and watching the blacksmith work. Sometimes they'll have shootouts in the street which was always a blast pun intended! :) I would say kids older than maybe 10 might think the experience is kind of lame though.

Scott County Park also has a public pool as well. The last time i swam here i do not believe the pool was heated but now it is! They also did not have the big water slides.

The picnic shelters at Scott County Park are also great. I've been to them many times over the years for graduations, family reunions, birthday's etc.

I cannot speak about the golf course or the Bald Eagle site (For dedicated RV and travel trailer users) as I have never been to either, but both places seem fairly busy and Bald Eagle is open year round!

I haven't been here in a few years but I'll be back soon enough!

This CG is one of 6 that you have to choose from here at Scott County Park, wherein Woodside is definitely more geared for the RVs – especially the much larger ones, so if you have a very big rig, this likely is the best CG for you – with each site offering FHUs with electric, water& sewage, fire rings and picnic tables. If you wanted to tent camp here, you could, although I would recommend nearby Incahias or Sac-Fox as better for tent campers. Unlike some of the other campgrounds, Woodside is somewhat bare and desolate inside the actual campground with the land being incredibly flat, but wide open so therefore not providing much privacy or shade whatsoever. Back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level with the grounds being incredibly well-kept and impeccably clean bathroom / shower facilities with great HOT running water.

Albeit with a short hike through the forest, Woodside CG is near Cody Lake and Glynn’s Creek, which offers some decent oaring in your kayak or canoe. Sitting adjacent to Cody Lake is an eponymous community shelter than can be reserved or used on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s also a playground for the kiddos and a restroom facility that is also spartan-clean as well access to Glynn’s Creek Trailhead which is a moderate hike and further afield throughout the rest of the park, there’s no shortage of hiking / biking / horse trails. We found Woodside 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.

Scott County Park is easy to fall in love with, whether traveling solo or with a family as there is a lot that this park offers up: from fresh water catch & release lakes, combination of topographies, from woodlands, wetlands and prairie grasslands, 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, 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. Oh, and the incredibly friendly rangers that constantly patrol and keep this beautiful park in full working order were nothing short of amazing.

Happy Camping!

It’s smaller than a football field and tucked behind one of those old-school gas stations that you see in the middle of a desert that looks permanently closed, but then you see old Jethro sitting on the corner around the bend from the fuel pumps smoking a cigarillo not worrying about whether the place blows up or not. That’s how I found Little Bear Campground. When I arrived, the place was closed, but thankfully there was a sign posted on the door to call Mike, so I did. And he couldn’t have been nicer, offering me up any open site in the place. 

So, I took a spin around the joint, which I would describe as ‘intimate’ with all of the very level grassy spots being fairly close to one another, interspersed with plenty of cover shadow from all of the trees that you’ll find this place populated by. The place was half empty, so I guess whatever crowdedness might actually exist in reality was somewhat lost on me. That said, if you are driving an RV or hauling a 5th Wheeler, I would certainly be less than impressed by seemingly the great proximity you will have to your fellow neighbor. Maybe that matters to you or maybe it doesn’t as many of the RV locations I have seen over the past year all land on more intimate quarters than not. The sites for RV / 5th Wheelers are small rock / gravel, which I gather from my mobile home hauling friends is that it is the preferred surface when concrete is not available. 

While we showed up the last week of the season to encounter that the community pool was closed, apart from this, there really wasn’t a ton of other amenities to speak of although there was a community hall where I understand that group activities like bingo, euchre and other family-friendly games are played. Of course, there were the basics of in-ground fire ring and standard-issued picnic tables. There was a kid’s playground with swingset and teeter-totters that had definitely seen better days. Apart from the main office, which I presume served also as a mini-market and as I understand has both showers and laundry facilities (although I wouldn’t know as it was locked up) there isn’t much here. 

The few primitive camping sites that do exist here are located on the western side of the property up against the corn fields, which I actually appreciated, and had very good mature trees growing around the area, but one would definitely feel like a ‘second class citizen’ here. As a tent pitcher myself I was absolutely bummed by the lack of privacy, where seemingly you would be on full display for the rest of the RV parking crowd having full view of your campsite. In all, there’s 45 RV slots here with all of the basic hook-ups including water, sewage and 30 / 50 electric amp. By my count, there was 5 or so individual primitive camping sites. And for $22/night for tent camping and $33/night for RV parking, you really can’t beat the prices. 

