Best Campgrounds near Oxford, IA

Campgrounds near Oxford, Iowa range from established facilities with modern amenities to more primitive options along waterways. F.W. Kent Park offers spacious, grassy tent sites lined with prairie grasses and trees, providing more privacy than typical Midwestern campgrounds. Within a 20-mile radius, campers can access several Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Coralville Lake, including West Overlook Campground and Sugar Bottom Campground. The area features a mix of tent-only areas, RV sites with hookups, and even cabin accommodations at places like Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow, which includes a fishing pond and swimming area.

Access to most campgrounds remains open year-round, though seasonal considerations affect water availability and facility operations. Many campgrounds in the region, particularly those managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, offer electric hookups, modern restrooms, and shower facilities during peak season. Flooding can impact camping availability, especially at sites near the Cedar River and Iowa River. Several campgrounds, including West Overlook and Sugar Bottom, provide boat ramps and water access points for fishing and paddling. Cell service varies throughout the region but remains generally reliable near larger campgrounds. A visitor noted, "While we were visiting in mid-October, versus some of the other reviews here, we found that we had the place mostly to ourselves, which made for a rather peaceful sublime respite."

Campers consistently mention the natural beauty and recreational opportunities available at Oxford-area campgrounds. The region's waterways, including Coralville Lake and the Iowa River, provide excellent fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Several visitors highlighted the abundance of hiking trails and natural areas surrounding the campgrounds. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "With the fall colors being in full bloom when we visited, the entire campground was awash in bright yellows, reds and oranges from the changing colors of the leaves." Family-friendly amenities like playgrounds, beaches, and picnic areas are common at the larger established campgrounds. For those seeking more solitude, primitive camping areas within Lake Macbride State Park offer a quieter experience away from RV areas while still providing access to the lake and trail systems.

Best Camping Sites Near Oxford, Iowa (94)

    1. F. W. Kent Park

    18 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 645-2315

    $20 / night

    "We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."

    "It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."

    2. Sugar Bottom Campground

    24 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2102

    $14 - $240 / night

    "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."

    "Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors, and Macbride State Park as well."

    3. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    13 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 628-6900

    $45 - $65 / night

    "Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and"

    "Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped"

    4. West Overlook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Coralville, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 338-3685

    $22 - $28 / night

    "The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."

    "LuLu and I stayed for 10 days while visiting family in Iowa City. The campground hosted mainly locals but it’s only a couple of miles off the I80."

    5. Amana RV Park & Event Center

    10 Reviews
    Amana, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 622-7616

    $25 - $42 / night

    "Relatively wide open, sites adjacent to one another. Utilities all worked fine, decently maintained."

    "Campground is a nice bike ride away from the Amana villages and overall a great base camp"

    6. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    15 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $25 - $35 / night

    "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "

    "Close access to boating and town"

    7. Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    10 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    14 miles
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $12 - $25 / night

    "You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that."

    "This is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa. Their is a modern campsite on the north side as well. This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful."

    8. Scales Pointe Camping and Boating

    4 Reviews
    Coralville Lake, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 665-3474

    "The couple downfalls is the shower and bath house is outdated and there's no swimming area on this side of the lake. Other than that I had a blast."

    "Just looking for a layover spot after a long day of driving. Couldn't figure out where to register so we walked into the bar/restaurant, Bobber's Grill. The owner was at the bar."

    9. Calyx Creek, Creekside Treehouse

    1 Review
    Oxford, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 900-5992

    $275 - $295 / night

    "Treehouse is located near lavender farm store and offers: heated floors, internet, loft sleeping, heat/AC, kitchen, views."

    10. Tailwater West Campground

    4 Reviews
    Coralville, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 338-3685

    $14 - $30 / night

    "Iowa River runs alongside offering fishing. Trails, play area and Visitor Center just a 2 minute drive or hike away. Firewood available at check station."

    "Very short walk to the overflow of the dam. People are friendly facilities are clean."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 94 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Oxford, IA

333 Reviews of 94 Oxford Campgrounds


  • Emily B.
    Sep. 21, 2025

    River Junction

    Great views and location, but not private and not well-marked

    This was our first time camping here. We pulled in around 8pm when it was already dark and there was another car that had just entered the campground in front of us. After driving down the hill, he saw the basic “welcome” and “Pay here” signs next to a 4-car parking area. There were no signs marking where the bathroom was or any directions on how to choose a site. The group ahead of us chose to camp next to the boat ramp, so we circled around the loop and chose a dirt pad on the right side of the loop next to the river. We were very confused because the pictures on Dyrt showed picnic tables and fire rings at every site, but these were nowhere to be seen. It was getting late, so we set up the tent and went to bed. It wasn’t until the morning that we had discovered that we weren’t camping in one of the marked sites! As it turns out, all 4 sites were walk-in sites on grass behind the parking area that had been occupied by 2 cars when we pulled in. The signage didn’t clarify this and we couldn’t see the marked sites when it was dark! The marked sites were pretty close together and they offered no privacy between groups. Additionally, upon leaving we discovered that the toilet was on the top of the hill right by the entrance. Due to the lack of signage and privacy in between the official campsites, I rate 3 stars. It was very beautiful and peaceful, but it was very confusing in the dark.

