Best Dispersed Camping near Waverly, IA

Dispersed camping near Waverly, Iowa includes several primitive campground options across rural areas of northeastern Iowa. Eagle City County Park near Iowa Falls provides primitive camping along the Iowa River with designated sites that require no reservations. Lake Considine near Dumont offers completely primitive dispersed camping with no facilities in a secluded wooded setting. Additional options include Siggelkov County Park in Fairbank, Gates Bridge County Park in Marble Rock, and Cross Ford River Access near Iowa Falls.

Most dispersed camping locations are accessible via maintained gravel roads, though conditions vary seasonally. Eagle City Park features both upper and lower camping areas with grassy sites suitable for tents or small campers. Several sites now require a $10 fee payable after claiming a site, while others remain free. Primitive amenities at some locations include hand-pump wells for drinking water, vault toilets, fire rings, and picnic tables. Most sites lack hookups, showers, or trash service, requiring campers to pack out waste.

These rural camping areas provide quiet, secluded experiences with minimal crowding. Eagle City Park receives positive reviews for its riverside location. "We love how quiet it is, we are quite often the only ones down there," noted one frequent visitor. Lake Considine offers complete seclusion, with one visitor describing it as "completely and gloriously primitive." Siggelkov Park provides access to the Wapsipinicon River, making it popular for fishing and paddling. Most sites remain uncrowded even during summer months, though hunting seasons may bring occasional traffic. Wildlife viewing opportunities are common, particularly along riverfront camping areas where sites are well-maintained but typically lack amenities beyond basic fire rings.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Waverly, Iowa (4)

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Waverly, IA

4 Photos of 4 Waverly Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Waverly, IA

13 Reviews of 4 Waverly Campgrounds


  • Brian F.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 21, 2020

    Eagle City County Park

    Quiet camping in the middle of nowhere.

    This park is located on 172 acres of land. It has an enclosed picnic shelter, hand pump well, vault rest rooms, primitive camping, and 2 swing sets. The park was named after the town of Eagle City platted in 1878 and at one time contained a general store, post office, grist mill, saw mill, blacksmith’s shop and doctor’s office.  This area has been used for primitive camping with an upper and lower level. The Iowa River runs next to this campground. The campground is down a couple miles of maintained gravel Rd.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2024

    Eagle City County Park

    Fee required now

    Note that they do now require a permit to stay here. Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site. Great camping area, pit toilet, regularly mowed, great riverside view, level spots for tent and vehicle camping with fire rings.

  • Chantal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2021

    Lake Considine

    Completely and Gloriously Primitive

    If you're coming out here plan to bring a table. It's that primitive. For us that's great though!! There is a nice lake that is great for fishing, there was access for small boats previously (think kayak/canoe). It is located out literally in the middle of nowhere wrapped by trees on both sides with a cleared out area that you could set a tent or bring a camper if you're ok with no hookups. We love the simplicity and seclusion this area provides. We have never been charged to camp here.

  • Kerry M.
    Aug. 8, 2021

    Eagle City County Park

    Secluded campground near the Iowa River

    Eagle City Park has two parts - a lower campground that is a paddlers camp on the Iowa River, and an upper campground with a few secluded campsites.

    All campsites are free, and there are many to choose from. I have camped in both the upper and lower campgrounds, in summer and fall. I tend to prefer off-season when I am (often) the only camper in either campground. Summer will have more campers, ranging from tents to small RVs, but there are plenty of campsites so it is never full.

    There is nowhere to buy firewood, but a short hike in the woods usually produces a small supply for a campfire.

    Negatives:

    As there are no trash containers, it is not uncommon to find the firepits full of burned or unburned trash.

    There is a very poorly kept vault toilet in the lower campground. I do not believe that it is ever pumped out. The upper campground has no toilet. I always bring my own stool "just-in-case" but otherwise just take care of business after I take the 20 minute drive to get home.

    The gates are closed all winter, often into late spring. The roads are not plowed in either campsite. It is a nice place to hike in winter time, but there is no camping.

  • Jason K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2024

    Eagle City County Park

    Good for an overnight stop

    First, there is no pit toilet. Second, you need to pay ($10) via a website. Scan the QR code by the entrance. I couldn't get it to work.

    Sites are fine. A couple of options for hammock camping. Nothing special.

    We stopped driving cross country.

  • Chantal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2021

    Eagle City County Park

    Perfect Primitive Camping

    We go to Eagle City a least once a year to just get away from it all, it's close to home but feels cut off which is what I look for when camping. We have only camped on the lower side to facilitate fishing the river, but we walk up to, and through the upper side every time also. We love how quiet it is, we are quite often the only ones down there. Kayakers frequent the river access on the lower side as well as some equestrian use for river access. Hand pump for water. Grounds are well maintained but not bug treated, so be prepared. We have camped with an RV when its cooler and doesn't need an A/C but we love to tent camp out there. We've gone at all different times from Memorial day through Labor day. My boyfriend has gone later in the year though also.

