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Best Tent Camping near West Liberty, IA

569 Reviews

Near West Liberty, Iowa, tent campers can find a mix of established sites and primitive camping options along local waterways. Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area offers primitive tent camping with walk-in access sites scattered along a waterway within bottomland woodlands. Macbride Nature Recreation Area provides wooded walk-in tent sites with access to hiking trails and natural features. Both locations maintain a more rustic atmosphere compared to developed RV-oriented campgrounds in the region.

Tent sites in the area typically include basic amenities such as fire rings and picnic tables, with limited or no access to potable water depending on the location. Most primitive tent areas require campers to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste, following Leave No Trace principles. Sites at Saulsbury Bridge have water and shower access at the main campground area, approximately 100 yards from the tent-only section. Composting or pit toilets are available at most locations, though facilities vary widely between sites. During summer months, insects can be abundant, particularly near water features.

Walk-in tent sites provide greater privacy and natural settings than roadside camping areas. The primitive sites along waterways offer fishing and paddling opportunities directly from camp. Wakpicada Natural Area features tent sites with good tree cover adjacent to a pond, providing shade and cooler temperatures during hot summer days. The forested settings help buffer wind and create natural separation between campsites. A visitor noted, "Unique hike or paddle primitive site. Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river." Many tent-specific areas require minimal hiking from parking areas, generally less than 100 yards, making them accessible while still providing a sense of remoteness.

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Best Tent Sites Near West Liberty, Iowa (21)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near West Liberty, IA

9 Photos of 21 West Liberty Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near West Liberty, IA

569 Reviews of 21 West Liberty Campgrounds

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 16, 2022

    Buzzard Ridge Wildlife Area

    Unique County wildlife site along Maquoketa River

    Unique hike or paddle primitive site. Native forbs and wildlife surrounding the area. Two parking sites to hike in or access by river. Site is along river, has table, fire ring, latrine. Pack in, pack out and Leave No Trace.

  • C
    Jun. 6, 2018

    Matsell Bridge Natural Area

    Nice little inexpensive primitive site... spaces almost always available

    Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up. HOWEVER, take bug spray and enjoy the rustic peacefulness of this "best kept secret" for primitive and inexpensive camping sites. Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site. Good for RV, trailer or tent camping… level ground and lots of shade. Primitive bathrooms, no showers or running water.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 7, 2025

    Bald Eagle Campground and Cabins

    Barren RV-Riddled Campground Outpost

    One of the 6 campgrounds that you will have to choose from here at Scott County Park, Bald Eagle CG & Cabins is one that is more geared for the RV driving and trailer toting tribes as each site has FHUs with electric, water & sewage, fire rings and picnic tables; however, if you wanted to pitch a tent here, you could, although I would recommend nearby Incahias as an alternative. Unlike some of the other campgrounds here, Bald Eagle kind of lives up to its name as there’s not much in the way of tree cover or brush, so the land is somewhat BALD. The land is incredibly flat, back-in slots are spacious, hard and very level grounds are incredibly well-organized and the bathroom / shower facilities with great HOT running water and are about as impeccably clean as can be.

    Near by Bald Eagle is Pride Lake, which makes this pet-friendly CG your top pick if you’re an angler or looking to get some decent oaring with your kayak or canoe. Sitting in front of Pride Lake are 2 very large shelters – Whispering Pines and Hickory Hills – as well as a playground for the kiddos and a restroom facility that is also spartan-clean. Surrounding Bald Eagle is also no shortage of hiking / biking / horse trails. We found the CG itself to be fairly quiet, although lacking in privacy without the benefit of any real brush or trees to blot out our next-door neighbors, but that said, everyone was incredibly friendly with full displays of Midwestern hospitality that this area is known for. There is also a single large cabin available for rent that has capacity for 10 people.

    We loved Scott County Park so much because there is a lot that this gem offers up, from fresh water catch & release lakes, a combination of topographies (from woodlands, wetlands and prairie grasslands), a beautiful 18-hole championship golf course, outdoor exercise areas, club house and concessions, stand-alone cabins for rent, designated dump stations and trash receptacles, numerous picnic areas, a massive heated swimming pool complete with a snake-like water slide, volleyball court, ranger stations, seasonal on-site hosts, firewood available for purchase at entry stations, Walnut Grove Pioneer Village and St. Anne’s church at the park’s NW perimeter, 7 community shelters, designated picnic areas, a memorial park, equestrian area and an incredibly well-paved network of roads that allows you to easily access just about every corner of this park.

