Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground
Great find!
We really enjoy this park. It’s almost empty during the week days. We stay Monday through Thursday and always find a spot. Quiet and peaceful.
116 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Bettendorf, Iowa include several well-established sites along the Mississippi River, with a mix of RV, tent, and cabin accommodations. Fishermans Corner and Illiniwek Campground provide direct river access, while Bald Eagle Campground and West Lake Park offer cabin options for those seeking more amenities. The camping areas span both Iowa and Illinois sides of the river, with most facilities concentrated within a 20-mile radius of Bettendorf. Several campgrounds feature full hookups for RVs, while others maintain more rustic sites with basic facilities for tent campers.
The camping season in the region typically runs from April through October, with most facilities closing during winter months. As noted by one visitor, "This campground is quite nice for the cost. Sites have decent spacing, and during the week it seems to be only 20% full." Access roads to the campgrounds are generally well-maintained and suitable for most vehicles, including larger RVs at facilities like Interstate RV Park and Camelot Campground. Reservation requirements vary by location, with many campgrounds accepting advance bookings, while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Summer weekends see higher occupancy rates, particularly at waterfront sites, making weekday visits preferable for those seeking quieter experiences.
Mississippi River views represent a significant draw for many campgrounds in the area. Fishermans Corner and Illiniwek Campground both offer sites directly overlooking the water. A camper observed that Fishermans Corner provides "a really nice campground right on the Mississippi with level gravel pads with a picnic table and firepit." Train noise affects some riverside locations, with railroad tracks running parallel to several campgrounds. Park facilities typically include shower houses, dump stations, and electrical hookups, with varying levels of amenities. Family-friendly features appear at several locations, with playgrounds, open spaces, and fishing access making these campgrounds suitable for multi-generational trips. Most mixed-use campgrounds in the area maintain reasonable site spacing, though proximity to neighbors varies by facility and specific site selection.
"Site 13 seemed to be one of the best situated. We stayed in Site 12 which had a beautiful, unobstructed view of the river."
"As with all the campgrounds along the Northern Illinois Great River Trail, it is along side Rt. 84, and railroad tracks."
from $14 - $26 / night
Check Availability"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"The campground is also right next to a biking trail. There was public and private bathrooms. The private ones were only accessible to campers that received a key from the park office."
"There is a section of the campground where you can camp right on the edge of the Mississippi River which is nice, but you must deal with people fishing the entire time."
"My wife, son, and I recently stayed here on our trip back home from Iowa. The campground was clean and quiet."
"Close to stores, and resturants. A casino close by."
"The host is on site plus a park ranger was frequently driving around to check on things. We were there on Labor Day weekend and everyone quieted down in the evening."
"Stayed the night here driving to PA. Very welcoming, you have to enter in gate 5, set up your tent site(towards the back near the woods) then pay $20."
from $27 / night
Check Availability"Easy on off from highway, cute little place but still fit a big rig towing a trailer. DoorDash in area is convenient. 50 ⚡️💩👍💧👍"
"It’s a bit noisy due to the nearness to the interstate."
"CG has new septic lines and walking paths! Sites have upgraded lanes, pads."
"Sites offer: tables, fire rings, hard drive through pads, electric, water, showers/RR, play areas, horse shoes, trails, and 2 cabins adjacent to CG. Overflow/visitor parking."
from $17 - $36 / night
Check Availability"The tent sites are nicely tucked away from the RVs, with a row of bushes to separate you from your neighbor. Nice shade."
"will be surrounded by."
from $40 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Surrounded by mature hardwood forest, generous-sized campsites with decent privacy and miles of interconnected hiking trails, this campground delivers a camping experience that feels far more secluded"
"The campground has a seasonal host offering firewood on site, showers and restrooms, play area, trails, and overflow parking just adjacent for the entrance."
from $15 - $23 / night
Check Availability"Pine Grove Campground is situated in Scott County Park."
