19 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campers visiting Waterville, Iowa have several options for primitive sites in the surrounding forests and parks, ranging from hike-in backcountry tent campsites to drive-in sites with basic amenities. Yellow River State Forest, located within easy access of Waterville, offers backcountry tent camping at Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry and Camp John Schultz. These hike-in sites provide a true wilderness experience with minimal facilities and access to extensive trail networks.
Most tent campgrounds in the area require self-registration and offer basic amenities. Sites at Yellow River State Forest feature fire rings and benches but lack electricity, running water, and modern restrooms. Campers must pack in their own water or collect it from designated potable water sources near headquarters. Several campgrounds like Echo Valley State Park offer drive-in tent sites with pit toilets and trash collection, while primitive backcountry sites typically require proper waste disposal according to Leave No Trace principles. Many sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation option.
Yellow River State Forest's backcountry tent sites attract hikers seeking seclusion among the region's surprisingly hilly terrain. The forest provides multiple primitive tent camping locations along hiking trails, with some sites situated near small ponds or creeks. Campers particularly appreciate the quiet setting and opportunities for wildlife viewing. Areas farther from main access points offer deeper solitude, with many visitors reporting seeing few other campers, especially on weekdays. A visitor commented, "Yellow River has great backpacking sites. Park near ranger station and hike in or grab a map and find a smaller parking location near the trail you want to explore." For those seeking more amenities, Echo Valley State Park Campground provides tent sites near a trout stream with hiking trails and photography opportunities.
"My friend and I were eager to test out some new backpacking gear for the first time in advance of a larger trip this summer."
"Yellow River has great backpacking sites. Park near ranger station and hike in or grab a map and find a smaller parking location near the trail you want to explore. Great scenery."
from $12 / night
Check Availability"Hiked into this Camp that includes 5 primitive sites: fire rings and benches. Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects."
"Awesome campground, if you require electric bring a generator. Water is available but needs to be carried in. we loved the lack of cell phone reception!"
from $20 / night
"We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background."
"There are pit toilets at the upper sites, near the pavilion."
"The hiking trail was perfect for a morning stroll with my dog and coffee and there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)"
from $5 / night
Check Availability"If you want to meet the barnyard critters, please only look at them from the outside of the fence unless guided and escorted by the owners. "
from $40 - $120 / night
Check Availability"The Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail."
"This campsite is at the trailhead for the Root River Bike Trail. This bike trail is so awesome and by far the best in the tri-state area!"
LegendHiked into this Camp that includes 5 primitive sites: fire rings and benches. Lush dense forest with intermediate hiking including typical summer insects. Leave No Trace ethics include: minimizes fire impacts by gathering only dead, down, wood. Sounded by nature atop of hill hike near Fire tower ( only fire tower in Iowa), cell reception is found up here.
LegendGeneral: This is a small (29-site) county park campground situated along the North Fork Maquoketa River. Nine of the sites are reservable, and the rest are first-come, first-served. Some sites are primitive, and some have water and 30-amp electricity hookups. There is one ADA-accessible site with a paved camper pad.
Site Quality: Most sites are level. The camper pads are gravel/grass, but not all are clearly defined. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring.
Bath/Shower: The bath/shower house was closed when we were there in November but there are vault toilets about a quarter mile from the campground (in the day-use area) that were very clean and well-stocked when we were there.
Activities/Amenities: Many activities including disc golf, three hiking trails, volleyball, two playgrounds (one in the day-use area and one by the campsites). There are two reservable picnic shelters. There is also a dump station.
We were tent camping in November on a backpacking trip so we didn’t take advantage of any of the activities but would return in our van on a future camping trip. We were the ONLY ones in the campground at this time of year!
LegendThis review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.
Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?
It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.
Activities
Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.
Amenities
Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.
Cost
You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.
https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&page=siteresult&contractCode=IA&parkId=610130
GuideThe cart in sites are fantastic at Wildcat Mountain! Each site is spacious with most heavily treed for shade. Each site has a nice large flat pad for a tent or two, fire ring, bench and picnic table. Proximity to potable water, vault or modern toilets and designated parking are all within 400 yards of all sites.
