Best Campgrounds near Paullina, IA

Campgrounds surrounding Paullina, Iowa provide a variety of camping experiences ranging from established facilities to more primitive options. Mill Creek State Park, located near the town, offers tent, RV, and cabin accommodations with access to water recreation. The surrounding region includes several county and city parks with camping facilities, including Tjossem County Park in nearby Primghar and Martin Area County Park in Cherokee. Most campgrounds in northwestern Iowa feature electric hookups, drinking water, and basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, making them suitable for weekend getaways or longer stays.

Camping facilities in the area typically operate seasonally, with many sites open from early May through late September. Mill Creek State Park maintains regular operation during summer months but may have limited services during shoulder seasons. Weather conditions can affect camping experiences, with spring often bringing rain and occasional flooding, while summer temperatures typically range from warm days to cool evenings. Most campgrounds require payment of camping fees rather than offering free dispersed camping. According to visitor reports, "The showers are decent but take quarters to use them. Decent campground but not my favorite to go to in the area."

The rural setting of campgrounds near Paullina provides quieter alternatives to the busier recreation areas around Iowa's Great Lakes region. Several campgrounds feature water access for fishing and boating, with Mill Creek State Park offering lake activities during summer months. Campers report varying levels of privacy between sites, with some parks offering more spacious arrangements than others. The camping landscape includes a mix of open grassy areas and wooded sites, providing options for those seeking shade or sun. County parks in the region tend to be smaller with fewer amenities but often provide a more peaceful experience. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent campers and RVs, though hookup availability varies considerably between locations, with some offering full hookups and others providing only electric service.

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Best Camping Sites Near Paullina, Iowa (73)

    1. Mill Creek State Park

    3 Reviews
    Paullina, IA
    1 mile
    Website

    $17 - $20 / night

    "Small lake where boating is permitted but no gas motors.  Also nice for canoeing, kayaking or  fishing. Nice paths for hiking or biking. Only half mile to town where you can get anything you need"

    2. Tjossem County Park

    3 Reviews
    Paullina, IA
    7 miles
    Website

    "The camping sites are a little close to each other. 10 sites with full hookups."

    3. Martin Area County Park

    1 Review
    Sutherland, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 225-6709

    4. Alton Roadside Park

    2 Reviews
    Alton, IA
    16 miles
    Website

    "This is a small little kmown spot in the small town of Alton Iowa. It is $10 and there are a couple spots that have electric hook ups, a water pump hydrant, And a dumpsite."

    5. Buena Vista Co Park

    3 Reviews
    Sutherland, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 295-7985

    $12 - $15 / night

    "The trails are very well maintained! Shower facilites are super clean! 10/10"

    "Trails are nice. Everything is well maintained. Showers & bathrooms are awesome! We almost always see wildlife when hiking😁"

    6. Primghar City Park

    Be the first to review!
    Paullina, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 957-2435

    7. Sandy Hollow Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sioux Center, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 722-2491

    "New seasonal County park and CG has standard sites, fire rings, tables, firewood, swimming beach, fishing, boating, hiking including access to Sioux Center's trail system, shelters, lodge, archery range"

    "Great spot with a swimming lake, fishing lake, and hiking trails through the prairie. Less than three miles from town"

    8. Willow Creek Campground

    6 Reviews
    Le Mars, IA
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 546-8360

    "We enjoyed all the trails that the city of Le Mars offers. The shower house was exceptionally clean. The campground itself was clean and well kept."

    "The lake is clean and very pretty. The shower house is newly renovated and very nice. One of our favorite places to stay at!!!!"

    9. Dog Creek Co Park

    Be the first to review!
    Sutherland, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 295-7200

    10. Silver Sioux Recreation Area

    2 Reviews
    Quimby, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 225-6709

    "Tent camping is just a field with a few picnic tables in it and has a bit of a walk from the parking lot with your equipment. The shower house was nice and clean."

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Showing results 1-10 of 73 campgrounds

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Recent Reviews near Paullina, IA

132 Reviews of 73 Paullina Campgrounds


  • True I.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Robertson Park

    Camp site not recommended

    The lake is not too deep for boats. In the camping area there are people with motorcycles speeding and making unnecessary noise. I went to complain to the manager and he did nothing about it because the owners of the motorcycles are friends.

  • Xiomara M.
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Robertson Park

    Do not recommend

    Never again, because since we arrived, people have complained about my family without us doing anything. They even watched us go to the bathroom. They called the police, claiming we were littering in the street and making unnecessary noises and speeding in the park. To top it all off, they're friends of the manager. It's three spaces against one. I don't recommend anyone staying here, because they recorded everyone who passed by and took pictures of their cars. When we went to tell them we wanted a refund quickly, they told them to call the manager.

  • E
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Robertson Park

    DONT GO!!