"Another upside to Pine Grove is that it has a single hiking trail heading west that will connect you with a wider network of hiking & biking trails."
from $15 - $23 / night
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We really enjoy this park. It’s almost empty during the week days. We stay Monday through Thursday and always find a spot. Quiet and peaceful.
It’s small, quiet and clean. Booked on-line easily. Planned just for 2 days traveling cross country. Got a pull thru site, didn’t know the direction to pull in as their map didn’t show any arrows. Site is gravel, dirt and grass. Quite level and no blocks needed. Hook ups are situated properly for easy connection. Noted about 10 long term sites in use. Did not use any campground shower or toilet facilities. Follow directions given by campsite to avoid low railroad bridge. Followed their blue camping signs coming from i80 just fine. Geneseo is a nice small farm town with good supplies, gas , laundry. I would stay again if needed.
Sometimes on a family road trip, you don't need a campground to entertain you ... you just need a comfortable place to pull in, hook up and give everyone a break from the highway. Interstate RV Park sits conveniently just off I-80 on the outskirts of Davenport and that's really where this approximately 100-site campground earns its keep: it's an EZ-in, EZ-out stopping point for travelers crossing Iowa or exploring the Quad Cities. The campground is more practical than picturesque, with a mixture of overnight travelers and longer-term campers, but RV families will appreciate full hookups with 30/50-amp electric service, pull-thru options, restrooms & showers, laundry, a seasonal swimming pool, pavilion, game room and small camp store. One of those simple road-trip moments I always appreciate is finally getting everyone out of the vehicle after hours of driving, watching the kids stretch their legs while we get camp organized and realizing that, for tonight anyway, we don't have anywhere else we need to be. Some campgrounds are the destination, while others simply give your family a place to catch its breath between adventures. From what we saw, I'd choose one of the campground's dedicated overnight sites away from the longer-term residents, and travelers with larger rigs or multiple slides should ask for one of the wider sites because spacing can be tight. We did note uneven gravel, potholes and less than polished conditions in some of the common facilities, so expectations should be kept to a minimum. Overall, we'd recommend Interstate RV Park for RV families needing a convenient 1-night stop because of its outstanding I-80 access, full hookups and proximity to Davenport, but for families seeking privacy, polished facilities and a campground where the kids can spend the weekend exploring, there are stronger choices around the Quad Cities area.
Probably the nicest campground ive stayed at
We stopped here for one night on our trip and it was a nice and small campsite. It is right on the river and very pretty.
If you're the kind of camper who measures a campground by the number of trees instead of the number of amenities, Wilderness CG continues to be THE hidden campground gem within Scott County Park. Surrounded by mature hardwood forest, generous-sized campsites with decent privacy and miles of interconnected hiking trails, this campground delivers a camping experience that feels far more secluded than you'd expect to find just minutes from the Quad Cities. While my original review from just over a year ago goes into considerable detail about each aspect of the campground and the park itself, I thought I'd follow up that review with a quick summary of what continues to stand out most.
Here's a topline of HIGHLIGHTS and LOWLIGHTS along with a smattering of new photos.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Easily the most wooded, private and peaceful campground within Scott County Park, making it an outstanding choice for tent campers, in particular, and anyone seeking a true forest setting; (2) Spacious campsites tucked beneath a dense tree canopy (expert tip: be sure to look up at any potential 'widow makers' before setting up camp) that provides excellent shade, natural privacy and a genuine 'away from it all' atmosphere; (3) Immaculately maintained restroom and shower facilities with dependable hot water that rival many commercial campgrounds; (4) Outstanding access to some of the park's best hiking trails, allowing campers to step directly from their campsite into miles of beautiful woodland; and (5) Scott County Park itself offers an impressive collection of amenities, including: 2 fishing lakes (and 2 smaller ponds), a championship 9-hole golf course, massive family-friendly swimming pool, various scattered playgrounds, an abundance of picnic areas in and outside of excellent shelters and friendly park staff ... all just a short drive from your campsite.
