Best Tent Camping near Sioux City, IA
Looking for the best Sioux City tent camping? The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. You're sure to find the perfect campsite for your Iowa tent camping excursion.
Best Tent Sites Near Sioux City, IA (8)
2. Preparation Canyon State Park Campground
Moorhead, Iowa6 Reviews•44 Photos•64 SavesPreparation Canyon State Park, in the heart of the Loess Hills in western Iowa, encompasses 344 acres, including what used to be the town of Preparation. Today, Preparation Canyon is a quiet enclave offering backcountry hiking, picnicking and beautiful views of the unique Loess Hills.
Camp in one of ten hike-in camping sites, which are some of the only hike-in sites in the Iowa state park system. The trailhead to the hike-in sites is located in the southeast corner of the park. The sites each have a table and fire ring, but no bathroom facilities. Registration is on a first-come first-served basis with self-registration in the east parking lot.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Tents
- Picnic Table
- Alcohol
$9 / night
5. Pelican Point State Rec Area
Little Sioux, Iowa2 Reviews•1 Save- Pets
- Tents
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Toilets
$15 / night
6. Bow Creek Recreation Area
Be the first to review!Vermillion, South Dakota•8 SavesCamping is allowed and free. Camp only in designated sites marked with brown camping signs and metal fire rings. Visit the Camping Page for more rules and regulations. No camping fees are required but we do ask that you leave us your basic itinerary for your safety. https://www.nps.gov/mnrr/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm Watch campfires. Dead and down wood may be collected. Motorized vehicles and horses are prohibited on the property. Do not damage or remove the cultural or natural features. Bow Creek Recreation Area provides many opportunities for the public to experience a part of the Missouri National Recreational River. The 205-acre property includes a mix of wetlands, grasslands, riparian cottonwood forest, and mesic-bur oak forest. Rock and sediment exposures along the Missouri River reveal past geologic events. A mowed grass trail is planned for the property to loop through these environments. In the restored prairie, look for dragonflies and butterflies. In the cottonwood and oak forests, watch for wildlife sign including resident whitetail deer and turkey.
- Fires
- Tents
Recent Tent Reviews in Sioux City
191 Reviews of 8 Sioux City Campgrounds
- R
Roberto G.
Traveler
Jones Pond
Hidden Gem
Very quiet and peaceful place I have been there few times and I never see anyone else around. There is no bathroom or drinking water so make sure you are ready for that. October is a very colorful time of the year very peaceful the pond for what I heard isn’t a good place for fishing but just a mile away there is a hunting park highly recommend it
Pat V.
Ranger
Scenic Park
Great spot close to everything
We found the Scenic Park RV Campground when we were looking for a spot to stay close to Sioux City, IA for a sports event for our sons. We were extremely happy with this city run campground.
The pads are in great shape. They offer full hookups. We did not have a full hookup site, but still had water, electric, and free cable tv. The view from our camper of the Missouri River and the Sioux City skyline was pretty great.
The staff is friendly and welcoming. The location is quiet and everyone staying there seemed very nice as well. Will definitely be back when we’re up that way again next year.
Steve R.TravelerDecatur Bend Access
Quiet and safe. Been twice now
We live(my dog and I) on a motorcycle - think Van Life on two wheels. A quiet place to put up a tent is so welcome. There are no amenities. It's strictly dry and pack out but a great place for a few tents or a couple vans. Highly motorcycle travel recommended
Julia V.
Guide
Stone State Park Campground
Great for a night
Had a grassy & shady tent site. There were vault/pit toilets close and regular restrooms with showers a little walk away (showers needed to be cleaned). Water spigot was close by too. Wish we had more time to explore the park itself because there was lots of hiking/waking trails. Overall no complaints
Christopher W.Guide
Hildreth Lighthouse Campground
Nice flat piece of grass
Stayed July 2024,
Good: Flat piece of grass to place two tents for only $ 20 bucks. Just what I needed at 10pm
Bad: One quote from son sums it nicely, "saw the mens room and so used the women's". Also, two miles of dirt road was less than fun. Would have been nice if the pay station had more directions.
