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Best Tent Camping near Wallingford, IA

139 Reviews

Northern Iowa's lake country surrounding Wallingford offers several tent camping options within a short drive. Iowa Lake County Campground near Armstrong provides tent-only sites with basic amenities, while Bright Lake County Park in nearby Ceylon, Minnesota features lakeside tent camping with multiple access options including walk-in sites. Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground, located about 45 minutes south of Wallingford, offers established tent campsites in a wooded setting with seasonal availability from April through November.

Most tent campgrounds in the Wallingford region feature basic amenities suited for primitive camping experiences. Iowa Lake County Campground provides drinking water and vault toilets but lacks picnic tables and firewood. Bright Lake County Park offers more amenities for tent campers, including fire rings, picnic tables, and access to firewood on site. Vault toilets are common at most locations, though shower facilities are generally absent. Tent campers should note that many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with Ambrose A. Call being one of the few locations accepting reservations.

Tent camping experiences vary across these locations, with each offering distinct advantages. According to reviews, Bright Lake County Park provides spacious tent sites with partial lake views through the trees and enough room for multiple tents, making it suitable for family camping. One camper noted that Iowa Lake County Campground offers excellent solitude, stating "I was literally the only one there" during a bike touring trip. The campground's lakeside location and basic amenities make it particularly well-suited for tent campers seeking a more primitive experience. Ambrose A. Call State Park features several hiking trails accessible directly from the tent campgrounds, though visitors have reported that insects can be problematic during summer months. For backcountry tent camping enthusiasts, wildlife areas like Devine Wildlife Area offer more secluded options with minimal facilities.

Map showing campgrounds near Wallingford, IowaExplore the Map

Detours Nearby

Grotto Campground

Grotto Campground

48 min away

Sandy Point Park

Sandy Point Park

50 min away

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Best Tent Sites Near Wallingford, Iowa (9)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Wallingford, IA

2 Photos of 9 Wallingford Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Wallingford, IA

139 Reviews of 9 Wallingford Campgrounds

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Island Park

    Small waterfront campground

    Nice little park to stop at for a night on a trip. Only stayed here for a night on my way out west in 2024. Arrived a bit before dark and decided to sleep in my car rather than my tent just due to the timing and being tucked away by the river by myself. Never did figure out where a bathroom was unfortunately. There was a gas station right down the road for any conveniences you may need. There is a kayak launch right by the campsites that I would've put my inflatable into if I'd had more daylight/time here.

    Not sure how larger campers would set up given the layout and how small the pads look, but there was plenty of room in front and behind the pads.

  • Clint G.
    Jul. 20, 2021

    Korte's Checkers Welcome Campground

    Great value as Passport America member

    This is a small private campground that offers a quiet nights stay.  Site size was moderate with some shade, a fire ring, picnic table, on a level gravel pad.  $20 per Passport America members for FHU is sweet.  The grounds were well cared for and was not to far from the interstate but far enough away that there was little noise.

  • Matthew H.
    Feb. 13, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Great Campground! Conveniently located!

    Great Campground. The park Ranger on Duty was very helpful. Campsites were generous in space. Well kept. Fire Ring and picnic table on site were kept up well. Trails and scenery through the back hills are well kept and maintained.

  • Meg W.
    Sep. 17, 2023

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Peaceful Prairie Spot

    Chosen at the last minute for its proximity to the Twin Cities area, the drive was about 2 hrs 45 minutes. Park is quiet, clean and very easy to hike. Entire park can easily be hiked in a day, with prairie, river and oak savanna views. The park rangers were not at the station at any point while we visited, meaning payment for firewood and parking must be done online. Really nice facility with flush toilets and showers sits between the two campground loops. Camped in Walk-In Site #1 and the seclusion from the electric sites was great. The walk-in sites are nestled in the woods and fairly private. From the parking spot to the campsite was an easy ~100’.

  • Lord J.
    Jun. 26, 2021

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Secluded slice of paradise.

    Stayed in the walk-in section of the campground. Just a short walk from the parking and vault toilet. Beautiful Oaks surround you as does the sumac, raspberries and mosquitos. Even though it rained it was a superb experience 🙏

  • Jen A.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    memoirs park

    Great Campground

    This is a great campground in Mankato, MN.  The sites are huge and offer water and electric.  The shower house/bathrooms were decent - a little outdated, but not too bad.  There was also a portable toilet near our site.  We wish there was sewer, but we understand that being so close to the river this may not be possible.  We will definitely stay here again if we are in the area.