The park is located in the Kickapoo valley area where the driftless area is amazing to hike. You can kayak or tube down the river that is flanked by high limestone bluffs. The hiking trails are well maintained. There is also extensive horse trails, a beautiful outdoor ampitheater for viewing sunsets and access to the river right in the park.
The campers were respectful and quiet. Our campsite was fairly clean when we arrived. Contactless registration due to covid 19. That made getting set up quick and easy! The cart provided was fairly big for less trips. I would happily camp here again!
LegendThis campground also goes by the name of Holbert. Small campground but free with a handful of picnic tables and campfires. The vault toilets were cleanish, thou older. This campground is next to a pretty little creek that you can play and fish in. The campground is really just a series of campsites strung out along the creek and road. It was pretty quiet while I was there, not many campers at all. There are no hookups for RV’s/campers so it is primarily tent camping or dry camping. There is an interesting story about how this camping area has come to be: the land was donated by Ella Ellis in memory of her husband William Ellis. They apparently loved the land and wanted to make sure it was never developed and could be enjoyed by all. A lovely story.
GuideI’ll begin by saying this is by far the cleanest campground I have stayed at. The facilities were well kept including the vault toilet houses. We stayed in a walk to site and the views were incredible. Our tent pad was quite rocky so I would recommend sleeping pads or you will be very uncomfortable. Our site was also extremely dusty which wasn’t a problem at all just be prepared to be a little dirty. The campground was quiet except for the occasional train that rolled through those are quite loud due to how close they are to the campground. I would definitely come back to Nelson Dewey and stay again. There was not a ton to do in the area so a short weekend stay was perfect. A highlight is that the park provided cart to use to haul all your stuff to the walk to sites. There is 1 designated parking spot per walk to site as well. The walk to sites are small and only accommodated our one (6 person) tent which was not a problem for us as we knew this ahead of time.
GuideSome of the spots are a little uneven. Bring some leveling devices. This a very peaceful campground. Fire rings are on cement. Can find fire starters everywhere. No bugs in the 1st of June when we were there. Will plan on going back for sure. Reserve your spots cuz they go fast. If you love a great view and the smell of the outdoors this is your place!
LegendThe Nature Center campsite is located at the trail head for the Root River State Bike Trail. Trail Head Park is a nice tent only campground with walk-in sites. A majority of the sites have picnic tables and fire pits. The Nature Center has clean bathrooms and free showers. They recommend donations for the use of the showers.
$20 per night camping fee. You can pay inside the Nature Center or at the slot between the restroom mirrors. The sites are first come, first serve. Local firewood is available near the restrooms as well; take what you need and leave the center a donation.
Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite. When I visited during the week, I only saw a small group of people using the playground. The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more. Inside the Nature Center, they have interactive and interesting displays. The highlight of this campground is the Root River State Bike Trail and the Owl Center in the town of Houston.
I'd give the campsite 4/5 review. The location, the bluffs, the bike trail, and center get 5/5 review.
ScoutStayed here in a tent while on a bicycle camping trip and it was adequate. It is located in a city park within a couple minutes walk of the downtown area. The bike trail crosses the south end of downtown so close to that too. This would not be a good place to camp if you'd like to be out in nature
Biggest gripe is the slope of the tent sites. The majority of the tent sites are on an incline around a pond. There are also a lot of ducks that aren't very afraid of humans. None got into my gear though. There are fire rings at the tent sites. No picnic tables at the individual sites but there are some nearby in the park and there's also a covered picnic shelter. Hammocks would be difficult to impossible as the tent area is a strip of grass between pond and bluff, which has mostly brush or too whimpy of trees to hang from at the base. There are a couple huge oaks but none in pairs.
Quarter showers and clean restrooms are available. $20/night/tent which seemed a bit steep to me considering how slanted the sites were and quarter showers. It is cheaper than the other places within immediate biking distance which were $25/night.
Primitive tent camping near Waterville, Iowa offers diverse hiking conditions across surprisingly steep terrain. Campers can access backcountry sites ranging from creek-side locations to hilltop settings where overnight temperatures can drop significantly, even during summer months. The area receives approximately 34 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forest conditions ideal for wildlife viewing.