Future: I would remember to make a reservation at the KOA 10 minutes away.
Melissa C.Guide
Lewis and Clark State Park Campground
Beautiful Park - Amazing Campground
Beautiful park, beautiful scenery and amazing playground!
Rich J.Ranger
Cottonwood Cove Park Campground
Nice
Nice little city campground just a few miles off the interstate and right next to the Missouri River. Quiet large sites at a reasonable price. Picnic tables and fire rings. Water and electric only....there is a sewer dump near the bathrooms but not at the sites.
Elizabeth D.TravelerScenic Park
Close to river.
Great place very dog friendly. Spots are spacious and on pavement. Close to the river for your fishing needs.
- TTammy F.Guide
Huff - Warner Access Area
Nice campground with easy access
Clean and mostly well-kept campground. Much nicer than I had expected. Has on-site host, but we didn't see much of her/him/them. Had good cell service (ATT).
The only serious complaint I can make is that the water, while potable (so we were told), has a very, very strong iron/metallic taste. To the point that, for us, it was undrinkable.
The campsite we chose was level, concrete, and cost $20 (the site we wanted by the water had electric). Very little shade though, which made it really hot (other sites had more shade).
Other observations:
The river current is quite fast here. I wouldn't plan on letting my kids or dogs get into the water, except to, maybe, wade at the boat ramp where it is protected from the current by small islands where the creek comes in.
They have a table near the boat ramp that, I assume, is for cleaning your caught fish. If it matters, it did not have running water.
The small dock from the boat access area felt unstable and one had to step across a couple of rocks to get to it from land, maybe because the river level was up(?).
Of the 4 bathroom/shower combination rooms in the bathhouse, only two were unlocked. That said, we were the only tent campers and the RV campers didn't seem to be using them. And they were clean and in good repair.
Our campsite was right next to the facility loading/unloading barges next to the campground. (They were unloading dried soybeans while we were there.) There are also security lights, but the light is mostly blocked by the trees at night. They start work at 7am and seem to stop at 4pm during the week.
I would call this location reasonably quiet. But not absolutely quiet. There is noise from various sources at various times: the loading/unloading from the barges, the farming going on across the road from the campground, boats going up or down the river, and, minimally, the sound from the traffic on the highway. So not absolutely quiet, but it wasn't loud enough or continual enough to detract from the stay.
Lastly, it probably doesn't need to be said, but I didn't think of it before our stay (duh), so just a reminder. You're camping by a river (i.e., water), so there are many, many flying insects. Be sure to have insect repellent, as they are merciless.
- JJohn R.
LegendScenic Park
Beautiful city life in a park.
Spacious site well cared for grounds. Close to everything in the city.
Joshua D.Traveler
Silver Sioux Recreation Area
Hidden gem
Was it expecting how nice this campground was compared to more primitive ones in the area. Beautiful site! Has tent camping, full rv hook ups, and a nice playground for the kids.
- Joshua D.Traveler
Stieneke Area Park
Small county park
Small park, peaceful, river access for canoe/kayak. No designated camp sites but plenty of space for tent or camper.
- Joshua D.Traveler
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.
Marci S.Guide
Clay County Park — Clay County
Nice trail system, near river, well-kept
Electric, water, and dump station available here. In the trees, shaded, and a short walk along a pleasant trail to the Missouri River. The trail system, which is accessible from campground, is great. We were in site 18, which is near the playground. In busier months, that part of the campground could get loud.
