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Best Tent Camping near Villisca, IA

264 Reviews

Southwest Iowa's rural landscapes surrounding Villisca offer several tent camping options within a short drive. Ross County Park in Braddyville provides primitive tent campsites in a secluded setting approximately 30 miles southwest of Villisca. Mozingo Lake County Tent Campground, located across the Missouri border about 40 miles southwest, offers dedicated tent camping areas with more amenities. Pioneer City Park in Shenandoah, roughly 20 miles west of Villisca, also accommodates tent campers seeking proximity to town services while maintaining a natural setting.

Most tent-only sites in this region feature minimal development and basic amenities. Ross County Park exemplifies primitive tent camping with no drinking water available on site, though fires are permitted and trash collection is provided. Campers should bring all necessary water and supplies, as services are limited throughout the area. Sites typically have natural, ungraded surfaces with varying levels of tree cover. At Mozingo Lake, tent campsites include drinking water, picnic tables, and access to shower facilities, making it suitable for campers seeking more comfort while maintaining a traditional tent camping experience. Walk-in tent sites at Mozingo provide additional seclusion for those willing to carry gear a short distance.

Tent campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere at these locations. According to reviews, Ross County Park offers "a nice out of the way location with no services of any kind," making it ideal for those seeking solitude. One visitor noted the park has "multiple ponds" for fishing opportunities. At Mozingo Lake, campers appreciate that "tent camping sites are actually surrounded by trees," unlike many open-field campgrounds. The area provides walking paths near the lake and recreational activities like disc golf adjacent to the campground. Fall camping is particularly pleasant, with one October visitor reporting the campground "was not too busy at all" with "maybe only 5 other groups there." These backcountry tent camping options provide varying levels of seclusion and natural experiences within reach of Villisca.

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Best Tent Sites Near Villisca, Iowa (6)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Villisca, IA

8 Photos of 6 Villisca Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Villisca, IA

264 Reviews of 6 Villisca Campgrounds

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Peaceful Serenity

    I arrived just in time to see the beautiful sunset over the small lake near the primitive campground closest to the Park Office. It only cost $10 for tent camping and $3 for a vehicle pass. Campground and vault toilets were pretty clean. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each tent campsite and there are plenty to choose from near the water. You can bring your own kayak or canoe and even fish here. We had a nice encounter from the campground employee who explained how to put the stake out to claim our campsite. Right away, I saw abundant wildlife, including turkey, deer, black squirrels, woodpeckers, geese, ducks and bats. Come prepared for the mosquitoes but overall I would highly recommend this place!

  • Tarrah C.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Nice Trails

    This is a great weekend spot not much to do around the park. The campsites are nice but close with not much space in between. There are 2 campgrounds, the one north of the highway is a horse campground but required. There are nice trails in this area. The campground on the south is more of a tent site. There are vault toliets, no showers. A lot of great trails o this side. All campsites include a picnic table and fire ring.

  • Sarah H.
    Aug. 7, 2016

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Easy Family Camping Near Omaha

    Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site. Tent camping here is non-reservable, but once you enter the park, you may choose from any spots containing a fire pit outside of RV loops. Tent sites range from lake-front, to playground side, to more private sites on the outer rim of the park. We chose a large, private site at the back of the park. This site was well maintained and had enough space to easily accommodate two families of four. We even had a picnic shelter all to ourselves. Our site was lined by woods and farmland and had a good view of a small pond. The night was full of exciting animal noises from both the nearby farm and pond. Vault toilets were a short walk away with clean shower facilities just a few loops away. The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable. Hiking trails near the park entrance are rugged. The staff was incredibly kind and easy-going, yet attentive. Just a short drive from neighboring towns, this is a good starter campground for families with younger kids. We hope to return in winter to check out the camping cabins.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 6, 2024

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Really good hiking trails

    Stayed one night on Sept 4. Camped at site 35 in the non-equestrian campground; non-electric fee $15. Parked van on the grass at this site. Like nearly all of the sites in this campground, this site was close to the campground road. Overall, I felt that the campsites were all bunched together - offering no privacy and spacing between sites. The shower house was closed during our visit. Water was also turned off at the wayer pumps in the campground. There was one single vault toilet available for all of the campers; it was reasonably clean. Wayne, the campground host, was nice & helpful. There is a self-serve firewood station in the campground; cost is either $5 or $10, depending on the amount of wood you purchase. The campsites have a picnic table & metal fire ring. I wasn't too pleased with this campground, but I was very happy with the nearby hiking trails within the park. It's a pretty state park with hills & lush forest. The day use areas looked great. I recommend those traveling along I-29 to stop at this park - not necessarily for the camping, but for the hiking. Had some T-Mobile 4G service.

  • K
    Mar. 24, 2021

    Union County Park Thayer Lake Park

    Not a real campground.

