Best Tent Camping near Story City, IA

Recent Tent Reviews near Story City, Iowa

387 Reviews of 14 Story City Campgrounds

• R

  Russ G.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 14, 2019

  Acorn Valley

  Peaceful, lots of riverbed area to explore

  We’re big fans of Acorn Valley. It’s quiet and there is plenty of shade in the tent camping area. The tent sites lead to some small trails which end at the riverbed. Our boys love exploring here.

• 

  Jamee N.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 17, 2020

  Newton KOA

  Family Friendly

  We tried to stay here on probably the hottest day of the year. It was just wayyyyy too hot so we made sandwiches and decided to drive through the night, but it wasn’t this KOA’s fault! Very friendly staff. Tons for kids and families to do. My only complaint is that where we were, tent spot #1...there wasn’t really any soaration of the tent sites. People moved in beside us and were literally in our site because there wasn’t anything stopping them. Probably a better place for RV camping over tent camping.

• 

  Brian W.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 14, 2019

  Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

  Nice and clean

  Nice clean park, if passing through Iowa it's a nice overnight. A little loud if tent camping. Area not large enough to separate hard shell campers and tent campers. Plenty of fly's and mosquitoes, plenty of shade.

• R

  Randi

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 17, 2020

  Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

  Scenic Hiking

  Beautiful views, wonderful trails, cramped campground, poor tent camping conditions.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  May. 31, 2020

  Newton KOA

  KOA is OK

  Newton KOA

  This is the primary location for camping in Newton. It’s right off interstate I-80 and is very close to the Iowa Speedway.

  There are places to go tent camping but it’s primarily setup for rvs. The tent camping spots have a picnic table and fire pit.

  The RV sports are pretty nice, most have the usual hookups. This place can get pretty busy when there is a race going on.

  There is a creek in the back and some pretty easy hiking trails to explore. There is a fish cleaning station near the creek. They do also have a pond with bass and bluegill. They also have a pool by the office but it’s currently being painted.

  Overall this is a pretty nice KOA and it’s very clean and maintained. You can hear the interstate but you get used to it.

• 

  Kaylinn W.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 8, 2019

  Hickory Grove Campground

  Little patch of heaven

  We go camping at Breezy Bay and it’s our favorite. We tent camp, so the modern bathrooms (with showers!!) is a huge plus. The spots are some of the biggest we’ve seen at any campground, so there aren’t many and it’s almost always quiet. Lots of trees for shade but the lake has trails and a swimming beach with watercraft rentals. Truly a hidden gem in central Iowa!

• R

  Randi

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 17, 2020

  North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

  Wonderful

  Great for tent camping, very spacious and grassy sites, clean, grill/fire pit was really very nice. Very clean and modern bathrooms, easy access to water. Hiking trails were well maintained. Can't wait to come again.

• M

  Mitch

  Guide

  

  May. 7, 2021

  Stoehr Fishing Area

  overnight tent only

  small park with maybe one primitive tent site no fire pit 24 hour is the length you can stay. 2 small fishing ponds.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 1, 2020

  Mariposa Recreation Area

  Country Camping

  If you want to go out in the country and do some tent camping this is the place!

  The lake has been drained and dredged and is slowly filling back up. It’s pretty spacious and has lots of room for tent camping. I wouldn’t bring an RV here.

  There are bathroom facilities by the lake area and the camping area which is near the back.

  The fishing here used to be really good with catfish, bluegill, bass. They do allow boats (electric motor only), kayaks and canoes. I haven’t fished here since they updated the lake.

  There are hiking trails and one that goes to a back pond. There is a butterfly garden and playground for the kids to explore. There is also a shelter to have parties with picnic tables.

  It’s nice that’s it’s been updated and cleaned up.

• 

  Emily

  Guide

  

  May. 19, 2018

  Beeds Lake State Park — Beed's Lake State Park

  Great Variety!

  Good variety of activites to do, with lots of camping sites- including some right next to the lake. We went tent camping and had a great time. Would recommend as a great fishing destination. Also very cool to see the Dam, with a great walking path.

