Best Tent Camping near Quimby, IA

Tent camping options near Quimby, Iowa include several small county parks that offer primitive sites for overnight stays. Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area provide basic tent camping accommodations with access to the Little Sioux River for paddling opportunities. These small county-managed properties serve as simple basecamp options for exploring the rural Iowa landscape.

Most tent sites in the Quimby area are minimally developed with basic amenities. Stieneke Area Park features a vault toilet, hand pump for non-potable water, and space for multiple tents on flat ground. Sites typically cost $10 per night with payment collected via lockbox or by park rangers who visit in the afternoon. Ranney Knob Area similarly offers toilet facilities and trash disposal but has limited parking and no designated camping spots. Both parks allow fires and pets but lack electrical hookups or shower facilities.

The tent camping experience in these areas tends to be quiet and uncrowded. A camper noted, "I'm the only person in the campground" while staying at Stieneke Area Park. River access for canoeing and kayaking provides the main recreational opportunity, with launch points available at both parks. Sites are generally flat and suitable for tent placement, though not formally designated. According to one visitor, Stieneke offers "plenty of space for tent or camper" in a "peaceful" setting. County parks in this region typically see minimal traffic, especially on weekdays, making them good options for campers seeking solitude. The proximity to the river also attracts paddlers looking for convenient overnight stops during longer water journeys.

Best Tent Sites Near Quimby, Iowa (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Quimby, IA

1 Photos of 6 Quimby Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Quimby, IA

143 Reviews of 6 Quimby 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.

  • S
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    Short weekend getaway

    Nice campground. Very few tent only - mostly RVs/trailers. Washrooms basic but clean. Large site under trees with mix of sun & shade. Grassy area for tent. Access to water close by. Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak. Everyone seemed friendly though some folk stayed up pretty late on Friday!

  • N K.
    Oct. 11, 2020

    Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    Clean & kid friendly

    Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa! We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water. Short walk to the very clean restrooms with flush toilets & showers. Will come back!

  • Emily C.
    Jun. 19, 2020

    Sioux City North KOA

    Very fun

    A tent site was $40 with no electricity so it’s more pricy then other sites but they have a ton of things to do. Checkers, chess, swings, play set, mini golf, inflatable bouncy blog, pool, and more. They had a gift shop with anything you needed to buy. The bathrooms were very nice and clean but did smell a bit. They had electricity/ wall outlets in the bathrooms. The highway is very close so you do hear cars. Privacy fences around the site to block out the neighborhood. Very nice staff!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Rich J.
    Jun. 30, 2024

    Cottonwood Cove Park Campground

    Nice

    Nice little city campground just a few miles off the interstate and right next to the Missouri River. Quiet large sites at a reasonable price. Picnic tables and fire rings. Water and electric only....there is a sewer dump near the bathrooms but not at the sites.

  • 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.

  • 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 Quimby

Tent camping near Quimby, Iowa, offers a variety of serene spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature. With options ranging from peaceful parks to river access, there's something for everyone.

Local Attractions for Tent Campers

  • Enjoy the tranquil setting at Stieneke Area Park, where you can access the river for canoeing or kayaking.
  • Visit Ranney Knob Area, which provides a small park atmosphere with picnic tables and a toilet, perfect for a relaxing day outdoors.
  • Explore the scenic surroundings of Moorehead Pioneer County Park, known for its spacious area suitable for tent camping year-round.

Activities for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Tent Campers Appreciate These Amenities

  • Stieneke Area Park allows campfires, making it a cozy spot for evening gatherings under the stars.
  • At Ranney Knob Area, pets are welcome, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure.
  • Hildreth Lighthouse Campground offers a flat grassy area for pitching tents, ensuring a comfortable camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Quimby, IA is Stieneke Area Park with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

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