The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Cedar Rapids, IA

431 Reviews

Campers near Cedar Rapids have several good state parks to choose from. Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground draws people who want to explore its cave systems and hike the trails through the woods. Lake Macbride State Park Campground splits its sites between modern areas with electricity and more basic options, plus you can fish or take boats out on the water. Palisades-Kepler State Park sits along the Cedar River, where many campers bring kayaks or canoes for paddling, and the hiking paths wind through rocky areas with good views. Anyone with an RV might prefer Amana RV Park & Event Center, which has full hookups and puts you close to the historic Amana Colonies buildings and shops. You should make reservations for most places, particularly in summer and during fall color season. Sugar Bottom Campground and others let you book ahead online, which is smart since the best spots go quickly. Bathroom facilities range from newer buildings with hot showers to basic vault toilets, depending on which campground you pick. Weekend camping fills up faster than weekdays, especially around holidays when locals head out. While camping, you can take day trips to interesting places like the Devonian Fossil Gorge or spend time exploring the Amana Colonies' restaurants and craft shops. The Cedar Rapids area works well for both tent and RV camping trips.

Map showing campgrounds near Cedar Rapids, IowaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Cedar Rapids, Iowa (120)

    1. Sugar Bottom Campground

    24 Reviews
    North Liberty, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2102

    $14 - $240 / night

    "Very nice COE campground north of Iowa City in the Lake Coralville area. Beautiful setting, lots of options for sites."

    "Nice grassy sites near lake for fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing. Near Iowa Raptor Project that conducts raptor programs and site with walking tour and live raptors, and Macbride State Park as well."

    2. Modern North Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    15 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $25 - $35 / night

    "My niece who lives nearby recommended this place to stay when we went to visit her since was a short drive from where she lives. "

    "Close access to boating and town"

    3. Palisades-Kepler State Park Campground

    9 Reviews
    Ely, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 895-6039

    $15 - $80 / night

    "Great walking trails through wooded areas near the river. Beautiful place."

    "Situated along the Cedar river, fishing and paddling can be done. Lots of trails, CG and cabins closed for winter season for improvements and online reservations."

    4. F. W. Kent Park

    18 Reviews
    Oxford, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 645-2315

    $20 / night

    "We stayed during an Iowa Football weekend, attended the game in nearby Iowa City, and then enjoyed the rest of our weekend exploring the ponds and trails in the park."

    "It is the perfect camping destination between Amana colonies and Iowa City."

    5. Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek)

    6 Reviews
    Marion, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    $23 - $33 / night

    "We camped at this park for 9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance.  Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. "

    "There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through."

    6. West Overlook Campground

    18 Reviews
    Coralville, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 338-3685

    $22 - $28 / night

    "The reservoir behind the dam creates both the Coralville Lake alongside Lake MacBride which is a state park in a side bay."

    "LuLu and I stayed for 10 days while visiting family in Iowa City. The campground hosted mainly locals but it’s only a couple of miles off the I80."

    7. Primitive South Campground — Lake Macbride State Park

    10 Reviews
    Solon, IA
    13 miles
    +1 (319) 624-2200

    $12 - $25 / night

    "Did a quick overnight here before a race in Cedar Rapids. Nice campgrounds. The modern campground has electric hookups and nice showers, the other campground (much quieter!) has nice toilets."

    "You may also be able to take the dam trail with a bike, but I'm not totally sure about that."

    8. Linn County Park Morgan Creek Campground

    4 Reviews
    Atkins, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 892-6450

    "Trails close by and only about 5 min from expressway."

    "Morgan Creek has amazing trails and the location is fantastic if you are looking for the camping expirence but still have work or other things to get done."

    9. Amana RV Park & Event Center

    10 Reviews
    Amana, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 622-7616

    $25 - $42 / night

    "Relatively wide open, sites adjacent to one another. Utilities all worked fine, decently maintained."