    It's a nice place with electricity and great bathrooms. But a lot of people from a trailer near us were all the weekend complaining for no reason, yelling at everyone and calling the cops on a lot of people. It's unacceptable that people that are calm trying to have fun with our family have to deal with people feeling entitled of everyone else free time. Will not be here again. I know the camp has no fault of other people's behavior, but admin should be more aware of this behavior and stop it.

  • Dana D.
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Olson City Park

    Quick Stop

    We needed a place to overnight on our journey to Black Hills along I90 and this was great. $33 out the door for an electric site. We rolled in late, about 9:30, but our name was on our site. Quiet place. We just needed a/c while we slept so thought it was reasonable.

  • Matt M.
    Jul. 8, 2025

    Tjossem County Park

    Beautiful views

    The camping sites are a little close to each other. 10 sites with full hookups. If electrical comes out of the rear of your camper you need an extension cord or just pull the camper forward in the site. None of the sites are far from the shower/restroom facilities. Fishing in the pond had a lot of small bluegill and crappie. Perfect for the young fishermen with little patience. Using an ultralight and small jig I was catching them about every second cast. Beautiful sunrise/sunset views if you like that.

  • Erin S.
    Jun. 18, 2025

    Olson City Park

    Clean, spacious municiple campground

    A nice place to stop overnight or spend the weekend. Right on the lake. Nice amenities such as a playground, dog run, and disc golf course. Electric sites with a central faucet (for filling jugs and bottles) and a pump out in the back. Restrooms are clean with free showers. Sites are well spaced but vary in size. You can make a reservation but we arrived and picked out one of many open spots that best fit our needs. Would recommend!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 15, 2025

    Adrian City Park

    Noisy

    Is a great campground. It has 121 spots and is right next to I90 which is really loud even at night.

  • Rachel G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 7, 2025

    Adrian City Park

    Adrian City Park

    Looks like it might be good in summer season. Easy on/off interstate. Very confusing in off season. No one answers calls, no information at closed office. Dog poop at site.

  • Cody H.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2025

    Willow Creek Campground

    It’s more of 4 1/2 stars than a four star.

    As a family, we felt like this was a great campground. It was full hook up with Wi-Fi for a reasonable price. We enjoyed all the trails that the city of Le Mars offers. The shower house was exceptionally clean. The campground itself was clean and well kept. What prevents this from being a full five star review was the beach it was really big but both nights that we were there, the cops had to come and remove people from the beach. The trash cans around the beach were completely over flowing by middle of the day Saturday and were never emptied. Overall, we really did enjoy the campground. We just will not stay on the beach side next time.


Guide to Paullina

Camping near Paullina, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From serene parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to enjoy nature.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the beautiful trails at Newton Hills State Park. One visitor mentioned, "Great trails and a short scenic road, plus some nice open spaces." Another camper noted, "The kids had a blast exploring the natural surroundings and participating in the family-friendly activities."

  • Wildlife Watching: At Blue Mounds State Park Campground, you might catch a glimpse of bison. A reviewer shared, "We drove in the morning to the bison area and saw about 12 of them roaming near the fence."

  • Fishing and Water Activities: The Riverfront Campground — Ponca State Park is perfect for fishing enthusiasts. One camper said, "So much to do on site. Miles of trails! My family did 7 miles. Wonderful views of 3 states."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Big Sioux Recreation Area remarked, "Bathrooms exceptionally clean. Showers great."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer at Jackson KOA stated, "Our site was level, easy to get into, and had a nice tree providing some shade."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. One visitor at Union Grove State Park Campground said, "Host is very friendly and helpful!"

What you should know:

  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially during weekends. A camper at Scenic Park advised, "The park is beautiful with tons of trails and things to explore."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have markets or stores nearby. A visitor at Riverfront Campground — Ponca State Park noted, "We were only stopping for the night so we didn’t explore the other areas."
  • Noise Levels: Depending on the location, some campgrounds can be noisy. A reviewer at Union Grove State Park Campground mentioned, "Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and trails. A family at Newton Hills State Park enjoyed, "The kids had a blast exploring the natural surroundings."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or snacks. One camper at Big Sioux Recreation Area shared, "We booked this site last minute as we needed a place to stop for the night."
  • Check for Events: Some parks host special events. A visitor at Ponca State Park mentioned, "They hold a Harvest/Halloween event over a few days in October each year."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Oak Bluff — Ponca State Park noted, "Tight squeeze for larger campers, not all sites are 50 amp."
  • Use Dump Stations: Many campgrounds have dump stations available. A camper at Jackson KOA appreciated, "They had a good sewer hose at the dump station for guests to use."
  • Stay Connected: Some areas may have limited cell service. A visitor at Stone State Park Campground mentioned, "Got only 1 bar signal on both Verizon & AT&T. No WiFi."

Camping around Paullina, Iowa, offers a mix of adventure and relaxation, making it a great spot for families and RVers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Paullina, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Paullina, IA is Mill Creek State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.