Best Tent Camping near Paullina, IA

Tent campsites in Paullina, Iowa provide basic accommodations amid the rural Iowa landscape. The area features several small county parks including Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area, both offering primitive tent sites alongside river access for paddlers. Dog Creek County Park and Moorehead Pioneer County Park also provide tent camping options within driving distance of Paullina.

Most tent campgrounds in this region feature minimal amenities designed for self-sufficient campers. Sites typically lack designated camping pads but offer space for tent setups on grass or dirt surfaces. Stieneke Area Park provides drinking water via a hand pump well, though potability may be questionable. Vault toilets are common at these locations, with regular maintenance from park rangers. Many parks charge modest fees, with Stieneke Area and Ranney Knob Area both collecting $10 per night through on-site payment boxes.

Primitive tent setups in this area offer quiet surroundings with limited crowds. Moorehead Pioneer County Park features three designated camp spots with shade structures, picnic tables, fire pits, and grills. The lack of commercial development creates a peaceful atmosphere for tent campers seeking solitude. Several parks provide river access points, making them suitable bases for paddling adventures. A visitor commented about Stieneke Area Park: "It's a quiet little campground with only 3 visible sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more. I was the only person in the campground." Many of these parks see minimal traffic, especially on weekdays, allowing tent campers to enjoy natural surroundings without neighboring campsites in close proximity.

Best Tent Sites Near Paullina, Iowa (6)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Paullina, IA

127 Reviews of 6 Paullina Campgrounds


  • S
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Stone State Park Campground

    Quick weekend trip

    Planned to stay for the weekend to test out new tent but storms came through & we left after one night. Basic campground in shady area under trees. We did not get an electric hookup. Ground was mostly dirt not grass on our site & mostly dry. Large trees provided shade which helped as very hot & humid. We were next to a ravine but with plenty of bug spray did not get many bites. Hiked the Bear & Buffalo trails. Campground very quiet though a few people came & went. Washrooms are very basic & chose not to use shower. The Park Ranger did check on us & advise on weather conditions. Picnic table & fire pit were fine. Got only 1 bar signal on both Verizon & AT&T. No WiFi. Overall basic, woody/shaded. Good for short stay.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2023

    Turkey Ridge Campground, Oak Grove Park

    Smaller County CG in neat park

    CG is situated along a crop field with decent shade, has hard pads with tables, fire rings/grill, firewood ,dump station, trails, nature center nearby.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 9, 2023

    Deer Run Campground, Oak Grove Park

    Neat County CG with great views

    Larger CG has terraced sites with hard pads, tables, fire rings/ firewood, shaded spots, electric, horseshoes, nature center nearby.

  • Amy B.
    Jul. 6, 2021

    Stone State Park Campground

    Served its Purpose

    We stopped here for the night during our road trip. We were not sure we would even get a spot due to the July 4th Holiday. We found a primitive spot that had a fire ring and picnic table. It was very shady however the campsites are super close to each other and unfortunately the spots were quickly filled. The bathroom was so gross and the shower did not spray. It ran down the wall and I had to get really creative with washing my hair. It served its purpose, shoes were definitely left on while in the shower, and I guess I left cleaner then when I went in. The park ranger came by to verify our rental slip and was very nice. Everyone seemed to respect the 10:00pm quiet time.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2024

    Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    Van camping here was just okay

    Camped in Site #59 on Oct. 6-7, 2023. Our site had a fire ring, table, as well as electric & water. Spirit Lake is behind the site, although there was no lake access from there. Nice hearing the water lapping on shore. Registering for a site was a little confusing. There was a friendly host in the campground. Our site sloped down toward the lake; had to use our traction boards to level the van as best we can. No privacy between sites. The 6 room restroom/shower was clean. Overall, the campground was large and well maintained. It had an RV park feel to it, which is not our preferred type of camping. I believe folks in larger rigs will be comfortable here.

  • Joshua D.
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Ranney Knob Area

    Small county park

    Small park, has some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can. Says you can pay to camp but no designated camp sites and limited parking. Does offer access for canoe/kayaking on the river. Camping is $10 a night, pay on site.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2020

    Stone State Park Campground

    Small campground in a large state park

    This is a large state park in the northwest corner of Iowa, surprisingly wooded considering how close to Sioux City it is located. Touted as a year-round park, there is a large network of trails, some of which can be used as equestrian. HOWEVER, the trails are not labeled and there is no (or very fleeting) cell service so that even after looking at the map (located on a board in the park, not a paper one), I wandered aimlessly around the park getting lost. One of the trailheads requires that you tramp directly through Site 12 to access! I explored this trail for approximately a quarter of a mile, but it became very overgrown and because I was not sure where I was going, I ended up turning around.

    The campground is divided into three sections

    • Sites 1-11 are located on either side of the access road are a bit too close together for our preference and despite the park being so wooded, have no foliage or other visible separation between the sites. These sites all have electric hookups

    • Sites 12-14 are at the top of the hill and have the easiest access to the restrooms; they also have electric hookups. In my opinion, Site 14 would be the most desirable. Given that there are only three sites here, there was a surprising number of cars driving past these sites.

    • Sites 15-30 are primitive tent sites and located near Cabin#3 (a CCC cabin). 

