Spirit Lake is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Spirit Lake campgrounds just for you. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Spirit Lake, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$12 - $20 / night
"Marble Beach`s campground is the largest in the Iowa Great Lakes Region."
", Easy driving distance to Arnold's Park. Campground is Clean, Showers/Bathrooms are new and modern. Full Hookups are easy to use. many spots in the Oak Woods."
$20 / night
"Emmerson Bay is the Best for Tubing on tbe Iowa Great lakes so access for your boat here too is also amazing, However theres not a place here to park it."
"Nice state park campground in West Okoboji Iowa. Close enough to the action of Lake Okoboji yet has a fairly remote feel."
$10 - $18 / night
"However, at the time, there were very few campers (none around us) and it had basic amenities like bathrooms, sinks, etc."
"Very close to the lake and a neat nature walk. The campsites were a but muddy, but not too bad."
"Uncle Lester had a membership and since we were related we could use his pass for mini golf, the pool, and the big shelter house near his favourite spot he always rented for his RV."
"We were back on Taylor Ridge so we had a noticeable drive in/out anytime we went anywhere. Bathrooms were clean and maintained. Sites had ample space."
$10 - $16 / night
"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."
"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."
TravelerThis is a great campground for a weekend getaway. The pros of this campground are It’s full hook up. It has a brand new shower house. It has a brand new playground. The cons to this campground are the campsites are really close together. overall, it’s a great campground and would recommend.
LegendNice 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.
ScoutWhen we pulled up it popped into my brain "this is how camping should be". Okay, loaded comment, I know. I liked seeing people spending time together, playing games, campfires, relaxed. Picnic tables, clean, simple. Its near the highway so there is road noise but nothing that kept me from sleeping. I booked by emailing and they emailed back to confirm. When you arrive there is someone at the main office who gets you situated with payment a and your site. We will be back when coming through next time.
GuideThere are 4 camping spots here, all with electric hook-up. Although the website states $10 fee, there is nowhere to pay. In Oct, the bathrooms are closed already. Park is very close the the main road and you will likely hear trains at night. The campsites are right next to a creek with kayak access. It’s a nice place to stop for a night.
TravelerFirst 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.
GuideWe struck out 4times before finding this place and we are so happy that we did! What a great little gem - lakeside, crickets chirping and perfect
GuideLarge campground with a play park and other sporting area. Lake to swim in - no lifeguard offered. Large sites with water/electric hook up - some full hook sites and big rig friendly. The site we were put in was not set up well for the connections however it was a large site. Very muddy site but they offered to let us use a rug so we didn’t get ours all Muddy.
TravelerThough we didn’t stay long, this campground was tidy, well marked, and a perfect stop for the night. The campsites were clean, facilities were top notch, and the park and walking path provided a great spot to wear kids out before continuing on.
ScoutNice stay , friendly host clean showers and laundry .
Camping near Spirit Lake, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Spirit Lake, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Spirit Lake, IA is Marble Beach State Rec Area with a 3.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 1 parks near Spirit Lake, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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