Best Campgrounds near Swisher, IA

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Swisher. Enjoy the scenic camping, fun activities, and sights and sounds of Swisher. Find the best campgrounds near Swisher, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Swisher, Iowa (110)

    1. Sugar Bottom Campground

    24 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2102

    $14 - $240 / night

    "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."

    "Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors, and Macbride State Park as well."

    2. F. W. Kent Park

    18 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 645-2315

    $20 / night

    "We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."

    "It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."

    3. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    15 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $25 - $35 / night

    "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "

    "Close access to boating and town"

    4. West Overlook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Coralville, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 338-3685

    $22 - $28 / night

    "The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."

    "LuLu and I stayed for 10 days while visiting family in Iowa City. The campground hosted mainly locals but it’s only a couple of miles off the I80."

    5. Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    10 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    9 miles
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $12 - $25 / night

    "You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that."

    "This is for the primitive southern camp site at lake macbride, iowa. Their is a modern campsite on the north side as well. This one is spacious, beautiful and peaceful."

    6. Amana RV Park & Event Center

    10 Reviews
    Amana, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 622-7616

    $25 - $42 / night

    "Relatively wide open, sites adjacent to one another. Utilities all worked fine, decently maintained."

    "Campground is a nice bike ride away from the Amana villages and overall a great base camp"

    7. Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    13 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 628-6900

    $45 - $65 / night

    "Given its proximity to a busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped the busy hustle and"

    "Given its proximity to the busy interstate highway, this campground scores high on the convenience factor being EZ on- and off-, but it is just far enough away where you will feel as though you have escaped"

    8. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Ely, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 895-6039

    $15 - $80 / night

    "Great walking trails through wooded areas near the river. Beautiful place."

    "Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."

    9. Scales Pointe Camping and Boating

    4 Reviews
    Coralville Lake, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 665-3474

    "The couple downfalls is the shower and bath house is outdated and there's no swimming area on this side of the lake. Other than that I had a blast."

    "Just looking for a layover spot after a long day of driving. Couldn't figure out where to register so we walked into the bar/restaurant, Bobber's Grill. The owner was at the bar."

    10. Sandy Beach Camp

    3 Reviews
    Ely, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 848-4400

    $14 - $28 / night

    "Probably the best spot in the whole camp, overlooks the lake. Level sites with adequate space."

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Recent Reviews near Swisher, IA

378 Reviews of 110 Swisher Campgrounds


  • Michael P.
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Fairport State Recreation Area Campground

    Host not friendly very rude woman would not recommend staying here at all

    Would not recommend fairport camping  in muscatine iowa at all the host is rude and non caring personality more like two faced   i would recommend  shady creek  or one of the others on the same hwy if looking for nice and great host

    On the note dnr are great thou

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • Jorge F.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cedar River Campground

    Good place to go camping with friends and family.

    “This place became my wife’s and daughters’ favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful. The managers are always courteous and attentive.”

  • Steve T.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area - Cedar River Campground

    Enjoyable Stay

    The sites are spaced apart well and clean with a beautiful view of the Cedar River. If you camp on the riverside campground be sure to bring a bike or extra vehicle if you camp on the far end because the bathrooms are bit of a walk. And bring a grate with you for your fire ring as some have them and some don’t. All and all it was an enjoyable stay with a fantastic view, even caught a few fish since our campsite was literally on the river edge

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice, quite, cabin surrounded by forest

    Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Bennett Park

    Nice smaller County CG with small lake

    CG has newer RR/shower house. Sites have electric, fire rings, gravel pads. There is a Play area, shelter , host site, dump station. Park has small lake for paddling and fishing.

  • Clifton B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Very nice campground off the beaten path

    Wife and I met friends here in August 2025.  This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY.  The campground was very well maintained.  Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional.  We really enjoyed the long weekend here.  Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August.  Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did.  Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees.  Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.

  • Susie K.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Porth RV Park

    Porth Campground

    Great campground.  Sewer, water, electricity.

    It rained a lot while we were there no flooding issues at all.  Very friendly and very well maintained.

    Definitely would stay again,  we were there for 3 weeks.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Neat place but it's not flat

    Super nice staff.  We stayed here for a few weeks while working in the area. The land is not flat.  The spots are good and most are pull-throughs but some are too short for a 30' camper.  Would definitely stay there again. 

    We stayed there in October, 2017


Guide to Swisher

Camping near Swisher, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet getaway or an adventurous family trip, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Explore Caves: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, you can hike through unique caves. One visitor said, "The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous."
  • Fishing and Boating: Rock Creek State Park Campground has a no-wake lake perfect for fishing and kayaking. A camper mentioned, "Boat and kayak rental and a small store with basic necessities."
  • Hiking Trails: Backbone State Park features extensive trails. A reviewer noted, "There are tons of trails, specifically the spot we camped at was right by the trail so we had easy access."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms. One visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "Clean bathrooms and good Starlink north clearing."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, like Scott County Park, offer large, shaded sites. A camper shared, "The sites themselves are HUGE and some of them would accommodate the largest camping rigs you could imagine."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of the staff. A reviewer at F. W. Kent Park said, "The park staff were very friendly and helped me get to the campsite I needed."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Sugar Bottom Campground, do not have showers. A visitor noted, "NO showers, toilets, trash, water hookups."
  • Busy Seasons: Campgrounds can get crowded during peak seasons. One camper at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground mentioned, "We were dismayed when we arrived at 3 pm on a Sunday to find the place packed with day-use visitors."
  • Cell Service: Depending on the campground, cell service can be spotty. A camper at Backbone State Park said, "Service was definitely spotty in most areas of camp."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and family-friendly activities. A reviewer at Scott County Park mentioned, "There are playgrounds for your kids to play in."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring your own firewood and food, as some campgrounds lack markets. A camper at Lake Macbride State Park Campground said, "There’s no place to buy firewood nearby so come prepared."
  • Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A visitor at Rock Creek State Park Campground noted, "Everyone was respectful of quiet hours and very friendly."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of your site before booking. A camper at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "The sites here are closer together."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A reviewer at F. W. Kent Park said, "Electric hookups with 120 volt power outlets."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure the campground has a dump station for convenience. A camper at Shady Creek noted, "Nice boat launch and a double-hole dump station that can be accessed in both directions."

Camping around Swisher, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping opportunities in Swisher, Iowa?

While Swisher itself is a small town, several excellent campgrounds are located within a short drive. Sugar Bottom Campground is a popular Corps of Engineers site north of Iowa City featuring spacious sites, beautiful lake access, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Another great option is Cottonwood Campground/Coralville Lake (COE), which offers tent camping among trees with fire rings, showers, restrooms, and proximity to both the Iowa River and Coralville Lake for fishing. Both campgrounds provide easy access from Swisher and are within 20-30 minutes driving distance, making them convenient for visitors looking to experience Iowa's natural beauty.

What hotels or accommodations are available in Swisher for visitors?

Swisher itself has limited hotel options as it's a smaller community, but visitors can find alternative accommodations nearby. For those with RVs or campers, West Overlook Campground offers electric sites just off I-80 and is part of an outdoor recreation complex on the Iowa River. For budget-conscious travelers passing through, Walmart — Coralville Supercenter provides overnight parking with convenient highway access. Traditional hotels can be found in nearby larger communities like Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, which are both within a 20-minute drive from Swisher and offer a range of accommodations from budget to upscale options.

Which is the most popular campground near Swisher, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Swisher, IA is Sugar Bottom Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 24 reviews.

What parks are near Swisher, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Swisher, IA that allow camping, notably Coralville Lake and Mississippi River - Pools 11-22.