    Happy Camping!

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2022

    Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area, Primitive Tent Camp

    Neat Primitive Tent CG along water

    The camp is walking only, with few tables and fire rings. Firewood available t main cg all ng with water and showers there too. Sites are spread along a waterway within bottom land woodlands with water access for fishing, paddling etc. Parking is within 100 yards so must pack in/out, use Leave No Trace ethics.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 27, 2019

    Little Bear Campground

    Cute and Quaint

    Little Bear Campground is located right off I-80 at the West Liberty exit. It is right next to a trailer park. There are a few tent sites ($22/ night)and Rv sites($33/night). We pulled in late to stay the night. It had full hook ups with a fire ring and picnic table. The spot was good sized and clean. There is an office/ gift shop and a convent store within walking distance. There is 2 cute little cabins which run $49 a night. There is a pool(closed for season), and a playground for kids. I was surprised that the interstate noise was much quieter than I thought it would be. All and all it was a pleasant place to stop over.

  • Jessica H.
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area - Main Camping

    Ranger Review: VivoBarefoot Primus Trail SG Womens at Saulsbury Bridge

    Campground Review:

    Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area is 675 acres, nestled between rolling fields of corn, dairy farms, native prairie, and the Cedar River. Located in Muscatine County in southeast Iowa, this rec area offers well-maintained campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and seasonal hunting.

    There are three separate campgrounds. The main campground has electrical hookups, picnic benches, fire rings, modern restroom facilities including showers, a dump station, playground, and firewood for purchase. There are 24 sites, and they run $20 per night.

    The primitive campground area sits along Chicken Creek and offers four, tent-only sites, and is just off the main campground. The sites are well spaced and surrounded by large trees. These are walk in sites with parking in the main campground. It’s a short hike in from the parking area, and within walking distance of the restrooms and firewood. Primitive sites are $10 per night.

    Across the road from these two campgrounds is the main boat access and fishing dock for Chicken Creek. Only non-motorized boats are allowed here. If you don’t have your own, you can rent kayaks and canoes through the Muscatine County Conservation office. There is also a large shelter, which is reservable along with day use picnic areas, playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, and vault toilets. There’s large, open expanses of grassy fields and oak shade trees; perfect for relaxing on a hot summer day.

    The river campground sits right along the Cedar River and allows easy access to fishing along with a boat ramp. This campground is a short hike to the old Saulsbury Bridge and Lodge. The bridge has a small gazebo-like structure and bench which provides a nice view of the river. There are vault toilets in this campground, but the modern restrooms are within walking distance as well. There are 10 sites in this campground and run $17 per night.

    All campsites are self-registration and are on a first come, first served basis. There is a campground host on duty in the main campground and the park officer lives on site. Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash in the campgrounds and on trails. However, they are allowed to run in the designated hunting areas. These areas are marked with signs. If you plan to hike during hunting season, it’s a good idea to wear bright colors/blaze orange so you are visible to hunters and not mistaken for a deer or other wildlife.

    This park also has prairie/natural habitat restoration areas that, in spring and summer, attract Monarch butterflies, and an abundance of birds including indigo bunting, red headed woodpecker, and goldfinch. In the colder months you can spot bald eagles flying along the river. There are also deer, wild turkey, and pheasants. While there, we walked around the campground areas that were open and over to the day use area along Chicken Creek to roast marshmallows. We hiked the short distance out to the Saulsbury Bridge to watch the Cedar River flow by and caught a beautiful sunset.

    The one downfall to this park is the possibility for flooding. When the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds.

    A call ahead to the conservation office to check on closures is a good idea. We had hoped to camp at a primitive site, but learned the trail leading into the campground was under water, which also meant the river campground was closed as well. Though there was some water over the road in the main campground, it was minimal and we were able to choose an electrical site. We opted to car camp as we were only staying one night. Only about a third of the campground was filled and we had no one on either side of us which meant for a more quiet camping experience.

