Best Tent Camping near Sioux Rapids, IA

Are you planning a tent camping trip to Sioux Rapids? We've got you covered. The Dyrt helps you find campsites with tent camping near Sioux Rapids. You're sure to find the perfect tent campsite for your Iowa camping adventure.

Best Tent Sites Near Sioux Rapids, Iowa (8)

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Recent Tent Reviews near Sioux Rapids, Iowa

88 Reviews of 8 Sioux Rapids Campgrounds


  • Joshua D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver Sioux Recreation Area
    Jun. 2, 2024

    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.

  • Mara F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver Sioux Recreation Area
    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.

  • Roger A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Siems County Park
    Aug. 20, 2020

    Siems County Park

    Beautiful Park and campground

    I stumbled across this Park traveling through and looking for a place to spend the night. I drove in and saw the beautiful lake and the campground so I talked to the camp host, told him I just needed a primitive spots I didn't need electricity or water is it all good just grab a tent site, they are $6 a night and 30 amp electric with water is 15 tonight. And if you rent for 7 days you only pay for 6 and it's a beautiful quiet I'm sure there's fish in the lake you can swim in it's a wonderful place I'm so happy I stumbled across this Jewel

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Gull Point State Park Campground
    Jul. 9, 2019

    Gull Point State Park Campground

    Not a great spot for RVs

    This park is a CCC built park. Lots of twists and turns for an RV to get to their spot. We have a longer TT, and it was tight and nerve wracking to navigate. We had reserved a spot that was supposed to be long enough for our trailer, but was not. They were luckily not full but the spot we found was on a slope and uneven. I thought about driving 4 hours back home rather than continue to try to get the RV level. Someone across the way took pitty and helped us. I think the best RV spots are up the hill by the bath house.

    On Lake Okoboji but heavily wooded no view, acorns dropped on our roof every 10 minutes, I was afraid it would bust the skylight. Marshy area by the tent sites tons of mosquitoes. If you can get a spit at Emerson down the road, do that. Bath house and playground ok. No one answered the phone, no one at the ranger station. Rode our bikes down the road to get the bike trail.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Defiance State Park Campground
    May. 30, 2021

    Fort Defiance State Park Campground

    A Hidden Gem in Iowa

    A hidden gem in Northwest Iowa. It is Memerial Day Weekend and on Friday night we had one other tent camper on Friday. None on Saturday. 

    The bathrooms are the old hole going down into a pit. They are very rustic. 

    There are plenty of trails in the park. The big creek that runs through the kiddos can play in. It is not deep but it’s water. There are some other small little creeks too.

    Around the camping area, the kids rode their bikes. We did ride around the roads as a family. 

    The camp site are dirt. 

    There are permanent fire rings and grills at each site. Only place to get firewood was at Hy-Vee. Our site had electricity with 50, 30,& 20 amps. 

    There is only one water spot in the campground. We drank the water and didn’t die. 

    There is a golf course next to the park that is fun. 

    My only real complaint would be there is a lot of people just driving through.

  • Abby F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Smith Lake County Park
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Smith Lake County Park

    Tent Hill

    This campground has RV sites along the edge with all the tents on a hill by the lake. Every time we go camping here we make a new friend, get some great camping recipes. There is a beach near the camping area and another one for the park. The tent area is nice and big for several tents, but could use a few more trees for shade.

  • Joshua D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Stieneke Area Park
    Jun. 2, 2024

    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.

  • Mick P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Marble Beach State Rec Area
    Jun. 4, 2018

    Marble Beach State Rec Area

    Great place to stay around the Okoboji area

    Campground Renovation: The campground will be closed from April 1, 2018 through May 31, 2019.

    Marble Beach`s campground is the largest in the Iowa Great Lakes Region. The campground is well shaded and features paved roads, boat ramps, modern restroom and shower facilities, as well as a sanitary dump station. The campground includes non-electric sites and sites with electrical hookups.

    Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and provides some of the best fishing in the state. Anglers will find challenging sport pursuing a variety of game fish including walleye, northern pike, muskellunges, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, perch, bluegills, crappies, catfish, and bullheads.

  • Dan C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Marble Beach State Rec Area
    Sep. 4, 2022

    Marble Beach State Rec Area

    Good, but not great

    Camp sites for tents are super tiny and irregular shaped. Lots of sloping on sites. Generally tight quarters to other campers and plenty of road noise until about 10 PM. A few good options for fishing, boating and hiking near by.

