Best Tent Camping near Rockford, IA

Looking for tent camping near Rockford? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Rockford campgrounds for you and your tent. Each tent campsite offers quick access to one or more of Rockford's most popular destinations.

Best Tent Sites Near Rockford, IA (20)

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Showing results 1-10 of 20 campgrounds

Recent Tent Reviews in Rockford

214 Reviews of 20 Rockford Campgrounds


  • Chloe T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Myre State Park Campgrounds
    Oct. 14, 2024

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Beautiful and easy to get to backpacking sites

    Sites are approximately 2 miles from parking and the hike it relatively easy with minimal elevation change. You have a choice between a grassy walk or walking mainly on tar and gravel as part of the Blazing Star Trail. They are also accessible by boat.

    There are 4 backpacking sites and they are well-spaced so you each have privacy. #3 and #4 are close enough that you could be in a group together but #1 and #2 are pretty isolated. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, wood cabinet/fish cleaning table, at least 1 flat spot for a tent, and a nearby porta potty.

    Views of the lake are amazing with a variety of birds making appearances. Harvesting season may bring some farm sounds but otherwise, aside from the occasional train, you'll mainly hear the sounds of nature around you.

    If you can make the walk carrying everything, including water, on your back, definitely check out one of these sites.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    Oct. 8, 2024

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Surprisingly quiet campground on a summer weekend

    We tend to stay at campgrounds during the off or shoulder season for a quieter experience so it was with some apprehension that we reserved this campground for a summer weekend so that we could meet friends for Paddlefest. We were happy to discover that despite being a full campground, it was quiet at almost all hours of the day and night. It was, however, an entirely different story on the lake itself, where boats gathered all day to party!

    There is little separation between the sites but there are trees located throughout, some of which provide shade to the site. The camper pads were a mix of dirt and gravel and mostly level. We were lucky to snag Site 34 (reserved about three months in advance) – it was on the end, making it a much larger site than the interior sites (all end sites in our section were larger) and we had plenty of shade trees, a welcome relief on a very hot weekend. 

    The paved roads leading to the sites are very narrow and would appear to be one-way but are not designated as such, resulting in some confusion. The site numbers are only listed on one side, even though most of the sites appeared to be pull-through. 

    The restrooms and showers were clean and had soap and (dated) air dryers. 

    Overall, we had a very pleasant two-night stay even though we were prepared for a different experience.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Dows Pool Park & Campground
    Sep. 28, 2024

    Dows Pool Park & Campground

    Shady, quiet campground with electric & water hookups and a dump station

    I only drove through here I did not camp. It was quiet and the sites were shaded. I saw water, electricity and a picnic table at every site. The pads are gravel and very level.

    You can easily bike into town.

    There is a dump station.

    I had 3 bars of Verizon 4G which provided 70 down and 12 up.

    On T-mobile I had 5 bars of 5G and 100 down and 7 up.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar View Park
    Sep. 28, 2024

    Cedar View Park

    Beautiful park, gross bath house

    This is a lovely park. It is fairly quiet, you can hear some highway noise in the distance. The lake is lovely and clean. The spots are gravel, most sites will require some leveling but are not too bad. 

    Each site has a newer electric pedestal with 30 and 50 amp service, and each site has a water spigot, as well as a picnic table and fire ring.

    There are a few sites that back up directly to the lake. There is a swimming beach and a dock. There is a city park adjacent to the campground with a playground and picnic shelter.

    I had 3 bars on on T-mobile which got me 64 down and 18 up. On Verizon I had 3 bars which got me 65 down and 12 up.

    The shower house was pretty bad though. It was older, which doesn't bother me, but it was dirty. There are camp hosts on site but I guess their duties do not include ever cleaning the restroom. There was food trash in there all week, and if you look around you'll find feces, blood, and personal hygiene trash including used condoms.

    I would stay in this campground again because I have a self contained unit and do not need to use the on-site shower house.

