Best Tent Camping near Osage, IA
Looking for tent camping near Osage? Find the best tent camping sites near Osage. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Osage, Iowa's most popular destinations.
Best Tent Sites Near Osage, Iowa (17)
3. Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area
1 Review•4 Photos•24 SavesLeland, Iowa- Pets
- Phone Service
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Dispersed
- Drinking Water
4. Colwell County Park
Be the first to review!•1 PhotoFloyd, IowaThis peaceful primitive campground includes a picnic shelter, pit toilet and fishing access to the Little Cedar River. Purchased in 1966, this park is managed for camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.
- Pets
- Fires
- ADA Access
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
5. Schmidt Farm by Forestville
2 Reviews•15 Photos•1 SavePreston, MinnesotaQuiet, remote tent camping under dark skies for the minimalist. One mile hike-in to site. Direct access to more remote areas of the NE side Forestville State Park and 50 acres of wooded private trails. Sites are located on the lower area of our property. Approximately 100 yards between sites and each are not within site of each other. All sites are located directly on a main trail circling a walnut grove. A shared centrally located compostable outhouse is located within 50 yards of each site.
This is a beautiful, remote property nestled between our organic Century Family Farm and Forestville State Park. We offer these limited campsites to a very specific demographic, minimalists looking for a quiet experience in nature. Years have gone into the making of these sites to be in balance with nature and our farm. These sites will be only open during spring and fall months. Camping does not include access to our other agritourism opportunities on our farm.
Please read through our description carefully and be sure this is the right fit for you prior to booking. Please contact us with questions. I would much rather leave the site open/unbooked than not meet your expectations. You must check in at our office prior to going to your campsite.
Additional items that will be delivered to your site. Plan ahead. $5 fee per delivery trip.
- Firewood is available for purchase from Schmidt Farm for $8/bundle
- Each site has a table and 2 chairs. 2 additional chairs can be requested
- Tripods and cooking grates are available upon request
- Bring your own container for water refills
- Lockable totes for food storage are available upon request.
- Plan ahead with your requests. Each delivery trip to your site will be $5.
No hunting on property and no hunting groups.
Know before you go. Our outhouse has a dry compostable SunMar toilet. Instructions are located inside the outhouse. There is a solar motion detected light inside the outhouse.
Up to 2 dogs are allowed per site. Dogs must be vaccinated and not display aggressive behavior towards people or other animals. Dogs must be leashed and supervised at all times. For the safety of your pets and our livestock, visiting dogs are not allowed on the private trails. Hiking with your dog is available on and off trail in Forestville.
Please meet us at a pre-arranged time at our farm store/camping office at least one hour prior to sunset. You will be given parking instructions and directions to hike in to your site at that time. Please pack and plan accordingly to be able to carry/pack in all of your personal items. Additional items (listed above) are available on loan to check out for your camping experience. These items will be brought to your campsite for you.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Group
- Market
$35 / night
7. Little Turkey Campground
1 Review•2 Photos•5 SavesCalmar, Iowa- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
Recent Tent Reviews near Osage, Iowa
232 Reviews of 17 Osage Campgrounds
- JJohn C.
Scout
Maple Springs Campground
Peaceful and beautiful
I arrived midweek around 8:00 PM and the office was closed. I was tent camping on motorcycle and easily found my site way back on the property. Andy came out to my site in the morning to say hi and ask if anything was needed. He definitley cares about the people staying here. With the gravel roads and very soft grass site, it was easy to manuver a large bike. Out in the tent sites there was very little light, which made star gazing amazing. If it wasn't for the store and well done shower room I would have thought I was in the wilderness especially in the tent area. Great place for quiet midweek, not sure what the weekend is like. The only reason it is not 5 stars is from my site I had to walk out to the field for wifi reception. With no Verizon cell service, not sure if others did, I needed to comunicate with family.
John Carpentier Coon Rapids, MN
- C
Cheryl W.
