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Best Tent Camping near Story City, IA

421 Reviews

Tent campsites surrounding Story City, Iowa offer secluded wooded spots and small lakeside settings that appeal to campers seeking quiet natural environments. Ashton Wildwood Park, located approximately 43 miles south of Story City, provides spacious tent sites tucked among trees with pit toilets and hiking trails. Colfax Quarry Springs Park, another tent-friendly campground in the region, features waterfront sites with fishing access and basic amenities for primitive tent setups.

Most tent campgrounds in the Story City area require self-sufficiency from campers. Sites generally include fire rings and picnic tables, though amenities vary significantly between locations. Ashton Wildwood Park charges $7 per night with pit toilets in the campground area and flush toilets available at the nearby observatory. Drinking water access is limited at most sites, making water containers essential equipment. Several campgrounds maintain portable toilets but lack shower facilities, reflecting their primitive nature. The Colfax location recently added new restroom facilities that campers report are well-maintained.

Tent camping experiences near Story City tend toward the rustic and quiet. The spacious sites at Ashton Wildwood Park accommodate multiple tents and provide substantial privacy with wooded surroundings. Seasonal factors affect the camping experience, with spring and fall offering less crowded conditions. Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area offers more primitive backcountry tent camping with minimal facilities but provides good access for fishing and wildlife observation. Many sites throughout the region feature sandy or level terrain suitable for tent placement. A visitor to Ashton Wildwood noted, "Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious. There is a nice little circle hike that's not too difficult."

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Best Tent Sites Near Story City, Iowa (14)

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5 Photos of 14 Story City Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Story City, IA

421 Reviews of 14 Story City Campgrounds

  • Kerry M.
    Aug. 25, 2021

    Wolf Creek Rec Area

    Quiet campground in the heart of Iowa

    Wolf Creek is a nice little campground near Beaman, IA (Beaman is very small, near Conrad as well which has a grocery store).

    There are 10 RV sites, which are $15/night and several tent/small camper sites which are $10/night.

    The campground has potable water but no showers. There are vault toilets.

    The campground has a nice playground, which was a feature we enjoyed when my daughter was little.

    My favorite part about this campground is the privacy. The tent sites are spread out and it is fairly easy to find one without neighbors too close.

    Activities:

    + Playground

    + Creek fishing

    + Nice benches and swings

    + Comet trail for hiking and biking

    + Hunting nearby

  • L
    Nov. 5, 2021

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Beautiful and tranquil

    Dolliver State Park was our maiden voyage in our travel trailer and it was obvious we were pitiful newbies! The park's beauty and tranquility did get disturbed a couple times when our dogs got loose (newbs!). The park staff were friendly and very helpful as were our fellow campers. The sites are mostly level with picnic tables and fire rings. Sites range from shady to sunny and the reservation website depicts the sites with a small photo and details about the amount of slope and shade. Cell service was good but no WiFi without a hotspot for us. We had fun, learned a lot and plan to camp here again!

  • Sara S.
    Jul. 25, 2016

    Ledges State Park Campground

    great walk-in site

    We went to this state park with family and had a great time. We chose to do a walk-in tent site because my brother in law recommended it. The site was great! It had tons of trees, dirt area to set up tent, and nice grass surrounding it. The fireplace and picnic table we unexpected with a walk-in site, but a good surprise :) We camped mid-October and were pleased to see the modern bathrooms still open too! Loved the canyon drive and it’s fabulous views :) We heard about an awesome bicycling trail that connects this park with another and are already planning a trip to go back and do a bike trip! Excellent experience.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited

    Happy Camping!

  • Willy W.
    Oct. 22, 2019

    Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    Great Place

    This is my favorite place to go hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing.

    There is a half mile portage with a campsite on the river which you must call to reserve. The other campsites are $10.00 registration. They have porta potties around. Two places to launch kayaks. Most campsites have fire rings, picnic tables and trash bins. Some have grills. They also have firewood for sale or you can find enough wood around still. I didn’t see any water hookups so bring a filter or water. There is a Kum & Go up the road to get missing supplies.

    The only downside of camping is you hear the interstate traffic but it’s minimal. The quiet hours are at 10:30pm and they have a gate which is closed at sunset when the park closes for non campers.

    Lots of hiking trails and wildlife. The fishing is the best place for largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish. No swimming is allowed and only electric motors, no gas.

    Check out their Facebook page for more updates and if you see me out there say hi!