  • Michael P.
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Fairport State Recreation Area Campground

    Host not friendly very rude woman would not recommend staying here at all

    Would not recommend fairport camping  in muscatine iowa at all the host is rude and non caring personality more like two faced   i would recommend  shady creek  or one of the others on the same hwy if looking for nice and great host

    On the note dnr are great thou

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • Jorge F.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cedar River Campground

    Good place to go camping with friends and family.

    “This place became my wife’s and daughters’ favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful. The managers are always courteous and attentive.”

  • Steve T.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area - Cedar River Campground

    Enjoyable Stay

    The sites are spaced apart well and clean with a beautiful view of the Cedar River. If you camp on the riverside campground be sure to bring a bike or extra vehicle if you camp on the far end because the bathrooms are bit of a walk. And bring a grate with you for your fire ring as some have them and some don’t. All and all it was an enjoyable stay with a fantastic view, even caught a few fish since our campsite was literally on the river edge

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Bennett Park

    Nice smaller County CG with small lake

    CG has newer RR/shower house. Sites have electric, fire rings, gravel pads. There is a Play area, shelter , host site, dump station. Park has small lake for paddling and fishing.

  • Clifton B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Very nice campground off the beaten path

    Wife and I met friends here in August 2025.  This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY.  The campground was very well maintained.  Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional.  We really enjoyed the long weekend here.  Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August.  Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did.  Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees.  Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Neat place but it's not flat

    Super nice staff.  We stayed here for a few weeks while working in the area. The land is not flat.  The spots are good and most are pull-throughs but some are too short for a 30' camper.  Would definitely stay there again. 

    We stayed there in October, 2017

  • Chad R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    Great Experience

    This is a great campground.  The camp sites were nice and the restrooms were not bad.  There is plenty of access to the lake for fishing whether it's from shore or on a boat.


Guide to Oxford

Camping near Oxford, 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 several campgrounds in the area that cater to different needs.

What to do

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "Clean bathrooms and good showers."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment. One camper at Sugar Bottom Campground shared, "Quiet at night, convenient bath houses."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A review for Kellogg RV Park stated, "Great communication. Late check-in easy."

What you should know

Tips for camping with families

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. One camper at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA said, "Kids had fun at the swimming pond."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring food or check for nearby stores. A visitor at F. W. Kent Park mentioned, "Easy to get to amenities and grocery stores."
  • Nature Exploration: Encourage kids to explore nature. A review for Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground highlighted, "The park is beautiful and perfect for an adventurous hike."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground noted, "It might be hard to fit a big rig on the electrical only sites."
  • Use Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "We had a full hook-up site that was nice and backed up to a tree line."
  • Stay Connected: Check cell service availability. A camper at Kellogg RV Park said, "Verizon service was not great in the area but could still stay connected for the most part."

Camping around Oxford, Iowa, provides a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone to enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Oxford campground located in Iowa?

Oxford is a small town in Johnson County, Iowa, and while there isn't a campground specifically named "Oxford Campground," the town is conveniently located near several excellent camping options. F. W. Kent Park is just minutes away from Oxford and serves as the closest dedicated camping area. This county park is situated between Oxford and Tiffin, making it easily accessible for visitors looking to stay near Oxford while enjoying Iowa's outdoor recreational opportunities.

Is there free camping available near Oxford?

While free designated camping areas are limited near Oxford, budget-conscious travelers have options. Walmart — Coralville Supercenter offers free overnight parking approximately 15 miles from Oxford. This location is conveniently situated off I-80 and provides a practical stopover for self-contained RVs. Costco — Coralville is another option for free overnight parking in the area. Always check with store management upon arrival to confirm current overnight parking policies.

Are there RV rental options available in Oxford, Iowa?

Oxford itself doesn't have dedicated RV rental facilities due to its small size, but RV rentals are available in the nearby Iowa City-Coralville area, approximately 15-20 minutes away. Local RV dealerships and nationwide rental companies like Cruise America often maintain locations in this more populated region. For those looking to camp with an RV near Oxford, West Overlook Campground and Sugar Bottom Campground both offer excellent RV-friendly sites with electric hookups and are within a short drive of Oxford.

What amenities does Kent Park campground near Oxford offer?

F. W. Kent Park offers a well-maintained camping area with electric hookups at most sites. The park features clean restroom facilities with showers, picnic areas with fire rings, and drinking water access. The campground is situated within a larger 1,082-acre county park that includes a lake for fishing and non-motorized boating, extensive hiking trails, prairie restoration areas, and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park's natural setting provides a peaceful retreat while remaining convenient to Oxford and nearby communities.