Guide
White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park
Nice state park
This is a rustic state park with limited amenities. There are no water or electric hook ups. However clean water is available in the park. The park does have flush toilets and showers. We found these to be in good condition and clean. The showers had warm water. The water stream is on a timer and so are the lights. The shower stalls are Individual stalls. The interior roads are dirt roads with a few potholes they are very narrow. The camping sites are nice sized and relatively private. There is a gravel pad on each site and some have a tent pad. Each site had a picnic table and a fire ring. There are plenty of walking and biking trails and there are walk-in tent camp sites. However, you cannot see the lake from the campground and there is no access to the lake from the campground. We were able to drive through the campground with our 40 foot fifth wheel. But just barely, be careful! 
- EmilyGuide
Beeds Lake State Park — Beed's Lake State Park
Great Variety!
Good variety of activites to do, with lots of camping sites- including some right next to the lake. We went tent camping and had a great time. Would recommend as a great fishing destination. Also very cool to see the Dam, with a great walking path.
- EmilyGuide
Eldred Sherwood Park
Small, but perfect.
Had a great time tent camping in the primitive area. It was cold so we didn't get to enjoy the water but we did enjoy a nice walk around the lake. The facilities were not open when we were there in late April, but they looked nice from the outsode.
- Nichole M.Scout
Rudd Eastside Park
Super fun and kid friendly !!
Loved camping here, we have 4-5 times already this year! 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 has old bikes for the kids to use, everyone there is so nice! We love it
- CCari B.
TravelerBeeds Lake State Park — Beed's Lake State Park
Lovely campground and park
Very well maintained campground in a small but lovely park. Host was very nice and there were lots of open spots on a Saturday in late September. Loved our tent site with a short walk to the lake and clean bathrooms
- Jennifer D.Traveler
Beeds Lake State Park — Beed's Lake State Park
Nice small park
First time at Beeds Lake. Easy access to most sites as many are parallel parking style. Lots of shade on the outer sites, plenty of tent sites as well. Camp hosts were available and helpful. This will be in our list of places to return to.
- BB B.Scout
Lake Meyer County Park Campground
Great spot, tents included
This is a great little park if you need a place to stop for the night. It was very inexpensive for tents ($10 I think) and the tent camping area was very nice with 3 giant pine trees and some picnic tables and fire rings. As someone who bicycle tours I appreciated fire wood being on site and close to where the tent area is. The bathrooms aren’t the best but they worked. Overall its a safe, clean, welcoming campground for both tents and RV’s.
- SSydneyScout
Oakwoods Trails Campground
Lovely campground with lots of trees!
This is a great campground with lots of shade and spacious tent pads! The large oak trees throughout the campground made for beautiful scenery and nice spots to string a hammock up. My site was right next to the bathroom building which did have a light on all night, but I had an eye mask so that didn’t bother me. $25/night for a tent site
Katie J.GuideBeeds Lake State Park — Beed's Lake State Park
Tent sites
Great state park for a quiet weekend trip. Tons of great tent sites, but it seemed like the RV spots were pretty close together. We stayed at #142 and it was the perfect tent location. Right on the water, distanced from our site neighbors, and a sandbar nearby for some fishing. The swimming beach was gross, but the hiking trail was great for an easy walk with kids.
GoWhereYouAreDraw N.
Legend
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground
Great experience!
We tent camped here and loved it. We were able to do a lot of trail exploring and had a great time on the “scenic” cave tour. The trails were well maintained but difficult to understand in some places as signage was lacking.
There is a primitive loop with pit toilets, a tent loop with no electricity but access to showers and flush toilets, and a trailer loop with all accommodations.
There are great cold water trout streams that are shallow enough to wade in and play in if the weather is warmer. Hiking trails of varying skill levels but all in mostly wooded areas. Forestville townsite is closed during the week but you can wander around the outside of the buildings and site. No gates or posted restrictions.
- DDeanna J.Guide
White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park
Woodland/Prairie/Wetland
We spent four nights tent camping at the White Fox Campground of Myre-Big Island State Park in June 2022. This park is a combination woodland/prairie/wetland setting. The White Fox Campground is on the fringes of a woodland. Our campsite was grassy and open with trees and shrubs curving along the back of the site. The site had the usual fire ring with grill and a large picnic table.
