Best Dispersed Camping near Shell Rock, IA

Dispersed Camping Reviews near Shell Rock, IA

13 Reviews of 4 Shell Rock Campgrounds

• 

  Brian F.

  Guide

  May. 21, 2020

  Eagle City County Park

  Quiet camping in the middle of nowhere.

  This park is located on 172 acres of land. It has an enclosed picnic shelter, hand pump well, vault rest rooms, primitive camping, and 2 swing sets. The park was named after the town of Eagle City platted in 1878 and at one time contained a general store, post office, grist mill, saw mill, blacksmith’s shop and doctor’s office.  This area has been used for primitive camping with an upper and lower level. The Iowa River runs next to this campground. The campground is down a couple miles of maintained gravel Rd.

• B

  Brian

  Guide

  Aug. 7, 2024

  Eagle City County Park

  Fee required now

  Note that they do now require a permit to stay here. Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site. Great camping area, pit toilet, regularly mowed, great riverside view, level spots for tent and vehicle camping with fire rings.

• 

  Chantal C.

  Guide

  Sep. 22, 2021

  Lake Considine

  Completely and Gloriously Primitive

  If you're coming out here plan to bring a table. It's that primitive. For us that's great though!! There is a nice lake that is great for fishing, there was access for small boats previously (think kayak/canoe). It is located out literally in the middle of nowhere wrapped by trees on both sides with a cleared out area that you could set a tent or bring a camper if you're ok with no hookups. We love the simplicity and seclusion this area provides. We have never been charged to camp here.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  Aug. 8, 2021

  Eagle City County Park

  Secluded campground near the Iowa River

  Eagle City Park has two parts - a lower campground that is a paddlers camp on the Iowa River, and an upper campground with a few secluded campsites.

  All campsites are free, and there are many to choose from. I have camped in both the upper and lower campgrounds, in summer and fall. I tend to prefer off-season when I am (often) the only camper in either campground. Summer will have more campers, ranging from tents to small RVs, but there are plenty of campsites so it is never full.

  There is nowhere to buy firewood, but a short hike in the woods usually produces a small supply for a campfire.

  Negatives:

  As there are no trash containers, it is not uncommon to find the firepits full of burned or unburned trash.

  There is a very poorly kept vault toilet in the lower campground. I do not believe that it is ever pumped out. The upper campground has no toilet. I always bring my own stool "just-in-case" but otherwise just take care of business after I take the 20 minute drive to get home.

  The gates are closed all winter, often into late spring. The roads are not plowed in either campsite. It is a nice place to hike in winter time, but there is no camping.

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• 

  Jason K.

  Scout

  Aug. 26, 2024

  Eagle City County Park

  Good for an overnight stop

  First, there is no pit toilet. Second, you need to pay ($10) via a website. Scan the QR code by the entrance. I couldn't get it to work.

  Sites are fine. A couple of options for hammock camping. Nothing special.

  We stopped driving cross country.

• 

  Chantal C.

  Guide

  Sep. 22, 2021

  Eagle City County Park

  Perfect Primitive Camping

  We go to Eagle City a least once a year to just get away from it all, it's close to home but feels cut off which is what I look for when camping. We have only camped on the lower side to facilitate fishing the river, but we walk up to, and through the upper side every time also. We love how quiet it is, we are quite often the only ones down there. Kayakers frequent the river access on the lower side as well as some equestrian use for river access. Hand pump for water. Grounds are well maintained but not bug treated, so be prepared. We have camped with an RV when its cooler and doesn't need an A/C but we love to tent camp out there. We've gone at all different times from Memorial day through Labor day. My boyfriend has gone later in the year though also.

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• 

  Megan C.

  Guide

  Sep. 8, 2022

  Eagle City County Park

  Our Favorite Little Spot

  Wow! This campground surprised us! Not only is it directly on a river with wildflowers, it has a pit toilet and hand pump water. There was only one other group while we were there. Such a sweet place that we will be back to every time we pass through that area. Definite recommend.

• C

  Caleb S.

  Scout

  Jun. 10, 2023

  Eagle City County Park

  Amazing spot

  Couldn’t have asked for more, 5-6 nice spots right on a river, picnic table and fire pits and the grounds are well kept. It was also easy to find and access even with a low clearance car.

• A

  AJ

  Scout

  Nov. 29, 2021

  Eagle City County Park

  Great spot!

  Had a nice time here on the first night of a long road trip, no one else was around except some coon hunter came and went a couple times which was a little spooky until I figured out what was going on, would definitely return!