  • Tim G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Alton Roadside Park
    Jul. 6, 2021

    Alton Roadside Park

    Alton roadside park

    This is a small little kmown spot in the small town of Alton Iowa. It is $10 and there are a couple spots that have electric hook ups, a water pump hydrant, And a dumpsite. The camping fee is $10 per spot self-pay.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Reiff Park
    Jun. 27, 2019

    Reiff Park

    A quick layover

    Out in the farm fields in the middle of nowhere is this tiny little park and campground. When I first pulled up I didn’t see the campground, just the park. The park is actually divided in two parts with a wooded area in between. On the left is the park with bathrooms, meeting building and playground and on the right is the campground. The campground is really just a place for rvs to pull up and have some power and water. There are only about a dozen of these pull thru’s and no designated tent area. There are some trees that are well spaced for hammocks but you would be right next to someone’s RV. You have to walk to the other side of the woods to access the bathrooms. It was mown and maintained, but nothing special. Thankfully the place was empty so I could hang my hammock between two sites to relax and no one was around to care that I put my tent up in the grass instead of in a pull thru.

  • Pam H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Grotto Campground
    Sep. 5, 2023

    Grotto Campground

    Nice quiet camping

    Stopped for the night , so I could see the Grotto in the morning. Very clean restrooms/showers. Only one other camper here. Shaded spots, great Wi-Fi, good cell service. Next to train tracks but only one train came by and it wasn’t loud. Definitely recommend if you’re in the area. You pay at the gift shop across the street. $20 for RV and $10 for tent.

  • Adrian D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Defiance State Park Campground
    Apr. 5, 2020

    Fort Defiance State Park Campground

    Great Hikes

    Fort Defiance is a forresty natural state park in Iowa. There is Electrical Hook ups a picnic Table and a charcoal Grill already at the camp site. The valley has a small river or a big creek, idk you tell me the difference, what you can cross over a few times on the trails. Depending on the time of day, generally in the morning you can cruise through at day break and find deer on the roads to watch out!

  • Opus 15 !.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Emerson Bay State Recreation Area — Emmerson Bay State Recreation Area
    Jun. 28, 2022

    Emerson Bay State Recreation Area — Emmerson Bay State Recreation Area

    Nice State Park Campground

    Nice state park campground in West Okoboji Iowa. Close enough to the action of Lake Okoboji yet has a fairly remote feel. After doing some looking around the area, I believe that this is probably the nicest campground in the area. Sites are fairly close but not super tight. This is a good place to stay for a few days if you want to explore all that Okoboji has to offer. It was full the entire time that we were here and it does fill up quickly so book your trip well in advance.

  • Veronica S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Silver Lake City Park
    Mar. 18, 2022

    Silver Lake City Park

    It's a city park

    Ratings are really subjective. What are you after? 

    ~A secluded spot in nature? 0 stars. 

    ~A small campground inside a small town with flushing toilets and showers (albeit not new, super clean, or extremely nice), a lake with docks and boat ramp, large playground (with the cool old structures AND new ones), a baseball diamond, football field, city pool, creek with fish, and a tennis/basketball court? 5 stars. Yes, ALL of those things are right next to the campground.

    I grew up in Lake Park, and I've stayed in this campground as an adult with kids (simply to visit family, certainly not to "get away" and enjoy nature). Lake Park is a small, rural town, and the current local passtime appears to be driving around town in ATVs and side-by-sides. It is noisy and extremely annoying. Every single person that drives by will stare at you; welcome to a small town.

    There are a couple tent spots (one of which we utilized) that have some shade, a picnic table, and a fire ring. There's also a small RV area where people live in their RV's (complete with decks) for the summer. 

    If you stay here, perhaps to visit the lakes area without the crowds or at a lower cost, perhaps to fish in Silver Lake, or... well I don't know why else you would stay here... you should definitely try the breakfast or taco pizza at Stans Corner -- the local gas station/convenience store. You could also walk to the 2-block downtown on Market Street and try out one of a couple restaurants or a few bars. If you want to swim in the lake (I really don't think it's good for swimming anymore, but if you want to try your luck) you can go to the boat ramp by the bridge by the city park, the dock at the end of Trappers Bay, or to the public access area (dock and boat ramp) on the west side of the lake, accessed via 110th Ave (go west on Hwy 9, and turn left onto 110th st., it's a mile or two in on the right side of the road.

    Regardless of the passtimes of driving around and staring, the people of Lake Park are generally very friendly, so you should definitely walk around and meet some people.

  • Lori N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Buena Vista Co Park
    Sep. 20, 2020

    Buena Vista Co Park

    Peaceful!