  • Chloe T.
    Camper-submitted photo from White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park
    Sep. 16, 2024

    White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park

    Beautiful and Quiet

    We stayed in White Fox Site 97 from September 13-15. No one was nearby until late in the evening on the 14th, so it felt very private and quiet. Although I know that is because the people in the campground were quiet... thank you! Tons of trails; paved, gravel, or grass; you can explore the entire park. We had a bit of rain and then it got hot again so it was super muggy. Of course that is the weather, not the park. The ranger was friendly and helpful. Great worry free trip, just like camping should be!

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve
    Sep. 16, 2024

    Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve

    Great place!

    Standard site without electric was only $10.00 a night which includes a nearby water spigot to fill your tank with. Put toilets and showers available. The friendly hosts made a point to come by to chat. Two fawns were born there, under one of the picnic tables and they were around all weekend. I’ll be back !

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve
    Sep. 14, 2024

    Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve

    Great site to camp - non electric sites are $10.00 -“and electric are $18.00

    Nice place to spend the weekend or a week! Came in late and a resident helped me find a great spot. When driving to my site two fawns were laying near the playground.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    Aug. 15, 2024

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Nice but crowded campground

    Nice campground with grassy pull thru sites. But very close together. If full, you would have no privacy. Fortunately, it was 1/4 full, so no problem. Bathrooms clean, nice warm showers! Nice beach, lots to do. Would be a fun place if you don’t mind camping next to neighbors!

  • James P.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park
    Aug. 13, 2024

    White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park

    Wooded hideaway

    Roomy gravel sites. A mix of electric and non-electric sites. Commercial fire rings. Electrical needs refreshing. We had an issue with the 30A breaker not resetting on site 46E; eventually relocated to 47E. Park employee Noah was very accommodating and pleasant to deal with. He came out to the site to discuss options with us and eventually made some site reservation changes to resolve the situation. Close to town, nice historic district.

  • Nate H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Oakwoods Trails Campground
    Aug. 12, 2024

    Oakwoods Trails Campground

    Really Great Campground

    The owners Jan and Brian are super nice. The campground is a ways from their home and quite secluded and quiet. There weren’t any kids when we were there though, I imagine they could change the quiet aspect. The bathrooms and showers are very nice as are the sites. Well worth the $25 we paid!

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Oakwoods Trails Campground
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Oakwoods Trails Campground

    Late weekend excellence

    Arrived Sunday evening and found the campsite mostly empty, (season pass members had campers here but there was only one other active camper). Staff was very friendly and helpful. TOILETS FLUSH! Showers clean, basketball court, horseshoes, and volleyball all provided. Could see the sites being kind of close and it being a little pricey but more than worth it in my mind. Site 6&7 were perfect for hammocks

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Riverside Co Park
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Riverside Co Park

    Great little city/county park!

    Beautiful large sites along the river so you can fish as well as has a pond that you can swim in with three beach entry areas. Large bath house with restrooms and showers and a little free library inside. Very long parking pads- big rig friendly and very roomy sites. Nice walking trails on the east and south side of the park. Very creative natural play park for children to play on. Full hook up sites with a very reasonable nightly rate. It appeared that some of the campsites were seasonal but couldn’t confirm that.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Myre State Park Campgrounds
    Jul. 18, 2024

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    We loved it

    We were here mid week and pretty much had the place to ourselves. Beautiful old growth forest with lots of shade. For July the bugs weren’t bad. After traveling across South Dakota and dealing with 100 plus temperatures with no shade this was a welcome change. The rangers and hosts were welcoming and helpful. The bathrooms and showers are ultra modern and clean. We are planing on stopping back here on our way home.

  • Niki S.
    Camper-submitted photo from R Campground, Inc
    Jul. 15, 2024

    R Campground, Inc

    Very clean, friendly owners, great co-campers

    Randy was amazing and very attentive to my questions. Check in was super easy and the directions for check in were clearly spelled out. Everything was mapped out and the website was easy to use as well. The pond itself was pretty to look at and made for great photos, however it was loaded with geese which made it not user friendly. I would recommend this campground, and I will definitely go back to camp again!

