J
Jenn P.
Guide
GuideHickory Hills Park
Great place to camp
This campground has no shippers but is secluded and quiet and only 5 dollars. There’s a barn with electricity running water and real toilets.
Glamping near Sumner, IA
14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground houses luxury glamping cabins along the Upper Iowa River, offering a blend of rustic comfort and modern convenience near Sumner. These high-end accommodations include electric hookups, comfortable beds, and dedicated picnic tables where guests can enjoy meals amid natural surroundings. "Gorgeous bluffs and river to camp right next to! Can't wait to go back!" commented one enthusiastic visitor about the riverside setting. The campground features full shower facilities, clean restrooms, and fire rings for evening relaxation. Unlike standard camping, these glamping units provide a weatherproof retreat with proper bedding and amenities, while maintaining easy access to the pristine Iowa wilderness.
Cedar Bend Park and George Wyth State Park provide additional glamping opportunities with upscale canvas accommodations among mature trees. Hiking trails wind through these properties, connecting glamping sites to swimming areas, fishing spots, and scenic overlooks. According to a camper, "There are great paved trails, and it is close to the free John Deere Museum, and the Cedar Valley Arboretum." The Upper Iowa River offers excellent kayaking and canoeing adventures directly accessible from several glamping locations, with equipment rentals available seasonally. Most glamping sites remain open from May through October, with some premium domes and pods available for booking year-round with climate control systems. Firewood is provided at several locations, eliminating the need for glampers to source their own materials for evening campfires under the stars.
Best Glamping Campgrounds near Sumner (14)
1. George Wyth State Park Campground
"** Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.)"
"Nice campground with some non-electric sites on bank of Cedar River, clean shower house and flush toilets."
from $16 - $24 / night
Check Availability2. Airport Lake Park Campground
"Water electric at each site. Dump station on site. Nice swimming beach and many fishing jetties."
"Bathrooms were clean. Good cell phone signal. Small lake for fishing and swimming working walking distance"
3. Bremer County Park Cedar Bend Park
"We had the RV and used the electric hookup. We found that it was quite a peaceful campground when we went."
"We like this campground a lot, very nice shade, playground area, as well as nice trails. Clean restrooms and shower stall"
4. Goeken Co Park
5. Lake Meyer County Park Campground
"As someone who bicycle tours I appreciated fire wood being on site and close to where the tent area is. The bathrooms aren’t the best but they worked."
"Lake Meyer sits atop a hill above the Lake. Beautiful trails with lots of wild life. Even an eagles nest. There are hook ups and water."
6. Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground
"Excellent staff. One of the best kept campgrounds I've been to. Between the campground and the nearby towns, there is easily two weeks of activities to do. More depending on the time of year you go."
"Every time I visit I have a wonderful time enjoying the scenic Upper Iowa River. This part of Iowa is a treasure. Deb and her crew are always helpful and accommodating."
7. Bluffton Resort
"The camping sites also have large tall trees where a camper should be parked which causes you to park way to close to the fire pit."
"Gorgeous bluffs and river to camp right next to! Can’t wait to go back!"
from $25 / night
Check Availability8. Hickory Hills Park
"This campground has no shippers but is secluded and quiet and only 5 dollars. There’s a barn with electricity running water and real toilets."
"Some sites have great views of the lake. Nice walking trails. Wild life to watch. If you are camped under a hickory tree you will need to brush off the Hickory nuts off your slide outs."
9. Delaware County Coffins Grove Park
"Electric and water only. Nice playground for young kids. Limited activities."
"Small creek runs through the park (on the edge of the campground) and a fun place for kids to explore and play in."
10. Waukon City Park
"Includes electric and water and showers and firewood. Best value I have found yet. They have a bunch o pavilions and facilities. Pool, tennis, lake."
"Free firewood, free wifi, water and electric at each campsite. Found a nice shady site for tent camping."
Drive Time
- 39 min from Waterloo, IA
- 1 hr 13 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 1 hr 35 min from Dubuque, IA
- 1 hr 53 min from La Crosse, WI
Recent Glamping Photos near Sumner, IA
6 Photos of 14 Sumner Campgrounds
Glamping Reviews near Sumner, IA
50 Reviews of 14 Sumner Campgrounds
Mary S.
LegendGeorge Wyth State Park Campground
Another bargain at an Iowa State Park
Why Should You Camp Here?
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Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.) There is no separate park entry fee (unlike some states).
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You can rent kayaks, canoes or pedal boats near the campground at Wyth Lake. And there are 3 other nearby lakes.
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There's a small beach at Wyth Lake.
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The Cedar River is on the edge of the campground.
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You're so close to Cedar Falls and Waterloo which means there are craft breweries!
