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Eastern Iowa's landscape around Delmar features a mix of established campgrounds and riverside camping options within a 30-mile radius. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, located about 15 miles northeast of Delmar, offers well-spaced electric sites with both drive-in and walk-in access for tents and RVs. The park is known for its unique cave system and hiking trails through wooded terrain. Eden Valley Refuge in Baldwin provides year-round camping with full hookups and cabin options, while county parks like Sherman Park in Calamus and Walnut Grove Park near Wheatland offer more rustic experiences along the Wapsipinicon River. Several campgrounds in the area support both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of amenities from primitive sites to full-service facilities.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the region, with most state parks operating from April through December. Maquoketa Caves State Park's season runs April 1 to December 31, matching Bellevue State Park's operational calendar. Weather patterns typically bring warm summers with temperatures in the 80s during day and 60s overnight, as noted by campers visiting in August. Spring flooding can impact riverside campgrounds, particularly those along the Cedar and Wapsipinicon Rivers. "A call ahead to the conservation office to check on closures is a good idea," advises one camper who found water covering access roads to primitive sites. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage near towns and more limited connectivity in rural locations.
Campers consistently highlight the natural features that distinguish this region from typical Midwestern landscapes. "The park was incredibly beautiful for the middle of nowhere in Iowa," notes one visitor to Maquoketa Caves, describing the contrast between the park's wooded ravines and the surrounding cornfields. The caves and rock formations receive particular attention in reviews, with visitors recommending headlamps and waterproof footwear for cave exploration. River access points for fishing and boating are common amenities at county parks, while train noise affects some riverside locations. Wildlife viewing opportunities include bald eagles along the Mississippi River during colder months, and various bird species throughout the warmer seasons. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to drinking water.
"cave system of Maquoketa Caves State Park, Iowa."
"This is a great weekend stay, with short trails that show some beautiful and unusual scenery for central Iowa. The natural bridge is incredible, and the sites are well spaced out."
from $20 - $28 / night
Check Availability"Near Lost Nation, Oxford Junction, and Wyoming, IA this park is an unexpected find in rural, eastern Iowa. The camping areas have expanded."
"Well we found a pretty good one that is relatively close to our home and is rarely reserved. Its only 1 hour North of the Quad Cities where I live & open year round!"
"Enjoyed almost 2 weeks at West Lake Park, part of the Scott County, IA park system. Helpful staff, park rangers make daily patrols, nice spots, many with shade trees & decent room."
"Although theres a small "lake" here, Ive never had great luck catching much. Pool is nice and updated. Park rangers are always frequently present and patrolling."
from $17 - $36 / night
Check Availability"Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful."
"It has trails for walking and lots of concrete for riding bikes. We did both. The park is close to the River and has plenty of places to put your boat in across the highway."
from $21 / night
Check Availability"Massive bonus points for the location of this campground, which apart from rural country farmers and bat cave tourist passerby traffic, there was virtually no noise pollution to battle with."
"platform and calm waters for kayaking or just floating; (4) The peace and quiet are unbeatable, with the only background noise being a chorus of crickets and the soft babble of the river; and (5) Location-wise"
"Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife."
"AC/heat, covered porch, firewood, picnic table, Charcoal grill, trails. Park is also site of nature center with live animals, an observatory, access to Wapsipinicon River."
from $70 - $80 / night
Check Availability"There is a boat ramp with access to the river for fishing and paddling."
"Primitive sites include gravel entrance, picnic tables, fire rings only. There is a boat ramp for the Wapsipinicon river with access for fishing, paddling, etc."
"CG site atop river bluff with pads, fire rings, tables, RR, recycling, trails, shelters nearby. Sites are close to each other but plenty to do."
"The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem."
from $16 - $36 / night
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RangerThe campground is very nice but most of the sites are not level. I’m not talking about just put down the leveling blocks, they’re like backing into a ditch. Thankfully I’m staying when it’s not busy but I had to circle the campground three times to find a site I could make work and call reservation.gov to change my reservation. It’s a shame because it is a very scenic location and the camp hosts have been superb.
Traveler30 for full hook up. Need a a longer water house as double spigots are every few sites. Firewood at the office. Good location convenient.
TravelerJust 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.
ScoutI would give it a zero if I could. Uneven pads for camper, right next to interstate and loud, neighbors so close it is unreal. Do not believe the pictures online posted those are campsites for permanent seasonal campers in the back. I was told the cost was $650 a month then charged $718 on my card. Campers are placed tongue to the back of your neighbor in front of you camper. so if one wants to move out you have to pack up your camper and move yours to a temporary spot for a couple of days so they can get out then pack up your camper again and move it again. They broke the contract doing that with us so instead of signing a new contract on a new spot we went ahead and went to another campground. Owner (which you never see, never picks up phone or has an office you can go to) continually tries to charge my credit card a large sum of money because she is mad. Update three weeks later still trying to charge my credit card various amounts. We didn’t even complete the whole month we paid for and did not ask for a refund for the days not stayed so technically they owe us money. Also you are not allowed to have any mail sent to you if renting monthly' and there was a lot of trash and illicit drug use going on in the campground.
TravelerInexpensive but poorly maintained. Parking is unlevel and no dump station. Sites were slightly bigger than needed and rock driveway barely had rock. Clean and well mowed. Caves were small and visited in about 30 minutes.
TravelerThis campground is a great location along the river in Clinton. There is a Thomas Dambo troll within walking distance. There is a small playground on site and a ton of things to do on the riverfront: pool, skate park, outdoor gym, restaurant, marina, Showboat, etc.