LOWLIGHTS: (1) The heavily wooded terrain means some sites are uneven with exposed roots, making leveling RVs and 5th wheelers more challenging than at neighboring campgrounds; (2) There is no lake or waterfront access directly within Wilderness Campground, so paddlers and anglers will need to drive to other areas of the park; (3) The abundance of trees and leaf cover can make portions of the campground appear a little less manicured, even though it is very well maintained - when we were there in the Autumn, we wished we would have brought our rake!; (4) Only one of the campground's restroom buildings includes shower facilities, so some campers may have a short walk or drive depending on their site; and (5) Larger RVs may find neighboring campgrounds such as Bald Eagle or Woodside better suited to their size and setup.
Happy Camping!
We just stayed a quick night on the way driving across country. We pulled up in the dark, and were awakened the next day by an amazing view of the Mississippi River. Some camping spots have water, They all have electricity, and there is one bathroom with showers. Portapotties and dumpsters are situated throughout. There is a slightly confusing registration process of a QR code on you camping spot. Overall, a great place to stop.
Drove in late at night and was able to self register and pay at the gate. Has electric hook ups, tent camping sites and a great shower building. Showers were free, clean and comfortable. Not always the case with public campgrounds
Campground is clean and well maintained. The bathrooms are very clean and don’t smell like a typical campground bathroom the campground managers are easy to deal with and are very kind. If you like dad jokes the campground manager has plenty lol. Overall great experience.
Camping sites near Bettendorf, Iowa span both sides of the Mississippi River, with most locations offering seasonal operation from April through October when temperatures range from 65-85°F during summer months. The region features a mix of county-managed parks and private campgrounds, with Scott County Park maintaining multiple campground options across its 1,280 acres of woodland and prairie terrain. Water levels in the Mississippi can fluctuate significantly during spring, affecting riverside camping conditions.
Hiking and biking trails: Scott County Park provides extensive trail networks for outdoor enthusiasts. "Park offers miles of trails, fishing at pride Lake, a historical Pioneer Village within the park at the north, equestrian trails, bicycle trails," notes a visitor at Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins.
Fishing at multiple lakes: The region offers several fishing opportunities beyond the Mississippi. "Park offers 4 lakes to fish, paddle, and a seasonal beach for swimming with concessions. Park has hiking trails, world-class disc golf course, playgrounds, picnicking, shelter rentals," according to a camper at Park Terrace Campground.
Paddling the waterways: Canoes and kayaks are popular on both the Mississippi and inland waterways. "From this campground you can go north, as far as Savanna. Going south will take you through Hampton, East Moline, Moline, Rock Island, and you can cross over to Davenport, circle Credit Island, and pick up other paths in Iowa," explains a paddler at Fishermans Corner.
Visit Pioneer Village: The historical attraction at Scott County Park provides a glimpse into regional history. "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," recalls a camper from Pine Grove Campground.
Secluded campsites: Many campgrounds offer sites with natural buffers. "For tent camping, I preferred Wilderness over Incahaias mainly because Wilderness feels much more private, as some of the individual sights towards the back are surrounded by bushes/trees," mentions a camper at Pine Grove Campground.
Reasonable pricing: The area's campgrounds generally offer good value. "Affordable campground that's minutes off of I80 in Davenport IA. The sites are nice wooded sites. A mix of gravel and pavement," notes a visitor to Interstate RV Park.
River views: Mississippi River access remains a major draw. "The sunsets on the Mississippi were beautiful each evening!" reports a camper at Illiniwek Campground, which provides riverside camping options.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain high standards for bathrooms and showers. "Bathhouses? Shockingly nice. Like, did a spa consultant sneak in here when no one was looking?! Nice," remarks a visitor to Sac-Fox Campground about Scott County Park's facilities.
