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Best Tent Camping near Sioux City, IA

205 Reviews

Tent campers in the Sioux City, Iowa region have access to several primitive camping options within a 30-60 minute drive. Preparation Canyon State Park offers backpackers a secluded experience with eight hike-in tent sites, each equipped with fire rings and picnic tables. Other tent-friendly options include Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area, both small county parks along the river that permit tent camping without designated sites.

Most tent camping areas near Sioux City feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Preparation Canyon State Park provides fire rings and picnic tables at its walk-in sites but no running water, making it essential for campers to filter water from nearby creeks or pack in their own supplies. At Stieneke Area Park, visitors will find a hand pump well, though water should be treated before drinking. Vault toilets are available at several locations, including Ranney Knob Area and Stieneke Area Park. Camping fees are typically modest, with county parks like Ranney Knob charging $10 per night with payment collected on-site through lockboxes.

The tent camping experience in the Sioux City area offers genuine seclusion and natural surroundings. Preparation Canyon State Park, situated in the unique Loess Hills landscape, provides excellent star-gazing opportunities and trail access. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "Site 3 seems to be the crown jewel. It is a small trek up a hillside and looks out across the general area, with a phenomenal star gazing opportunity." Smaller county parks like Stieneke Area Park offer peaceful riverside settings with opportunities for kayaking and canoeing. A camper noted that Stieneke is a "quiet little campground" where they were "the only person in the campground" during their stay. Tent sites typically have good flat ground for setup, though preparation for minimal facilities is advisable.

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Best Tent Sites Near Sioux City, Iowa (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Sioux City, IA

3 Photos of 8 Sioux City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Sioux City, IA

205 Reviews of 8 Sioux City Campgrounds

  • Kris H.
    Jul. 24, 2019

    Scenic Park

    very friendly

    Scenic park is across the Missouri river from Sioux City,  Iowa.  It is easy to get to. Very friendly staff.  Restrooms are kept clean.  It is a large campground with several different restrooms with showers.  There is a number of permanent campsites, there is also some that can be reserved.  Some are also pull thru's. Ice and firewood are available on site.  There  is a separate area available for tents. With it being  on the edge of South Sioux City, Ne and across the river from Sioux City, Ia. there is lots of shopping options close by.  It can also be reserved for groups, with a shelter available for use.  There are some sunny spots and also spots with lots of shade.  I really like this campground!

  • J
    Dec. 15, 2021

    Browns Lake Bigelow Park Woodbury County Park

    Beautiful Park, June 2019

    This is a beautiful park, well maintained, quiet and borders Browns Lake 10 Miles from Sioux City. CG has horse shoe pits, Basketball, volleyball courts, playground for the kids and a swimming beach. Newly constructed Handicapped ramp to fishing jetty and nice big fishing/boat dock that is at the rear of the CG. Restrooms/showers were newer, modern and spotless and also served as a tornado safe shelter. 4 individual shower rooms+ 4 individual/private toilet, sink, shower rooms handicapped accessible. All sites are 1st come 1st serve. Water at each site. We came in mid Friday and there were several sites available with one site still available lake side which we took. Numerous trees and sites are spacious. CG did not fill over the weekend which was a surprise considering that this CG was very nice. Have camped for 12 years and been to a number of CGs and never have had a State Park CG to have its own Wifi but his one did. Ice, bait and soft drinks available by host site. Shelter available for rental. Sioux City is only 10 miles away.This park is a gem. We camped at Bigelow Park/Brown's Lake in a Travel Trailer.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2018

    Scenic Park

    Along the Missouri River

    Scenic Park Campground is in South Sioux City along the Missouri River. Our campsite had a river view, picnic table, and fire ring. The campground is part of a large park and was full hookups with cable and wifi included. Our site was a pull through. The area was clean and had a nice appearance. There was also 4 unique modern looking cabins and a tent area.

    The park also has tennis courts, soccer fields, and baseball fields. There is a swimming pool and playgrounds, along with trails. The trails I loved were along the river. The only con was that There was a major highway on the other side of the river and ambulances would pass by with sirens going. Otherwise a nice campground.

  • S
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Stone State Park Campground

    Quick weekend trip

    Planned to stay for the weekend to test out new tent but storms came through & we left after one night. Basic campground in shady area under trees. We did not get an electric hookup. Ground was mostly dirt not grass on our site & mostly dry. Large trees provided shade which helped as very hot & humid. We were next to a ravine but with plenty of bug spray did not get many bites. Hiked the Bear & Buffalo trails. Campground very quiet though a few people came & went. Washrooms are very basic & chose not to use shower. The Park Ranger did check on us & advise on weather conditions. Picnic table & fire pit were fine. Got only 1 bar signal on both Verizon & AT&T. No WiFi. Overall basic, woody/shaded. Good for short stay.

  • Alison D.
    Oct. 9, 2020

    Preparation Canyon State Park Campground

    Surprise find in Iowa!