Insider’s Tips? Here’s a few: (1) Should you be looking for some place to try out the local fare, while there’s Taste of India (which by the look of the place I would steer you away from), there’s only just a handful of other joints nearby that might be of interest like Saap Saap, a Loatian joint (yeah, I just said that, a Loatian joint in the middle of nowhere, Iowa) that is actually quite good in the little town of West Liberty, which is, ironically, south of here (not west) and offers up a few other culinary finds like JB’s Grub & Pub, Shanghai Chinese, Puebla Mexican Restaurant and El Patio; (2) If you are looking to marinate in some good US history, then you are in luck as there is a museum near here to little known / revered President Herbert Hoover that has a bunch of exhibits and other dusty things; and (3) Should you be wanting to embrace nature, then head west to Hickory Hill Park that offers up some really nice hiking, biking and walking trails on 185 acres of pristine Midwest prairieland. 

Happy Camping!

Campground Review:

Surrounded by hardwood forests and native prairie, Langwood Education Center, located in rural Wapello, Iowa is the perfect spot for nature retreats, family gatherings, outdoor education classes, and more.

With rates starting as low as $99 per day/$194 per overnight for up to 100 people, Langwood provides a quiet and serene setting for camping, hiking, canoeing, and reconnecting with nature.

There is plenty of space for individual tents, as well as 5 electrical hookups for RVs for $10 per night per RV. An A-frame bunkhouse is also available. The bunkhouse is a split level with a total of 21 single beds on the first and second level. Campers will need to bring their own bedding. While Langwood is open through the winter months, water is shut off, so campers will need to bring their own water supply. Check in time is after 1:00pm and check out time is 11:00am.

Campfire rings and outdoor picnic tables are available. Langwood’s 92 acres houses a lodge with a full kitchen, and ample seating including tables and chairs. There is a separate, modern restroom within short walking distance of the bunkhouse and lodge.

For an additional fee, campers can use the ropes course located by a large pond on the property. Six canoes are also on site for use. There is no additional fee for the canoes, but a waiver must be signed in order to use them.

For the women's outdoor retreat weekend I attended, I chose to bring my tent and camp out rather than utilize the bunk house. The area for tent camping is quite large with a variety of shade trees, and offers a fair amount of privacy.

With hiking trails throughout the property, the woods offer prime area to see migratory birds such as kingfishers, herons, and a multitude of warblers. At night, great horned and barred owls can be heard calling back and forth.

Langwood provides quiet walks through Iowa prairies and clear, star-gazing nights. This spot is perfect for larger gatherings, offering privacy and a quiet space away from the busyness of everyday life.

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. This time around I had the opportunity to test out the three-in-one RōM Pack from RōM Outdoors. https://romoutdoors.com/product/rom-pack/

I’m always up for giving a new backpack a try. I was really interested to see how the RoM Pack compared to my other daypacks and backpack. The RoM Pack is unique as it offers a twist on the traditional pack; a three-in-one pack, blanket, rain poncho combo.

I took the RoM pack with me on the recent women’s outdoor retreat at Langwood Education Center. It seemed like the perfect weekend to test out the versatility of this pack. From prairie seed collection, to orienteering, to night hikes, the pack offered something useful throughout the retreat. The pack includes two detachable, smaller saddlebags; great for throwing a water bottle and snacks in for the prairie seed collection hike.

Between sessions, we had the opportunity to wander the grounds and take time to relax. This presented the perfect opportunity to break the pack down and try out the blanket. It was a cool autumn day, and lounging in the sun was a nice reprieve from the busy morning activities.

While it didn’t rain during my stay, I did decide to try on the poncho to see how it fit. It was a little bulky, but would definitely help repel rain. It was easy enough to take off and flip back over to blanket mode.The outer material is meant to resist water, so whether you’re wearing it at as a poncho or using it as a blanket, you’ll stay dry. Another plus is the removable stuff sack located inside the pack. I used it specifically to store my dirty clothes from the first day of the retreat.

