Camping areas near Calmar, Iowa sit within the Driftless Area, an unglaciated region characterized by steep limestone bluffs, cold-water streams, and deep river valleys. The region receives around 34 inches of precipitation annually, creating lush woodland environments throughout the camping season from April through October. Overnight temperatures can drop below 50°F even in summer months, making proper insulation essential for tent campers.
What to do
Trout fishing access: At Beaver Creek Valley State Park, visitors can fish in stocked streams with easy bank access. "Very easy walking trail winding through the park and stream. An easy way to trout fish and enjoy the park," notes Bruce C., highlighting the accessibility for beginners.
Water recreation: The Upper Iowa River offers multiple access points for paddlers. "You can rent kayaks, bikes. They have mini golf but you have to pay 8 dollars for that," explains Jeremiah B. about Skip-A-Way Resort, which provides equipment rentals for river activities from April through mid-October.
Hiking trails: Limestone formations create distinctive hiking opportunities throughout the region. "We hiked on the famous Backbone trail - a really fun hike that isn't too incredibly long," shares Rachel H. about her experience at Backbone State Park, where trails range from flat river paths to more challenging ridge routes.
What campers like
River proximity: Sites positioned along waterways offer both recreational access and ambient sound. "My favorite memory was definitely swimming in the river. Also enjoyed hiking along the backbone trail, and climbing around some wooded areas," says Emma N. about her stay at Backbone State Park.
Budget-friendly options: Several parks offer affordable camping with basic amenities. "Large park, no designated sites, fire rings spread around. Elect posts spread around. Water available a dump station on site $2.00 charge. Very green, a river all around the park. Our favorite place in the area. $12.00 a night," reports Bob S. about Klocks Island Park.
Scenic overlooks: Blufftop campsites provide valley views across the Mississippi River watershed. "The sites are very close to each other with little vegetative separation," Jim J. explains about Wisconsin Ridge at Wyalusing State Park, noting the tradeoff between privacy and panoramic vistas.
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. "We stayed at site #30 was very long and narrow with a good jaunt to get to the restroom facilities. We had to line up our campsite like a line of trains - truck, picnic table, tent," reports Anne K. about Beaver Creek Valley State Park's layout constraints.
Seasonal restrictions: Operating schedules differ among area campgrounds. "They have a beach for swimming. Boats for renting but they were out of order for repairs when we were here," notes Jeremiah B., highlighting that maintenance issues can affect amenity availability at Skip-A-Way Resort.
Cell coverage limitations: Several valleys have poor reception. "The only thing to know is there is no cell reception because of the valley. This great if you want to get away from it all, but if you're staying a while and need to work, this isn't the place to do it," advises Kat C. about Beaver Creek Valley State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Look for multi-activity campgrounds: Some parks offer diverse recreation options in one location. "This campground has a lot of fun activities from April 15 thru Oct 15. They have permanent sites and rentals. There is tent sites and rental campers also," shares Lourene M., detailing Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground's family-oriented facilities.
Consider park programming: Ranger-led activities enhance children's experiences. "The nature program was great for our son who was 2 at the time," Jennifer B. notes about Wyalusing State Park, which regularly schedules educational programs during summer months.
Check bathroom facilities: Shower access varies by campground. "The bathrooms and showers here were very gross though," warns Amber Z. about one park, contrasting with Josh F.'s experience at Wisconsin Ridge: "let me wax poetic about the new bathroom/shower block...one of the nicest public bathrooms I've ever been in."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Gravel pad availability affects setup time. "The RV sites have electricity, water, and sewer, and they are level– we were only staying one night and didn't even need to unhook our pickup," shares Amy E. about her experience at Peterson City RV Park, emphasizing convenience for overnight travelers.
Water crossing access: Some campgrounds require driving through water features to reach sites. "Tent sites further back in the campground through multiple water crossings (ok for cars)," notes Stephanie K. about Beaver Creek Valley, indicating potential challenges for larger RVs with lower clearance.
Reservation timing: Many rv sites near Calmar, Iowa fill quickly during peak season. "They have permanent sites and rentals. There is tent sites and rental campers also. Sewer, water and electric," explains Lourene M., highlighting the diverse accommodation options that attract steady bookings at Skip-A-Way Resort from mid-April through mid-October.