    The bathrooms were clean and (don’t laugh at me), the toilets had lids! Given the current virus situation, this was a nice and welcome surprise! 

    There was no camp host and we only saw one ranger during our stay. There is a nice playground, but it is not located anywhere near the campground (it is located closer to two of the cabins). If you are camping with children, please note this. There are three cabins, one that was built by the CCC and a lodge which also looked to be a CCC product, although it did not appear to be open when we were there.

  • Carrie F.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Lake Pahoja Recreation Area

    Gorgeous setting, awkward spots

    No hook ups. Gorgeous setting, several spots are not level, small size. Good distance from others, yet close enough for group. Near everything in the beautiful black hills. Several areas.  Clean, comfortable restrooms. Store at entrance to park. Boat rentals available, slip rental available.

  • Kent H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Stieneke Area Park

    Small, quiet, and $10.

    Quiet little campground. I only saw 3 sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more. $10 per night and the Rangers came at about 3:30 pm to clean the vault toilet and collect my fee from the lockbox. It's about a half mile from a well traveled road, but as I write this it's 7 in the evening and there's no more traffic. I'm the only person in the campground. There's a hand pump water well. Give it a dozen pumps to get it going. I don't suppose it is potable water. There's a river behind and the sign says you can launch a kayak.


Guide to Paullina

Tent camping near Paullina, Iowa provides access to several small county parks scattered across the rural northwestern Iowa landscape. The area sits within O'Brien County at an average elevation of 1,440 feet with predominantly flat terrain interspersed with gentle rolling hills. Summer temperatures typically range from 60°F to 85°F with higher humidity levels, while spring and fall camping seasons offer milder conditions but occasional precipitation.

What to do

River paddling access: Several campgrounds provide direct river access points for kayaking and canoeing. At Stieneke Area Park, campers can launch kayaks directly behind the campground. As Joshua D. notes, the park offers "river access for canoe/kayak" making it a convenient base for water recreation.

Fishing opportunities: The small lakes and river access points near Paullina provide fishing options for anglers. Moorehead Pioneer County Park features a pond where visitors regularly fish. One camper observed "fishermen around the pond" during their visit, indicating the popularity of this activity.

Playground access: For families seeking tent camping near Paullina, Iowa with recreational amenities, some parks offer playground equipment. A camper at Moorehead Pioneer County Park mentioned "a playground and a couple small pavilions across from where I camped," providing an activity option for children.

What campers like

Peaceful surroundings: Many campers appreciate the quiet, uncrowded nature of these small county parks. At Ranney Knob Area, visitors enjoy the solitude of a "small county park" that sees minimal traffic, especially on weekdays.

Affordability: Budget-conscious tent campers appreciate the low fees at most parks in the area. Joshua D. notes that Ranney Knob Area charges "$10 a night, pay on site" through an on-site payment system, making it accessible for spontaneous camping trips.

Shade availability: Several campgrounds feature mature trees providing natural shade. At Moorehead Pioneer County Park, a camper described their experience as "safe and lots of trees" with "a nice shade structure" at their campsite, offering protection from summer sun.

What you should know

Limited facilities: Most tent camping options near Paullina feature minimal amenities. At Ranney Knob Area, Joshua D. observed the park "has some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can" but notes there are "no designated camp sites and limited parking."

Water reliability concerns: While some parks advertise water access, functionality varies. A camper at Moorehead Pioneer County Park mentioned "a water spigot that wasn't working" during their stay, suggesting visitors should bring their own water supply.

Undesignated camping areas: Many parks lack clearly marked individual sites. Joshua D. commented that Ranney Knob Area "says you can pay to camp but no designated camp sites," requiring campers to use judgment when setting up.

Tips for camping with families

Look for shade structures: When tent camping with children near Paullina in summer months, prioritize sites with shade. At Moorehead Pioneer County Park, one visitor found "a nice shade structure, picnic table, fire pit, and grill" which can make family camping more comfortable.

Consider Sunday arrivals: Weekends can bring more activity to these otherwise quiet parks. A camper at Moorehead Pioneer County Park reported, "I got in late on a Sunday. I saw some fishermen around the pond on my way in but no one else," suggesting Sundays may offer a balance between weekend amenities and weekday tranquility.

Verify camping legitimacy: Some county parks aren't primarily designed as campgrounds. One camper at Stieneke Area Park noted it's a "quiet little campground" where they "only saw 3 sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more," indicating the need to locate appropriate camping areas within these multi-use parks.

Tips from RVers

Limited hookup availability: Most parks near Paullina cater primarily to tent campers with few RV amenities. At Cenla Campgrounds in nearby Spirit Lake, RV campers can find more substantial amenities including electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer connections not typically available at the county parks.

Check road conditions: Access roads to some of the best tent camping near Paullina, Iowa may be challenging for larger vehicles. Many county parks feature unpaved or narrow access roads that can become difficult after rain.

Consider seasonal closures: While some parks like Moorehead Pioneer County Park operate year-round, many smaller county parks have limited seasonal availability or reduced maintenance during off-peak months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Paullina, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Paullina, IA is Dog Creek Co Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Paullina, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Paullina, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.