  • Heather S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Hidden Bluffs Resort
    Jun. 24, 2024

    Hidden Bluffs Resort

    Babbling Brook and Hosts Activities!

    This campground became our favorite site in quite a while! Minimal bugs, very nice staff, beautiful sites with lots of nature! Dog friendly. Playground, mini golf, and pool all complimentary! 2 trails and babbling brooke were peaceful. They had kid and adult activities scheduled for Friday and Saturday which was a cool surprise when we checked in!

  • Emelia O.
    Camper-submitted photo from White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park
    Jun. 15, 2024

    White Fox — Myre-Big Island State Park

    Early Spring Camping

    We visited in early April so the sites were quite exposed, I can imagine they would be more private in the summer. Water and showers were not open yet as it was too cold but the vault toilets were well maintained.

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Myre State Park Campgrounds
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Nice Campground

    Ok cell coverage for Verizon, no issues web surfing. Site 7E was larger with a good size and distance from others. Not the fault of the campground, bugs were in full force. Tons of tree coverage and very humid making it a great place for the little buggers. Would probably visit October/November when cold gets rid of them and the tree coverage. Hard to see the amazing views in the summer. Again, no fault of campground, just a consideration. Also, no real potty spots for pups. Either weeds/woods or muddy spots attempting to be grass/weeds. Best was around the showers/restrooms. Those were by far the shining gem of this campground. Fantastic bathing facilities. We’re self contained, so didn’t need it but my spouse did go use the restroom there instead of waiting. We peeked in the showers and they were really nice looking.

  • Greg K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Alden riverview campground
    May. 5, 2024

    Alden riverview campground

    15$! Alden Riverview Campground

    30/50/110 power. Drinking water and dump onsite but not on sites. Wifi! Hot showers, playground,boat launch,fire pits,grills,good camp host.town is right there 2 bars and restaurants. Gas station I think was 8 blocks up to the right. Been hard to find all this for 15 bucks a day!

  • c
    Camper-submitted photo from Camp At The Woods
    May. 3, 2024

    Camp At The Woods

    Open year round

    Very accommodating super nice people helped us back in and set up in middle of winter after dark after we had drove 2 days from the east coast. Our spot was on an incline but the water worked when temp was below freezing the camp was nice with new park for kids new basketball court new pavilion wish we could have been there in the summertime I’m sure the pool is nice when uncovered. I saw laundry and bathrooms by the river.

  • c
    Camper-submitted photo from Twins Campground
    May. 3, 2024

    Twins Campground

    Serene

    Serenity, nature at its best, birdsong all day long wildlife at every turn our campsite was level the owners and manager were great hosts. We stayed several weeks the price was very reasonable, honey wagon service was included ; riding/ hiking trails from campsite.

  • Greg K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Twins Campground
    Apr. 13, 2024

    Twins Campground

    Twins campground- cresco,Iowa.

    Very friendly and helpful owner. He even drove to town so we could follow him in. Has playground community area fire pit and a structure built to cover picnic tables. atv trails. Turkey river right there was 20 feet from my site. Porta potty and shower water is hot. 30/50 amp power with water on each site. Water fill station and dump station. Garbage .

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area
    Mar. 30, 2024

    Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area

    Good spot, but not exactly private

    It's a nice spot off of the main road. It's pretty quiet, but there aren't many spots to camp. When you come in on the dirt road, it hooks to the right, and you'll come upon a dirt cul-de-sac. On the right, you'll see a grassy area set into the woods where you could camp. Other than that, your parking in the perimeter. There's enough room that virtually any size camper could navigate into this spot, but if there are other people, that will really complicate your life.

