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Best Campgrounds near Palo, IA

389 Reviews

Palo, Iowa and the surrounding area provides several developed campgrounds within a short drive of town. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground offers sites for tents, RVs, and cabins with amenities such as electric hookups, showers, and toilets. Morgan Creek County Park and Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground provide additional camping options with both tent and RV sites, while Wickiup Hill Primitive Campsite offers a more rustic experience. Several campgrounds feature water activities with boat access at Pleasant Creek, Morgan Creek County Park, and Wildcat Bluff County Park.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with many open from April through October. Campsites at Morgan Creek County Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis, which can make securing a spot challenging during peak summer weekends. "Hard to get a site," noted a visitor about Morgan Creek County Park's first-come, first-served policy. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area enforces a two-car per campsite rule that may impact group camping plans. Campground terrain is generally flat with accessible sites, though some areas like Wickiup Hill require a short hike to reach primitive camping areas. Cell service can be spotty at certain locations such as Wildcat Bluff County Park.

The camping experience around Palo features a mix of recreational opportunities including fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and disc golf. Campers report particularly good experiences at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area. "The tent sites are very nice and private. There are waist high prairie flowers between the sites to provide privacy and beauty," according to one visitor's review. Wickiup Hill offers a more secluded experience with its hike-in site that includes "fire pit with grate, and restrooms nearby." Several campgrounds feature trail systems, with Pleasant Creek offering an 8-mile hiking loop around the lake. Bathroom and shower facilities vary considerably across locations, with some reviews noting excellent maintenance while others warn of poor conditions, particularly at Wildcat Bluff County Park.

Map showing campgrounds near Palo, IowaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Palo, Iowa (115)

    1. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    6 Reviews
    Shellsburg, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 436-7716

    $17 - $60 / night

    "We stayed here for the easy access to the water for the Scouts to get out in canoes and fishing.  I have been camping here off and on for the last 25 years.  I have not had any issues at all. "

    "There is plenty of access to the lake for fishing whether it's from shore or on a boat."

    2. Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Atkins, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    "Trails close by and only about 5 min from expressway."

    "Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping expirence but still have work or other things to get done."

    3. Morgan Creek County Park

    3 Reviews
    Palo, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 396-2363

    $23 - $40 / night

    4. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)

    6 Reviews
    Marion, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    $23 - $33 / night

    "We camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance.  Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. "

    "There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through."

    5. Beyonder Getaway at Lazy Acres

    5 Reviews
    Vinton, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 443-4000

    $35 - $50 / night

    "Near the highway so it has truck noise"

    "Near the highway but road noise is minimal."

    6. Wickiup Hill Primitive Campsite

    2 Reviews
    Toddville, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6485

    $54 / night

    "Linn County, Iowa, county pack in Primitive site is near nature scape, pit toilets, offers fire pit with sitting blocks and firewood included with camp fee, nature center just yards away, trails, forested"

    "The site offers primitive amenities near Wikiup Hill learning Center. Taking a short trail to the site, the permanent wake up offers shelter, fire ring with grate, and restrooms nearby."

    7. Amana RV Park & Event Center

    10 Reviews
    Amana, IA
    18 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"

    8. Pinicon Ridge Park

    9 Reviews
    Central City, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 438-6616

    "Dump available on entrance/exit.  The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table.  Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles. "

    "Great county campground with water and electric sites, dump at exit. Bathrooms on loop B are dirty and dated. I suggest going up to the Plains loop and use it's facilities."

    9. Sugar Bottom Campground

    24 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    25 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."

    10. Wildcat Bluff County Park

    3 Reviews
    Shellsburg, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 472-3318

    "There was no map so I only found one primitive site that was super exposed and next to the bathroom. The bathrooms… oh my lanta, that smell will haunt me for the rest of my days."

    "Close to 52 mile Cedar Valley Nature bike trail. On the Cedar River. Boats were going in and out, I would guess you could Kayak there. One half mile on gravel to the park. No cell service."