The pack itself is made of a durable, water resistant material, and includes two mesh side pockets good for stowing water bottles, and bug spray. While the pack is slightly heavier than my other daypacks, 4.6 lbs, I would consider using it for shorter day hikes, but will get the most use out of it to store and carry clothes and gear on camping and fishing trips. I’m also a shorter individual, so the pack was a little big on me. I was able to adjust the straps enough to get a fairly secure fit.

The RoM Pack also comes with a small booklet with step by step directions on how to put the pack back together after breaking it down. The booklet also includes information on identifying poison ivy, oak, and sumac as well as different ways to build a campfire; a nice addition to the pack itself.

Campground Review:

This is a very nice county park with and we really enjoyed camping here. We came to the area to visit the John Deere factory and other Davenport/Moline attractions (and found there is lots to do in the area). We did not have a reservation and showed up on a Saturday but figured since it was a cold rainy weekend in late October we wouldn’t have a problem finding a site. You pull in, pick out a site and then pay later when the office is open. Some campsites have gravel driveways while others are paved but all have a paved patio and will accommodate any length RV. The paved sites are more popular so there was less choice but we found a spot. It seemed most of the sites were occupied by local weekend campers who left on Sunday (check out is 3 pm which gives you a longer weekend stay). All sites are 50 amp full hook-up and have picnic tables and fire pits with grill grates. There are 13 non-electric tent sites that are in a grassy area towards the back of the campground with two pit toilets located nearby. The campground is nicely treed but not too much that it is hard getting RV’s in and out of sites. The campground is open year-round but they shut of the water spigots around the end of October (depending on the weather). There is a 14-day maximum stay which prevents seasonal or permanent people from taking up residence. Our Verizon phone only got 3G and a couple two bars. The over-the-air antenna picked up about two dozen and three major networks.

The campground sits in a 620-acre park which has lots of things to do including a 24-hole disk golf course, playgrounds, four lakes for fishing or boating (which you can rent and only electric motors allowed in the lakes), a swim beach, picnic pavilions, concessions, hiking trails, boat ramp, and volleyball. This park was great for walking our dog as there are many miles of trails along the lakes and in the woods which were not heavily used (but we were there in late October and not the busy summer season).

The payment process was a little confusing. Instead of having an envelope to put your money in, you are supposed to come to the office when they open. The sign on the door indicated they would be back at 3 pm. but nobody was there at that time. About 4 o’clock a ranger knocked on our door and told us to come pay. They are a little vague about the office hours because the next day we went back around 3:00 and nobody was there. Overall, we really liked this park and would definitely stay here again if we were in the area.

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Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get to test outdoor products and gear and during this trip I tested a variety of foods from Mountain House. They offer a wide variety of foods from deserts, entrees, breakfast, and sides and a variety of flavors. I liked that they have the nutritional information online so you can see what you are getting before purchasing. Many of their items come in different sizes so you can have a packet that feeds two or three or just a single serving. They also have reviews so you can see what other people liked. I choose an assortment of flavors including apple crisp, ice cream sandwich, beef stew, and beef mac and cheese. The instructions on the packet are clear and easy to follow.

The Breakfast Skillet appealed to me because it has all the breakfast components I like – eggs, sausage, peppers, and hash browns. This meal was power packed full of 12 grams of protein but had a whopping 21 grams of fat so I wouldn’t be eating this every morning. I thought this might be a little mushy but there really was a good texture contrast and you could taste the individual components. Preparing it was pretty simple - just add ¾ cup of water, stir and let it heat for 8 minutes (stirring once during that time) and you have a piping hot delicious breakfast.

I am a fan of ice cream sandwiches and was skeptical as to how this item was going to taste. But, it really did have the flavor of a frozen ice cream sandwich but won’t melt on you on a hot day. Best of all, you just open the pouch and start eating. It is a nice way to take a desert with you on camping trip that doesn’t take up too much space.

The chili mac with beef was one of the highest rated meals on their website so I thought I should give it a try. It was really tasty, hearty, and filling. A small portion of the noodles didn’t seem to rehydrate all the way through and were a little chewy. Next time I would stir the contents twice while it was heating up. All in all, it was very good and I would definitely order this again. I could see adding salsa to give it a little zip.

While Mountain House offers a pretty good selection of items, I wish they had some hearty soups options. Overall, I would order from this company again and found the food tasty and convenient. The food tasted as you would expect from the product description and the online ordering process was easy.