    This is one of my favorite local areas to hike and camp that’s close to home. It offers a full picture of Iowa’s varied landscapes and outdoor activity opportunities.

    Product Review:

    As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. On this camping trip, I tried out VivoBarefoot Primus Trail SG Womens sneakers. VivoBarefoot’s goal is to provide an environment that allows the feet to remain in their natural state while providing a protective shoe. https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/womens/off-road/primus-trail-sg-womens?colour=Olive

    1. Anytime I purchase a new pair of shoes, whether for daily use or outdoor recreation, I make sure to break them in as much as possible as I’m prone to blisters. I did wear the Primus around the house a few times and on my daily walks before taking them camping. Though they have a snug fit, they’re not uncomfortable. They also include a pair of removable inserts and extra laces. The laces are adjustable which allowed me to either loosen or tighten the shoe. Bonus; no socks needed. As someone who would opt to wear sandals year round if possible, I liked the fact I didn’t have to put an extra layer on my feet.
    2. The timing couldn’t have been better for testing out these sneakers; Saulsbury was experiencing minor flooding while we were there. Not only do they have rugged soles for gripping in wet and rocky terrain, the mesh material allows for quick drying if they do get wet, and provided easy clean up of mud and other debris.
    3. Honestly, I was really pleased with the fact that many of the women’s shoes came in neutral and earth tone colors (I absolutely checked out other shoe options on their website). While I don’t mind the brighter colors that seem to be the trend for women’s trail runners, I really prefer something a little more low key.
    4. One of the best things about these shoes was the ease of slipping them on and off, say in the middle of the night when nature called.
    5. All in all, I feel this shoe is a good match for the outdoor activities I enjoy; camping, hiking, bicycling, and kayaking. I’m looking forward to seeing how they hold up while hiking in the mountains out West this summer.
  • Emma N.
    Sep. 25, 2017

    Sugar Bottom Campground

    Boats and Beautiful Views

    Our one-night stay at the Sugar Bottom- Coralville Lake Campground was terrific! My husband and I stopped there during our cross-country road trip. We arrived around 7:30pm on a Sunday in September and easily got a spot. The lady at the entrance station was incredibly kind and answered all of our questions.

    The campground is very well marked, with easily visible site number labels. Each site is in a grassy area with a picnic table and fire ring with a grate. Our site had a tree or two that provided some shade, but some other sites were a but more shaded.

    We ended up staying in site #103, which is right by the water. What a beautiful view we had! Our campsite was very close to a boat dock, a sand volleyball court, and a sandy beach. We didn't have a chance to swim at the beach, but it looked really nice! It had a large, designated swimming area that was marked with floating ropes. We were also located close to a building with restrooms. Each restroom had a clean, hot shower. The showers were free, which was a plus!

    In my opinion, this is definitely a 5-star campground. I can't wait to come back!

  • Angie G.
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    Nice Lake View

    We stayed in a walk-in site for one night at the Non-Modern campground. It was wonderful! We arrived at dark and set up our backpacking tents but were able to see stars and be separated from our neighboring site. The campground had a water spigot to fill containers and dumpsters (no trash at site). There are no amenities at the campsites in this campground. A restroom with pit toilets similar to a National Park are on-site. They were very clean, as was the campground. It is on a lake so you will hear boats in the early morning hours and wildlife.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 28, 2024

    Sherman Co Park

    Scenic County park along Wapsipinicon River

    The campground offers to camp areas: one better suited for RVs, and the other area is better suited for primitive tent, camping. Sites have picnic tables and fire rings, our recites include electric. There is a campground host, shower house, shelter and playground area there too. The tent sites are prone to flooding occasionally from the gun river. There is a boat ramp with access to the river for fishing and paddling.

Guide to West Liberty

The West Liberty, Iowa area features a diverse mix of camping options within the eastern Iowa woodlands. Located approximately 15 miles east of Iowa City in Cedar County, the region lies within the Cedar and Iowa River watersheds at elevations between 600-700 feet. Tent camping near West Liberty offers both riverside locations and wooded retreats where summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F with higher humidity levels.

