164 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Fayette, Iowa and the surrounding northeastern Iowa region provide multiple camping destinations ranging from county-managed parks to state recreation areas. The area includes several established campgrounds such as Klocks Island Park directly in Fayette, Lakeview Campground in Volga River State Recreation Area, and Echo Valley State Park Campground where tent camping is available. Many facilities offer accommodation for both tent and RV camping, with certain locations like Backbone State Park and Skip-A-Way Resort also featuring cabin rentals. Facilities typically include basic amenities such as drinking water, electric hookups, and toilet facilities, though the level of development varies significantly between locations.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the area, with some parks operating year-round while others close during winter months. North Woods Park operates from May through October, while Gilbertson Conservation Education Area has a similar season from mid-April to mid-November. "Not a bad place but completely unremarkable. You have decent camp spots well spaced and rarely used from what we could tell," noted one visitor about Lakeview Campground. Road conditions are generally good for accessing most established campgrounds, though more primitive sites may require additional planning. Cell service varies throughout the region, with some areas reporting limited Verizon coverage and no T-Mobile service, which may affect planning for remote work campers or those requiring reliable communications.
Many campers highlight the natural water features as primary attractions in the area's campgrounds. Echo Valley State Park receives consistently positive reviews for its trout stream access, with one visitor noting it "makes you feel like you're not even in Iowa." The Turkey River provides recreation opportunities at several campgrounds, including tubing and canoeing at Skip-A-Way Resort. Campground crowds fluctuate seasonally, with weekends typically busier than weekdays at most locations. Several parks maintain a quiet atmosphere despite their proximity to small towns, making them suitable for campers seeking peaceful settings. The region's camping areas generally feature moderate to heavy tree coverage, providing natural shade during summer months when temperatures can rise significantly.
"Backbone State Park is unlike any other place in Iowa, having geological features uncommon in Iowa. There are two campgrounds."
"The lake was super gross, with excessive floating moss (probably a weather issue) and EXCESSIVE goose poop everywhere. The beach was basically unusable, with goose bombs everywhere."
from $16 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Large park, no designated sites, fire rings spread around. Elect posts spread around.water available a dump station on site $2.00 charge. Very green, a river all around the park."
from $12 / night
"Went there last weekend had to do a walk up everything else was reserved. Clean park area, bathrooms were disgusting though. Talked to the DNR he was very friendly and knowledgeable."
from $15 - $52 / night
Check Availability"There are pit toilets at the upper sites, near the pavilion."
"The hiking trail was perfect for a morning stroll with my dog and coffee and there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)"
from $5 / night
Check Availability"This was a nice campground next to a small town- nice quiet sites. Sites were kind of close together. Mostly seasonal spots here."
"Some weekly activities include canoeing, tubing down the Turkey River, swimming, fishing and paddle boats in the Lake, a splash pad for kids and occasionally a dumping tank for free, also miniture golf"
"A very nice park located close to the Iowa border. Close to Effigy Mounds & Pikes Peak! It has great trails & campsites & lots of geocaching! Come one New Years for the annual carp drop :)"
"This is an amazing park on the Wisconsin/Iowa border, overlooking where the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers join. I usually try to get in at least 1 trip a year, if lucky enough 2-3."
from $24 - $41 / night
Check Availability"It's located on the south end of town, there is only one business within walking distance. It's a great restaurant (Oelwein Family Restaurant) and it's about a 15 minute walk."
"It is small and has beautiful views and nice short hike trails on the other side , across the bridge, of the park. Old camping site is located among old trees."
GuideOne of my favorites. Iowa knows how to do County campgrounds. Firefly campground has full hookups and reservations. The other campgrounds have water and electric and are first come first serve. I arrived on a Friday afternoon in July and found a site easily.
ScoutA well kept park with a very laid back atmosphere. Buggy yes but the park is worth it.
