Best Campgrounds near Osage, IA

The Mitchell County area near Osage, Iowa features several established campgrounds catering to various camping styles including tent camping, RV sites, and limited cabin options. Cedar Bridge County Park and Spring Park provide accessible camping within minutes of Osage, with most campgrounds situated along waterways like the Cedar River. Nearby options include Halvorson Park in St. Ansgar and Interstate County Park in Mitchell, offering a mix of electric and non-electric sites throughout the region.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with several parks closing between mid-October and May. Electric hookups are common at developed sites, while primitive options remain limited. "The campground is very 'campgroundy'. Many of the RV sites are very close together, which is the norm in Iowa. However, there are a few on the outskirts that have a little more privacy," noted one camper about a nearby state park. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the area, with multiple visitors reporting strong signals from major carriers. Weather considerations include potential flooding along river campsites during spring and occasional train noise at certain locations.

Water access represents a significant draw for camping in the region, with several campgrounds situated directly along rivers and lakes. Cedar Bridge County Park features sites adjacent to the Cedar River, providing opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and other water activities. Campers frequently mention the clean facilities and reasonable pricing at county-managed campgrounds. Reviews indicate that sites requiring less leveling are found at Cedar Bridge and Riverside County Parks, while Spring Park offers more rustic camping with fewer amenities. Some visitors note that campgrounds near Osage maintain a good balance between accessibility and natural setting. According to a recent review, "If you like to wake up and walk a few steps to fish, canoe, paddle board or swim, then this park is a dream come true."

Best Camping Sites Near Osage, Iowa (103)

    1. Spring Park

    1 Review
    Osage, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 283-5440

    "Two nice nature trails. And a constant flowing spring in the park."

    2. Cedar Bridge County Park

    1 Review
    Osage, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 732-5204

    "Dump station and dumpsters near the exit. Clean bathrooms and showers. Lots of space at each campsite. Good hiking and horse trails."

    3. Halvorson Park

    1 Review
    Osage, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 736-2221

    "The only down side was the noise from the traffic going over the bridge nearby. There is also a nice walking trail a couple miles away on the river by Mitchell that we enjoyed."

    4. Interstate Co Park

    1 Review
    Osage, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 732-5204

    $10 - $18 / night

    "Here on a Wednesday (which is the only night the nearby restaurant is closed). It was empty. It's on a lovely river with swimming. Mostly people here for day use putting boats in."

    5. Riverside Co Park

    2 Reviews
    Osage, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 732-5204

    "Nice walking trails on the east and south side of the park. Very creative natural play park for children to play on. Full hook up sites with a very reasonable nightly rate."

    "Volleyball and walking trails with primitive camping across the road. Cabin with air conditioning and fully furnished further up the river on 200 acres of county land."

    6. Rudd Eastside Park

    2 Reviews
    Rockford, IA
    11 miles
    Website

    "We tent camped but they’ve got lots of spaces for campers and tents as well, bathrooms are close, there is a nice lake near with play equipment located at the lake and at the campground, the campground"

    7. Camp At The Woods

    4 Reviews
    Nora Springs, IA
    15 miles
    +1 (641) 696-3413

    "Perfect size sites and near the river for some water fun. Pool wasn’t open yet but looked to be a good size. Would go back there again for sure!"

    8. Lake Hendricks Co Park

    3 Reviews
    Le Roy, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (563) 547-3634

    "A good place for a place to stop next to a lake. Good hookups and picnic tables"

    "Nice RV park on a man made lake there are 2 levels, the upper being a bit more wooded with a few sites overlooking the lake the facilities were clean if not a bit DIY feeling."

    9. Shellrock River Co Preserve

    4 Reviews
    Nora Springs, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 423-5309

    "Big grassy field surrounded by huge (walnut) trees. There a gravel track that goes along a large river. Trees everywhere so bring bug spray. Quiet, peaceful. Not private but worth it."