  • Wendy P.
    Jul. 19, 2018

    Ledges State Park Campground

    Beautiful hikes. Prepare for coons.

    One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites. The hike in spots are great if you like privacy and being in the middle of the woods - but you don’t want to be THAT far from your car.

    Beware of the raccoons. They’re plentiful and crazy smart here. We had one open our cooler, steal an egg from the cartoon - without disturbing anything else. Honestly, I was impressed! But some of our friends had them rip through their tents to get at food - not as impressive.

  • A
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Jester County Park

    Solid campground

    Stayed at this campground for 3 nights while visiting Des Moines.  We stayed in Loop 1- site 138 because we wanted electrical.  The electrical box has 2 standard household plugs which is nice.  This loop was mostly RVs due to the electrical hook ups.  There aren't really trees between the sites, but it is in a wooded area which is nice and there is some space between the sites so you don't feel like you are right on top of the other people.  Generally, people were pretty quiet, especially once it got dark.  Each site as a gravel drive and then open gravel area with a picnic table and fire pit with grill grate.  Plenty of room for camp chairs and other furniture you may want to set up.  There is a grassy area all around the gravel with plenty of room for multiple tents.  2 bath/shower houses within a short walk from the site- they were both clean and solid to use.  There are some short trails within the park which are generally well marked, but just 1 trail is longer than about 1/2 a mile.  Didn't check it out, but there is also a large lake.  Lots of picnic areas throughout the park.  There's also a volleyball court and free lending library near one of the bathhouses.  Overall, I'd recommend this campground as long as you don't mind seeing your neighbors.  Quick drive into Des Moines too.

  • Kerry M.
    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.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2024

    Newton KOA

    This KOA Deserves Your Attention

    Literally a single stone’s throw from I80, one of the busiest thoroughfares you’ll find yourself on here in the great ‘Hawkeye State,’ this is one campground that very much deserves your attention, despite being a KOA. In fact, this campground outpost is so close to the highway that you’ll be hard pressed not to see or hear it during your entire stay. While this KOA does sit down a bit from the hustle & bustle that comes with a major interstate highway, a good number of the available RV sites sit on a sloping hill that is the same elevation as the highway itself, so if you do have the choice, opt for the lower sites (more on that later). 

    Sitting just 30 minutes east of Des Moines, Newton KOA offers up about 100 sites for RVs and 5th wheelers offering up all the standard hook-ups (water, sewage and 30 / 50 amp- but be careful because some sites only offer 30 or 50, while some do offer both, so be sure to ask when making your reservation). For mi tent pitching bredren, there’s about a dozen or so sites to choose from and all are fairly intermingled with the RV sites, although each site does sit on a plush patch of grass, so this KOA does a nice job on that front of integration. Oh, and if you don’t have an RV, 5th wheeler or a tent, on worries, this KOA will rent you one of its three cabins. 

    As this is a KOA you can expect a ton of amenities and this place does not disappoint with: catch & release fishing pond w/ fish cleaning station (that is oddly placed about as far away from the fishing pond as you can get), disc golf course, K9 camp for the puppies, cable TV, WiFi, in-ground pool (available 5/25 until 9/3) with ADA pool lift, horseshoes, meeting rooms, firewood for sale, LP gas refueling station, pool table, shuffleboard, social lounge, two kids playground, laundr-O-mat, basketball court, restroom & shower facilities, mini-market with basic groceries, ping pong, jump pad, game room, gaga pit, designated dumpster and dump station and of course the scattered fire pits and picnic tables. Just to go above and beyond, this KOA serves up free breakfast of flapjacks on Saturdays. Yahoo! 

    Insider’s tips? Here’s a few: (1) Whether you are pitching a tent or pulling up in your RV, the best sites IMHO are those in the lower valley, but located right in front of the main office, where there are 6 RV slots numbered #45 – 50 and 6 tent sites numbered T1 – T6; (2) Should you get hungry and might want to try some local fare, check out Taco John’s and La Cabaña Mexican Restaurant, which I guess stand for ‘local’ around here, although there is Newton Family Restaurant. If you are looking for something really different and amazing, I would suggest heading on over to Dan’s Sandwich Shop, which feels like real Americana from a bygone era, complete with a diner-esque vibe and matching elbow counter to warm up to over a nice piece of apple pie, scoop of ice cream washed down with a hot mug of coffee; (3) While this KOA has a mini-market, you will find a bigger selection with better prices just down the road at the local Walmart, where just due west of this, you’ll find a Hy-Vee Grocery store with a wine & spirits shop positioned there as well. Further down the road, you have excellent fresh cut meat from Fareway Grocery, but check out the local hotspot, Newton Market as well; and (4) While what you will discover from an outdoor standpoint at Newton KOA is interesting, if you want something more substantial, head to Newton Arboretum & Botanical Gardens for 6 acres of family-friendly landscape to explore with more displays and demonstrations that you can shake a stick at! Seriously, there’s a butterfly garden, peony border and nearly 200 individual species of trees here to check out. 