There are some nice trails for hiking through woodlands and prairie and alongside wetlands. We saw a lot of wildlife: several deer, red squirrels, chipmunks, a raccoon, a woodchuck, lots of different birds, and several different types of butterflies. In the mornings the birdsong was pretty amazing, loud and long lasting.
There are two freeways and a rail line near the park, but the noise from them was only bothersome on one morning of our stay.
There is a second campground on the Big Island portion of the park. Big Island is wooded and has some beautiful trails that we enjoyed.
- DDeanna J.Guide
White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park
Delayed Autumn
We tent camped at Myre-Big Island State Park in Minnesota from September 30 to October 3, 2022. The weather was warmer than usual at this time of year, and the fall color development was a couple weeks behind normal. It was cool but beautiful during the daytime (light jacket/sweater weather). The temperature dropped at night but didn’t require anything more than our sleeping bags to keep us warm. The earlier sunset meant meal cooking and cleanup needed to be a bit earlier, but it also meant longer time for beautiful campfires in the evenings.
The trails were in great shape and beautiful with past-peak grasses and developing colors in the trees. Most of the wildflowers were done for the year, but some were still in bloom. Deer, squirrels, chipmunks, and lots of birds were active near the trails and campgrounds.
We have camped here previously, in early summer. Then the bugs were abundant and aggressive on the Big Island trails. During this fall trip, there were very few.
Clarke N.Guide
Hutchinson Family Farm Campground
Large camp sites
First off about the camping area. The sites are huge but pretty open and we needed 50’ of cord to hit electrical box (not a big deal) The lawn was nicely mowed and the sites are very level. We have a travel trailer but the tent sites looked really nice. Overall we liked our site and have no complaints. This is definitely a canoe and kayaking community! We brought are kayak with us and went down the Upper Iowa River Saturday and Sunday, if you are at this campground make sure you spend a day on the river. The owners of campground are very nice and helpful, they offered a shuttle service for 25.00 a car load to get us to drop off point with our kayak but we had transportation so it wasn’t necessary. They did give us directions to a 4 or 6 hour float and we went with the 4. The owners also told of us of a nice hike near a spring in the area that we really enjoyed. I’m a bit of a brewery buff so we hit Toppling Goliath and was not disappointed.. We did check out some of the other campgrounds and did find that some have you packed in like cord wood so double check if you go somewhere else.
- Kelly D.Scout
Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground
Perfect Spot on Upper Iowa River
I have been visiting Chimney Rock Camp and Canoe for 20 years. Every time I visit I have a wonderful time enjoying the scenic Upper Iowa River. This part of Iowa is a treasure. Deb and her crew are always helpful and accommodating. They run a great canoe/kayak/tube rental with shuttle service. This is a private campground. I appreciate the laid back vibe. We have been here during the week and have had the place pretty much to ourselves. The weekends are a bit more lively, but with friendly folks. Some of my favorite memories are on the shuttle bus up to the drop in and laughing with fellow campers/ river floaters. We love Chimney Rock and pray this little slice of heaven is available for us to enjoy for years to come. We prefer to stay down by the river sans electricity. We have done this for years in a tent and now in our hybrid camper. There are cabins, electric sites, showers and a dump station.
- BBrandon P.Scout
Shellrock River Co Preserve
It’s nice quiet to listen to old podcast. Have a fire. Not much more is needed
It’s quiet, clean, and has some pretty views of the Iowa nite sky
Taylor A.GuideSportsman Park
Nice small place
Good little campground with tent,cabins and rv sites and reasonable
- Jenny K.Scout
Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground
Awesome campground outside beautiful Decorah!
This campground has it all. Easy access for kayaking and tubing on the Upper Iowa River.
J. T.GuideChimney Rock Canoe and Campground
Canoe Rental and Group Camping
We visit on memorial day weekend with a large group. Camp right along side the Upper Iowa River....80 foot limestone bluffs! Campground shuttles and rents canoes/kayaks.