    5 pedestals around new unfinished shelter. No water at all, no dump, no trash, no fire ring, lots of litter. Long winding single lane access road, be a big problem if 2 rigs met. Someone would have tough back up. Pond did look promising for fish cover. Main Amtrak RR line and highway on north border. Town of Thayer on otherside of highway is in a very bad way. Very small camper, tent for fishing only.

  • Matt S.
    Jul. 15, 2017

    Thayer Lake Rec Area

    Skip Thayer Lake and go to Three Mile SP

    This is a really small campground with a few electric boxes to park your camper on the outside of the parking lot next to the lake and one average tent site with a fire ring and picnic table.

    The lake is a good local spot for fishing but I would go to Three Mile State Park to camp with my family, it's just an extra 10 or 15 minute drive away.

  • M
    May. 9, 2021

    Prairie Rose State Park Campground

    Gorgeous in the fall!

    We stayed during the campground's last weekend in October, and loved it. It was so gorgeous with all the fall colors, and it's really a gem of a campground.

    Pros:

    -Beautiful, huge lake with lots of pretty views

    -Primitive spots are separated from electric spots, which is great if you're looking for quiet, peaceful tent camping

    -Primitive spots are relatively private and generously sized, you don't feel like you're right on top of your neighbors

    -Decent portapotty in close distance

    -Plenty of picnic spots

    -Electric spots are right along the lake, which offers beautiful views

    -On-site firewood

    Cons:

    -Full modern bathrooms are a long walk/drive away

    -Not much for activities

    -Water hydrants are right in the middle of people's camping spots, so it feels awkward to grab water

    -The only hiking trail is EXTREMELY poorly marked and when it ends (it doesn't tell you it's ending) you either have to just turn around or walk a mile along the busy highway with very small shoulder. We mistakenly took the highway expecting the trail to continue, but it didn't and it was very scary, 0/10 don't recommend.

    -Not many walk-in spots

    -Lots of primitive spots are on a hill, so your tent is a little sideways

    -Not many dumpsters

    -No lights in the portapotty, so you'll need a headlamp at night

    EDITED TO ADD: We stayed again in May, and it was a great place to spend a weekend. Quiet, friendly but not a party crowd, and a nice, relaxing environment overall. Word on the streets (from the DNR warden) is that they’re looking into creating 2 more hiking trails too.

  • Abby G.
    Jul. 8, 2019

    Mormon Trail County Park

    Off the Grid

    Mormon Trail is absolutely beautiful. Myself and some friends tent camped there over the weekend and we were not disappointed! It is a very small state park with only a couple tent sites/camper sites, so it is not over populated. The drive there is easy and beautiful. Big RV’s/campers might have a difficult time getting there as the road turns into a one lane, curvy gravel road. AT&T has absolutely no service there, but US cellular does. No showers/clean bathrooms, just 2 waterless restrooms. The lake has a very large, mostly shallow, swimming area, the water is absolutely perfect, along with a big sandy beach area. You can boat and fish on the lake as well. The stars are also very bright and beautiful (we are from a city with the light pollution hides them). I would highly recommend visiting this campsite if you love off the grid camping and don’t need to shower/primp everyday. What a relaxing/fun weekend we had!

  • Robert B.
    Jun. 20, 2021

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Great nature, fishing, and camping park.

    Arrowhead campground has 60 RV sites that support both 30 and 50 amp hookups. They have several well water stations to take on water and a sewer dump station. There also lots of tent camping sites. All sites come with picnic table and fire ring. There are numerous nature trails to hike ranging from easy to hard. There is also a nice sized lake for fishing, canoeing, and paddle boats. The lake has a boat ram for small fishing boats. Very well maintained, managed, and friendly atmosphere.

Guide to Villisca

Tent camping near Villisca, Iowa, offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying a variety of outdoor activities. With several well-reviewed spots nearby, you can find the perfect place to pitch your tent and unwind.

Tips for tent camping near Villisca

  • For a peaceful retreat, consider the remote setting of Ross County Park, where you can escape the crowds and enjoy the tranquility of nature.
  • Bring your own firewood to Kokesh Co Park, as there are no firewood services available, but you can still enjoy campfires.
  • Make sure to pack enough drinking water, as Lyons Park offers drinking water but lacks other amenities like showers and trash disposal.

Tent campers should check out Ross County Park

  • Ross County Park is perfect for those who enjoy fishing and a bit of solitude, with multiple ponds and a shelter house available.
  • This location is ideal for a day trip or a weekend getaway, providing a great spot for fishing and relaxing with friends.
  • The park allows pets, making it a great choice for those who want to bring their furry companions along for the adventure.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Villisca, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Villisca, IA is Ross County Park with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

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TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Villisca, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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