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Best Tent Camping near Spencer, IA

133 Reviews

Several tent campgrounds surround Spencer, Iowa, with options ranging from simple lakeside sites to more secluded woodland settings. Oneota Little Sioux Access offers basic tent camping facilities near Spencer, while Bright Lake County Park provides tent sites with lake views 40 miles east in Minnesota. Iowa Lake County Campground, located approximately 30 miles east near Armstrong, offers tent sites with drinking water and toilet facilities. These campgrounds primarily serve tent campers seeking minimalist outdoor experiences without RV hookups or elaborate amenities.

Most tent sites in the Spencer area feature limited amenities, with vault toilets being the most common facility. Iowa Lake County Campground provides drinking water access and toilet facilities, making it slightly more developed than other options. Fire rings are available at several locations including Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area, though campers should verify current fire restrictions before planning trips. The camping season generally runs spring through fall, with some parks like Ambrose A. Call State Park operating from April through November. Surfaces typically consist of natural ground without designated tent pads.

The tent camping experience near Spencer offers quieter alternatives to larger, more developed campgrounds. Stieneke Area Park and Ranney Knob Area provide riverside camping with canoe and kayak access points for water recreation. Both parks charge approximately $10 per night with payment collected on-site. Iowa Lake County Campground offers lakeside tent camping that visitors describe as peaceful and uncrowded. According to one camper, "I found this to be a great little spot to stay bike touring through Iowa. Unlike the other reviewer I was literally the only one there." Another visitor noted that Stieneke Area Park is a "quiet little campground" where rangers collect fees from a lockbox and maintain the vault toilets daily.

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Best Tent Sites Near Spencer, Iowa (10)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Spencer, IA

2 Photos of 10 Spencer Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Spencer, IA

133 Reviews of 10 Spencer Campgrounds

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Devine Wildlife Area

    Free and fairly primitive

    Dispersed camping really. You can bring a big rig in. No really prepared sites. Maybe 5 places you could set up. No water, no electric, no toilet. Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent. But the price is right.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Island Park

    Small waterfront campground

    Nice little park to stop at for a night on a trip. Only stayed here for a night on my way out west in 2024. Arrived a bit before dark and decided to sleep in my car rather than my tent just due to the timing and being tucked away by the river by myself. Never did figure out where a bathroom was unfortunately. There was a gas station right down the road for any conveniences you may need. There is a kayak launch right by the campsites that I would've put my inflatable into if I'd had more daylight/time here.

    Not sure how larger campers would set up given the layout and how small the pads look, but there was plenty of room in front and behind the pads.

  • Clint G.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Korte's Checkers Welcome Campground

    Great value as Passport America member

    This is a small private campground that offers a quiet nights stay.  Site size was moderate with some shade, a fire ring, picnic table, on a level gravel pad.  $20 per Passport America members for FHU is sweet.  The grounds were well cared for and was not to far from the interstate but far enough away that there was little noise.

  • Matthew H.
    Feb. 13, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Great Campground! Conveniently located!

    Great Campground. The park Ranger on Duty was very helpful. Campsites were generous in space. Well kept. Fire Ring and picnic table on site were kept up well. Trails and scenery through the back hills are well kept and maintained.

  • Meg W.
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Peaceful Prairie Spot

    Chosen at the last minute for its proximity to the Twin Cities area, the drive was about 2 hrs 45 minutes. Park is quiet, clean and very easy to hike. Entire park can easily be hiked in a day, with prairie, river and oak savanna views. The park rangers were not at the station at any point while we visited, meaning payment for firewood and parking must be done online. Really nice facility with flush toilets and showers sits between the two campground loops. Camped in Walk-In Site #1 and the seclusion from the electric sites was great. The walk-in sites are nestled in the woods and fairly private. From the parking spot to the campsite was an easy ~100’.

  • Lord J.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Secluded slice of paradise.

    Stayed in the walk-in section of the campground. Just a short walk from the parking and vault toilet. Beautiful Oaks surround you as does the sumac, raspberries and mosquitos. Even though it rained it was a superb experience 🙏

  • Jen A.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    memoirs park

    Great Campground

    This is a great campground in Mankato, MN.  The sites are huge and offer water and electric.  The shower house/bathrooms were decent - a little outdated, but not too bad.  There was also a portable toilet near our site.  We wish there was sewer, but we understand that being so close to the river this may not be possible.  We will definitely stay here again if we are in the area.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    Mixed bag

    Small campground. Not busy while I was here. Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites. Pit toilets. No showers. Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night.

  • Chloe T.
    Oct. 3, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Very Quiet | No On Site Payment Available

    First thing to know is that you cannot pay for anything there directly... no cash, no checks, no credit cards, no tap, nothing. You need to use the Yodel app to purchase firewood and, even if there is staff present, you'll need to pay for your site on the MN State Park reservations system. What's nice is that there is no convenience charge when you are on site. This totally threw us as we are used to pulling up and paying with cash or card to a human. And, they have no wifi. So you'll have to use your phone or, like I did, use your phone as a hotspot to use your laptop/tablet.

    Once that was all finally taken care of, we got to enjoy our spacious site. It was HOT, but there is a tree in the center of Site 7 that offered shade and lots of bushes and trees around that offer shade. We just had to keep moving to get it. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. Site 6 has a trail going through it on the edge while Site 7 had a trail on the other side but it was several feet from the actual site. I'm not sure it ever gets busy there, but if it did, you may have people around your site if you choose those edge sites.

    This place was SO quiet! I know that also has to do with the other campers, so thank you to our fellow campers that weekend who kept it quiet. No road noise at all. There are fields nearby, so if it's plowing season I imagine it would be quite noisy and quite dusty.

    At the end of September, along with the heat, there were tons of what we later learned were Asian Lady Beetles, which actually do sting. Surprise! Then when they started slowing down, here came the midges/no-see-ums. So I came away with a lot of stings. Boo! My spouse did not. So I guess they just liked me a lot.

    I would totally recommend Kilen Woods SP! It was a total surprise to use as we were looking for a last minute place to camp, so that was wonderful. If you're driving along I90 in Minnesota or I26 in South Dakota and need an easy overnight, check this place out.

Guide to Spencer

Tent camping near Spencer, Iowa offers a variety of scenic spots for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature and the great outdoors.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Cenla Campgrounds provides electric hookups and sanitary dump facilities, making it a convenient choice for those who want basic comforts while camping.
  • Iowa Lake Co Campground features drinking water and vault toilets, ensuring a more comfortable experience for tent campers.
  • Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground offers reservable sites, allowing campers to secure their spot ahead of time.

Tent campers should check out Iowa Lake Co Campground

  • Iowa Lake Co Campground is praised for its peaceful environment, making it ideal for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Ranney Knob Area provides access for canoeing and kayaking, perfect for adventurous campers wanting to explore the waterways.
  • Stieneke Area Park offers river access, making it a great spot for fishing and enjoying water activities.

Local activities for tent campers

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Spencer, IA is Oneota Little Sioux Access with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Spencer, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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