    "Campground is a nice bike ride away from the Amana villages and overall a great base camp"

    10. Morgan Creek County Park

    3 Reviews
    Palo, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (319) 396-2363

    $23 - $40 / night

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 120 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Cedar Rapids Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Cedar Rapids, IA

110 Photos of 120 Cedar Rapids Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Cedar Rapids, IA

431 Reviews of 120 Cedar Rapids Campgrounds

  • Jorge F.
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Cedar River Campground

    Good place to go camping with friends and family.

    “This place became my wife’s and daughters’ favorite this year. It is a place where everyone who visits is very kind and respectful. The managers are always courteous and attentive.”

  • Steve T.
    Sep. 7, 2025

    Saulsbury Bridge Rec Area - Cedar River Campground

    Enjoyable Stay

    The sites are spaced apart well and clean with a beautiful view of the Cedar River. If you camp on the riverside campground be sure to bring a bike or extra vehicle if you camp on the far end because the bathrooms are bit of a walk. And bring a grate with you for your fire ring as some have them and some don’t. All and all it was an enjoyable stay with a fantastic view, even caught a few fish since our campsite was literally on the river edge

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground

    Great campground

    Beautiful park. The campground has less than 30 sites, most of which have power. The walk in sites are very private but still less than 75 yards from your car. You are in thick forest and will hear lots of animal sounds at night.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Wapsi River Environmental Ed. Ctr.

    Very nice, quite, cabin surrounded by forest

    Cabin has all amenities for six. Charcoal grill, fire ring with wood supplied, picnic table, covered porch, trail head right next to cabin. After hours offers quite park, dark skies, and trails with wildlife. Wapsipinicon River access just down River Trail.

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Bennett Park

    Nice smaller County CG with small lake

    CG has newer RR/shower house. Sites have electric, fire rings, gravel pads. There is a Play area, shelter , host site, dump station. Park has small lake for paddling and fishing.

  • Isaac H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Deerwood Park

    Cash Only

    Good place to camp. Seems safe and friendly. Only down side is that it's cash only. Who carries cash these days?!

  • Clifton B.
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Lake Iowa County Park

    Very nice campground off the beaten path

    Wife and I met friends here in August 2025.  This was the middle between us & them as we live in CO and they live in NY.  The campground was very well maintained.  Shower rooms & restrooms were very clean and all were functional.  We really enjoyed the long weekend here.  Be advised tho, we were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August.  Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did.  Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees.  Wife and I will likely return and see more of the Amana communities in the fall.

  • Susie K.
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Porth RV Park

    Porth Campground

    Great campground.  Sewer, water, electricity.

    It rained a lot while we were there no flooding issues at all.  Very friendly and very well maintained.

    Definitely would stay again,  we were there for 3 weeks.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow

    Neat place but it's not flat

    Super nice staff.  We stayed here for a few weeks while working in the area. The land is not flat.  The spots are good and most are pull-throughs but some are too short for a 30' camper.  Would definitely stay there again. 

    We stayed there in October, 2017

Guide to Cedar Rapids

Camping near Cedar Rapids offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds in the area, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature, whether you're in a tent or an RV.

What to do:

  • Explore Caves: At Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, you can hike through beautiful trails and explore unique caves. One visitor said, "The caves make this a unique place to visit but the hiking is rigorous."
  • Fishing and Swimming: Backbone State Park has a lovely lake for swimming and canoe rentals. A reviewer mentioned, "Couldn't swim on our stay but nice beach canoe rentals."
  • Hiking Trails: Lake Macbride State Park Campground is right next to trails. One camper noted, "Right next to trails, quiet, pretty level sites."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms. A visitor at Sugar Bottom Campground said, "Very clean, for me the star attraction here was the solo bathroom & shower both together with lockable door for extreme privacy."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large, well-maintained sites. A reviewer at Scott County Park mentioned, "The sites themselves are HUGE and some of them would accommodate the largest camping rigs you could imagine."
  • Natural Beauty: Campers love the scenic views. One visitor at George Wyth State Park Campground said, "This park has hiking (on path or off), fishing in multiple lakes and the cedar river, and a beach!!!"