- Kim B.Traveler
North Woods Park
Nice, quiet, well-kept campground!
We stayed in Spot #1, which is by the water. We were in a tent, so it was warm, but overall it was a great stay. Very well maintained and a couple nice trails. Dog friendly.
- Hannah H.Guide
Lake Louise State Park Campground
Lake Louise Summer
Good time! It rained and was a little muddy, but it was nice. Site 11 is kind of small for a large tent like we have. The group sites are close by and they were quite loud, but the rest of the park was nice and quiet. There is horse camping here, and the lake is nice for swimming.
Karen S.Guide
Schmidt Farm by Forestville
A quiet, back to nature experience under dark skies.
This location offers the opportunity to explore both private trails and less traveled areas of Forestville State Park. Secluded campsites so you are not camping side by side with others. Site locations offer ample space for multiple tents. The native wildflowers are a special treat.
Alyssa D.Guide
Wilkinson
Good for free camping!
Large open field next to some woods with some fire pits and one “site” has a picnic table and a small covering. It’s good for what it is, free camping! We’ve gone a few times, it’s first come first serve, no reservations. Not really much hiking but an okay spot if you’re just looking for a place to pitch a tent and have a fire.
Troy L.GuideWhite Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park
Awesome Site
Facilities are top notch and private. The nicest showed and restroom you can imagine. Large tent pads and a quiet area. Not busy when we went. There is a small hiking trail as well. The lake isn’t anything spectacular, it’s quite dirty but we were only there for a night.
anne K.GuideForestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground
1st tent camp of the season
Stayed here one night in early may and hiked the big spring trail. Site #42 was private with partial shade and a very nice and level gravel tent pad. The site was plenty big with plenty of room for activities. The shower facilities were very clean, same story for the latrines.
- EEmma N.Traveler
Eldred Sherwood Park
Hidden gem (in a cornfield)
This is about as "middle of nowhere" as you can get in Iowa 🙂! The campground offers both electric RV sites and primitive sites (with an accompanying bathhouse ~500 feet away)
The park offers a couple nice walking paths both forested and prairie. The lake is small, but I'm told has some good fishing.
- MMitchRoeschleinTraveler
Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground
Hidden oasis from the city
We booked a spot for our RV because we wanted to explore the Decorah,IA area and it’s abundant set of activities. The campground is more on the rustic side but they have a nice clean shower house, very well kept grounds and a ton of space to spread out. The lower campground is right next to the river and there are RV, tent and cabin sites available.
Guide to Osage
Tent camping near Osage, Iowa offers a variety of scenic spots where nature enthusiasts can unwind and enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from secluded sites to well-equipped parks, there's something for every tent camper.
Tent campers like these nearby activities
- At Shellrock River Co Preserve, enjoy a peaceful retreat with opportunities for stargazing and listening to podcasts by the campfire.
- Chickasaw Park provides access to fishing and swimming in the adjacent river, perfect for a refreshing dip on a hot day.
- Explore the intriguing history at Chickasaw Park, where you can find an old cemetery while foraging for firewood.
Tent campers appreciate these amenities
- Shellrock River Co Preserve offers free camping with essential amenities like fire rings and portable toilets, making it a convenient choice for budget-conscious campers.
- At River Ranch Camping, campers can enjoy electric hookups and picnic tables, enhancing the comfort of their outdoor experience.
- Colwell County Park features picnic tables and trash disposal, ensuring a clean and enjoyable environment for all visitors.
Tent campers enjoy these unique features
- Howards Woods offers a truly rustic experience with no modern amenities, perfect for those looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in nature.
- Haus Park is open year-round, providing a flexible option for campers who want to enjoy the outdoors in any season.
- Twin Ponds Co Park features a serene environment ideal for tent camping, although it lacks some amenities, making it a great choice for those seeking solitude.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Osage, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Osage, IA is River Ranch Camping with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Osage, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 tent camping locations near Osage, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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