Explore Paint Creek loop: Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry offers hiking routes with elevation changes and creek crossings. One visitor shares, "I've done this loop several times, and have never been disappointed. Lots of quiet, and many more great views on the upper trails. There are some thin trails down steeper hillsides, so make sure to take it slower if the ground is muddy."
Fishing at remote sites: Quiet fishing spots near tent camping areas provide good catches with minimal equipment. A camper at Camp Glen Wendel notes, "Very secluded with good fishing opportunities and great fishing in the area!"
Natural playground exploration: Houston Nature Center offers unique recreational facilities near tent sites. "Trail Head Park has a 1 acre natural playground near the campsite... The playground has a zip line, tree house, small rock wall, and more," reports a visitor.
Visit the International Owl Center: Located near Houston Nature Center camping area, this educational facility provides a unique wildlife learning experience. A camper mentions, "The International Owl Center was a welcome discovery. Best tent campground on the Root River Trail."
Star viewing: The minimal light pollution makes primitive camping ideal for astronomy. A Shady Rest Acres camper states, "One [site] is in the middle of the pasture... perfect for stargazing!"
Solitude and wildlife: Backpackers appreciate the quiet surroundings and animal encounters. A Camp Glen Wendel visitor notes, "I've backpacked here multiple times and have only run into other people once or twice. Hidden gem."
Creek access: Many sites feature water access for cooling off during summer months. An Echo Valley State Park Campground visitor shares, "There is a nice trout stream, with a few sites right by the stream. It is most suitable for tent, truck, or teardrop camping... large RVs would not do well."
Cost-effective camping: Tent sites in the region offer exceptional value. A Camp Glen Wendel camper reports, "This site fills up really fast because of the cheap price of only 9 dollars. This is the cheapest but one of the best campsites I've been to."
Water planning required: Most primitive sites lack running water. A Camp John Schultz camper advises, "Water is available but needs to be carried in. We loved the lack of cell phone reception!"
Hunting seasons affect camping: Several areas permit hunting, requiring campers to wear bright colors during certain seasons. A Camp Glen Wendel visitor warns, "The entire place is opened to hunting and there is hikes you can do. There is snow in the winter."
Night sounds can be intimidating: First-time backpackers sometimes find forest noises challenging. One camper recounted, "We ended up getting scared around midnight from the noises. Took our hammocks down and ran all the way back... still a fun time, beautiful hike and nice area to set up camp."
Toilet facilities vary widely: Bathroom options range from modern facilities to primitive pit toilets or none at all. A Houston Nature Center camper notes, "The Nature Center has clean bathrooms and free showers. They recommend donations for the use of the showers."
Accessible nature experiences: Chimney Rock County Park offers primitive camping with basic facilities suitable for children. "This is just a parking lot for the canoe landing, but have car camped for the night. They have pit toilets," reports one visitor.
Well-spaced campsites: Families appreciate room for children to explore safely. A Camp Glen Wendel camper shares, "Well spaced out camp sites, very primitive. Great spot to view the stars. Awesome for kids."
Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds feature nature centers with interactive displays for children. A Houston Nature Center visitor notes, "Inside the Nature Center, they have interactive and interesting displays."
Cell service considerations: Coverage varies by location and elevation. A camper at Camp Glen Wendel mentions, "Been coming to yellow river for years but have always wanted to go backpacking... also had service!" while another at Camp John Schultz states, "We loved the lack of cell phone reception!"
Limited RV sites: Most primitive camping near Waterville caters to tent campers, with few RV-accessible options. At Echo Valley State Park, a visitor notes it's "most suitable for tent, truck, or teardrop camping... large RVs would not do well."
Advance planning for utilities: RVers should research hookup availability as most sites lack services. A Little Turkey Campground visitor reports, "Clean shower free wood staff is friendly," indicating basic amenities are available at select locations.
Generator restrictions: Many primitive areas prohibit generators, affecting RV camping options. For those needing electricity, a Camp John Schultz camper suggests, "If you require electric bring a generator."
Narrow access roads: Forest roads often have limited clearance and tight turns. A Gateway Park camper describes, "The driveways are gravel and pretty level. 3 drive through sites and 4 back in spots with a few nice trees."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Waterville, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Waterville, IA is Camp Glen Wendel Primitive Backcountry — Yellow River State Forest with a 4.8-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Waterville, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Waterville, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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