12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Tent campers near Mount Hope, Wisconsin have several options within driving distance, including Yellow River State Forest in Iowa and Governor Dodge State Park in Wisconsin. These areas offer primitive tent sites with varying levels of amenities and access types, from drive-in campgrounds to backcountry walk-in sites that require short hikes from parking areas.
Most primitive tent sites in the region provide basic amenities like fire rings and benches, but facilities vary significantly between locations. Yellow River State Forest features multiple backcountry camping areas with sites that include fire rings and benches but no running water or modern facilities. One camper noted, "Sites have fire rings and benches, some more spacious than others." Governor Dodge State Park offers backpack campsites with more amenities, including access to drinking water, showers, and toilets. Campers should verify seasonal availability as some areas may close during winter months or have limited access during wet periods when trails become muddy.
Areas farther from main campgrounds provide deeper seclusion for tent campers seeking solitude. The backpacking sites at Yellow River State Forest are particularly noted for their privacy, with multiple visitors commenting on the peaceful atmosphere. A visitor commented that they "have backpacked here multiple times and have only run into other people once or twice." Echo Valley State Park Campground offers another quiet option with only six first-come, first-served tent-oriented sites. The terrain throughout the region features dense forests, hills, and in some cases, access to trout streams. Many tent sites serve as excellent basecamps for exploring hiking trails, with Governor Dodge State Park offering extensive trail networks including the scenic Lost Canyon Trail with bluffs and small waterfalls.
"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
from $50 - $90 / night
Check Availability"People driving around the pond didn't even know we were there! The camping spot was beautiful (although you have to watch out for nettles). Great fishing while we were there too."
"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 Availabilityfrom $32 - $79 / night
"We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background."
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.
TravelerVery nice park. Well marked and maintained trails. A large lake with boat launch and beach area. Separate pet area.
We spent the weekend at site 101, which is a tent site. I wouldn't recommend this site. based on a quick walkaround, it seemed a bit smaller than other sites. That's not really a deal-breaker, but it didn't really have any flat spots to pitch the tent. We ended up pitching it up on the parking area, but it was still a bit slanted and we could feel the tire divot a little through the air mattresses. Aside from that, it was great. The site had a picnic table and fire ring that we used a lot. It was secluded from the surrounding sites.
We hiked the Windy Ridge trail and the Prairie Loop trail. both were well maintained and enjoyable trails. We also spent some time on the beach.
GuideI wanted so badly to love this campground experience, but just didn't. Site 19 was an easy walk-in that theoretically had nearby vault toilets, parking, and water.
Each site only had space for one car to park before walking in. Not a huge deal, but annoying as there were 2 of us who drove separate and we had to problem solve. When we got to the site I was shocked to see that what was labeled as a tent site had literally NO flat space to actually set up a tent. Spacious site, but fully sloped.
Also, what I would have loved to know, is that the vault toilets are closed because they are doing construction to build something new in that space. Construction that starts loudly each day at 7am. Honestly every site from about #35 down was affected by the noise because the construction is happening in the middle of the loop (and actually blocking some of the one-way road as well).
The park in general was okay. Per the usual, the pet areas were lacking. No beach at all, just grass covered in goose poop and one cut out on the raised shore between tall grasses and foliage where a dog could potentially jump in. Certainly nowhere for a human to enjoy the water with their pups unfortunately.
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
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.
RangerMud Lake is a wonderful county park near Dubuque. Beautiful views of the Mississippi River. We stayed one night on our way to Minnesota. The sites are mostly sunny. The park streets are gravel with gravel sites. The park is quiet except for the occasional train from the nearby tracks. Great value for $21. Electric and water hookups. Marina and boathouse next door.
Stayed in campsite #35 which has no shade. It was a gravel site which shares a pull-through with site 36. There was more than enough parking for my TT and truck and grass on either side. The site included: picnic table and fire ring. Utilities were located in the rear. 20A/50A electric and water. Site was level. Neighbors were nearby.
AT&T had 2 bars of LTE and Verizon 2 bars of LTE service. AT&T Speedtest: 47 Mbps down, 1.3 Mbps up. Verizon data VERY SLOW. No WiFi.
Would stay here again. We camped at Mud Lake Park in a Travel Trailer.
LegendCampground is well maintained, restrooms, showers, recycling station, fire wood available, campground host onsite, resident park ranger, standard RV sites, some electric tent sites otherwise primitive with fire rings and tables. Trout stream (Catfish Creek) runs through campground and park and is stocked by Iowa DNR, has Swiss Valley Nature center with trails.