What you should know:

  • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. A camper at George Wyth State Park Campground warned, "There were tremendous amounts of mosquitoes at the campground during our visit."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A visitor at Lake Macbride State Park Campground noted, "There’s no place to buy firewood nearby so come prepared."
  • Busy Seasons: Expect crowds during peak seasons. A reviewer at Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground mentioned, "We were dismayed when we arrived at 3 pm on a Sunday to find the place packed with day-use visitors."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and swimming areas. A camper at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA said, "Kids had fun at the swimming pond."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring your own food or check for nearby stores. A visitor at F. W. Kent Park mentioned, "Easy to get to amenities and grocery stores."
  • Quiet Hours: Respect quiet hours to ensure everyone has a good time. A camper at Shady Creek noted, "Everyone was respectful of quiet hours and very friendly."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Sugar Bottom Campground mentioned, "The sites here are closer together."
  • Electric Hookups: Look for campgrounds with electric hookups if you need them. A visitor at Backbone State Park said, "Overall, it is a nice campground with decent space in between campers."
  • Cell Service: Check for cell service availability. A camper at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA noted, "We had 4 bar LTE with Verizon."

Camping around Cedar Rapids has something for everyone, whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful getaway.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any RV parks in Cedar Rapids with full hookups?

Sudbury Court Motel & RV Park is one of the few RV parks in Cedar Rapids that remains open year-round, including winter months. It costs approximately $35 per night, and management is known to be pleasant and accommodating. For those needing overnight options, Walmart — Coralville Supercenter offers a large parking lot that's conveniently located near I-80, though this is for overnight parking rather than a full-service RV park. In the broader area, several county parks provide electric hookups for RVs, including Morgan Creek County Park and Wanatee Park. RV campers should call ahead to confirm current hookup availability and reservation requirements, especially during peak camping season.

Is primitive tent camping available within 20 miles of Cedar Rapids?

Yes, there are several primitive tent camping options within 20 miles of Cedar Rapids. Gardner Family Farm and Iowa Hemp Farm Stay offers a primitive and private camping experience with dark skies perfect for stargazing, campfires, and a pond for recreation, fishing, and swimming. Cottonwood Campground provides tent areas among trees with fire rings, with showers and restrooms onsite. Walk-in sites are available, and the campground is close to the Iowa River and Coralville Lake for fishing. Additionally, Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) near Marion offers drive-in and walk-in tent camping options with basic amenities. For those seeking a more developed experience but still wanting to tent camp, F.W. Kent Park provides tent sites with access to water and toilets.

What state parks offer camping near Cedar Rapids?

Lake Macbride State Park is one of the best state parks near Cedar Rapids, offering two distinct camping areas. The Modern North Campground provides electric hookups and nice shower facilities, while the Primitive South Campground offers a quieter experience with basic toilet facilities. The park surrounds Lake MacBride, created by the Coralville Dam. Another excellent option is Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon, which features drive-in, walk-in, and even boat-in camping options. Backbone State Park is also within driving distance of Cedar Rapids, with its Six Pines Campground offering access to beautiful natural areas and outdoor activities.

What are the best campgrounds near Cedar Rapids, Iowa?

Cedar Rapids offers several excellent camping options within a short drive. West Overlook Campground is a top choice, maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers along the Iowa River. This campground features electric sites, a convenient dump station, and access to Coralville Lake with boat ramps and hiking trails. Another excellent option is Sugar Bottom Campground, a beautiful COE campground with numerous site options, abundant wildlife, and access to Lake Coralville. Both locations are close to I-80, making them convenient for travelers. Other noteworthy campgrounds in the area include Cottonwood Campground and Beyonder Getaway at Sleepy Hollow, which offer different experiences ranging from lakeside camping to family-friendly settings with varied amenities.

Keep Exploring