Best Tent Camping near Sac City, IA

Tent camping options near Sac City, Iowa include several county-managed parks within a 30-mile radius. Moorehead Pioneer County Park in Ida Grove, Stieneke Area Park in Washta, and Ranney Knob Area also in Washta offer basic tent camping facilities in rural settings. These small county parks provide access to natural areas and waterways while maintaining minimal development.

Most tent sites in the Sac City region feature basic amenities with few modern conveniences. Stieneke Area Park provides a hand pump water well, though potability may be questionable, and vault toilets. Ranney Knob Area includes toilet facilities but lacks designated campsites, offering more of a primitive camping experience. Camping fees are typically affordable, with Ranney Knob charging $10 per night with payment collected on-site. Dog Creek Co Park and Oneota Little Sioux Access also provide toilet facilities but minimal additional amenities for tent campers.

The tent camping experience near Sac City emphasizes quiet and solitude rather than extensive facilities. Many parks offer river access for kayaking and canoeing, particularly at Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area. Sites generally provide enough space for tents without formal site boundaries. One camper described Stieneke Area Park as "a quiet little campground with only 3 visible sites, but room for 3 or 4 more," noting they were the only person in the campground during their stay. Another review of Ranney Knob mentioned it has "some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can" but "no designated camp sites and limited parking," highlighting the primitive nature of tent camping in this region.

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Best Tent Sites Near Sac City, Iowa (6)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Sac City, IA

81 Reviews of 6 Sac City Campgrounds


  • L
    Nov. 5, 2021

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful and tranquil

    Dolliver State Park was our maiden voyage in our travel trailer and it was obvious we were pitiful newbies! The park's beauty and tranquility did get disturbed a couple times when our dogs got loose (newbs!). The park staff were friendly and very helpful as were our fellow campers. The sites are mostly level with picnic tables and fire rings. Sites range from shady to sunny and the reservation website depicts the sites with a small photo and details about the amount of slope and shade. Cell service was good but no WiFi without a hotspot for us. We had fun, learned a lot and plan to camp here again!

  • RN P.
    Oct. 21, 2023

    Swan Lake State Park Campground

    Perfect

    Tented camped in late October, the weekend before closing.  I was only tent camper in the electric only sites.  If there was a tent only location, I didn't see it.  Those in campers that need water and electricity are regulated to gravel 'parking lot' sites.

    Beautiful park with playgrounds, swim beach, fisbee golf, paved trail, many fishing bars, and more.  

    Electric only sites are small and spaced out well.  Most have level drive perfect for sm camper or suv camping. Grass has slope, but I think you can find a good enough place for tent, I did.  Bathroom clean enough, I didn't use showers. I enjoyed the privacy of lake-front site J.

  • Joshua D.
    Jun. 2, 2024

    Ranney Knob Area

    Small county park

    Small park, has some picnic tables, a toilet, and a trash can. Says you can pay to camp but no designated camp sites and limited parking. Does offer access for canoe/kayaking on the river. Camping is $10 a night, pay on site.

  • Kent H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 17, 2025

    Stieneke Area Park

    Small, quiet, and $10.

    Quiet little campground. I only saw 3 sites, but there is room for 3 or 4 more. $10 per night and the Rangers came at about 3:30 pm to clean the vault toilet and collect my fee from the lockbox. It's about a half mile from a well traveled road, but as I write this it's 7 in the evening and there's no more traffic. I'm the only person in the campground. There's a hand pump water well. Give it a dozen pumps to get it going. I don't suppose it is potable water. There's a river behind and the sign says you can launch a kayak.

  • Mara F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 29, 2016

    Silver Sioux Recreation Area

    Meh for tent camping

    The campsite seems to be more for RVs. Tent camping is just a field with a few picnic tables in it and has a bit of a walk from the parking lot with your equipment. The shower house was nice and clean. There is a barn there to use as a picnic shelter which is very pretty. The overall campground is pleasant and in beautiful country.

  • Jeannie D.
    May. 25, 2023

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Love Dolliver

    One of my favorite hiking spots! Camping here is comfortable enough. Sites can be a little squat in the middle loops, and no fhu. Antenna coverage is fine for catching your evening weather report, but cell service cuts out as you drive down into the park, and does not resume until you come back up and out. There's no wifi, and I'm not sure how satellite service would fare down here. Our Dish barely kept up with the antenna, so I'm guessing satellite's a meh. If you have anything you'd like to listen to or watch, download it before going in. But, honestly, the hiking is so good, it'd be silly to worry about much of anything down here. I rarely do.

  • D
    Sep. 24, 2019

    Henderson Co Park

    River Access

    Cement boat ramp. No camping stalls. No electricity to plug in to.

  • Brian W.
    Jul. 14, 2019

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Nice and clean

    Nice clean park, if passing through Iowa it's a nice overnight. A little loud if tent camping. Area not large enough to separate hard shell campers and tent campers. Plenty of fly's and mosquitoes, plenty of shade.


Guide to Sac City

Tent camping near Sac City, Iowa, offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the tranquility of the outdoors. With several options available, campers can find the perfect spot to pitch their tents and unwind.

Tips for tent camping near Sac City

  • Moorehead Pioneer County Park provides a big rig-friendly environment, making it accessible for various camping setups, though it lacks amenities like firewood and showers.
  • Stieneke Area Park is a peaceful spot with river access for canoeing or kayaking, perfect for those looking to combine camping with water activities.
  • Ranney Knob Area allows for fires and is pet-friendly, making it a great choice for families who want to enjoy a campfire under the stars.

Local attractions for campers

  • Dog Creek Co Park features thirty-amp hookups, ideal for those who want a bit more comfort while still enjoying the tent camping experience.
  • Oneota Little Sioux Access offers a serene environment with basic facilities like toilets, perfect for a quiet getaway close to nature.
  • Stieneke Area Park is not only a camping spot but also provides access to scenic river views, enhancing your outdoor adventure.

Activities to enjoy while camping

  • At Ranney Knob Area, campers can enjoy canoeing and kayaking on the nearby river, making it a fun spot for water enthusiasts.
  • Moorehead Pioneer County Park is great for those who appreciate a more rustic experience, with plenty of space for tent camping amidst nature.
  • Dog Creek Co Park offers a peaceful setting for hiking and exploring the surrounding area, perfect for those looking to connect with the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Sac City, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sac City, IA is Moorehead Pioneer County Park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Sac City, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Sac City, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.