Riverside, Iowa camping options sit within the eastern Iowa prairie landscape at approximately 650 feet elevation. The area experiences distinct seasonal changes with humid summers reaching 85°F and winter temperatures often below freezing. Most campgrounds operate seasonally from April through October due to Iowa's winter conditions, though a few remain open year-round for hardy campers.
What to do
**Fishing opportunities: Shady Creek provides direct access to the Mississippi River. "Nice location to spend time fishing, watching sunsets, and paddle. Near Wild Cat Den State Park," notes James M. at Shady Creek.
Paddling adventures: Ferry Landing at Mississippi River offers primitive camping with water access. "Great isolated camping at river edge where Iowa and Mississippi rivers meet! Paddling, fishing, hiking in bottom land forests. Look out for insects. Pack in/out, gather drift wood for fire, watch barges pass by," recommends James M. at Ferry Landing.
Local festivals: Plan your visit around Amana Colony events, which happen regularly near Amana RV Park. "Great location right in the Amana Colonies to explore the area. There are sites for tents up to big rigs," mentions Julie G. from Amana RV Park.
What campers like
Level camping pads: Many campers appreciate the stable, level sites. "Never seen a park where every pad was level like this one. Electric was 30/50 at each site and water was dispersed through out the park," reports Gary P. about Shady Creek.
Swimming pool access: During summer months, Little Bear Campground provides pool facilities. "Very cute campground right off highway. I called while traveling and Mike was very accommodating. Full hookups and showers. Even got a pool," shares Todd C. at Little Bear Campground.
River views: Riverside campers value waterfront locations. "Site #12 with electric hookup was in my opinion the best site. Right on the back of the mighty Mississippi. Very clean friendly stay," says Donna T. about Shady Creek.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Make your reservations as early as you can the spots go quick! The campground even has a military spot!" advises Kimberly W. about Shady Creek.
Seasonal availability: Check operating dates before planning. Porth RV Park operates "April 1 to October 31" while Little Bear Campground runs "April to October" according to campground information.
Cell service challenges: Coverage can be spotty in rural areas. "Our cell phone provider is Sprint and we had zero service. The campground is close to Muscatine if you need to make a run but far enough out to feel like you're really camping," reports Stephanie D. about Shady Creek.
Road conditions: Some access roads require careful navigation. "The road leading in was very rutted so take it slow, also due to COVID reservations are required," warns Barbara P. about Shady Creek.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Cedar River Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "They have mini-golf, a nice pool and a creative rugged play area for the kids," shares Jackie J. from Cedar River Campground.
Noise considerations: Some rv sites near Riverside, Iowa experience train noise. "The issue is NOISE!! Constant train traffic all night! Horns blaring! The tracks are less than 1/4-mile away," warns John C. about Crossroads RV Park.
Spacing between sites: Consider privacy needs when booking. "Sites are close together: gravel pads, onsite: water, firewood, fire pit, tables, food nearby, playground adjacent, near Highway 30," explains James M. about Porth RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: Water hookups can be challenging at some campgrounds. "Water was dispersed through out the park, but often too far for a hose to reach," notes Gary P. about rv camping options near Riverside, Iowa.
Site selection strategy: Choose specific sites for best experience. "We lucked out and got a last min campsite for 4th of July weekend. Because we didn't plan ahead well we had to take site # 31 which was actually only available because it was canceled that morning," explains Stephanie D. about holiday camping at Shady Creek.
Highway convenience: Several rv sites provide easy interstate access. "Convenient campground that's minutes off of I80 in Davenport IA. The sites are nice wooded sites. A mix of gravel and pavement. It's a bit noisy due to the nearness to the interstate," explains Dan L. about Interstate RV Park.