GuideGrass sites, plenty of space. Some sites have great views of the lake. Nice walking trails. Wild life to watch. If you are camped under a hickory tree you will need to brush off the Hickory nuts off your slide outs. Plenty of parking for guset to visit. Peaceful. We love camping in Hickory hils.
TravelerNice campground with hookups. But the shower only had the push button and the water was so hot it was scalding!
ScoutI have visited this park many times. It is small and has beautiful views and nice short hike trails on the other side , across the bridge, of the park. Old camping site is located among old trees. There is rescued animal display in there as well.
TravelerThis campground appears to be new or newly re done, great showers and bathrooms, right on a bike trail seems to connect to everything. Quiet large sites with full hook ups, more sites being developed
GuideJust an overnight stay but I want to return to Firefly. There are lots of fireflies at night so easy to see why it got the name. All the pads are concrete in this new park. Full hookups that are easy to use. Great playground for the kids.
GuideWe were traveling northbound on 218 on a Tuesday and searched for a convenient stop for one night. It was very hot so filtered the results, showing spots with electric hook-up in order to run the AC a bit. The North Cedar County Park was easy to find, located just a couple miles off the exit and past the town of Plainfield.
The park is heavily shaded in most areas. They have done a good job of keeping the tree canopy high, so we had no worries of hitting limbs in our 34' class A that has a height of 12 feet.
The sites are all grass, with no clear definition of individual sites. We just picked a spot that looked fairly level and dry. Soft soil could be a concern for heavier rigs after rains. Our stabilizers did sink into the dirt a bit, but we were able to level.
They have wooden picnic tables scattered, as well as designated firepit areas. 30 and 15 Amp service was available on the power post. There is a bathroom/shower house, picnic shelter, playground and horseshoe courts.
The campground is right on a wide, fast moving river and offers 2 boat launches. It didnt appear that any of the sites had a water view, but it was a short, pleasant stroll to the rivers edge.
We paid $20 for our one night. It is all first come, first served. They say on their website that they have 40 sites. On a Tuesday in June, there were 3 of us there for the night (the other two looked more long-term). A posted sign said that camping is free on Wednesday nights, so that's cool!
Overall, it was a quiet and pretty place to stop and we would definately visit again.
ScoutGreat place to camp and go swimming
Northeastern Iowa offers camping opportunities in terrain characterized by rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and several river systems. The elevation near Fayette ranges from approximately 900 to 1,200 feet above sea level, creating varied camping experiences within relatively short distances. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-80s°F with cooler evenings in the 60s, while spring and fall camping seasons bring more moderate daytime temperatures in the 60-75°F range.
Trout fishing access: Echo Valley State Park Campground provides excellent access to a well-maintained trout stream. "This campground is non-electric, self-pay, non-reservable, and has only a few sites. There is a nice trout stream, with a few sites right by the stream," notes Kerry M., highlighting the simplicity and natural appeal of this camping area.
River tubing and canoeing: At Skip-A-Way Resort, campers can rent equipment for water activities. "Some weekly activities include canoeing, tubing down the Turkey River, swimming, fishing and paddle boats in the Lake, a splash pad for kids," shares Lourene M., emphasizing the resort's family-friendly atmosphere.
Hiking diverse trails: The trails at Backbone State Park range from easy walks to more challenging routes. "We loved waking up in the morning and going for a walk along the many trails, seeing deer on the trail, and the lake," writes Larissa C. about her October camping experience, highlighting the wildlife viewing opportunities.
Cave exploration: Duttons Cave Co Park offers unique geological features unusual for Iowa. "The park is small but the cave and streams are beautiful. It makes you feel like you're not even in Iowa," explains Chris C., pointing to the distinctive landscape features that surprise many visitors.
Secluded waterfront sites: North Woods Park offers peaceful camping spots along the Little Wapsie River. "Very quiet place to camp along the Little Wapsie River. Very reasonable price!" reports Carolyn M., highlighting the value and tranquility found at this location that's open from May through October.