    There is a boat launch and paths down each side of the launch you could fish. On the way in, you'll see a deck to the left, providing a scenic overlook. There's also a spot there you could potentially park, but you'll be very exposed if there is any foot traffic.

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Myre State Park Campgrounds
    Dec. 6, 2023

    Myre State Park Campgrounds

    Great Campground, Even in 20° Weather

    We arrived after dark last night so we weren't able to see the gorgeous view until the sun rose! Luckily we woke up early and went for a walk right as the sun was coming up. It was quite cold, a little over 20°, but that meant the lake was frozen solid so we got to walk around on it! Tons of fun. Unfortunately the bathhouse, water spigots, and dump station were closed. That is not a super big deal since we have a camper. And it was publicized on their website about the dump stations being closed. The sites were spacious, the one we were in was non electric and a back-in site. But for $24 a night it was pretty nice! Especially would be worth it if more of the amenities had been open, but with how cold it is, it's very understandable that they would have them closed. There was still an outhouse with a vault toilet that was open. Unsure if there is a working sink because we did not use it. We had to call to make a same day reservation which was a tad bit annoying but the man on the phone was very helpful and nice so not bad at all.

  • Lisa T.
    Camper-submitted photo from George Wyth State Park Campground
    Nov. 10, 2023

    George Wyth State Park Campground

    Good local camping

    Easy in and out late fall camping.  I got a great tent spot next to the river.  This is a fine campground that I much prefer during the off season (it gets too busy during the warm season for my liking).  The connection to hiking trails throughout the park is fantastic.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Bend Park
    Sep. 7, 2023

    Cedar Bend Park

    Peaceful place

    It was so clean and peaceful. Not overly crowded. The camp host was so friendly and helpful.

  • v
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar View Park
    Sep. 3, 2023

    Cedar View Park

    Wonderful Find!

    Great find! We thought we would be dry camping because it was Labor Day weekend. We found this Park on the app and thought we would check it out. It’s first come first serve. I really never thought there would be any hookups because of what I had read, but they had electric and water! We found a spot right on the Lake! Very busy but wonderful view, location and was only $20.00!

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Oakwoods Trails Campground
    Aug. 29, 2023

    Oakwoods Trails Campground

    Lovely campground with lots of trees!

    This is a great campground with lots of shade and spacious tent pads! The large oak trees throughout the campground made for beautiful scenery and nice spots to string a hammock up. My site was right next to the bathroom building which did have a light on all night, but I had an eye mask so that didn’t bother me. $25/night for a tent site


Drive Time


Guide to Rockford

Tent camping near Rockford, Iowa offers a blend of serene landscapes and essential amenities, making it an ideal getaway for outdoor enthusiasts.

Local Attractions for Tent Campers

  • Explore the scenic views at Shellrock River Co Preserve, where you can enjoy secluded camping with fire rings and a shelter.
  • Visit Chickasaw Park, a former quarry site perfect for swimming and fishing, with a small park nearby for family activities.
  • Discover the intriguing history at Howards Woods, where you can camp in a peaceful environment surrounded by nature.

Tent Camping Prices

  • Tent camping at Chickasaw Park costs around $10 per night, making it an affordable option for families.
  • Enjoy free camping at Shellrock River Co Preserve, which provides basic amenities like port-a-potties and fire rings.
  • For a unique experience, River Ranch Camping offers a backwoods camping vibe, although prices may vary based on the season.

Nearby Activities for Tent Campers

  • Campers at Shellrock River Co Preserve can enjoy quiet nights under the stars, perfect for listening to podcasts or simply relaxing by the fire.
  • At Chickasaw Park, fishing and swimming are popular activities, but be mindful of safety regulations regarding cliff diving.
  • For those seeking a more rustic experience, River Ranch Camping provides a great spot for hiking and exploring the surrounding woods.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Rockford, IA?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Rockford, IA is Shellrock River Co Preserve with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find tent camping near Rockford, IA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 20 tent camping locations near Rockford, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.