Best Camping near Rock Valley, IA

Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Rock Valley, IA is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. Rock Valley is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Find the best campgrounds near Rock Valley, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Rock Valley, IA (81)

Showing results 1-10 of 81 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Rock Valley

Recent Reviews in Rock Valley

348 Reviews of 81 Rock Valley Campgrounds


  • Ken G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Palisades State Park Campground
    Sep. 25, 2024

    Palisades State Park Campground

    beautiful area, clean campsite

    This was a wonderful spot.  Lots of really nice short hikes down by the water which was really beautiful with the cliffs on the water.  Sites were very nice and clean.  We were able to get a site on a Friday night last minute by calling ahead.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Park Jefferson Campground & RV Park
    Sep. 11, 2024

    Park Jefferson Campground & RV Park

    A field around a lake near a speedway

    In another 4-5 years when the trees have grown and this is better maintained, it could be a nice campground.  Sadly, our trip there started with the Google directions leading us to the wrong side of the highway and a muddy, bumpy road.  I called and they gave me correct directions.  Once there, no office, no staff.  I called because the site I had reserved was occupied.  They said just pick any other.  We paid for lake side, but it was too muddy in the other available sites.  We were not offered a refund ($5).  We saw several dogs off leash and, while they were well-behaved, one never knows if they will stay where they belong.

    It was quiet at night.  We stayed on a Saturday night.

  • Jenni C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Olson City Park
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Olson City Park

    Great Spot

    Though we didn’t stay long, this campground was tidy, well marked, and a perfect stop for the night. The campsites were clean, facilities were top notch, and the park and walking path provided a great spot to wear kids out before continuing on.

  • Julia V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Stone State Park Campground
    Aug. 14, 2024

    Stone State Park Campground

    Great for a night

    Had a grassy & shady tent site. There were vault/pit toilets close and regular restrooms with showers a little walk away (showers needed to be cleaned). Water spigot was close by too. Wish we had more time to explore the park itself because there was lots of hiking/waking trails. Overall no complaints

  • Corey S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Mounds State Park Campground
    Aug. 12, 2024

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Terrific Campground

    Peaceful and serene, great site.  Was able to walk around before the sun went down and listen to the Bison, wasn't able to see them but we could hear them.  Sites were great and amenities were clean and spacious.

  • Carolyn M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Park
    Aug. 11, 2024

    Split Rock Park

    Beautiful Scenery, Clean Park

    This place is so cool! The falls was constructed during the Great Depression by the WPA, and the visitors center is made from the same pink quartz that lines the river. Really cool kayaking into Devils Gulch and up the Split Rock Creek. Will return to this nicely kept State Park. Gas station in town is quaint but has a public restroom and some basic supplies. Really lovely town. Falls lull you to sleep at night and the trains passing by are really neat to hear. Trains will go by till around midnight.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gunderson Park
    Aug. 10, 2024

    Gunderson Park

    Great Simple Free Spot!

    I found this on Campendium and google maps. It's a great little free park where you basically just park wherever. No designated spots, just park in the grass. The grass was not overgrown or anything, and there's a great little paved path that leads into town. Verizon cell service was pretty good and the park itself wasn't too crowded either. I imagine that the local county maintains it. Also tons of mulberry trees around! And be sure to go into town and pick up a breakfast sandwich and some donuts in the morning, it's a lovely walk in.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Palisades State Park Campground
    Aug. 3, 2024

    Palisades State Park Campground

    New King section open in Palisades

    Totally new entrance with easy access to new section that will handle larger RVs with toads. Open area with no shade but easy placement for satellite reception on RV or ground. New hard surface roads with gravel sites.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Parker RV Campground
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Parker RV Campground

    Next to busy roadway. Nice stop over.

    This is a very nice stop over. Sites 1 - 4 have water, electric (50, 30, 15 amp) and sewer. Those sites go for $25.00 per day. Dotes 5 - 6 are electric only and are infill sun. Site 7 is electric but has a sewer site as well. Shade found in sites 1 - 4. It is best to call ahead and make reservations. This campground stays busy.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Viborg City Campground
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Viborg City Campground

    Great one night lay over.

    This is a 3 site campground. 7 day maximum stay. No water, no garbage. 30 - 15 amp service only. Sites 1 and 2 are shaded until mid afternoon. Site 1 is shaded late afternoon. Locals bring their dogs out to "run." They don't pick up after, so watch your step. We are ¼ mile from highway and semi's Jake break a good deal, so it's quite until they go through. For a one lighter, this is a good cheap place to stop.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Peder Larsen City Park
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Peder Larsen City Park

    Busy local drive-through.

