Best Dispersed Camping in Iowa

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Iowa

21 Reviews of 9 Iowa Campgrounds

• 

  Rebecca W.

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 27, 2024

  Eldon Wildlife Management Area

  Quiet and Secluded

  We drive to the end of Umber Ave and found two spots perfect for camping. We chose the one nestled next to the corn field. Perfect dispersed camp site with no road noise or visitors.

• 

  Jason K.

  Scout

  

  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.

• B

  Brian

  Guide

  

  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.

• K

  Keith B.

  Scout

  

  May. 31, 2024

  brinton timbers park

  Great park no showers though

  I stayed at the main site that google maps took me to. Three spots but the park is big there might be more sites around it. It is near skunk river I only stayed there for a night but where I was to get to the river you have to hike or bike to it. I’ve heard you can ride horses here. They have fire rings, picnic tables, and a bathroom that’s deep and composting. No sinks or showers. Bugs were wild at night but it is summer. No one disturbed us and it was free the best park of it all. Hoping to make it back there to go through the trails. I believe you can hike and camp too in the area.

• 

  Amanda B.

  Traveler

  

  May. 12, 2024

  Donnelson Unit - White Oak Campground — Shimek State Forest

  Peaceful Paradise

  Nice little campground in Iowa. We stayed for three nights, there's vault toilets, and the fire rings are tiered and really nice. It's wooded and tucked away. There's a lot of nice little trails and a couple lakes. There's a $10 a night fee on the honor system so I would not consider it free. We would come back.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 30, 2024

  Rice Lake Wildlife Management Area

  Good spot, but not exactly private

  It's a nice spot off of the main road. It's pretty quiet, but there aren't many spots to camp. When you come in on the dirt road, it hooks to the right, and you'll come upon a dirt cul-de-sac. On the right, you'll see a grassy area set into the woods where you could camp. Other than that, your parking in the perimeter. There's enough room that virtually any size camper could navigate into this spot, but if there are other people, that will really complicate your life.

  There is a boat launch and paths down each side of the launch you could fish. On the way in, you'll see a deck to the left, providing a scenic overlook. There's also a spot there you could potentially park, but you'll be very exposed if there is any foot traffic.

• S

  Skip H.

  Ranger

  

  Mar. 29, 2024

  Eagle Lake State Wildlife Management Area

  Nice spot at the end of the dirt road

  This spot is exposed with virtually no privacy. (Winter/ early spring) It's about a 1/4 mile off of the dirt road and makes a left towards the end with water access that is great for a kayak. During the summer, when the corn is in, it's looks like there would be plenty of privacy. There are NO amenities here. There's plenty of room here for any size rig.

• 

  Wayne H.

  Ranger

  

  Jun. 28, 2023

  Cross Ford River Access

  Good

  Had a good 2 weeks here. Some wildlife and lots of bugs but we didn't have a problem with mosquitoes at all. Would come back.

• C

  Caleb S.

  Scout

  

  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

  Austin A.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 4, 2023

  Eagle City County Park

  Great stay

  Great camping spot! We’ll maintain camp sites. I was the only one on grounds. Water well isn’t working though, only downside. Will definitely come again

• 

  Megan C.

  Guide

  

  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.

• j

  jonathan

  Scout

  

  Aug. 12, 2022

  Eagle City County Park

  Nice secluded spot

  I needed a place to stay between Wisconsin and Colorado and this place fit the bill. I had the entire campground to myself the night I stayed here. It has well maintained grounds and is right on the water. The spots aren’t super clear, but for a free spot with picnic tables and fire pits, it’s definitely 5/5. I wish more municipalities had these types of campgrounds! You could easily park a van here, and probably a small trailer but nothing all that long.

• 

  Travis R.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 17, 2022

  Siggelkov County Park

  Quiet

  Good little quiet park has dump station a water source. Would be nice if it had gravel parking but that's a small inconvience.. also good kyack location.

• A

  AJ

  Scout

  

  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!

• 

  Chantal C.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Chantal C.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 22, 2021

  Siggelkov County Park

  Simple and Secluded

  Sigglekow Campground in Black Hawk County Iowa is one of a kind! Quite and secluded, if that's what you're looking for. To get out and decompress it's a great spot. Has electric sites and also places to tent camp (my favorite kind 😁) right on the Wapsi River.

• 

  Chantal C.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Kerry M.

  Ranger

  

  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.

• 

  Ronnie N.

  Guide

  

  May. 22, 2021

  Siggelkov County Park

  park is barren

  camped her for years and the park has lost its camp host. soooo honesty pay system is in effect. the park has a nice primitive spot along the river

• 

  Brian F.

  Guide

  

  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.

• 

  Brian H.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 15, 2019

  Siggelkov County Park

  Hello

  Awesome