  • Chloe T.
    Oct. 3, 2024

    Kilen Woods State Park Campground

    Very Quiet | No On Site Payment Available

    First thing to know is that you cannot pay for anything there directly... no cash, no checks, no credit cards, no tap, nothing. You need to use the Yodel app to purchase firewood and, even if there is staff present, you'll need to pay for your site on the MN State Park reservations system. What's nice is that there is no convenience charge when you are on site. This totally threw us as we are used to pulling up and paying with cash or card to a human. And, they have no wifi. So you'll have to use your phone or, like I did, use your phone as a hotspot to use your laptop/tablet.

    Once that was all finally taken care of, we got to enjoy our spacious site. It was HOT, but there is a tree in the center of Site 7 that offered shade and lots of bushes and trees around that offer shade. We just had to keep moving to get it. Each site has a firepit and picnic table. Site 6 has a trail going through it on the edge while Site 7 had a trail on the other side but it was several feet from the actual site. I'm not sure it ever gets busy there, but if it did, you may have people around your site if you choose those edge sites.

    This place was SO quiet! I know that also has to do with the other campers, so thank you to our fellow campers that weekend who kept it quiet. No road noise at all. There are fields nearby, so if it's plowing season I imagine it would be quite noisy and quite dusty.

    At the end of September, along with the heat, there were tons of what we later learned were Asian Lady Beetles, which actually do sting. Surprise! Then when they started slowing down, here came the midges/no-see-ums. So I came away with a lot of stings. Boo! My spouse did not. So I guess they just liked me a lot.

    I would totally recommend Kilen Woods SP! It was a total surprise to use as we were looking for a last minute place to camp, so that was wonderful. If you're driving along I90 in Minnesota or I26 in South Dakota and need an easy overnight, check this place out.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2024

    Marble Beach State Recreation Area Campground

    Van camping here was just okay

    Camped in Site #59 on Oct. 6-7, 2023. Our site had a fire ring, table, as well as electric & water. Spirit Lake is behind the site, although there was no lake access from there. Nice hearing the water lapping on shore. Registering for a site was a little confusing. There was a friendly host in the campground. Our site sloped down toward the lake; had to use our traction boards to level the van as best we can. No privacy between sites. The 6 room restroom/shower was clean. Overall, the campground was large and well maintained. It had an RV park feel to it, which is not our preferred type of camping. I believe folks in larger rigs will be comfortable here.

  • Debbie J.
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Maka Oicu County Park

    Large campground

    Tent camping spots are large and separate from RV spots .$15 a night for tents. Only problem was the distance to the bathroom. We had a very nice spot on the lake. Large grassy campsite with shade.

Guide to Wallingford

Tent camping near Wallingford, Iowa, offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to immerse themselves in nature.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • Enjoy a peaceful stay at Iowa Lake Co Campground, where you can bike tour through Iowa and take in the serene lake views.
  • Experience the vibrant atmosphere at Bright Lake Co Park, ideal for families with plenty of space for tents and a fire ring for evening gatherings.
  • Explore the trails and natural beauty at Ambrose A. Call State Park Campground, which features a small campground and an enclosed shelter for group activities.

Specific local attractions

  • Visit the scenic Cenla Campgrounds, which is big rig friendly and offers electric hookups, making it a convenient stop for tent campers.
  • Discover the tranquil setting of Oneota Little Sioux Access, perfect for those seeking a quiet retreat with basic amenities like vault toilets.
  • Experience the natural beauty of Dog Creek Co Park, where you can enjoy a peaceful camping experience with access to toilets and nearby outdoor activities.

Amenities that enhance your camping experience

  • Relax at Mini-Wakan State Park, which offers a beautiful natural setting for tent camping, perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.
  • Camp at Devine Wildlife Area, where you can enjoy a rustic experience with no frills, allowing you to connect with nature.
  • Settle in at St. James City Park Camp, which provides essential amenities like picnic tables and a friendly atmosphere for tent campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wallingford, IA is Bright Lake Co Park with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Wallingford, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Wallingford, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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