    They have just recently added 4 more sites. Sites hVe 50 - 30 - 15 amp connections. Bathrooms ate across the playground. Showers at the swimming pool. Picnic house (open) has 15, 110 outlets. Site 3 offers most sun protection. The rest of the sites are sunny all day. Playground is very large for such a small village. Disk golf is also found here.

  • Dave K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Island Park - Rock Rapids
    Jul. 24, 2024

    Island Park - Rock Rapids

    Campground Currently Closed

    Drove over tonight excited for my stay at this neat looking park. Unfortunately it appears that the June 2024 flood damaged the campground and it’s currently closed for repair.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Creek State Park Campground
    Jul. 19, 2024

    Split Rock Creek State Park Campground

    Small peaceful campground

    Nice peaceful campground with large sites nicely spaced apart for privacy. We stayed in #6 (non-electric but there are lots of electric sites.) Cleanest pit toilet ever with many amenities!! Mirror, shelf, hooks, hand sanitizer, garbage can, reading material on wall listing ‘things to do’!! Showers clean too with plenty of warm water. Saw some fireflies, no mosquitoes!! We had a very pleasant one night stay.

  • Nathan L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
    Jul. 18, 2024

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Nice little nook with lots of cover!

    This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!

    The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one. Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!

    Highly recommend!

  • Jessie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux
    Jul. 16, 2024

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Fun and relaxing

    We booked this site last minute as we needed a place to stop for the night. The website was pretty easy to use to book the site. The ranger at the station was super friendly and helpful. Our camp site is beautiful and there is plenty of room. There are lots of trails here, so I got a good run in. My husband biked over to Brandon to get a good ride. There is a sweet disc golf course too! I’m mad I didn’t bring my discs!

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gunderson Park
    Jul. 2, 2024

    Gunderson Park

    Up to 14 days free camping

    CAMPING IS NOW ONLY ALLOWED BETWEEN MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY. NO WINTER CAMPING IS ALLOWED ANY LONGER.

    Gunderson Park is a nice little boondocking location just ½ mile from the downtown area of Centerville. They have 2 fire pit locations, but, after speaking with the official at city hall we found out you can camp pretty much anywhere in the park you would like.

    It is free to camp here, you can stay virtually as long as you wish to according to that same official. There are no hook-ups. No bathroom facilities. No picnic tables. No playground for children. You may fish with a South Dakota license in the lazy rolling Vermillion River that skirts the park on 3 sides. They have a cement boat ramp. I will say when we stayed there the river was so low you would have had great difficulties getting a boat launched. On the west side of the park there are park benches at the beginning (or end of the walk depending on your start location) with a cemented walk way along the road to the park and the Vermillion River. It runs close to a quarter mile long with benches about half way through the walk. The city keeps this park mowed during the summer months. This is an old old park dating back to 1800's. The trees are massive and just as old providing beautiful shade. There are remnants of old stone items remaing in the park, grape vine thingy, a stone fireplace and pillars. Our stay favored us with Bald Eagle sightings. 2 hung around the trees on the other side of the river in full view, it was wonderful.

    At the city park you can dump your tanks. We didn't need to so we didn't visit this location. At the four way stop sign located at the center of the town, turn west, travel one block and on the south side of the street you will find city hall. There they will tell you how to find the dump site.

    This seems to be a favorite location for locals to drive through. Sometimes we found traffic through the park on the heavy side but most of the time very quiet. People are small town friendly. Population is around 900 people. Town has a grocery store, convenience store, bank, medical clinic, pharmacy, restaurant, bowling alley, auto parts store, bakery and other businesses. We noticed 4 churches in our drive around the town. At the city park they have a community swimming pool, Frisbee golf, 2 ball diamonds, tennis courts, playground equipment, volleyball courts, 2 picnic house areas and a location for 4 RV campsites with electrical plug ins [2 50 amp and 2 30 amp) for $10.00 a night with limited stay.

  • Ila R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Split Rock Park
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Split Rock Park

    No showers/toilets

    It is a beautiful little park. Good place for kayaking or fishing. I was just there to camp. The park is small. There are no showers or toilets, just outhouses, and they were a good distance for me to walk being disabled. If you have T-Mobile, there is absolutely NO service.