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We were only there for a night but I saw this on reserveamerica.com: "The Lake-to-State Park Bike Route is a 50 mile route connecting Pine Lake and George Wyth State Park. The route primarily utilizes county highways and established bike routes and paths once inside Cedar Falls/Waterloo."
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We didn't do everything we could do there, because we were just passing through. Check this out: https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/george-wyth-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IA&parkId=610125
Amenities
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The usual fire ring and picnic table
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Dump station and potable water
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Flush toilets and running water in bathrooms along with push button showers. Ok, push button showers are not ideal. Just keep pushing that button and hopefully you'll be okay with the temperature that you can't control!
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Melissa K.LegendBoulder Creek Campground
Pretty Disappointed
This park fell short in so many ways. Having stayed in other Yogi Bear's we were expecting similar accommodations. I will say they had a lot of rain and it did affect most of the campground. We booked over the phone for two nights. It was nearly $90 for those two nights. This is pretty spendy for us but we were meeting friends there. We arrived at the campground and were given site 14. It as across from our friends cabin so it should have been good. However, we got to our site on a very poorly maintained road only to find the site did not have a fire pit or a picnic table. It was extremely tiny, barely big enough for our truck and definitely not enough room for our two tents. The site was covered in sticks and debris and there was trash bags in front of the cabin across the washed out road. We went down to voice our concern that this was just not going to work and they said to try site 13. Even worse then 14. It was a grass spot, mowed out, no place to park a vehicle, which I'm glad I left at the bottom of the hill, extremely narrow, washed out road going to site 13. There still was no picnic table but there was a fire pit. Stated this is just not going to work. We paid way too much for so little accommodations. They said they couldn't refund or move us to an electric site (we didn't need electric but the two previously mentioned sites were not going to work) without talking to their boss. After already spending 28 days in a tent, across the country, I was pretty upset that this yogi bear was so bad. They did end up moving me to site 17, which was one of the few that did not have a completely flooded fire ring. Which leads to the next things, almost all of the grounds were completely flooded. Fire rings couldn't even be seen they were so far under water. To walk to any part of the park involved getting your feet wet. The playground swings were above water making it difficult for the kids to reach them without getting really wet. There had been no attempts to move any water from the storms making it difficult to enjoy parts of the park. The pool was pretty cold but I suppose it is Wisconsin. The staff did have many events going on but if you were early, you wouldn't even know the events were going on. They showed up right on time and then had to set up. But they did do a variety of races and had a pirates and princess dance. They brought in actual hair dressers to do the little girls hair for them. That was something the girls in the group enjoyed. They also had cartoons playing in the evenings. The kids also enjoyed that. Overall, I would never return, there are so many really nice parks in Wisconsin for way less money. This was not worth it at all.
- BB B.
ScoutLake Meyer County Park Campground
Great spot, tents included
This is a great little park if you need a place to stop for the night. It was very inexpensive for tents ($10 I think) and the tent camping area was very nice with 3 giant pine trees and some picnic tables and fire rings. As someone who bicycle tours I appreciated fire wood being on site and close to where the tent area is. The bathrooms aren’t the best but they worked. Overall its a safe, clean, welcoming campground for both tents and RV’s.
- JJeremy L.
TravelerChimney Rock Canoe and Campground
Best place to unplug with the family.
Excellent staff. One of the best kept campgrounds I've been to. Between the campground and the nearby towns, there is easily two weeks of activities to do. More depending on the time of year you go. They offer canoeing, kayaking, tubing, sand volleyball court, shower facilities, water and electrical hookups, cabins, picnic shelter, and firewood on site. Go to http://www.chimneyrocks.com for more information
- KKris E.Traveler
Airport Lake Park Campground
Beautiful spot
Exceptionally clean. New basthroom/ shoer house. Water electric at each site. Dump station on site. Nice swimming beach and many fishing jetties.
Tonya B.GuideBluffton Resort
Decent place to camp
The campground had quite a few geese when we went so lots of honking and goose poop which dont work out if you want peace and quiet and clean shoes. The camping sites also have large tall trees where a camper should be parked which causes you to park way to close to the fire pit. Luckily we were camping in a group and could hang out at another campsite with better placement. On the plus side, the view is beautiful and the bar is nice!
- hhollyTraveler
Waukon City Park
Great value free firewood
$15 tents. Includes electric and water and showers and firewood. Best value I have found yet. They have a bunch o pavilions and facilities. Pool, tennis, lake.
