Best Dispersed Camping near Story City, IA
Dispersed camping near Story City, Iowa centers primarily around several primitive sites in Hardin County. Eagle City County Park offers free primitive camping on 172 acres along the Iowa River, with both upper and lower camping areas. Cross Ford River Access provides another dispersed option near Iowa Falls, while Lake Considine in Dumont offers a completely primitive camping experience. These areas represent the main public land options for no-fee camping in the region, with most sites situated along waterways.
Access to these dispersed camping areas typically involves maintained gravel roads, though some locations may require slow navigation during wet conditions. Eagle City Park is accessible via gravel roads approximately two miles from main routes. Most sites lack developed amenities, though Eagle City does provide vault toilets, hand pump wells, and fire rings at designated sites. Recent policy changes have implemented a $10 fee at Eagle City Park, payable within 30 minutes of claiming a site, with no reservations accepted. Camping remains free at Lake Considine, which offers a more secluded experience.
These primitive camping areas provide varying levels of seclusion and natural settings. Lake Considine features a fishing lake with previous access for small watercraft like kayaks and canoes. Eagle City Park offers riverside camping with wildflowers and occasional wildlife viewing opportunities. The sites are generally well-maintained but uncrowded, with visitors often reporting having entire areas to themselves. "We love how quiet it is, we are quite often the only ones down there," noted one regular visitor to Eagle City Park. Another camper mentioned, "Not only is it directly on a river with wildflowers, it has a pit toilet and hand pump water," highlighting the basic amenities that make these sites suitable for primitive camping experiences.
