Are you in need of a campground near Palo, IA? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Palo, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Find the best campgrounds near Palo, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$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."
"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."
$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."
$35 - $50 / night
"Near the highway so it has truck noise"
"Near the highway but road noise is minimal."
$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."
$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"
"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."
$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."
"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."
ScoutGood place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!
ScoutWife 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.
GuideSuper 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
TravelerThis 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.
GuideOn 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.
TravelerThis is a clean and well kept campground. There are great paved trails, and it is close to the free John Deere Museum, and the Cedar Valley Arboretum. I’m not giving it a 5 star rating for two reasons: one there are a lot of mosquitoes (I get that it is their home), and two the showers are the type that don’t allow you to mix your own water temperature, and they only stay on for a few seconds every time you press the button. The water was a comfortable temperature for me though. Also, the park does occasionally close for flooding.
TravelerI had a seasonal spot at deerwood and was constantly harassed by the camp hosts, I had my reviews removed (only to be reposted by the city attorney), and was told to trim the trees as round my spot. I've been full time for 7 years and this was by far the worst experience I've had at a campground.
If the metal bolts sticking out of the speed bumps don't get you..... The sewage plant 200 yards away will.
This place is CHEAP. and you get what you pay for.
TravelerGreat shady spots - register on line - clean bathrooms and showers - no full hook ups - must fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available
ScoutJust spent one night tent camping here. It was peaceful and quiet. Easy self check in process and self pay for firewood. Make sure you bring cash for site and firewood. Pit toilets were clean and not full of bugs, however it was May and still a chill in the air.
Would have been easy to park a RV on this site, #78.
Great hike around the lake on trail that connects to the campground. Look for trail maps on the parks website.
Highly recommend and will camp here again.
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.
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.
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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