    10. Woody’s Campground by the Lake

    1 Review
    Rockford, IA
    12 miles
    +1 (641) 420-3842

    $25 / night

    "Short walk to the lake and playgrounds. Bar and grill 1/4 mile away."

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Recent Reviews near Osage, IA

253 Reviews of 103 Osage Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2025

    Lake Hendricks Co Park

    Paved sites, simple Accomodations

    A good place for a place to stop next to a lake. Good hookups and picnic tables

  • Leni K.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Big Fun, Even With Closures

    Big Island was nicely wooded, keeping a very cool temperature but with little cover from other campsites. Tent pad and fire pit were well maintained. Restrooms were well cleaned, if not exactly maintained (soap and Toilet paper ran light over the weekend, and spiders hung out after a cleaning). ADA accessible. Even with a few trails closed, plenty of trails to explore around the Big Island campground. Rented a tandem kayak from the ranger station, looked like one of the two kayaks, plenty of canoes for rent. Spotted pelicans, turtles, and birds along the shore. Campground host never came by, but the ranger was spotted twice once to keep hammock straps off a smaller tree. Mosquitos were out in full force during the cooler weather.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Richard J Dorer Memorial Hardwood Forest Isinours Management Unit

    Lovely space

    There are a few spaces with views you can hike in to but I opted for a spot next to my car. And ideal spot for a one nighter. I stopped here after a 12 hour drive got set up and even walked the trails for a few miles before bed.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    MacNider Campground

    Better than free camping

    Quiet, clean and decent size lots.

    This Campground sits among a sleepy country city… however with the trees and the setting, you would never know.

    The cost is $20 per night for electric and water. Sewer cost extra.

    Would stay here 100 times over any type of lot docking and many other campsites that look like parking lot.

    It’s a home run stay here!

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 15, 2025

    Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    great camping

    Stayed in site 71 for 3 nights. Good level campsite and in walking around all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level.  

    The shower house is the newer style - individual shower rooms and then a separate mens/women/handicapped bathroom.   Showers were clean.

    Lots of hiking - down to historic village and back is about 4.5 miles round trip.  

    If you get the chance, go do the the 1 hour walking tour of Mystery Cave - well worth the entry fee.  if you go on weekend probably need to make reservations. 

    and finally need to check out Wykoff - and see Ed's Museum.  Usually open on weekends.  We went over during the week and wasn't open but you can get view inside from the street.

    TV was able to pick up about 15 stations - but there is NO CELL SERVICE in the campground - no Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile.   Wifi down at the ranger office.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Worth County Fairgrounds

    Adorable small town, quiet camping

    I really enjoyed my stay here. I had planned for one night but I enjoyed it so much I stayed for 3. The fairgrounds are dead quiet when there is not an event going on. The locals come through on walks because the fairgrounds are so pleasant. There is a nice walking path with gardens and artwork, and a playground as well. 

    There is a very clean bath house that has one shower. There are water hydrants throughout the fairgrounds but none at the camp sites. There is no dump station on the property. The sites are paved and most require some leveling. They are pretty short, my motorhome is 25 feet long and when I parked the back of my rig was over the grass. Some of the other sites might be a little longer.

    There is a cell tower right next to the fairgrounds. I had excellent T-mobile (5G) and Verizon (4G) signal & speeds here.

    There is a train track nearby, I heard trains once or twice a day. I did not hear any horns at night, but some during the day. It was not too loud.

    The downtown part of Northwood is about a 15 minute walk. There you'll find a handful of restaurants and a very nice, very small, coffee shop. There is a grocery store in town, as well as a hardware store and a pharmacy. All within a 10-15 minute walk from the fairgrounds. 

    There is a very nice city park with bike paths, located right on the river, in the Southwest part of town. It's about a 20 minute walk.