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.
Tent camping near Mount Hope, Wisconsin offers abundant backcountry opportunities across state forests and parks within a 1-2 hour drive. The region features sandstone bluffs, hardwood forests, and elevation changes uncommon in the Midwest, with many sites situated along trout streams or overlooking valleys. Winter camping remains available at several locations, though access roads may become challenging during wet weather.
Explore quarry areas: At R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest, backpackers can find unique dispersed camping spots near sandstone formations. "We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background. There are multiple handmade rock fire pits, some rock chairs, tables and lots of space," reports one camper.
Trout fishing: Echo Valley State Park Campground provides direct access to quality trout waters. A visitor noted, "This campground is non-electric, self-pay, non-reservable, and has only a few sites. There is a nice trout stream, with a few sites right by the stream." The park requires minimal entry equipment, making it ideal for first-time anglers.
Photography opportunities: Seasonal changes create diverse photography conditions throughout the Mount Hope camping region. Echo Valley offers exceptional morning light conditions as one camper mentioned, "Hiking trails, photography opportunities" are readily available. The combination of water features and wooded terrain creates varied composition options year-round.
Affordable options: Yellow River State Forest offers exceptional value for primitive camping. "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," reports one regular visitor. Many sites operate on self-registration systems with fees collected on-site.
Cell service variability: For those needing to stay connected, service varies dramatically by location. At Camp John Schultz, one camper mentioned, "cell reception is found up here" near the fire tower—the only fire tower in Iowa. This contrasts with more remote locations where disconnecting becomes part of the experience.
Site spacing: Campers consistently note the generous spacing between sites at many Mount Hope area campgrounds. At Worthington Sportsman's Club, a visitor shared, "So secluded without being in the middle of nowhere. People driving around the pond didn't even know we were there!" Most primitive campgrounds maintain natural buffers between sites, providing privacy even during busy weekends.
Water availability: Water access varies significantly between campgrounds. At Camp John Schultz, "Water is available but needs to be carried in," according to visitor reviews. Many primitive sites require bringing all water or filtering from streams, while established campgrounds may offer potable water at central locations but not at individual sites.
Winter accessibility: While most sites remain technically open year-round, access becomes challenging in winter. Yellow River State Forest campers note, "There is snow in the winter," affecting trail conditions. Call ahead to ranger stations during winter months, as plowing schedules vary and unmaintained forest roads may become impassable.
Insect preparation: Governor Dodge State Park and surrounding areas experience seasonal insect pressure. Campers should prepare for typical summer insects, especially at backpack sites where one visitor completed "Great hike to spot, small spot on rough ground not to level for tents but still feasible." Ticks remain active from early spring through late fall throughout the region.
Kid-friendly campgrounds: Gateway Park Campground offers excellent facilities for families with young children. "There's a new children's play area and a very nice American wars memorial," notes one visitor. The combination of playground equipment and historical elements provides educational opportunities alongside recreational activities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children particularly enjoy the unexpected animal encounters at Echo Valley. One camper reported, "there certainly is a petting zoo (my German Shepard was a little uncertain about the goats)." Morning and evening hours typically offer the best wildlife viewing conditions across all campgrounds in the region.
Safety considerations: Worthington Sportsman's Club offers family-friendly camping with some natural hazards to monitor. "The camping spot was beautiful (although you have to watch out for nettles)," cautions one visitor. Parents should check sites upon arrival for poisonous plants, unstable dead trees, or slippery creek banks before allowing children to explore freely.
Site limitations: Most primitive sites near Mount Hope accommodate smaller rigs only. Echo Valley State Park Campground is "most suitable for tent, truck, or teardrop camping… large RVs would not do well," according to experienced campers. Verify turning radius and low-hanging branches before attempting access with larger vehicles.
Electric availability: Hickory Ridge Group Camp offers amenities uncommon at more primitive sites. "Nice family campground. Has a lot of amenities including shower," reports one RVer. Electric hookups remain limited across the region, with most sites offering primitive camping only—bring sufficient battery power or solar options.
Leveling challenges: The region's hilly terrain creates natural drainage but challenges for level parking. Sites at Governor Dodge State Park Backpack Campsites present "rough ground not to level for tents" according to campers, which presents even greater challenges for RVs requiring stability. Bring extra leveling blocks when camping at established campgrounds throughout the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Mount Hope, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Mount Hope, WI 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 Mount Hope, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 tent camping locations near Mount Hope, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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