  • Megan C.
    Sep. 8, 2022

    Eagle City County Park

    Our Favorite Little Spot

    Wow! This campground surprised us! Not only is it directly on a river with wildflowers, it has a pit toilet and hand pump water. There was only one other group while we were there. Such a sweet place that we will be back to every time we pass through that area. Definite recommend.

  • C
    Jun. 10, 2023

    Eagle City County Park

    Amazing spot

    Couldn’t have asked for more, 5-6 nice spots right on a river, picnic table and fire pits and the grounds are well kept. It was also easy to find and access even with a low clearance car.

  • A
    Nov. 29, 2021

    Eagle City County Park

    Great spot!

    Had a nice time here on the first night of a long road trip, no one else was around except some coon hunter came and went a couple times which was a little spooky until I figured out what was going on, would definitely return!


Guide to Waverly

Dispersed camping near Waverly, Iowa provides solitary outdoor experiences across Bremer County and adjacent areas. Primitive campsites generally sit at elevations between 900-1,100 feet, with seasonal changes affecting accessibility on rural roads. Winter closures affect most locations from November through April, with spring thaw often creating muddy conditions on access roads.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Eagle City County Park offers access to catfish and smallmouth bass fishing along the Iowa River. "We go to Eagle City at least once a year to just get away from it all, it's close to home but feels cut off which is what I look for when camping," reports visitor Chantal C.

Paddling access: Eagle City County Park serves as a popular river access point for kayakers. "Kayakers frequent the river access on the lower side as well as some equestrian use for river access," notes one regular camper who visits throughout the summer season.

Wildlife viewing: Cross Ford River Access provides opportunities to observe local wildlife in a natural setting. According to Wayne H., who stayed for an extended period: "Had a good 2 weeks here. Some wildlife and lots of bugs but we didn't have a problem with mosquitoes at all."

What campers like

Seclusion: Lake Considine offers truly remote camping with minimal facilities. "If you're coming out here plan to bring a table. It's that primitive. For us that's great though!! There is a nice lake that is great for fishing," writes Chantal C., who appreciates the campground's isolation.

Riverfront sites: Many visitors appreciate the waterfront access at several dispersed camping locations. "Wow! This campground surprised us! Not only is it directly on a river with wildflowers, it has a pit toilet and hand pump water," shares Megan C. about her experience at Eagle City Park.

Availability: Even during peak summer months, primitive camping near Waverly, Iowa rarely experiences overcrowding. "I tend to prefer off-season when I am (often) the only camper in either campground. Summer will have more campers, ranging from tents to small RVs, but there are plenty of campsites so it is never full," reports Kerry M.

What you should know

Fee changes: Some previously free sites now require payment. "Note that they do now require a permit to stay here. Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site," advises Brian about Cross Ford River Access.

Facility limitations: Amenities vary significantly between locations, with maintenance issues occasionally reported. "There is a very poorly kept vault toilet in the lower campground. I do not believe that it is ever pumped out. The upper campground has no toilet," notes Kerry M. about Eagle City Park.

Water availability: Handpumps may not function consistently at some locations. "Great camping spot! We'll maintain camp sites. I was the only one on grounds. Water well isn't working though, only downside," reports Austin A., suggesting campers bring their own water supply.

Tips for camping with families

Safety considerations: Nighttime activities in rural areas can create confusion for newcomers. "Had a nice time here on the first night of a long road trip, no one else was around except some coon hunter came and went a couple times which was a little spooky until I figured out what was going on," shares AJ about Eagle City County Park.

Trash management: Teach children to practice leave-no-trace principles as garbage facilities are rarely provided. "As there are no trash containers, it is not uncommon to find the firepits full of burned or unburned trash," Kerry M. reports regarding Eagle City Park.

Site selection: For families with small children, look for level areas away from river edges. "Sites are fine. A couple of options for hammock camping. Nothing special," notes Jason K., highlighting the importance of carefully selecting your camping spot.

Tips from RVers

Size restrictions: Most primitive camping areas near Waverly accommodate only smaller recreational vehicles. "You could easily park a van here, and probably a small trailer but nothing all that long," advises Jonathan about Gates Bridge County Park.

Access considerations: Low-clearance vehicles can navigate most camping areas during dry conditions. "It was also easy to find and access even with a low clearance car," confirms Caleb S., who found the grounds well-maintained with defined camping areas.

Seasonal planning: Without hookups, RV camping is more comfortable during cooler months. "We have camped with an RV when its cooler and doesn't need an A/C but we love to tent camp out there," shares Chantal C., who has experienced both RV and tent camping at various times throughout the camping season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Waverly, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Waverly, IA is Lake Considine with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Waverly, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 dispersed camping locations near Waverly, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.