  • Ax H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Shellrock River Co Preserve

    Great Free spot for tent camping

    Big grassy field surrounded by huge (walnut) trees. There a gravel track that goes along a large river. Trees everywhere so bring bug spray. Quiet, peaceful. Not private but worth it. Free, 3 day max stay

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2025

    Maple Springs Campground

    Maple Springs Campground

    These people are wonderful and accomodating.


Guide to Osage

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

What to do:

  • Hiking and Biking: Explore the scenic trails around the area. Campers at Big Island Campground — Myre-Big Island State Park enjoyed hiking, with one reviewer mentioning, "We hiked about 5 miles, saw a few deer and other animals."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are near lakes and rivers, perfect for fishing. A visitor at Eagle Cliff Campground and Lodging shared, "Fishing was really great catching several fish for dinner including some really nice size rainbow trout."
  • Cave Tours: If you're up for a little drive, check out the cave tours at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground. One camper raved, "Love the cave tours! Some trails in the park are horse trails also, so you may encounter the occasional horseback rider."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in warmer months. A camper at George Wyth State Park Campground warned, "There were tremendous amounts of mosquitoes at the campground during our visit."
  • Site Size: Some campgrounds have sites that are close together. A visitor at Clear Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "If full, you would have no privacy."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Pulpit Rock Campground noted, "The staff was super friendly and it’s nice being right on the water though!"

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. A family at Old Barn Resort enjoyed, "If you want to float the river they got it! If you just want to lay by the pool, you can do it!"
  • Potluck Events: Some campgrounds host community meals. A visitor at Maple Springs Campground mentioned, "They had a very nice potluck lunch and pork chops on a stick, all free and great food."
  • Wildlife Watching: Kids will love spotting animals. A camper at Big Island Campground said, "We saw a few deer and other animals."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Rice Lake State Park mentioned, "The ranger told us the site we had chosen online was not suitable for our small RV."
  • Dump Station Access: Look for campgrounds with easy access to dump stations. A visitor at Eagle Cliff Campground appreciated, "Dump station was easy access!"
  • WiFi Availability: Some campgrounds offer WiFi, but it may be spotty. A camper at Maple Springs Campground noted, "WiFi intermittent at far end of campgrounds."

Camping near Osage, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there year-round camping available in Osage?

Year-round camping availability in the Osage area varies by location. R Campground, Inc is accessible throughout much of the year, located just a few miles off Highway 218 on the southeastern side of town with gravel roads and sites featuring 50 amp full hookups. Worth County Fairgrounds offers camping when there are no events scheduled, providing a quiet environment with pleasant walking paths, gardens, and artwork. Many state and county parks in the region typically close their water systems and restroom facilities during winter months (approximately November through April), though some may permit winter camping with limited amenities. Check with specific campgrounds for their seasonal operations before planning a cold-weather trip.

Where are the campgrounds in Osage, Iowa?

Osage, Iowa and its surrounding area offer several campground options. Otranto Co Park is located right off the county road next to the river, featuring warm showers, a playground, and public river access with plenty of shade trees. Shellrock River Co Preserve provides quiet camping with beautiful views of the Iowa night sky. Other nearby options include Spring Park with drive-in access and water, and Eldred Sherwood Park offering both electric RV sites and primitive sites with a bathhouse nearby. The area features walking paths through both forested and prairie landscapes, making it ideal for outdoor enthusiasts seeking a variety of camping experiences.

How far is Osage, Iowa from major cities?

Osage, Iowa is conveniently located relative to several regional cities. It's approximately 60 miles from Rochester, Minnesota (about a 1-hour drive), which is evident from campers at KOA Kampgrounds of America mentioning its location near the freeway connecting these areas. Cedar Rapids is roughly 110 miles south (about 2 hours), and Des Moines is about 150 miles southwest (2.5-3 hour drive). Beed's Lake State Park Campground is situated between Osage and the larger city of Mason City, which is only about 30 miles west of Osage. The region is accessible via Highway 218, known as the 'Avenue of the Saints,' making it a convenient stopover point for travelers between major Midwest metropolitan areas.