• C

  Cari B.

  Traveler

  

  Oct. 6, 2020

  Beeds Lake State Park — Beed's Lake State Park

  Lovely campground and park

  Very well maintained campground in a small but lovely park. Host was very nice and there were lots of open spots on a Saturday in late September. Loved our tent site with a short walk to the lake and clean bathrooms

• 

  Ben K.

  Scout

  

  Aug. 28, 2023

  Thomas Mitchell County Park

  Clean and quiet in tent

  Spent 2 nights tent camping here. We stayed at site 4, glad I read reviews on here. I personally would not want to be in a site beyond number 7 as it gets too close to the dump station and subsequent “sewage lagoon”

  Shower house was clean, pretty quiet, and only 5 miles off the highway

• 

  Jennifer D.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 30, 2019

  Beeds Lake State Park — Beed's Lake State Park

  Nice small park

  First time at Beeds Lake. Easy access to most sites as many are parallel parking style. Lots of shade on the outer sites, plenty of tent sites as well. Camp hosts were available and helpful. This will be in our list of places to return to.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jul. 13, 2019

  Thomas Mitchell County Park

  Best little park

  Great place to go tent camping, very clean and quiet. They sell firewood bundles for $5. Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat. There is even a pond for fishing that you can take a trail from the campsite to. 100% going to go back and camp again.

• 

  April B.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 29, 2018

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Quiet, low-key hike in camping

  Though it’s closed this summer :( - the Ledges State Park campground is a long time favorite of ours. Lots of electrical and non electrical spots and also an entire section of hike-in tent camping that is just a short hike down to a secluded section of the Des Moines River. Secure your food at night or the racoons will dine lavishly on your supplies. :)

• 

  Zachariah M.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 7, 2019

  Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

  Nice spot

  I would suggest getting reservations. We stopped on a Friday with out one, they were booked. We only wanted one night in a tent. They don’t have designated tent sites but they have one overflow sight and they let us use it for the night. Price is great, $20 per night. Easy to get rvs into the spots and a lot to do for the kids.

• M

  Mitch

  Guide

  

  May. 7, 2021

  Briggs Woods Park

  upper camp ground is the better

  Nice campground. lower camp ground has circle type pads that hold 4 campers good for groups (friends, Family) upper camp ground has more single sites. as of 2020 more sites under construction both upper and lower area. they have some cabins and a couple walk in tent sites (short walk) WIFI in lower part of camp ground.

• 

  Katie J.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 8, 2020

  Beeds Lake State Park — Beed's Lake State Park

  Tent sites

  Great state park for a quiet weekend trip. Tons of great tent sites, but it seemed like the RV spots were pretty close together. We stayed at #142 and it was the perfect tent location. Right on the water, distanced from our site neighbors, and a sandbar nearby for some fishing. The swimming beach was gross, but the hiking trail was great for an easy walk with kids.

• B

  Billy K.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 4, 2018

  Swede Point Park

  Hidden Gem

  Small county park with clean showers and restrooms. Several short trails, mile mile and a half maybe. Tent camping is always available (literally - was just there over Labor day weekend and had no trouble getting a spot on Saturday), with maybe 20 electric sites, no reservations. New this year is firewood for purchase. Not far from the famous High Trestle Trail for you bicycle enthusiasts! My wife and I teardrop trailer camp here as often as we can.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 29, 2021

  Union Grove State Park Campground

  Campsite at a beautiful little Iowa lake

  Union Grove is known for having good lake fishing. The lake is also a great place for kayaking or canoeing.

  The campground has mostly RV sites, but there are a handful of smaller tent sites at the back, which are my favorite. The campground is quiet.

  Amenities:

  Showers and toilets

  Dump station

  Water

  2 cabins

  Things to do nearby:

  Enjoy the lake

  Matchstick Marvels in nearby Gladbrook

• 

  Christine R.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 11, 2021

  Rock Creek State Park Campground

  Early Spring Visit

  Used to go here as a kid, was always good fishing. We visited one week before the water and modern bathrooms were ready, so that was challenging. The park seemed a little rough to be on the cusp of true spring camping. Derecho looks to have hit here, lots of clean up to do. I never saw a ranger or any staff. Gorgeous tent camping area and waterfront sites. Great bike trail that goes right into Grinnell. We were in site 39 and it’s a great one!

