Best Campgrounds near Wallingford, IA

Wallingford, Iowa provides access to several established campgrounds with varying amenities and natural settings. Wolden Recreation Area & Campground, located directly in Wallingford, offers both tent and RV sites with electric hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. The surrounding region includes Fort Defiance State Park Campground and several recreation areas around the Iowa Great Lakes, including Marble Beach, Emerson Bay, and Gull Point State Park, all within approximately 30 miles of Wallingford. These campgrounds primarily accommodate drive-in camping with a mix of tent and RV sites, while some locations like Emerson Bay also offer boat-in access.

Seasonal availability varies significantly across the region's campgrounds. Most facilities operate from April through October or early November, with some like Fort Defiance remaining open year-round. Marble Beach State Recreation Area, the largest campground in the Iowa Great Lakes Region, features paved roads, boat ramps, and modern restroom facilities but underwent renovation in 2018-2019. Many campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends. The terrain is generally accessible with most sites offering electric hookups and basic amenities. A camper noted, "Emerson Bay is the Best for Tubing on the Iowa Great Lakes so access for your boat here too is also amazing."

Campers consistently mention the water recreation opportunities as highlights of the region. Spirit Lake, described as "the largest natural lake in Iowa," provides excellent fishing for walleye, northern pike, bass, and other species. Several visitors commented on the peaceful atmosphere at certain campgrounds, particularly during weekdays. A review of Fort Defiance mentioned, "A hidden gem in Northwest Iowa. It is Memorial Day Weekend and on Friday night we had one other tent camper on Friday. None on Saturday." While some campgrounds like Emerson Bay can fill quickly and require advance booking, others offer more seclusion. The developed campgrounds typically provide amenities such as fire rings, picnic tables, and access to restrooms, though the quality varies from basic vault toilets to modern shower facilities.

Best Camping Sites Near Wallingford, Iowa (76)

    1. Fort Defiance State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Estherville, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $10 - $16 / night

    "A hidden gem in Northwest Iowa. It is Memerial Day Weekend and on Friday night we had one other tent camper on Friday. None on Saturday.  The bathrooms are the old hole going down into a pit."

    "Fort Defiance is a forresty natural state park in Iowa. There is Electrical Hook ups a picnic Table and a charcoal Grill already at the camp site."

    2. Wolden Recreation Area & Campground

    1 Review
    Wallingford, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 867-4422

    "Good sized park with easy access to a swimming beach and multiple playgrounds for children. Also includes a sand volleyball court and a basketball hoop."

    3. memoirs park

    6 Reviews
    Whittemore, IA
    17 miles
    Website

    $15 - $25 / night

    "We went on a weekday so we were the only ones around. We had site C14. Bathrooms were decent. Playground is kind of small and old."

    "Has one in central location so luckily I had just enough hose to fill up the camper. Close to state park with trails and bison so had a great weekend!"

    4. Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground

    7 Reviews
    Milford, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $20 / night

    "Emmerson Bay is the Best for Tubing on tbe Iowa Great lakes so access for your boat here too is also amazing, However theres not a place here to park it."

    "Nice state park campground in West Okoboji Iowa. Close enough to the action of Lake Okoboji yet has a fairly remote feel."

    5. Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    8 Reviews
    Spirit Lake, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $12 - $20 / night

    "Marble Beach`s campground is the largest in the Iowa Great Lakes Region."

    "Easy driving distance to Arnold's Park. Campground is Clean, Showers/Bathrooms are new and modern. Full Hookups are easy to use. many spots in the Oak Woods."

    6. Robertson Park

    11 Reviews
    Spirit Lake, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 847-2525

    7. Gull Point State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Milford, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 337-3211

    $10 - $18 / night

    "However, at the time, there were very few campers (none around us) and it had basic amenities like bathrooms, sinks, etc."

    "Very close to the lake and a neat nature walk. The campsites were a but muddy, but not too bad."

    8. Kearny Park

    1 Review
    Emmetsburg, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 852-4030

    9. Jackson KOA

    9 Reviews
    Jackson, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (507) 847-3825

    10. Tuttle Lake Park

    2 Reviews
    Dolliver, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 260-6697
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Recent Reviews near Wallingford, IA

149 Reviews of 76 Wallingford Campgrounds


  • David B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 15, 2025

    Olson City Park

    Great stopover

    We just spent the night passing through, looking for something more than the Walmart parking lot. $23 for a non-electric site, basically a tent spot. Bathrooms were clean and had showers but we didn’t use them. We had a rainy night but had potential for a nice walk next to the lake. A bit of traffic nearby but didn’t disturb us at all in our van. Midweek in Mid- October and there were probably a half dozen other campers. Definitely recommend it!

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Siems County Park

    Nice little campground

    Mix of sites. Some have electric and water. Some have electric but have to share a water spigot. Small lake. Public restrooms and shower. Frisbee Golf. Well kept.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground

    Mixed bag

    Small campground. Not busy while I was here. Sites have electricity, but water spigots are shared. Free firewood is provided. Nice oak trees. No privacy between sites. Pit toilets. No showers. Park is very nice with hiking trails and a Frisbee Golf course. $18 per night.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Devine Wildlife Area

    Free and fairly primitive

    Dispersed camping really. You can bring a big rig in. No really prepared sites. Maybe 5 places you could set up. No water, no electric, no toilet. Swampy area nearby so bring mosquito repellent. But the price is right.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lotts Creek Co Park

    Camping in the shade of tall oaks

    Nice little campground. 5 sites. Water, electricity, picnic table and fire pit with grilling grate at each one. Flush toilet and sink in bathroom. Old style playground. Shelter with more picnic tables. First come, first serve. $15 per night. Nicely set up for a multiple family campout.

