Iowa is situated in the Midwestern part of the United States. It is bordered on the east by the Mississippi River and on the west by the Big Sioux River and the Missouri River.
The age of the bedrock of Iowa increases gradually in an age when one moves from the west to the east. The Cretaceous bedrock on the Northwestern part of Iowa is approximately 74 million years old and results in an uneven terrain all along the state.
Most of the surface of the state comprises of hills and other elevated areas. Iowa can be differentiated into eight distinct landforms based on its soils, glaciations, river drainage, and topography. On the western border of the state lies the Loess Hills, the Northeastern part of the state along the Mississippi River consists of valleys and steep hills that can almost appear as a mountainous region!
All in all, Iowa is a great destination for the backpacking community. The numerous lakes and state parks with thick woods welcome the weary traveler with promises of soothing and carefree camping sessions.
- Pikes Peak State Park Campground
The Pikes Peak State Park is a well-known camping destination especially to the ones addicted to hiking and the natural beauty. The campground hosts 76 fully developed camping sites with all the modern amenities that make the stay for the guests similar to that of staying back at home.
The limestone walls scattered all over the campground is dotted with the fossilized remains of plants and animals that used to roam these grounds millions of years ago! Come and immerse yourself in all the treats the Pike Peaks Campground has on offer for you. This is a state run campground that provides accommodation to tent, vehicle and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Hiking 3. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
32264 Pikes Peak Rd, McGregor, IA 52157, USA
Phone: +1 563-873-2341
- Yellow River State Forest (Big Paint Campground)
The Big Paint Campground nestled within the Yellow River State Forest is indeed a dream come true for all the nature lovers out there. The woods that surround the campground and all of its 139 camping sites consist of cottonwood, elm, maple, and oak with sudden sights of some exotic wildlife.
The Backpack Trail of the park offers a balanced amount of challenges and serene views for seasoned as well as novice hikers. All of the campsites are well shaded by the lush green, thick canopies of the trees with spacious accommodations available for full-size RVs, tent and vehicle campers. It is also considered as the best campgrounds in eastern Iowa and the best campgrounds in northeast Iowa.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Fishing 3. Hiking 4. Horseback riding 5. Snow sports 6. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
729 State Forest Rd, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146, USA
Phone: +1 563-586-2254
- Ambrose A Call State Park Campground
A hidden gem indeed! The campground at Ambrose A. Call State Park provides all the modern amenities that one can dream of including electrical hookups and spacious accommodations for RV campers. The thickly covered woods and the rugged terrain that surrounds the campground are stocked to the brim with creeks and the rare sight of wildlife. It is also one of the campgrounds in Iowa that take reservations and campgrounds in Iowa with cabin rentals.
There is a log cabin available for rent, but you need to make advanced reservations as it is a hot pick among the guests who are always gunning for it whenever they set foot on the campground.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Hiking
2. Snow sports 3. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. RV hookup |
Location Details:
Call Park Rd, Algona, IA 50511, USA
Phone: 641-581-4835
- Backbone State Park (South Lake Campground)
There is so much to do and explore here at the Backbone State Park! It is one among the best state campgrounds in Iowa. The South Lake Campground is located deep within the state park that provides modern amenities like electrical hookups and sanitation systems for the RV campers. It is considered as the best camping in northeast Iowa and as the best tent camping in Iowa and also one among the campgrounds in Iowa with full hookups. The South Lake Campground falls under the category of campgrounds in Iowa with lakes.
Primitive camping sites are also available to the ones looking for a more genuine camping experience but bear this in mind, these sites are only accessible to the tent campers! This is a state run campground that hosts 99 camping sites that also provides accommodations for the vehicle campers and is the best campgrounds in northern Iowa.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Climbing 8. Snow sports 9. Swimming 10. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038, USA
Phone: +1 563-924-2527
- Backbone State Park (Six Pine Campground)
The Backbone State Park is an ideal destination for the hiking trails, the fishing opportunities, the interesting geology and much more. The Six Pine Campground is located within the Backbone State Park and is an ideal destination for an individual or a family person looking for a primitive yet cozy camping experience.
The campground hosts 25 camping sites in total and provides rustic yet spacious accommodations to tent, vehicle and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Climbing 8. Snow sports 9. Swimming 10. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV sanitation 4. Access to potable water 5. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
1347 129th St, Dundee, IA 52038, USA
Phone: +1 563-924-2527
- Beeds Lake State Park Campground
The Beeds Lake State Park hosts 142 camping sites with modern amenities like electrical hookups and spacious accommodations for RV, vehicle and tent campers. There are also options for primitive camping that is made available exclusively to the tent campers.
The state-run campground offers sandy beaches, lake swimming and plenty of sunbathing opportunities to its guests along with stunning views of the night sky! It is one of the campgrounds in Iowa with beaches.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Paddling 6. Snow sports 7. Swimming 8. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
1422 165th St, Hampton, IA 50441, USA
Phone: +1 641-456-2047
- Black Hawk State Park Campground
The sports enthusiasts are sure to get excited when they set foot on any of the 128 camping sites hosted by the Black Hawk Campground. This is a state run campground that is equipped with modern amenities like electrical hookups in the RV friendly sites.
Apart from that, the campground also has a Frisbee golf course, a kids playground and a volleyball court. The campground is located just offshore of the Black Hawk which is a hotspot for boating and angling sessions.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Paddling 6. Swimming 7. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
228 S Blossom St, Lake View, IA 51450, USA
Phone: +1 712-657-8712
- Wapsipinicon State Park Campground
The Wapsipinicon Campground is an ideal destination that has been in the popular category of campgrounds in Iowa for the wide array of outdoor activities that it provides to its guests. The camping sites are all situated in a terrain that is both unique and popular for its featured rivers and caves.