- MMary L.Guide
Lions Park
Good price
I stopped here, May 1 of 2024. They have completely redone this park and it is open. There were two spots that had concrete pads. The pedestals look good. There were a couple that were just gravel when I was there. It was kind of muddy and I decided to continue on and go further that day, but I would gladly have stopped there. It was $10 for the night. There is water available. The lady said that there was a dump station. I did not see it, and only stay two nights
Renee H.RangerCottonwood Cove Park Campground
City campground in quiet neighborhood
Concrete pads, very little leveling needed. Plenty of space in between sites. Dappled shade. Easily accessible for any size rig. We didn’t use bath/shower facility; it required a code from the city. Portapotties were available in campground. Garbage dumpster, but no recycling. Dump station available, but area may be a bit tight for larger rigs to access. Camp host on site. No laundry. Some train noise. Excellent Verizon signal. Nice park with boat ramp and scenic overlook on the Missouri River. Campground is located about 5 minutes off the interstate.
Fabian S.GuideScenic Park
Central Campground
Very centrally located, well-kept complex, friendly and helpful staff, the restrooms and shower are very simple but clean.
- MMary L.Guide
Veterans Memorial RV Park
Pretty sketchyThe
 there are some full hook ups hear the area around here is all torn up the road in is cobblestone so it’s real bumpy. The campground is really a mess. There’s nothing here except your hook ups and he’s used to having construction workers at 600 a month so he wants to charge me 40 bucks for absolutely no amenities. This used to be a city park but now it’s private ownership. I’ve stayed here before a year or so ago and it’s kind of a big mess but the hook ups work. 
- MMary L.Guide
Lions Club Park - Laurel
Couldn’t find it
 I looked at both locations listed here and couldn’t find anything
- MMary L.Guide
Obert City Park
Don’t go
 this is a small grassy area with a picnic shelter a porta potty, one spigot and an outlet that doesn’t work don’t even bother
- PPJTraveler
Snyder Bend County Park
Small quiet county park
Not too busy. Spots have water and electric for $25/ night
- MMindy S.
Scout
Willow Creek Campground
Enjoyed our stay
Had a fishing derby going on but was still overall quiet. Shelter house was rented for our family reunion, was a great space.
- BBobbie C.Traveler
Lewis and Clark State Park Campground
Not bad for after Labor Day Weekend.
Campground was as I hoped. Empty except for 3 others. Oxbow lake is nice with a sandy shoreline. The campground is set in an Aspen glade. Very nice.
- JJanet K.Guide
Riverfront Campground — Ponca State Park
Riverfront Campground
We camped in the Riverfront campground. No one else there on a Thursday night so we had the whole river to ourselves. Very peaceful. Good-sized grassy sites. Table, fire ring, water, pit toilet. Large park with plenty of amenities. We were only stopping for the night so we didn’t explore the other areas. Nice overlook of the river and 3 states.
- LLeslie B.Ranger
Union Grove State Park Campground
Interesting campground
Two campgrounds within the park. Lower one is for horses. Upper is not. Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained. Hosts are very friendly. Bathrooms on include showers and we're extremely well maintained. Trails in the area give you a chance to stretch your legs. Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise if you are not in a hard sided camper.
- MMagdalenaGuide
Clay County Park — Clay County
Surprising
Was unsure because of a couple bad reviews. But the place was clean and peaceful, close to the beautiful Missouri River with opportunities for hiking and fishing. The stuff was pretty unfriendly but we didn’t had to deal much with them.
- JJeff H.Ranger
Elk Point City Park Campground
Better than a bullfrog
This is a delightful campground in the city of Elk Point, SD. It is a city park with 50 amp hookups. There are water spickets around and I'm not about dump stations. You are surrounded by a football field, two baseball fields and a nice children's playground. There is a lake with a fountain in the middle and a very large grassy area. We watched the girl's softball game. Also, the field is full of found squirrels which are fun to watch but my dog wanted to chase them. This is a great stop over or a good place to stay a week. ATT - 4G LTE, 56.03Mb/s D T-MOBILE- 5G, 40.24Mb/s D, 6.6 U
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.