Keith P.
Scout
ScoutMississippi 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.
Camping near Sabula, IA
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Campgrounds near Sabula, Iowa range from established riverside sites to quiet secluded spots along the Mississippi River. The area features South Sabula Lakes County Park, which accommodates both tents and RVs with electric hookups, as well as Seven Eagles RV Resort & Campground, which adds cabin options for those seeking more comfort. Several developed campgrounds in the region support mixed-use camping with varying levels of amenities, from primitive sites to full RV hookups. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground and Thomson Causeway provide additional options within a short drive, expanding the variety of natural settings available to campers.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability in the Mississippi River region, with most campgrounds operating from April through October or November. Spring Lake Campground and South Sabula Lakes County Park typically close for winter, reopening in April when conditions improve. Water levels can impact accessibility, particularly at riverside locations. Many campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends when waterfront sites fill quickly. Fishing spots and river access points are common features but may be affected by flooding. A review noted, "This campground has Water and electric hook ups and a dumpsite. It is convenient and enjoyable. It is right next to the river and the Clinton Riverfront Park and even fast food restaurants are within walking distance. The one negative is noise from trains. One seems to go by every few hours."
Campers report mixed experiences with privacy and noise levels at campgrounds in the area. Several visitors mentioned that riverside sites offer beautiful views but sometimes come with trade-offs. "Hidden gem near the iowa/illinois border. Secluded and beautiful," noted one camper about Mississippi Palisades State Park. Other reviews highlight that campgrounds like Riverview City Park lack shade but offer convenience to town amenities. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water, electric hookups, and toilets, with some also featuring showers and dump stations. The proximity to the Mississippi River creates opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing, with multiple boat launches available at certain locations. Train noise appears as a common concern in reviews of campgrounds along the river, though this varies by specific location.
Best Campgrounds near Sabula (123)
1. Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground
"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."
2. Thomson Causeway
"This is a beautiful spot on the outskirts of a small town. The train museum is open for a few hours on weekends. Other towns are nearby with more things to do."
"This is a really pretty area fairly close to home so it is a good option."
from $14 - $26 / night
Check Availability3. Spring Lake Campground
"It's like a step back in time in the best way possible."
"The bike trail is within steps of your site. Hookups for electric and water available. Well maintained portapotties at various points throughout the grounds."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability4. Bellevue State Park Campground — Dyas Unit
"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
Check Availability5. South Sabula Lakes County Park
6. Seven Eagles RV Resort & Campground
"We took several walks and bike rides around it. There is also a pool and a club house on property, however we did not visit them. There is ATT service, but not strong."
7. Morrison-Rockwood State Park
"We saw an article about "Dutch Days" in nearby Fulton on www.OnlyInYourState.com, (first weekend in May) and thought it looked like fun."
"We enjoyed the beautiful lake and cute restaurant/gift shop. We liked the different loops of campsites with pit toilets every where and a nice modern bathroom/shower house also."
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area — Mississippi River Pools 11 22
"Usually a pretty quiet area although its next to a train track so expect a train or two to wake you up. Tucked away next to the Mississippi. There is a boat ramp and parking."
from $14 / night
10. Gary McDermott RV Park
"It is right next to the river and the Clinton Riverfront Park and even fast food restaurants are within walking distance. There is also a walking path next to the river."
"This campground is a great location along the river in Clinton. There is a Thomas Dambo troll within walking distance."
from $15 - $22 / night
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Drive Time
- 51 min from Dubuque, IA
- 59 min from Davenport, IA
- 1 hr 18 min from Rockford, IL
- 1 hr 49 min from Janesville, WI
Recent Camping Photos near Sabula, IA
172 Photos of 123 Sabula Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Spring Lake Campground
Mississippi Palisades State Park CampgroundJ
Thomson Causeway
Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area — Mississippi River Pools 11 22
Gary McDermott RV Park
Morrison-Rockwood State Park
Rockwood State Park Campground
Blanding Landing
Vel Terra
Rock Creek County Marina and Campground
Lena KOAC
Canyon Ridge Campground — Apple River Canyon State Park
Recent Reviews near Sabula, IA
661 Reviews of 123 Sabula Campgrounds
- JJohn L.
