Reservations are available for this drive-in campground in Wheatland, Iowa, where nightly rates run $70 to $80 and cabins sleep up to six people. The facilities lean toward the well-equipped side: each cabin includes a full kitchen, a bathroom with an ADA accessible shower, a picnic table, a fire ring, and a grill. Firewood is provided. Cell service may be limited, so downloading maps and trail information before arrival is worth the effort.
The campground sits within forested and open terrain along the Wapsipinicon River, managed by the Scott County Conservation Board. Trails cover a mix of river corridor, prairie, and woodland, and a dedicated river landing gives paddlers direct water access. A nature center on site houses live animals and rotating exhibits, and a nearby observatory hosts night-sky programs in partnership with a local university. "Trails along the Wapsipinicon River, prairie, and woodlands," notes James M., who also points out that the river landing "offers river access for paddling."
Campers looking at other options in the area can find campgrounds around Wapsi River Environmental Education Center or check Sherman Co Park, located less than a mile to the northeast. Camp Liberty is another nearby alternative. Because cabin capacity is limited and amenities are well above average for a county facility, sites tend to book up on weekends, so reserving well in advance is advisable for spring and summer visits.
Description
The Wapsi River Environmental Education Center is located along the Wapsipinicon River and consists of 225 acres of upland and bottomland forests, grasslands, and wetlands. The Wapsi Center, along with Sherman Park across the river, provide a 432-acre complex offering a wide variety of uses. The larger of the two campsites at the Center, Elm Campsite is offered to Scouts and to special event participants as a primitive camp site. The site offers flat ground for many tents, two fire pits, picnic tables, trash cans, and two sets of horseshoe pits. In return for Scout use, a service project is suggested and may be coordinated with the Center Director. Pack-in and pack-out ethics are observed at this site. Vincent Campsite is offered to Scouts and to special event participants as a primitive camp site offering a fire pit, picnic tables, and trash can. In return for Scout use, a service project is suggested and may be coordinated with the Center Director. Pack-in and pack-out ethics are observed at this site.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsWapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr. is located in Iowa near Wheatland
Coordinates
41.77317682 N
90.79264255 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 6/17/26- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 4 usersLast on 6/17/26
- AT&TLTESome Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- Market
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
Drive Time
- 28 min from Davenport, IA
- 52 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 55 min from Iowa City, IA
- 1 hr 4 min from Dubuque, IA