• A

  Anthony W.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 3, 2022

  Adventureland Campground

  Parking more than camping

  I stayed at Adventureland for the summer months and had no issues. The staff was very helpful, plenty of laundry/restrooms throughout the campground and pretty clean overall. Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick. Tent camping is an option in the back of the campground. Nature is not really the draw of this campground, convenience is more the approach. With a theme park on one side and a casino on the other, both in walking distance. It’s more of a park and party place hahaha

• b

  blaycee

  Scout

  

  Oct. 2, 2021

  Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

  Smaller but nice

  We have a smaller camper and got lucky to fit into a smaller spot that backed up to the woods. We both grew up around here and have always kayaked,fished,hiked, tent camped in the park. Love the scenic trails, there’s so many. Good for pictures. Also they rebuilt the boat ramp and it’s really nice now. Nice river to kayak, not as scenic as some but fun even though the rivers low. There’s 2 cabins you can rent which I did a couple times years ago, they are clean with kitchen. Overall nice park.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Aug. 25, 2021

  Riverview Park Campground

  Urban campground is near a busy highway

  This campground has many sites to choose from - RV with hookups as well as some non-electric tent sites. There are quite a few activities in Marshalltown, and it is within the Marshalltown city limits.

  The downside is proximity. It is right next to the highway. When I was there in a tent, the hog trucks would drive by all night (loud and smelly). The RV sites are closest to the road, so maybe it is not so bad in an RV, but it is not particularly enjoyable in a tent.

  Pros:

  + Marshalltown has quite a few places to eat

  + Nice bike trails (and a great bicycle store downtown)

  + It is near the Iowa River

  + Nice park in general with activities like a dog park

  + Camp host on-site

  + Decent sized campsites

  + Playground for the kids

  Cons:

  + It can get busy on a summer weekend

  + Noisy - right by the highway

  + Mosquitos are really bad here

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  Sep. 1, 2021

  Timmons Grove County Park

  Electric sites only, but beautiful area

  All campsites at Timmons Grove are$18/night and are electric. I have visited this place many times but only camped once. This place has never been busy when I have visited.

  I generally do not camp electric, so$18/night was steep for non-electric tent camping. There is no shower and the restroom is a port-a-potty.

  The area itself is really beautiful. There are good hiking trails, including a walk through some wildflowers. Bird watchers will love this place. Also expect to see deer and turkeys.

  There is boat access to the Iowa river as well as a public hunting area(I have not gone boating or fishing here, or hunting).

  Other than the nearby highway, which is not too bad for noise, the campground is really quiet.

  The price and the nearby highway are my only real complaints here. I am giving it 4 stars.

• 

  Willy W.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 1, 2020

  Ledges State Park Campground

  Ledges

  Ledges State Park

  Ledges is an amazing place. It has so much to do. There are long trails to hike, creeks to play in.

  You can bring your tent or RV and camp. The RV camps have water/sewer hookups. The primitive tent sites are usually pretty clean and can get pretty busy on the weekends.

  There are lots of bridges that get flooded out and are fun to drive over. Most of the kids like to hang out near them and get splashed.

  Its a fantastic place to enjoy the outdoors and especially in the fall. Also if you go to Ames stop at Great Plains pizza company.

• 

  Sara S.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 25, 2016

  Walnut Woods State Park Campground

  good place for a day trip

  We just did a day trip here with families who have a bunch of kids. Great park for kids and they loved floating down the river. We did a fun short hike as well. We checked out the camping situation for our next visit to Des Moines and decided a park a bit further away was worth a more secluded camping experience. Sites were not secluded and not very exciting plus they seemed very set up for an RV experience not so much tent camping. The bathrooms look pretty nice though. Definitely a nice place to spend a few hours, but the campground leaves something to be desired for me.