GuideGeneseo Campground
Small, Quiet and Clean
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.
Maria Mercedes M.
LegendInterstate RV Park
EZ I-80 Stop When the Road Gets Long
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.
- BBRIAN F.Guide
Rustic Barn Campground RV Park
Beautiful Spot
Campground sits on a hill overlooking a number of farms. Absolutely beautiful. Decent sized sites, full hook-ups. Also a dump station. Small store on site. Trees provide shade. Many acres of paths and grass to walk the dog. Very clean bathrooms and showers. Whole place is neat and tidy. Only negative is highway noise. Pull through sites are farther from highway so may be less noisy there.
- MMikayla E.
TravelerLundeens Landing
Beautiful location
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.
Stuart K.LegendWilderness Campground, Scott County Park
The Most Peaceful Campground in Scott County Park
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!
- DDavid A.Scout
Riverview Ridge
A few concerns for tent camping
Arrived late at night and struggled to find correct site as there were no numbers posted. Also no external lighting or picnic table. Bathrooms were clean and office help was accommodating when reservation was made.
- ssteve B.Scout
Creek Valley Campground
Fine grounds, my spot taken
I reserved online same day; didn’t show up until dusk/dark - @8:30pm on a Tuesday evening. My assigned pull through site was occupied and office closed. So I looked, found an open site and pulled in. Just overnight and I least @8:15am next morning so did not see any employee.
- DDavid G.Scout
Fishermans Corner - Mississippi River
River Side
Lovely spot right on Mississippi. Pleasant hosts and grounds are well maintained. Lots of mature trees with great shade. Had a major storm early this AM. 60 mph winds and lots of branches down but no trees fell. Within 30 min of storm passing host were driving through the camp and came to check on us and make sure we wer okay. Incrediblely prompt and kind response.
Guide to Sabula
Camping near Sabula, Iowa provides access to multiple Mississippi River recreational areas that combine river access with forested terrain. The average elevation in the area is approximately 590 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F. Winter camping options are limited as most facilities close from November through March due to freezing conditions.
What to do
Paddling activities: At Spring Lake Campground, water sports dominate recreation options. "This campground is the perfect sanctuary for your family and friends to get away, enjoy quiet time and be outdoors... access to Spring Lake fishing and the Great River Bike trail runs right through the campground for biking, skateboarding or walking. Rent the tandem bike, play a game, take out a paddle board, make a fire and relax," notes one visitor.
Biking trails: The Great River Bike Trail connects multiple campgrounds in the region. At Thomson Causeway, campers appreciate the accessibility. "We went last weekend and got lucky with a primo spot. This is a really pretty area fairly close to home so it is a good option. There is a great bike trail to enjoy and the Mississippi Pallisades state park is close by for some excellent views of the river from up on the bluffs," reports one reviewer.
Hiking opportunities: Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground offers varied terrain for hikers. "Trail system is divided into North and South. North trails are scenic, with a casual non-technical difficulty to them. South trail system is challenging, especially because of the varied terrain it traverses," explains one camper. The park features sandstone formations and overlooks of the Mississippi River with 15 miles of marked trails.
What campers like
Secluded spots: Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area provides a quieter alternative to larger campgrounds. "Great paddling and fishing campground. Not lots of sites so very private down a beautiful hollow," mentions one camper. Another notes it's "Usually a pretty quiet area although it's next to a train track so expect a train or two to wake you up."
Spacious sites: Morrison-Rockwood State Park receives praise for its layout. "The sites were very well spaced apart. There were many well worn paths that lead to the lake, but it was too wet from previous rain for us to explore those," states one reviewer. Another camper adds, "Our site was huge, flat and private - no trouble finding flat ground to pitch the tent."
Concrete pads: For stability-focused campers, Timber Lake Resort offers solid foundations. "Very clean. Trees for shade and concrete pads with pull thru," shares one visitor. This feature helps maintain level setups regardless of weather conditions and provides easier access for campers with mobility considerations.