Clean facilities: Wyalusing State Park Campground maintains high standards for its amenities. Josh F. enthusiastically describes: "Let me wax poetic about the new bathroom/shower block. While I didn't take photos (should have) this is one of the nicest public bathrooms I've ever been in. Not just in a state park, ever."
Affordable camping options: Klocks Island Park in Fayette offers budget-friendly camping. "Large park, no designated sites, fire rings spread around. Elect posts spread around.water available a dump station on site $2.00 charge. Very green, a river all around the park. Our favorite place in the area. $12.00 a night," shares Bob S., emphasizing the value and natural setting.
Fall foliage viewing: Seasonal color changes make autumn a prime time to visit. "We went camping at Backbone for a friend's wedding that was taking place at the park's lodge. While most of the wedding guests stayed in town, we opted to camp, during October. It was gorgeous!" recounts Larissa C.
Limited site availability: Some of the best places to camp near Fayette have very few sites. Wilber S. mentions about Echo Valley State Park: "Came in late but found a spot, only 6 first come first serve camping sites. I was a quarter mile from the next nearest site. Certainly a tent oriented campground, RVs would have a difficult time."
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds near Fayette operate on limited seasonal schedules. North Woods Park is open May 1 through October 31, while Gilbertson Conservation Education Area runs from April 15 through November 15.
Variable water quality: Some lakes in the region face water quality challenges. At Backbone State Park, one camper notes: "Lakewater often unsafe for swimming. To the extent the beach had weeds growing on it. Campsites are close together w no privacy."
Cell service gaps: Connectivity varies widely across camping locations around Fayette. Ryan S. reports about Klocks Island Park: "I had barely usable Verizon service here and no T-mobile service," which affects remote workers and those needing to stay connected.
Playground access: Oelwein City Park offers family-friendly facilities beyond just camping. "The city park is adjacent to the campground and has picnic shelters, a playground, and a dog park," notes Ryan S., describing amenities that enhance family camping experiences.
Educational opportunities: Skip-A-Way Resort provides animal encounters for children. "They have mini golf but you have to pay 8 dollars for that. They have river rafting, a playground for little kids, and a mini horse for petting. Lots of things for kids to do!" describes Jeremiah B.
Group-friendly sites: Backbone State Park accommodates larger family gatherings. "Have camped here twice with large groups (12-25 people) of college age friends. Was a great time with plenty to keep everyone interested," shares Emma N., indicating the park's suitability for extended family outings.
Weather considerations: Plan for potential wind and temperature fluctuations, especially in elevated sites. Connor M. reports from Wyalusing: "It was a Colder night as we camped in 30 degree weather and freezing rain came into our campground. This along with the wind made our situation feel pretty cold and we left early in April."
Site spacing and privacy: Lakeview Campground in Volga River State Recreation Area offers varied site options for different RV preferences. "Gravel parking spots, fairly level, most without shade unless you get on the 'back loop' where you can find 4 with good shade. All manner of amenities (electric only, water & electric, and a few with full hookups)," explains Dennis G.
Small town proximity: When choosing campgrounds near Fayette, consider access to local services. Cody notes about Lakeview Campground: "Clean park area, bathrooms were disgusting though. Talked to the DNR he was very friendly and knowledgeable. Plenty of places to walk around and hike."
Affordable electric hookups: Klocks Island Park offers budget-conscious RV camping with basic amenities. "Small local park with grass camping spots. Most spots have water and electric hookups. Dump station with nonpotable water is easily accessible. Very shady camping right along the river. $12 per night. Worth the money," shares Dennis G.
Limited big rig access: Many camping options near Fayette aren't suitable for larger RVs. As Wilber S. points out about Echo Valley: "Certainly a tent oriented campground, RVs would have a difficult time," which applies to several of the more secluded camping areas around Fayette.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Fayette, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fayette, IA is Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
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