  • Joel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Smith Lake County Park

    Good value camping

    This is a pretty quiet campground in my experience. For $15 you get water/electric sites with access to bathrooms and showers. Dogs are allowed on leash. Pretty nice playground. The beach area has been taken over by geese though.

  • Dawn S.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Robertson Park

    Relaxing

    This place offers cabins places for tent camping as well as places for dispersed free camping

  • A & D S.
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Everett Park

    Quiet, off the beaten path.

    Friendly and helpful staff, very accommodating. Beautiful spot, close to the lake. Water fill station, 30A power, washroom & shower if needed. Great price $25 per night (20 if tenting). If you have kids, looks like a great playground, plenty of room to run & play. Sites are large and well spaced.


Guide to Wallingford

Campsites near Wallingford, Iowa range from basic facilities to full-hookup options within a 30-mile radius. The area's relatively flat terrain in north-central Iowa sits at approximately 1,250 feet elevation with seasonal temperature variations from below-freezing winters to humid 80°F summers. Most campgrounds experience peak usage from Memorial Day through Labor Day, with weekday camping offering greater site availability and quieter conditions.

What to do

**Fishing opportunities: Spirit Lake, the largest natural lake in Iowa, features walleye, northern pike, bass and other species. A review of Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground states, "Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and provides some of the best fishing in the state."

**Hiking trails: Fort Defiance State Park offers wooded paths along waterways. A camper noted, "Fort Defiance is a forresty natural state park in Iowa... The valley has a small river or a big creek, idk you tell me the difference, what you can cross over a few times on the trails."

**Biking routes: Several campgrounds connect to regional bike trails. Near Jackson KOA, "We unloaded our bikes and enjoyed the bike trails that encircle and go through Jackson." At Marble Beach, another visitor mentioned, "The bikes trails are great! We rode around the lake."

**Water recreation: Beaches and boat launches provide lake access for swimming and boating. At Wolden Recreation Area & Campground, visitors have "easy access to a swimming beach and multiple playgrounds for children."

What campers like

**Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept shower houses and restrooms. A visitor to Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground remarked, "The sites are well maintained, bathrooms are IMPECCABLE someone was out cleaning the shower house at 11pm one night."

**Spacious sites: Several campgrounds offer ample room between campsites. One camper said about Emerson Bay, "Sites are fairly close but not super tight." Another noted, "The spaces are spacious, the bathrooms are clean, and the price is right."

**Lake proximity: Many campsites allow easy water access. At Gull Point State Park Campground, "The campground had nice facilities and was well maintained. Very close to the lake and a neat nature walk."

**Recreational amenities: Beyond natural features, campgrounds offer additional activities. Wolden Recreation Area includes "a sand volleyball court and a basketball hoop," while Marble Beach features "paved roads, boat ramps, modern restroom and shower facilities."

What you should know

**Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Marble Beach underwent extensive renovation in 2018-2019, while Tuttle Lake Park operates from "April 15 to November 15."

**Site conditions: Terrain varies across campgrounds. At Tuttle Lake Park, "All sites are back in on grass. Heavy big rigs could sink if wet. None are very level. Length no a problem."

**Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, particularly on weekends. A visitor to Emerson Bay observed, "This is a good place to stay for a few days if you want to explore all that Okoboji has to offer. It was full the entire time that we were here and it does fill up quickly so book your trip well in advance."

**Water hookups: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups at each site. At Gull Point, "They DO NOT have water hookups at each site, the lady in the phone said they had water but didn't clarify you have to fill up. I got trailer all disconnected and leveled and finally realized, no water."

Tips for camping with families

**Multiple playgrounds: Wolden Recreation Area features several play areas for different age groups. A reviewer mentioned it has "easy access to a swimming beach and multiple playgrounds for children."

**Educational opportunities: The region offers historical and natural learning experiences. Near Jackson KOA, a visitor discovered "some cool things to do in the area including the Jeffers Petroglyphs, a fort in the town of Jackson, and the town from Little House on the Prairie."

**Bike-friendly options: Several campgrounds connect to safe biking routes. Around Marble Beach, "Around Spirit Lake is a nice 16 miles bike ride."

**Swimming beaches: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming areas. At Gull Point, there's a "short walk down to beach for swimming."

Tips from RVers

**Hookup variations: Check the specific utility setup before arrival. A camper at Marble Beach said, "Site 59 has a downward sloping driveway and the camping area is sloped and tilted but neither we're too challenging so we set up easily."

**Accessibility considerations: Some campgrounds present navigation challenges. At Gull Point, one RVer warned, "Lots of twists and turns for an RV to get to their spot. We have a longer TT, and it was tight and nerve wracking to navigate."

**Leveling needs: Be prepared with leveling equipment. A van camper at Marble Beach noted, "Our site sloped down toward the lake; had to use our traction boards to level the van as best we can."

**Campground layouts: Some parks are better suited to specific RV types. A visitor to Jackson KOA found "Our site was level, easy to get into, and had a nice tree providing some shade. Water pressure was good, no issues with electric."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Wallingford, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Wallingford, IA is Fort Defiance State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.