What to do

Riverside paddling: Wapsipinicon River Environmental Education Center offers direct access to the river with tent camping options. A camper noted, "Wapsipinicon River below bluff offers paddling, fishing. Menke Observatory offers sky programs."

Mini-golf and swimming: Cedar River Campground includes recreational amenities beyond basic camping. One visitor mentioned, "This place became my wife's and daughters' favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful."

Stargazing: Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr. has special astronomy programs. A reviewer shared, "No city like that so night sky shines with stars. Trails wind and through forests and prairie areas. Outdoor/environmental programs offered."

Wildlife observation: The region's campgrounds feature native prairie restoration areas. One camper at Cedar River Campground said, "It is a good place as far as RV parks are concerned," noting the different landscape from typical forest camping.

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Indian Meadows Campground offers secluded tent sites. A reviewer shared, "Indian Meadows has individual private sites. If you're seeking seclusion, this is it! Some are more open, others are like a nature playpen."

Educational opportunities: Many local campgrounds feature nature centers with interpretive programs. A visitor to Wapsi River Environmental Center mentioned, "Education center onsite with live animals, trails, open year round."

Fishing access: Koch's Meadow Lake Campground provides lake fishing. As one camper observed, "This CG is a full service CG for RVs with community buildings, gravel road lanes, pet friendly, and lake access for fishing, paddling and swimming."

Tent-specific amenities: Several campgrounds cater specifically to tent campers with designated walk-in areas. At Macbride Nature Recreation Area, a camper noted, "Small quiet and secluded. Let me tell you. The spiders were everywhere when I woke up."

What you should know

Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advanced planning. A Macbride Nature Recreation Area visitor advised, "If you can tolerate the odd way to reserve a spot here it's 100% worth it."

Management changes affect experience: Campground ownership transitions can alter atmosphere and amenities. One recent visitor to Cedar River Campground mentioned, "Recently under new ownership, you can tell they've been working hard getting the place going again."

Highway noise: Some campgrounds sit near major roadways. A camper noted about Cedar River Campground, "It is right off the highway, so it was loud when we were outside, but we couldn't hear it at all when we were in our Tab 400."

Shower facilities: Availability and quality of showers differs between locations. At River Junction, a camper reported the basic amenities: "Still primitive tent campgrounds there. Alot of sites. Boat ramp. Camper sites no electricity. $10 per night."

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly options: For first-time tent camping with kids, choose campgrounds with amenities. One visitor to Cedar River Campground shared, "Not our typical campsite but we had the kids down for the weekend and we thought a campsite with a pool and mini golf would be a fun break from the norm."

Wildlife education: Several campgrounds feature nature centers with live animals. A visitor to Wapsi River Environmental Education Center described, "Park is also site of nature center with live animals, an observatory, access to Wapsipinicon River."

Cabin alternatives: For families transitioning to camping, cabins provide comfort with outdoor access. At Windmill Ridge Campground, a visitor noted, "Clean, quiet and well set campsite for all camping styles. Set well off the main road, the gravel road is well maintained, graded well for easy driveable."

Playground availability: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. One visitor to Cedar River Campground described "a creative rugged play area for the kids."

Tips from RVers

Site spacing: RV sites at most campgrounds near West Liberty tend to be close together. A tent camper at Cedar River Campground observed, "Sites are really close if you're a tent camper but it is good as far as RV parks are concerned."

Seasonal options: Many campgrounds have extended-stay options. At Hidden River Campground, a visitor noted, "Many people seem to take advantage of the year round rates and stay all summer. They're open from April 15-October 15."

Water and power access: Check available hookups before booking tent camping West Liberty sites. A reviewer at Koch's Meadow Lake mentioned specific amenities available: "drinking water, electric hookups, sewer hookups, water hookups."

Accessibility considerations: Not all campgrounds accommodate larger rigs. Indian Meadows Campground has limitations, with one camper noting the primitive but perfect nature of its secluded sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near West Liberty, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near West Liberty, IA is Cedar River Campground with a 3.5-star rating from 11 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 21 tent camping locations near West Liberty, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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