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Best Tent Camping near Shellsburg, IA

374 Reviews

Several tent camping options surround Shellsburg, Iowa, with a mix of both primitive and established campgrounds within 30 miles. Wickiup Hill Primitive Campsite offers a walk-in tent experience with basic amenities, while Wakpicada Natural Area provides a quiet setting for tent campers with pond access. These areas feature wooded surroundings typical of eastern Iowa's landscape, with most sites positioned to maximize privacy while maintaining accessibility.

Most tent campgrounds near Shellsburg require campers to pack in their essential supplies. Wickiup Hill features a fire pit with sitting blocks and includes firewood with the camping fee. Sites often have vault toilets nearby but limited drinking water sources. Wakpicada Natural Area offers tent camping with trash service and picnic tables but no drinking water or bathroom facilities. Road access varies significantly between locations, with some sites requiring short hikes from parking areas. Reservations are available for several campgrounds, including Wickiup Hill and Macbride Nature Recreation Area.

The tent camping experience in this region provides access to natural features unique to eastern Iowa. According to one visitor, Wakpicada Natural Area is a "well kept" area with "good tree cover" and "good bass and panfish fishing with quiet campgrounds that aren't right next to each other." Many tent sites are positioned near water features, including ponds and river access points. Walking trails connect many of the camping areas to local natural attractions, such as the raptor center near Macbride Nature Recreation Area. Most tent-only sites offer more seclusion than RV campgrounds in the region, with greater tree cover and natural surroundings. Summer humidity can be significant, so campers should prepare accordingly, particularly when selecting sites with adequate shade and ventilation.

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Best Tent Sites Near Shellsburg, Iowa (23)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Shellsburg, IA

15 Photos of 23 Shellsburg Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Shellsburg, IA

374 Reviews of 23 Shellsburg Campgrounds

  • C
    Jun. 6, 2018

    Matsell Bridge Natural Area

    Nice little inexpensive primitive site... spaces almost always available

    Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up. HOWEVER, take bug spray and enjoy the rustic peacefulness of this "best kept secret" for primitive and inexpensive camping sites. Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Good for RV, trailer or tent camping… level ground and lots of shade. Primitive bathrooms, no showers or running water.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2024

    Lime Creek Park

    Nice campground with a Quirk

    The pros: $10 fee ($15 electric), campground seems well maintained (grass is mown, security light works, tables in good repair, gravel access road in good shape, etc); no one here but us, the sound of the running Creek is soothing, vault toilet is probably the cleanest I've seen; ATT cell service was 3bars 5G The unusual: no specific site, no specific place to pull into, no site numbers or designation except on the electric pedestals. It's all grass. Pull onto the grass near the table or electric pedestal you want. The cons: highway traffic noise is easily heard and doesn't seem to stop for more than a few seconds (though the crickets/bug sounds and the creek sound is sometimes louder so you hear that instead), dust from vehicles passing on nearby dirt road filters thru the trees (due to dry weather?), and, well, it is, after all, a vault toilet-not my fav,

  • Emma N.
    Sep. 25, 2017

    Sugar Bottom Campground

    Boats and Beautiful Views

    Our one-night stay at the Sugar Bottom- Coralville Lake Campground was terrific! My husband and I stopped there during our cross-country road trip. We arrived around 7:30pm on a Sunday in September and easily got a spot. The lady at the entrance station was incredibly kind and answered all of our questions.

    The campground is very well marked, with easily visible site number labels. Each site is in a grassy area with a picnic table and fire ring with a grate. Our site had a tree or two that provided some shade, but some other sites were a but more shaded.

    We ended up staying in site #103, which is right by the water. What a beautiful view we had! Our campsite was very close to a boat dock, a sand volleyball court, and a sandy beach. We didn't have a chance to swim at the beach, but it looked really nice! It had a large, designated swimming area that was marked with floating ropes. We were also located close to a building with restrooms. Each restroom had a clean, hot shower. The showers were free, which was a plus!

    In my opinion, this is definitely a 5-star campground. I can't wait to come back!

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 30, 2025

    New Wine Park Dubuque County Park

    Nice small county park campground

    General: This is a small (29-site) county park campground situated along the North Fork Maquoketa River. Nine of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served. Some sites are primitive, and some have water and 30-amp electricity hookups. There is one ADA-accessible site with a paved camper pad. 

    Site Quality: Most sites are level. The camper pads are gravel/grass, but not all are clearly defined. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. 

    Bath/Shower: The bath/shower house was closed when we were there in November but there are vault toilets about a quarter mile from the campground (in the day-use area) that were very clean and well-stocked when we were there. 