- Paul W.Traveler
Airport Lake Park Campground
Great campground
Camper spots were huge with plenty of space between sites. Fire ring was on a cement slab. Bathrooms were clean. Good cell phone signal. Small lake for fishing and swimming working walking distance
Guide to Sumner
The northeast Iowa region around Sumner sits within a unique topography of limestone bluffs and river valleys carved by glacial activity. Average summer temperatures range from 60°F to 85°F, with higher humidity from June through August when most visitors seek glamping accommodations. Winter weather typically limits accessibility to year-round facilities, with temperatures commonly dropping below freezing from December through February.
What to do
River activities on the Upper Iowa River: At Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground, water recreation forms the centerpiece of the camping experience. "This part of Iowa is a treasure. Deb and her crew are always helpful and accommodating. They run a great canoe/kayak/tube rental with shuttle service," notes reviewer Kelly D. The Upper Iowa River provides opportunities for kayaking, canoeing and fishing.
Biking on paved trails: George Wyth State Park Campground connects to an extensive trail system. "If you're a biker there is a wonderful bike path. It will take you all the way through Cedar Falls and Waterloo - you could bike all day long," states Stephanie J. The park serves as an access point to over 150 miles of bike trails throughout the Waterloo and Cedar Falls area.
Hiking and nature observation: Cedar Bend Park offers multiple trail options ranging from riverside paths to woodland routes. "The trails and hiking was the best part though. We went for hours with our dogs and had so much fun. They were easy. Some right along the river, some grassy and along fields, others ran though the woods," explains reviewer Chantal C. These trails provide access to river views and wildlife observation areas.
What campers like
Clean, modern facilities: Airport Lake Park Campground consistently receives high marks for its updated amenities. "Exceptionally clean. New bathroom/shower house. Water electric at each site. Dump station on site," reports Kris E. The park combines modern conveniences with natural settings.
Spacious campsites: Reviewers frequently mention the generous size of sites at several glamping locations close to Sumner, Iowa. "Camper spots were huge with plenty of space between sites. Fire ring was on a cement slab," notes Paul W. about Airport Lake Park Campground. This space allows for comfortable setup of equipment and private outdoor living areas.
Complimentary firewood: Waukon City Park offers an unusual amenity appreciated by glampers. "Free firewood, free wifi, water and electric at each campsite. Found a nice shady site for tent camping," shares Brian M. This cost-saving feature eliminates the need to purchase or transport wood for evening campfires.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding concerns: Some campgrounds in the region experience periodic closures due to high water levels. At George Wyth State Park, visitors should check conditions before arrival. "Almost every year (usually late summer, early fall) it rains enough to flood a good portion of the park. In 2 out of the last 3 years it's even been bad enough to close the park completely," advises Jennifer T.
Limited cellular connectivity: Coverage varies significantly across the region, with some campgrounds offering stronger signals than others. "Good cell phone signal," notes Paul W. about Airport Lake Park, though reception may diminish in valleys and areas surrounded by bluffs.
Reservation requirements vary: Bailey Ford Delaware County Park and several other locations operate on first-come, first-served basis. For weekend stays during peak summer months (June-August), arriving by Thursday afternoon improves chances of securing preferred sites at non-reservation campgrounds.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many glamping sites near Sumner feature dedicated play areas for children. "There is a nice big area for the kids to play. The playground and lake was also fun for the kids too," shares Dustin B. about Airport Lake Park's group camping area. These facilities provide entertainment options beyond water activities.
Water safety considerations: When camping with children near the Upper Iowa River, water levels and currents can change rapidly after rainfall. "The water was a comfortable temperature for me though," mentions Mary S. regarding swimming areas at George Wyth State Park, though conditions vary seasonally.
Educational opportunities: Lake Meyer County Park Campground offers wildlife viewing with educational components. "Beautiful trails with lots of wild life. Even an eagles nest," notes Lourene M. These natural features create learning experiences about local ecosystems for young campers.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: At Bluffton Resort (formerly Randy's), position matters for optimal experience. "Try to get a site closest to the bluff for the best experience!" advises Ryan. RV sites situated near geographical features typically offer superior views and greater privacy.
Hookup specifications: Electric access varies between campgrounds, with amperage differences affecting equipment compatibility. "All sites have 50 amp service and the water provided is from the city of Waterloo," explains Steve R. about George Wyth State Park, noting the reliable utility connections available.
Dump station availability: Most glamping facilities close to Sumner, Iowa provide sanitation disposal points, though not all include sewer hookups at individual sites. "Dump station on site," confirms Kris E. about Airport Lake Park, an important consideration for extended stays in self-contained units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping
campsite near Sumner, IA?
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Sumner, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Sumner, IA is George Wyth State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
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glamping camping near
Sumner, IA?
What is the best site to find glamping camping near Sumner, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near Sumner, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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