    Happy Camping!

Guide to Story City

Tent camping near Story City, Iowa offers a mix of lakeside and woodland settings within an hour's drive. Many sites sit on former quarries or along small lakes that provide fishing opportunities. The area's terrain varies from flat grasslands to lightly wooded areas, with most campgrounds situated at elevations under 1,000 feet and experiencing typical Midwestern seasonal conditions.

What to do

Fishing access points: Colfax Quarry Springs Park provides excellent fishing opportunities for largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. "This is my favorite place to go hiking, kayaking, camping and fishing. The fishing is the best place for largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish. No swimming is allowed and only electric motors, no gas," notes camper Willy W.

Astronomy viewing: The observatory at Ashton Wildwood Park offers Saturday night stargazing opportunities. "The observatory that's open on Saturday's (except the 1st Saturday) was awesome and the astronomers were great people and very knowledgeable. They showed how their telescopes worked and took us a tour of the building and classroom," writes Willy W.

Orienteering course: Ashton Wildwood Park features an orienteering course for those interested in navigation skills. "There is also a orienteering course but you have to walk in the woods to finish it," explains a visitor, providing an activity option beyond standard hiking.

What campers like

Sandy tent sites: Many campgrounds in the area feature sandy terrain that works well for tent placement. At Colfax Quarry Springs Park, Christopher M. notes: "Awesome campground, clean and well maintained. Even the outhouses smelled good. Garbage bins, picnic tables and fire pits at all sites. Level enough for our rooftop tent with no difficulties."

Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking solitude, midweek visits offer the best experience. "The campground has some very nice spots and wasn't busy at all," reports Willy W. about Ashton Wildwood Park, indicating that timing your visit can significantly impact the experience.

Well-maintained facilities: Recent improvements at several sites have enhanced basic amenities. Jerry V. comments about Colfax Quarry Springs: "The new restroom/shower facility was very nice and clean. Most sites are pretty sandy as this was an old quarry so be prepared for that."

What you should know

Water access limitations: Many campgrounds lack readily available water. "The bathroom at the campground doesn't have plumbing and no water available so make sure to bring plenty of water," advises Willy W. about Twin Anchors Campground.

Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience noise from nearby highways or recreational activities. Bill O. reports: "Its 1130 pm and we r camping by the playground and there's about 10 children at the playground with no adults. And there's about 5 golf carts running around."

Limited facilities at wildlife areas: Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area offers primitive camping with minimal amenities. David B. notes: "We stopped here when we drove from NY to CO and it was fine. We got here late and left early in the morning so we never saw the place in light."

Tips for camping with families

Observatory visits for children: Schedule your camping trip around observatory events at Ashton Wildwood Park for educational opportunities. "I love to take my grand daughter here for overnight camping. There is some play equipment for children," shares Deb K.

Rental equipment availability: Some locations offer equipment rentals. Jerry V. mentions at Colfax Quarry Springs: "There was also company on-site that rents Kayaks. The campground manager was extremely helpful."

Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "The campground was nice, but it seems more for RVs. They have a small petting zoo and a small beach," reports Abby F. about Twin Anchors, providing entertainment options beyond hiking.

Tips from RVers

Short-term vs. seasonal usage: Many RV sites near Story City serve as seasonal accommodations. "This place feels more like a neighborhood verses camping in nature. Most people use this as a 'summer home'," observes Abby F. about Big Wall Lake Wildlife Management Area.

Limited primitive RV camping: Most tent-focused campgrounds offer few amenities for RVs. "For what it was it worked for us," notes David B., suggesting RVers should approach these sites with minimal expectations.

Shared facilities: At some campgrounds, tent and RV campers share limited resources. "Sometimes you have to share a fire pit with other tents if it's busy," explains Abby F., indicating that resource sharing is common at more compact locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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