Camping sites near Preston, Iowa cluster around backwaters and bluffs of the Mississippi River across both Iowa and Illinois. The region sits approximately 20 miles inland from the Mississippi River at elevations ranging from 585 to 830 feet above sea level. During spring and early summer, seasonal insect hatches can be significant, particularly following high water events when river levels recede.
What to do
Explore cave systems: Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground offers unique spelunking opportunities with 13 distinct caves. "This Iowa SP campground is simply AMAZING and if you are a bat spelunker, you are going to be absolutely excited by this place. For the rest of us outdoor enthusiasts who are simply looking for a great campground, then you've also struck the campground lottery," notes one visitor who recommends checking cave access dates carefully around bat hibernation periods.
Paddling on Spring Lake: Spring Lake Campground provides direct water access for kayaks and paddleboards. "Sunsets and stargazing, fishing and kayaking, biking and relaxing! The quiet nature of this campground allow campers to enjoy the protected wildlife of the refuge (bird watchers- bring you cameras), access to Spring Lake fishing," writes one camper who appreciates the vintage feel of this sanctuary.
Hiking river bluffs: The region offers varied terrain with trails ranging from easy to challenging. At Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground, "Trail system is divided into North and South. North trails are scenic, with a casual non-technical difficulty to them. South trail system is challenging, especially because of the varied terrain it traverses," explains one visitor who enjoyed the distinct trail systems.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Some campgrounds offer more private options for tent campers seeking solitude. At Maquoketa Caves State Park, "If you're looking for a primitive tent camping experience, then you're going to want to book sites #12 and #13, which set a bit further back for the cul-de-sac end of the lane offering up more privacy and less noise from the rest of the camping commune."
Off-peak camping advantages: Several campgrounds are less crowded during weekdays or shoulder seasons. "We stayed on the weekend and it was not full, but that could be because there are close to 250 sites. When booking it was hard to pick to be honest as there are so many choices. Some sites are massive...as in .25 an acre that you drive over the grass to get too your site bc it is situated away from the road," reports one visitor to Mississippi Palisades State Park.
Historic attractions: Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins offers access to unique historical features. "We also stopped at the Pioneer Village to check it out. They do expect you to leave a $2 donation per adult and $1 donation per child, but this is based on the honor system. It was very cool to see how things were done back then! We would definitely recommend stopping by, and definitely stop in the ice-cream shop and get a cone!"
What you should know
Train noise impacts: Several riverside campgrounds experience regular train traffic. At Blanding Landing, "Not the worst but not one of the best COE campgrounds. No nice gravel or concrete pads anywhere. Many sites are not real level. Biggest issue is train tracks with trains running by very often. Maybe an hour or 90 minutes with none then there would be three in a very short period."
Seasonal insect activity: Mississippi River floods create significant insect hatches. "There had been flooding just prior to us camping there and the insect hatch was amazing. Then the cottonwood trees exploded their 'snow storm'. Made it hard to eat outside," notes a camper from South Sabula Lakes County Park, highlighting how weather conditions impact camping comfort.
Site selection importance: Sites vary significantly within each campground. "You probably don't want sites 1 or 2, they are directly across from the dump site. The plus is they are directly across from the playground, picnic area and trail access," advises a visitor to Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area, showing how location within a campground affects experience.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose sites near play areas for convenience with children. At Bald Eagle Campground, "if you have kids and want to be planted near the playground, you might want to target sites #26-#28, where the spacious kids playground sets right behind these sites."
Swimming options: Some campgrounds feature swimming facilities for summer visits. "The pool was open while we were there but we did not partake. It was really hot out so the pool was packed! It looks really nice from the road, it has 2 water slides and a small child area fashioned similar to a splash park," notes a visitor to Bald Eagle Campground.
Cave exploration with kids: Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground offers varying cave difficulties suitable for different ages. "There are caves for everyone, whether you're claustrophobic and don't want to be in tight spaces or you're willing you army crawl for 1/4 mile. The rangers in the campground can be strict and will mandate that you have only one 'camping unit' per site, aka tent, even though the website says sites can hold up to six people."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers should check site conditions before booking. At Thomson Causeway, "The sites are all level concrete and just about every one have a great view of the Mississippi. Quiet at night. The only improvement I would like to see is water hookups, but there are plenty of spigots scattered around the park."
Electrical options: Thomson Causeway provides good power options for RVs. "Very well set up campgrounds with plenty of electrical, non-electric sites. Very few primitive sites, if that's what you're looking for," explains a camper who found the amenities suitable for powered equipment.
Dump station accessibility: Several campgrounds offer sanitary facilities with varying quality. "The dump station is useless for black tank clean out connections. The water hose threads had been purposely removed," notes a visitor to South Sabula Lakes County Park, highlighting the importance of checking these facilities for longer RV stays near Preston.