Weather and insects: Seasonal conditions can affect camping comfort. "Bugs were not too bad when we were there (October) which was surprising as it was so close to the river and still warm," notes a camper at Fishermans Corner.
Train noise: Railroad tracks parallel the Mississippi, affecting some riverside locations. "There's a train but it was infrequent so it did not disrupt our sleep, in fact, all four of us accidentally slept VERY late!" reports a visitor at Fishermans Corner.
Water quality varies: Tap water can be inconsistent across campgrounds. "The water at the sites tastes funky so we opted to buy jugs of water from the store," mentions a camper at Illiniwek Campground.
Weekend crowding: Occupancy patterns follow predictable weekly cycles. "During the week it seems to be only 20% full," shares a camper about site availability at riverside campgrounds.
Cabin accommodations: Several parks offer cabin rentals for those seeking more comfort. "Cabin sits at end of campground lane with covered porch, parking for 3 cars, ADA accessible. Cabin has 2 sleeping rooms, sleeping loft, and sofa. Capacity is 10, with all kitchen amenities," describes a visitor at Bald Eagle Campground.
Playground access: Many campgrounds include play areas. "The campground had firewood for sale and a nice playground for kids. The campground is also right next to a biking trail," notes a family staying at Illiniwek Campground.
Swimming options: Seasonal pools provide relief from summer heat. "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," observes a family at Camelot Campground.
Budget-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer inclusive amenities. "Fantastic campground. Facilities were well maintained and the staff was great! Traveling with 3 younger kids and they enjoyed all the activities. We'll be back here again, for sure," shares a parent who visited Camelot Campground.
Site spacing varies: Check campground maps before booking. "The sites have decent spacing, and during the week it seems to be only 20% full. Bathrooms with showers. Some road noise, but overall a great spot to fishing or just relax," advises an RVer at Illiniwek Campground.
Utility connections: Full hookup availability differs between campgrounds. "Sites have electric, water, hard pads, firewood, available, heated shower house, very clean, Recycling bins, overflow parking, electric vehicle charge station, wheelchair, charging station," notes a visitor at Bald Eagle Campground about the amenities.
Dump station access: Multiple locations provide dump facilities. "There are 2 dump stations so no congestion to dump. Potable water between sites (not for fixed hookup) and good electric," shares an RVer at Fishermans Corner regarding the convenient utilities.
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds have limited winter availability. "The campground is open year-round but they shut of the water spigots around the end of October (depending on the weather)," notes a visitor to Park Terrace Campground about seasonal considerations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV rental options in Bettendorf, Iowa?
While there aren't dedicated RV rental facilities directly in Bettendorf, several options exist in the Quad Cities area. You can find rental services in nearby Davenport or consider Interstate RV Park which sometimes has information about local rental options. Porth RV Park in the broader region offers basic pull-in sites with water and electric hookups that accommodate rental RVs. For RV camping near Bettendorf, options include several campgrounds with big-rig-friendly sites like Park Terrace Campground and Rock Creek Marina and Campground.
Can I find campgrounds with cabin accommodations near Bettendorf?
Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins offers cabin options near the Bettendorf area, providing a comfortable alternative for those who prefer not to tent camp. Another option is Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground, which is considered a favorite in the region with excellent amenities and scenic views, though you should check availability for their cabins in advance. When booking cabins near Bettendorf, especially during peak summer months, early reservations are recommended as these accommodations tend to fill quickly.
What campgrounds are available near Bettendorf, Iowa?
Several great campgrounds are available within easy driving distance of Bettendorf. Wildcat Den State Park Campground is a hidden gem in southeast Iowa offering non-electrical campsites surrounded by beautiful natural scenery with hiking trails. Shady Creek is located on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River and managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, offering riverside camping. Other nearby options include West Lake Park's campgrounds, Scott County Park's Wilderness Campground, and Rock Creek Marina and Campground, all within a short drive from Bettendorf.
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