  • Marci S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clay County Park — Clay County
    May. 13, 2024

    Clay County Park — Clay County

    Nice trail system, near river, well-kept

    Electric, water, and dump station available here. In the trees, shaded, and a short walk along a pleasant trail to the Missouri River. The trail system, which is accessible from campground, is great. We were in site 18, which is near the playground. In busier months, that part of the campground could get loud.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Lions Park
    May. 2, 2024

    Lions Park

    Good price

    I stopped here, May 1 of 2024. They have completely redone this park and it is open. There were two spots that had concrete pads. The pedestals look good. There were a couple that were just gravel when I was there. It was kind of muddy and I decided to continue on and go further that day, but I would gladly have stopped there. It was $10 for the night. There is water available. The lady said that there was a dump station. I did not see it, and only stay two nights

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from DeBates Memorial Park
    Feb. 20, 2024

    DeBates Memorial Park

    Quiet. Electric. 4 sites.

    Nice, easy quick in and out overnight while traveling through. Not sure if it’s plowed in the winter. No snow this year.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Blue Mounds State Park Campground
    Oct. 20, 2023

    Blue Mounds State Park Campground

    Couldn’t have asked for better weather!

    What an amazing time! We stayed at site 54E which was pretty secluded our first night there. We got there a little late in the afternoon to do anything but get set up after which we got our grill going and enjoyed a delicious steak dinner. The next morning we went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors and we lucked out because the buffalo were close to the ranger station. It was quiet our entire stay and the weather cooperated except for some wind and a little rain. Definitely will be coming back!



Guide to Rock Valley

Camping near Rock Valley, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are great options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Trails: There are many trails to explore. One camper mentioned, "We went on a couple trails and just enjoyed the beautiful fall colors," highlighting the scenic views available at Blue Mounds State Park Campground.
  • Wildlife Viewing: If you’re into wildlife, you might catch a glimpse of bison. A visitor shared, "We drove in the morning to the bison area and saw about 12 of them roaming near the fence," which adds excitement to your camping experience at Blue Mounds State Park Campground.
  • Fishing and Water Activities: For those who enjoy fishing, Lake Vermillion Recreation Area offers a great beach and fishing pier. One review noted, "Short walk or bike ride to the lake which had a great beach, fishing pier, and picnic area."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review from Palisades State Park Campground stated, "Bathrooms exceptionally clean. Showers great."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. One camper at Big Sioux Recreation Area said, "Sites are big and roomy. We have two big dogs and were able to put them both on 30-foot leads."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Campgrounds like Sioux Falls Yogi Bear are great for kids. A family shared, "It was an absolute blast for our kids with plenty of activities to keep them entertained."

What you should know:

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby highways. A visitor at Sioux Falls KOA mentioned, "Lots of noise since it’s off the highway."
  • Limited Privacy: If you're looking for solitude, some sites may be close together. A camper at Newton Hills Campground noted, "Spots are fairly spacious, but not a lot of privacy."
  • Seasonal Availability: Some campgrounds have specific seasons. For example, Sioux Falls KOA is open from May 1 to October 15.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids. One parent said about Yogi Bear Campground, "Great pool and kid activities."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring a grill or plan to cook. A camper at Big Sioux Recreation Area enjoyed grilling, saying, "We got our grill going and enjoyed a delicious steak dinner."
  • Pack for Fun: Bring games and outdoor toys. A family at Lake Vermillion Recreation Area enjoyed the playgrounds and trails.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure the site can accommodate your RV. A camper at Palisades State Park Campground mentioned, "Totally new entrance with easy access to new section that will handle larger RVs."
  • Look for Amenities: Facilities like electric hookups and dump stations are important. A review from Big Sioux Recreation Area noted, "Bathrooms exceptionally clean. Showers great."
  • Be Prepared for Weather: Bring gear for changing conditions. A visitor at Newton Hills Campground said, "Great trails and a short scenic road."

Camping near Rock Valley, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What camping is available near Rock Valley, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Rock Valley, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 81 campgrounds and RV parks near Rock Valley, IA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.

  • Which is the most popular campground near Rock Valley, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Rock Valley, IA is Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux with a 4.5-star rating from 33 reviews.

  • Where can I find free dispersed camping near Rock Valley, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Rock Valley, IA.

  • What parks are near Rock Valley, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 0 parks near Rock Valley, IA that allow camping, notably Saylorville Lake and Conestoga Lake.