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Recent Camping Photos near Palo, IA

98 Photos of 115 Palo Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Palo, IA

389 Reviews of 115 Palo Campgrounds

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Linder Point Campground

    Well designed and maintained small RV campground j

    Natural setting with plenty of trees and located near Coralville Reservoir. Paved roads and sites. Ample roam for big rigs, but no pull through sites. Electricity only, with fresh water and a dump station nearby. Modern and clean bathhouse. Open sky at most sites for Starlink. No other amenities at this campsite for children, but there are hiking trails and activities at the nearby reservoir recreation areas.

  • 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Black Hawk County Park

    On the bike trail

    Right on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp...

  • 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.”

  • Isaac H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Deerwood Park

    Cash Only

    Good place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!

  • 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.

  • Lauren M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2025

    West Overlook Campground

    Amazing Iowa stop for 2 nights

    On our way across the state and was concerned about needing power. Was able to find 1 spot for 2 nights only a day early. Very popular place. E/W with dump station in the campground. Water access by beach and boat. Next to the dam on lake side. Spacious sites. Well maintained. Concrete pad with picnic table and fire pit. Close to town if needing shopping.

Guide to Palo

Camping near Palo, 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 nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Explore Caves: Visit the Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground for a unique experience. One camper mentioned, "The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous." It's a great spot for families who enjoy hiking and exploring nature.

  • Hiking Trails: At Backbone State Park, you can find endless trails. A visitor shared, "There are tons of trails, specifically the spot we camped at was right by the trail so we had easy access." Perfect for those who love to hike and enjoy the outdoors.

  • Fishing and Boating: The Rock Creek State Park Campground offers a no-wake lake ideal for fishing and kayaking. One camper noted, "Boat and kayak rental and a small store with basic necessities." It’s a great way to spend a day on the water.

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A review for Lake Macbride State Park Campground stated, "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place... nice clean bathhouse." Clean facilities make for a more enjoyable camping experience.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many campers enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "Quiet at night, convenient bath houses and large fill/dump station." This is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Spacious Sites: Campers love having room to spread out. At F. W. Kent Park, one camper said, "A nice out of the way campground. Very quiet." Spacious sites allow for a more comfortable stay.

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like West Overlook Campground, do not have showers. A camper noted, "We didn't get to use the bathrooms due to a water main break." Be prepared for limited facilities at certain locations.
  • Mosquitoes: Be aware that some areas can have a lot of mosquitoes. A review for George Wyth State Park Campground mentioned, "There were tremendous amounts of mosquitoes at the campground during our visit." Bring bug spray to stay comfortable.
  • Busy Seasons: Some campgrounds can get crowded during peak seasons. A visitor at Backbone State Park advised, "I tend to avoid it during the busier summer and fall colors seasons." Plan your trip accordingly to avoid the crowds.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. At Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA, one parent said, "Kids had fun at the swimming pond." This makes for a fun family outing.
  • Pack Snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep the kids happy. A camper at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "The campground had a store, gas station and propane available." Stock up on snacks to keep everyone energized.
  • Plan for Quiet Hours: Make sure to respect quiet hours to keep the peace. A visitor at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground noted, "Everyone was respectful of quiet hours and very friendly." This helps maintain a pleasant atmosphere for all campers.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A review for Lake Macbride State Park Campground mentioned, "The entry on this app says big rig friendly, but it might be hard to fit a big rig on the electrical only sites." Always verify site dimensions before booking.
  • Use Leveling Blocks: Some sites may not be perfectly level. A camper at Sugar Bottom Campground said, "We did have to put blocks under the passenger-side tires." Bring leveling blocks to ensure a comfortable stay.
  • Stay Connected: Check for cell service availability. A visitor at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA noted, "We had 4 bar LTE with Verizon." This can be important for staying in touch or planning your next adventure.

Camping near Palo, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful retreat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Palo, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Palo, IA is Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

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