    I stayed here on a long road trip across the country. Had no idea such a scenic place could be found in Iowa! I chose the closest walk-in spot, less than a mile in. It was great! Near a little creek if you need water, and really nicely secluded. Picnic table and fire ring included. Also, there’s a trail up a hill right near by that had great views of the area and a lovely sunset! I would definitely recommend. Just a head’s up: I saw some pics of people car camping here on this site. Not sure how that would work since it’s supposed to be walk-in only and pretty clearly roped off from access with a car.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2020

    Stone State Park Campground

    Small campground in a large state park

    This is a large state park in the northwest corner of Iowa, surprisingly wooded considering how close to Sioux City it is located. Touted as a year-round park, there is a large network of trails, some of which can be used as equestrian. HOWEVER, the trails are not labeled and there is no (or very fleeting) cell service so that even after looking at the map (located on a board in the park, not a paper one), I wandered aimlessly around the park getting lost. One of the trailheads requires that you tramp directly through Site 12 to access! I explored this trail for approximately a quarter of a mile, but it became very overgrown and because I was not sure where I was going, I ended up turning around.

    The campground is divided into three sections

    • Sites 1-11 are located on either side of the access road are a bit too close together for our preference and despite the park being so wooded, have no foliage or other visible separation between the sites. These sites all have electric hookups

    • Sites 12-14 are at the top of the hill and have the easiest access to the restrooms; they also have electric hookups. In my opinion, Site 14 would be the most desirable. Given that there are only three sites here, there was a surprising number of cars driving past these sites.

    • Sites 15-30 are primitive tent sites and located near Cabin#3 (a CCC cabin). 

    The bathrooms were clean and (don’t laugh at me), the toilets had lids! Given the current virus situation, this was a nice and welcome surprise! 

    There was no camp host and we only saw one ranger during our stay. There is a nice playground, but it is not located anywhere near the campground (it is located closer to two of the cabins). If you are camping with children, please note this. There are three cabins, one that was built by the CCC and a lodge which also looked to be a CCC product, although it did not appear to be open when we were there.

  • Alex S.
    Oct. 22, 2019

    Scenic Park

    Great location on the river !

    This is our go to spot when we travel to Sioux City Iowa for basketball. Right across the river with a great view! Clean restrooms and showers!  Third year here.  Great staff too!

  • S
    Sep. 19, 2021

    Lewis and Clark State Park Campground

    Short weekend getaway

    Nice campground. Very few tent only - mostly RVs/trailers. Washrooms basic but clean. Large site under trees with mix of sun & shade. Grassy area for tent. Access to water close by. Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak. Everyone seemed friendly though some folk stayed up pretty late on Friday!

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Feb. 28, 2021

    Turkey Ridge — Ponca State Park

    Great Winter Camp

    A lot of places in Iowa are closed to camping until April or even May. I looked west and quickly found this. There are areas of the park that are "closed for winter", but I was able to find a primitive spot for an overnight to get out and enjoy the rebound from the subzero weather of the previous weeks. Some sites in that section are quite spacious.....although it was just me, so I had a lot of space! there were several water spigots in that section as well, so water is available during the camping season. There was a restroom fairly close by, and in the 15 hours I was there, the ranger checked on the restrooms twice. I didn't use it, but that is an indication that they aren't torn apart. No one was at the entrance, so I had to go the the education center to find self registration. The primitive rate is$15, but they reduced it to$10 in the off-season. A pass is required to camp, so you can add another$5 if you're a Nebraska resident, and$8 if you're from out of state. Season passes are also available.$40 resident,$45 non-resident. All primitive sites had shade. Lots of trees throughout the park. Beautiful.

Guide to Sioux City

Sioux City, Iowa, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the beauty of the region. From scenic parks to unique landscapes, there’s something for everyone.

Tent campers should check out Hildreth Lighthouse Campground

  • Enjoy a flat piece of grass perfect for pitching two tents at the Hildreth Lighthouse Campground for just $20 a night.
  • Located in Whiting, this campground provides a simple and affordable option for those arriving late, though be prepared for a bit of a rough road.
  • While amenities are limited, the campground's proximity to local attractions makes it a convenient base for exploration.

Some prices for tent camping range from $10 to $20

  • The Ranney Knob Area offers camping for $10 a night, featuring basic facilities like a toilet and picnic tables, with access to canoeing on the river.
  • At the Preparation Canyon State Park Campground, you can find a unique hiking experience with dispersed camping for a small fee, allowing for a private and scenic stay.
  • For a more primitive experience, the Pelican Point State Rec Area has campsites available for $15, conveniently located near a boat ramp.

Explore local attractions and activities

  • The Stieneke Area Park provides peaceful river access for canoeing or kayaking, making it a great spot for water activities.
  • Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the trails at Preparation Canyon State Park, where you can enjoy stunning views and a secluded camping experience.
  • For those looking for a small park vibe, the Moorehead Pioneer County Park offers a big rig-friendly environment, perfect for families wanting to enjoy the outdoors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sioux City, IA is Hildreth Lighthouse Campground with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Sioux City, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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