    Activities/Amenities: Many activities including disc golf, three hiking trails, volleyball, two playgrounds (one in the day-use area and one by the campsites). There are two reservable picnic shelters. There is also a dump station. 

    We were tent camping in November on a backpacking trip so we didn’t take advantage of any of the activities but would return in our van on a future camping trip. We were the ONLY ones in the campground at this time of year!

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2019

    Fountain Springs County Park

    Solitude and not much else

    This campground also goes by the name of Holbert. Small campground but free with a handful of picnic tables and campfires. The vault toilets were cleanish, thou older. This campground is next to a pretty little creek that you can play and fish in. The campground is really just a series of campsites strung out along the creek and road. It was pretty quiet while I was there, not many campers at all. There are no hookups for RV’s/campers so it is primarily tent camping or dry camping. There is an interesting story about how this camping area has come to be: the land was donated by Ella Ellis in memory of her husband William Ellis. They apparently loved the land and wanted to make sure it was never developed and could be enjoyed by all. A lovely story.

  • Angie G.
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    Nice Lake View

    We stayed in a walk-in site for one night at the Non-Modern campground. It was wonderful! We arrived at dark and set up our backpacking tents but were able to see stars and be separated from our neighboring site. The campground had a water spigot to fill containers and dumpsters (no trash at site). There are no amenities at the campsites in this campground. A restroom with pit toilets similar to a National Park are on-site. They were very clean, as was the campground. It is on a lake so you will hear boats in the early morning hours and wildlife.

  • Kerry M.
    Aug. 25, 2021

    Wolf Creek Rec Area

    Quiet campground in the heart of Iowa

    Wolf Creek is a nice little campground near Beaman, IA (Beaman is very small, near Conrad as well which has a grocery store).

    There are 10 RV sites, which are $15/night and several tent/small camper sites which are $10/night.

    The campground has potable water but no showers. There are vault toilets.

    The campground has a nice playground, which was a feature we enjoyed when my daughter was little.

    My favorite part about this campground is the privacy. The tent sites are spread out and it is fairly easy to find one without neighbors too close.

    Activities:

    + Playground

    + Creek fishing

    + Nice benches and swings

    + Comet trail for hiking and biking

    + Hunting nearby

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2021

    Cottonwood Campground/Coralville Lake (COE)

    Nice forested CG near Coralville Lake

    Tent area among trees includes fire rings. Showers/restrooms onsite, walk in sites too, firewood available at West Overlook permit station, beach nearby, Iowa River and Coralville Lake nearby (good fishing).

  • Clint G.
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Pinicon Ridge Park

    Perfect County Campground

    We stayed at this campground for 7 nights with W/E hook ups.  Dump available on entrance/exit.  The site was a level rock pad witch was very spacious with a fire ring and picnic table.  Nearest grocery store was within 5 miles.  The bathrooms and shower were very clean with lots of hot water.  There is hiking in the park and very little road noise.

Guide to Shellsburg

Tent camping near Shellsburg, Iowa, offers a delightful escape into nature with a variety of well-reviewed campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Enjoy the cozy atmosphere at Gardner Family Farm and Iowa Hemp Farm Stay, where you can find drinking water, picnic tables, and a welcoming fire pit ready for your evening gatherings.
  • At Wickiup Hill Primitive Campsite, campers can take advantage of firewood availability and clean facilities, making it a comfortable choice for families and groups.
  • The Wakpicada Natural Area features well-maintained sites with access to fishing and a peaceful pond, perfect for a relaxing getaway.

Local attractions to explore

  • Just a short drive from Gardner Family Farm and Iowa Hemp Farm Stay, you can visit the iconic Field of Dreams movie site, a must-see for film buffs.
  • The scenic Backbone State Park is nearby, offering hiking trails and stunning views, making it an ideal spot for outdoor adventures after your stay at Wickiup Hill Primitive Campsite.
  • Explore the Hazleton Amish community, where you can experience local culture and craftsmanship, conveniently located near Wakpicada Natural Area.

Tips for tent camping near Shellsburg

  • Be prepared for a primitive experience at Macbride Nature Recreation Area, where you can enjoy a secluded environment, but remember to bring your own water and supplies.
  • If you're looking for a unique stay, consider Tipi Camp a Walking Stick Adventures Farm, which offers a comfortable tipi experience with amenities like a hot water shower and access to boats for lake activities.
  • For a more rustic experience, Troy Mills Wapsi Access provides a quiet setting, but be sure to pack in all your essentials, as there are no facilities available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Shellsburg, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Shellsburg, IA is Wickiup Hill Primitive Campsite with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 23 tent camping locations near Shellsburg, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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