One can also explore the geological crevices and unique caves of the area. This is a state run campground that hosts 25 camping sites and provides accommodations to tent, car and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Paddling 6. Snow sports 7. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. Access to potable water 5. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
21301 Co Rd E34, Anamosa, IA 52205, USA
Phone: +1 319-462-2761
- Waubonsie State Park Campground
The Waubonsie Campground presents a magical setting to all of its guests in the form of natural scenic beauty. One can really experience the beauty of the mysterious landscape while taking a hike through the Loess Hills or while kayaking in the lake!
The campground hosts 86 camping sites in total with accommodations available to the tent, vehicle or RV camper. One can even go one step further and book a log cabin that is available all year round with advanced reservation. It is a state run campground that is accessible to the guests via the drive and also on horseback and is known as a campgrounds in Iowa with cabins.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Snow sports 7. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
2585 Waubonsie Park Rd, Hamburg, IA 51640, USA
Phone: +1 712-382-2786
- Wildcat Den State Park Campground
The Wildcat Den Campground offers a combined experience of both the wild as well as a serene landscape to the weary eyes of the city dweller. Apart from the solitude that mother nature has to offer here at the campground, one can also take a peek into the past by exploring the historical ruins dotting the campground.
The campground sits in the middle of majestic mountain structures whose age predates 300 million years and is made completely out of sandstone! Hike to the top of these structures, and you’d be rewarded with spectacular views of the Park wherever you point your eyes. This is a state run campground that hosts 28 campsites in total with accommodations available to the tent, vehicle and full-size RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Hiking
2. Snow sports 3. Swimming 4. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
1884 Wildcat Den Rd, Muscatine, IA 52761, USA
Phone: +1 563-263-4337
- Lake Manawa State Park Campground
Basking in the sun, check! Mountain biking check! Boating and fishing double check! Come and visit any of the 73 fully developed camping sites hosted by the Lake Manawa State Park campground.
The camping sites are well equipped with modern amenities like electrical hookups and sanitation facilities available to the RV campers. If primitive style camping is your style, then there are primitive campsites available as options to the guest upon arrival. Bear this in mind that these primitive sites are made available only to the tent campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Paddling 6. Swimming 7. Wildlife watching |
1. RV sanitation
2. Toilets 3. Showers 4. RV hookup |
Location Details:
1100 S Shore Dr, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, USA
Phone: +1 712-366-0220
- Lake Wapello State Park Campground
The Lake Wapello is the ideal camping destination during the summer season. All of the 93 camping sites of this state-run campground is fully developed and stocked with all the modern amenities one can think of including electrical hookups on the RV friendly camping sites.
One can even book and reserve camping cabins before their visit to the grounds to add some extra comfort to their stay here at Lake Wapello State Park.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Boating
2. Fishing 3. Hiking 4. Paddling 5. Snow sports 6. Swimming 7. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
15248 Campground Rd, Drakesville, IA 52552, USA
Phone: +1 641-722-3371
- Ledges State Park Campground
Planning to make your next camping session a memorable one!? Search no more, come over to the Ledges State Park and immerse yourself in the standard and modern camping sites along with all of its amenities. The interesting terrain of the campground makes it an adventurous place to even walk on from one point to the other. It is also considered as the best tent campgrounds in Iowa.
The camping sites are littered with Native American Mounds, fascinating geology and sandstone ledges that brings out the geek in even the most composed individuals! This is a state run campground that hosts 94 camping sites accessible by drive and provides accommodation for tent, vehicle and RV campers.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Paddling 6. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly camping sites |
Location Details:
1515 P Ave, Madrid, IA 50156, USA
Phone: +1 515-432-1852
- Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground
The Lake of Three Fires State Park offers a unique experience to all of its guests pitching their tents in any of the 117 camping sites hosted by the state-run campground. All the camping sites of the campground are equipped with modern amenities that means the guests don’t need to get all grizzly if they don’t intend to!
An ideal place for the avid angler, the glistening lake in the middle of the campground is stocked to the brim with game fish species although the campground maintains a catch and release policy that is a bit of a turn-off! All of the sites of the campground are well connected via paved roads and accessible via drive and horseback rides. Camping cabins and lodging facilities are also available to the guests in case they want to be in a home away from their home!
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Biking
2. Boating 3. Fishing 4. Hiking 5. Horseback riding 6. Paddling 7. Snow sports 8. Swimming 9. Wildlife watching |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
2303 Lake Rd, Bedford, IA 50833, USA
Phone: +1 712-523-2700
- Lewis and Clark State Park Campground
The Lewis and Clark State Park campground sits on the original location since it was established in the year 1804. Visiting this campground is always fun and frolic at any time of the year. Boating and hiking sessions are two of the most popular outdoor activities here at the campground.
All of the 106 camping sites hosted by the state-run campground are fully developed with modern amenities with a knack for the RV campers. Electrical hookups and sanitation facilities are also made available for enhancing the comfort levels of the occupants in a full-size RV.
Best Time to Visit:
| Activities | Facilities |
| 1. Boating
2. Fishing 3. Hiking 4. Paddling 5. Swimming |
1. Toilets
2. Showers 3. RV hookup 4. RV sanitation 5. Access to potable water 6. Pet-friendly sites |
Location Details:
21914 Park Loop, Onawa, IA 51040, USA
Phone: +1 712-423-2829