LegendCG offers sites along the Bear Creek , up the bluff in bunkhouse, and a bit further to primitive campsite. CG includes fir rings, gravel pads, electric, water access and dump station along with seasonal RR/ showers. Park has playground and nature center.
GuideSite 12. June 11. Good for a night if driving I-80. Nice view of the river from this site. It had rained and there were many puddles making tent camping impossible, so I didn't bother setting up my "mandatory" tent and slept on the cot in my SUV. Standing water, so mosquitoes were active. This campground caters to RVs. Trains at night are loud. Bring ear plugs. Restrooms were old and not clean. I had stayed here before a few years ago, and they were very clean, so it just depends on the host.
TravelerIf you’re looking for a quick stop on your travels with full hookup and a bonus pool this is perfect! The host is very friendly and accommodating. Easy on and off of I80. There is not a lot of shade but if you have AC and an awning, you will be just fine
Camping sites near Delmar, Iowa range from riverside primitive camping to full-service RV parks with electric hookups, all situated within a landscape of rolling hills, limestone outcroppings, and river valleys. The area averages 36 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush woodland environments interspersed with prairie remnants. Several campgrounds remain open year-round, though facilities like showers may close during winter months when temperatures regularly drop below freezing.
Cave exploration with proper gear: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, visitors need headlamps for safely navigating the cave system. "If you've never gone spelunking before – and trust me, if you come here to Maquoketa SP, you're going to want to – then make sure you bring the right gear: headlamp, good sturdy hiking boots, pants to keep the bugs, spiders and ticks away as well as plenty of water to stay hydrated," advises one camper.
Paddling on local rivers: The Wapsipinicon River offers multiple access points for kayaking and canoeing. At Sherman Co Park, "Our favorite past time while we're there is to go tubing on the Wapsi River," reports a regular visitor.
Night sky observation: Several campgrounds provide excellent stargazing opportunities due to minimal light pollution. "It is absolutely pitch black. PERFECT for stargazing on a clear night," notes a camper who stayed at Eden Valley Refuge.
Trail hiking year-round: Multiple interconnected trail systems provide hiking opportunities through various ecosystems. "The trails have sign posts and the map in a VERY general way gives you some idea as to where you are at BUT there are trails criss crossing everywhere so make sure you have your map tracker on. The trails/scenery are AMAZING!" shares a camper at Maquoketa Caves.
Historic attractions: The Pioneer Village at Scott County Park offers a glimpse into the area's past. "Pioneer village if you've never been was the absolute bees knees as a kid to go to, especially since you can hike to get there! I loved climbing around in the train cars, eating icecream/candy canes, and watching the blacksmith work."
Clean facilities: Multiple campgrounds maintain well-kept shower houses and restrooms. "Bathrooms are clean and nice. The soap smells really good! They have showers which were clean. I thought they'd be cold water showers but they were warm! Such a delight," reports a camper at Bellevue State Park.
Diverse camping options: The region offers everything from primitive hike-in sites to full-hookup RV spots. At Eden Valley Refuge, "To get to both the pack in sites you have to hike a 1/2 mile. You need to bring all of your supplies including water. (Showers & modern facilities are 1/2 mile back at the main campground)."
Wildlife viewing: Seasonal wildlife observation opportunities abound throughout the area. At Scott County Park, visitors can "Expect to see whitetail deer as they love to make the park home."
Seasonal cave closures: Due to bat conservation efforts, caves may close unexpectedly. "Due to concerns for wildlife (primarily bats) the caves close frequently, check the park website for details about when they will be open and respect the closures when they occur."
Flooding risks: Spring and early summer rains can impact riverside campsites. "The tent sites are prone to flooding occasionally from the gun river," notes a reviewer at Sherman Park.
Variable cell service: Connectivity varies dramatically between campgrounds. "The cellphone signal was good; at least it passed the test of FaceTiming my wife to check for lag," reports a camper at Walnut Grove Co Park.
Cash-only policies: Some smaller private campgrounds don't accept card payments. "This camping outpost only accepts cash, money order or checks, which was a major bummer for us as we didn't have any of those with us," warns a visitor to 6B's Campground.
Educational programs: Nature centers provide learning opportunities for children. The Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr. "specializes in environmental education and the Eagle View Eco Center with exhibits and native live animals, trails, prairie, observatory, amphitheater, 1 mile stretch of the Wapsipinicon River with paddling access."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature well-maintained play areas. At Scott County Park, "We played a lot on the playground there and rode our bikes wherever."
Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort, cabin rentals provide full amenities. At Wapsi River Environmental Center, the cabin "sleeps 6, has all amenities including firewood at no cost! Education center onsite with live animals, trails, open year-round."
Bug preparation: The area's humidity supports healthy insect populations. At Mississippi Palisades State Park, one camper warns "We were eaten alive by chiggers when we sat out for awhile to relax," suggesting proper insect repellent.
Site leveling considerations: Many campgrounds feature varied terrain requiring leveling equipment. At Bellevue State Park, "most of the nonelectric/tent were down at the bottom of slopes."
Electric hookup availability: Electric sites are widely available but vary in amperage. Maquoketa Caves State Park offers "24 offering 20/30/50 amp electric" according to a visitor.
Dump station access: Not all campgrounds with RV sites have dump stations on premises. At Sherman Park, campers appreciate that there's "a nice newer playground for the kids and a few trail to explore" but note the limited facilities.
Back-in site specifications: Most RV sites require back-in parking. "The land is incredibly flat, back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level grounds are incredibly well-organized," notes a visitor to Scott County Park's Bald Eagle Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Delmar, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Delmar, IA is Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 35 reviews.
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