    We love this park. We have never been there when it's really crowded, but we know it gets that way. Sites aren't crunched together, so you have privacy. Trails are nice. Everything is well maintained. Showers & bathrooms are awesome! We almost always see wildlife when hiking😁

  • Ashley N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Buena Vista Co Park
    Jun. 22, 2021

    Buena Vista Co Park

    Outdoor peace

    This campground is great for first time campers! Its cost effective and quiet. The lots are spacious and have a pull through so you dont have to back up! The trails are very well maintained! Shower facilites are super clean! 10/10

  • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Larson Lake Co Park
    Nov. 12, 2020

    Larson Lake Co Park

    quiet park in the country

    I went to college nearby, so i knew of this park but had never visited. On our way to Wyoming from Chicago, we stopped to stay here overnight.  Other than saying it's a nice place in the woods, in what is otherwise open farmland, I don't have much else I can say.

  • Willy W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Buena Vista County Park Sunrise Campground
    Jun. 1, 2020

    Buena Vista County Park Sunrise Campground

    Kings Pointe Resort

    This is a pretty awesome place. There is a lot of activities. The resort resides on Storm Lake and it’s usually pretty active. The first night we were there it actually had a very nice lightning storm.

    The lake has a lot of perch, walleye, crappie and white bass. It’s not a very deep lake but has some pockets that you can find on the west side that does pretty good. There are boat ramps and parks all along the lake.

    The resort is pretty huge it has an indoor and outdoor water park. The park slides are pretty fun and scary. There is also a lazy river!

    The restaurant in the hotel is top notch. They served some of the best food. You won’t go hungry and the price wasn’t over priced like some resorts.

    There is also a very nice large playground for kids to play on and a nice little beach to go swimming on. They clean the beach every morning but it gets pretty dirty towards the end of the day.

    It doesn’t get very crowded during the week but on the weekend it picks up and a lot of people who aren’t staying at the resort show up to play in the water park.

    As far as outside there are lots of trails to walk on. Tons of little parks around the lake to have picnics and town isn’t that far if you need to get coffee or groceries.

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Sunrise
    May. 31, 2019

    Sunrise

    Sunrise

    We had a wonderful view if lake from campsite. Camp ground was kept clean. I especially liked then number of bathroom/shower combos. I have been in campgrounds where shower wasn't as private as it could be. This was great and clean.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Straight Park
    May. 27, 2019

    Straight Park

    small town camping

    This campground is operated by the city of Fonda has the only about 15 sides in the summer for the road is pretty bad holes or some cavities it’s around which is really nice in the summer time for cops down $13 per night do you pay in City Hall 50 a.m. service There is also another brand new area in town containing about 24 50 amp full hookup campsites where the old-school was torn down easy to find but there are 3 inch rocks used for the road which is very hard to maneuver on no shade about same price Good for an overnight or a couple days stop There is a Caseys General store in town that sells gasoline and diesel and some groceries also a snack bar on the highway and bar in town that’s about it there is a beautiful museum called the Fonda museum which may not be open at all times

  • Kris H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Tjossem County Park
    May. 23, 2019

    Tjossem County Park

    Very small campground

    Very small campground. Only 6 sites,  Pit toilets,  2 ponds. Water and electric hookups.  Nice open shelter under a large tree. Fishing and open country,

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Mill Creek State Park
    Aug. 9, 2022

    Mill Creek State Park

    Nice lake

    The campground is hard to get a spot at and is far away from the lake. The lake and grounds are well maintained. The showers are decent but take quarters to use them. Decent campground but not my favorite to go to in the area.


Guide to Sioux Rapids

Discover the charm of tent camping near Sioux Rapids, Iowa, where nature meets adventure. With a variety of campgrounds offering unique amenities and activities, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to pitch their tent.

Tips for tent camping near Sioux Rapids

  • For a peaceful experience, consider the Oneota Little Sioux Access, which offers a serene environment with river access for canoeing and kayaking.
  • If you're looking for a spot with basic facilities, Dog Creek Co Park provides toilets and thirty-amp hookups, making it a convenient choice for tent campers.
  • For those who enjoy a rustic setting, Stieneke Area Park allows campfires and pets, perfect for a cozy night under the stars.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Cenla Campgrounds is big rig friendly and offers electric hookups, making it a great option for those who want a little extra comfort while camping.
  • At Moorehead Pioneer County Park, you can enjoy spacious areas for tent camping, although it lacks some amenities like firewood and picnic tables.
  • Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground features reservable sites and a variety of trails, ideal for campers looking to explore the outdoors.

Tent campers should check out Ranney Knob Area

  • The Ranney Knob Area offers a small park atmosphere with limited parking and access to canoeing, making it a unique spot for adventurous campers.
  • For a more secluded experience, Devine Wildlife Area provides a quiet environment with no trash facilities, perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature.
  • If you're seeking a small, peaceful park, Stieneke Area Park is a great choice, featuring river access and plenty of space for tents.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Sioux Rapids, IA is Stieneke Area Park with a 3-star rating from 1 review.

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

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