What you should know
Insect populations: Seasonal insect hatches affect camping comfort, particularly after flooding or in early summer. At Thomson Causeway, one visitor reported, "I should've taken the other reviews more seriously about the number of insects in this campsites... there were hundreds of thousands, we couldn't enjoy our stay. The camp workers were scraping them with shovels."
Train noise: Several campgrounds have railroad tracks nearby. At Bellevue State Park Campground, a camper noted that despite its natural beauty, "the site we had was fairly steep as far as tent sites go. The site our friends had next to us was uninhabitable due to mud and sloping but the rangers let them switch sites no problem."
Site selection importance: Many campgrounds have significant variation between sites. One camper at Morrison-Rockwood advised, "Check your site before booking! One section of sites is like an open field? No trees and full view of others. But these surround a playground- also very nice."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: For families with young children, Morrison-Rockwood State Park offers designated sites near play areas. "We had site 57 which is in a loop which goes around a playground. It was great for the kids who could go play and the sites in this loop provide plenty of space and privacy," shares one parent.
Kid-friendly activities: Timber Lake Resort and Campground organizes regular events suitable for all ages. "Love it. Very clean. Trees for shade and concrete pads with pull thru. Live music and activities for all ages," reports a visitor. Another camper mentions, "There was events going on even during rain. The Margarita bar was where bingo, bags tournament and band were at."
Weather preparedness: Sudden storms can affect family camping plans. At Morrison-Rockwood, a camper reported, "It rained a lot, unfortunately, but the host stopped by and made sure we knew how to find the shower house for shelter if the weather became dangerous."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds near Sabula. At Thomson Causeway, a frequent visitor notes, "The sites are all level concrete and just about every one have a great view of the Mississippi. Quiet at night. The only improvement I would like to see is water hookups, but there are plenty of spigots scattered around the park."
Dump station access: For longer stays, sanitation facilities matter. A camper at South Sabula Lakes County Park warned, "The dump station is useless for black tank clean out connections. The water hose threads had been purposely removed."
Site accessibility: RV drivers should research approach routes. At Morrison-Rockwood State Park, a visitor advised, "There are a few pull-through sites, but I'm not sure they're indicated. The ADA sites are large and well paved, though the tables do not have wheelchair overhangs."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is South Sabula Lake Campground located in Iowa?
Where is South Sabula Lake Campground located in Iowa?
South Sabula Lakes County Park is located in Sabula, Iowa, positioned along the eastern border of the state near the Mississippi River. Sabula is Iowa's only island city, situated across from Savanna, Illinois. The campground offers scenic views of the lake and river, making it a popular destination for water enthusiasts. Nearby attractions include Lock and Dam 13, which is about a mile walk from parking and offers beautiful riverside views, fishing opportunities, and a small beach area next to the dam.
What amenities are available at South Sabula Lake Campground?
What amenities are available at South Sabula Lake Campground?
South Sabula Lakes County Park offers essential amenities including potable water and toilet facilities. The campground provides access to the lake for boating and fishing opportunities. For a broader range of amenities in the region, consider Mississippi Palisades State Park Campground, which features hiking trails, bike-friendly concrete paths, and proximity to boat launches. Alternatively, Rustic Barn Campground RV Park provides clean, mostly level sites in a beautiful setting with scenic views. The Sabula area campgrounds generally cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for water recreation and natural surroundings rather than luxury amenities.
Do I need reservations for camping at South Sabula Lake in Iowa?
Do I need reservations for camping at South Sabula Lake in Iowa?
Yes, reservations are recommended for camping at South Sabula Lakes County Park, especially during peak summer months and weekends. The campground is a reservable facility, similar to nearby Thomson Causeway which also requires planning ahead. If you're looking for alternatives in the region, Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground also operates on a reservation system with electric sites available. For the best camping experience, secure your spot several weeks in advance, particularly if you plan to visit during holidays or summer weekends when regional campgrounds fill quickly.
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