Camping near Apple Canyon Lake

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While the campground in the privately owned Apple Canyon Lake area is a members-only spot, there are plenty of other camping options to be found nearby. Jo Daviess County is filled with campsites set amid rolling hills and diverse waterways. Swing by the town golf course before heading to Apple River Canyon State Park by the Wisconsin border to discover deep ravines and limestone bluffs along its namesake river. Fishing for smallmouth bass and crappie is popular here, along with trekking across hiking trails like Pine Ridge and Tower Rock. The park’s pet-friendly tent camping offers firepits and access to drinking water and dump stations. About 30 miles south of Apple Canyon Lake is Mississippi Palisades State Park, where campers can try wild turkey archery, deer hunting, rock climbing at Twin Sisters, and even cross-country skiing in winter. Historic sites along the river route lead to shaded and open RV sites with electrical hookups, water stations, shared showers, and flush toilets.

99% (1.1K) 1,539 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Apple Canyon Lake

RWH Farm

1. RWH Farm

100%
(15)
4.1mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 23 sites · Tents, Lodging
This property is a 150 year old working farm, which has seen six generations. We are happy to share a piece of land with you. Whether you are a first time or experienced camper wanting to sleep outdoors. We have the perfect spot for you to rest, relax, and recharge while camping under the stars surrounded by trees in a four acre wooded area located on a quiet country road within a vast working farm in the heart of Jo Daviess, County. Listen to the sounds of nature white spotting a variety of wildlife. Watch the sunrises, sunsets, comets, meteor showers, sometimes the northern lights, and the full moon rising over the hills. Watch the leaves turn color in autumn. We offer three types of sites: basic Glamping, preset tent, and rustic. Check out the descriptions of the sites to see which site is for you. Limited sites - first come basis. We try to make each site as secluded as possible.. There are firewood stations throughout the sites with attached fire extinguisher. We are creating a gravel trek around the sites with two entrances and gravel parking planned be completed by 2028. We are working on flushable outhouses and possible showers. Children’s play area by 2027. There isn’t any swimming or fishing available on the farm property. There is a private lake three miles from the sites - see details under extras. We are located ten miles from the Wisconsin border and villages with their unique shops and museums. 20 minutes from Galena, 45 minutes from the Mississippi River and Dubuque. Iowa. Three hours from Chicago. DNR - department of natural resources have properties a mile north of the farm with nice trails to walk near the Apple river, which is stocked twice a year for fishing tournaments. As well as the Boy Scout campgrounds located nearby. Locals have caught crayfish and swam in the Apple river, we are unfamiliar with current spots. People have tubed and canoed down the Apple river. There are numerous state parks within driving distance for hiking, sight seeing, eagle watching etc. Immerse yourself in the vast history of the area. Again we encourage you to come rest relax and recharge in this peaceful spot.
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Linden Camprground

2. Linden Camprground

96%
(735)
5.8mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
We bought the farmette with much work outside and home interior remodel to complete. We slowly turned the property into our family oasis. We neighbor a pasture with cows. There are free range chickens running around during the day. Geese greet us every evening and morning at the pond...as do the many bullfrogs. Occasionally you'll hear the coyotes, but they keep their distance. The stars shine peacefully and the sunsets are picturesque (most afternoons). The pond is a great place to swim and fish. The hillside is a nice walk for exercise or take the easier route and sit under the great oak tree in the other pasture. Campsites are off the road, behind our main home. You won't find a sign...we keep it simple. We allow pets at the sites for a $5 per pet/per night. If you would like to bring a pet, please add the Pet Fee which is listed on the Extra during the booking process. We have firewood available for sale, $5.55/bundle. This is located in the Extra section during the booking process. Lastly, there is free range chicken eggs available for purchase, $3.50/dozen. This is also located in the Extra section during the booking process.
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Stunning View at Galena River Ranch

3. Stunning View at Galena River Ranch

100%
(52)
14mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 1 site · Tent, RV
Learn more about this land:A peaceful respite with a breathtaking view of the Galena and Mississippi River valleys. The secluded campsite is situated on a high point on Pilot Knob that overlooks the entire valley with 180 degree views to the South, West and North. The tent site is a flat 20'x20' spot next to a Birch tree, fire ring and table; plenty of room for two tents and a car or two. In the foreground is a natural field with small Cedar trees, Scrub Oak, Sumac and prairie grasses where deer often eat and bed. The site is situated on about 25 acres - plenty of space to take a walk through the fields. Further out are natural woods, and in the distance is the entire Mississippi River valley South to Bellevue, IA and North of Dubuque, IA. Sunsets are absolutely breathtaking from this vantage point.
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Apple River Canyon State Park

4. Apple River Canyon State Park

93%
(7)
State park 5.3mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 50 sites
Find yourself apart from humanity in this cozy state park.
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Bellevue State Park

5. Bellevue State Park

State park 14mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 45 sites
Discover Bellevue State Park's scenic beauty and outdoor adventures.
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1860's Botanical Homestead

6. 1860's Botanical Homestead

97%
(171)
18mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging
Happy to announce we’ve won "the best of" properties to visit in Iowa! We hope to keep striving and adding more amenities as we go! Thank you to our wonderful guests and hello to future guests! 👋🏽 Built in 1860 by its first caretaker botanist, this homestead was propagated over its many years of life and is busting at the seams with medicinal and edible herbs. We now run a flower farm and vegetable gardens on our homestead. If you’d like to learn about herbs or gardening/ homesteading, we love sharing our knowledge. If you’d just like some farm fresh eggs and enjoy your time alone amongst the songbirds, that's just fine too :) The property is built into the stone hillside allowing for breathtaking views but also stairs to get to the campsites. Please wear comfortable shoes (not flip flops 😉). If you have mobility issues property access will be difficult. Please no children under 5. !CLASSES! We run our small school/business: HOMESTEAD and HAMMER from the property and are bringing classes to YOU! Look in the "EXTRAS" for classes you can partake in on your visit OR for more information on what's included on class weekends check out our website below! Classes include, forAging wild edibles, mushroom identification, homesteading skills, soap making, forging metals and many more! Website: www.homesteadandhammer.com *For guest and host safety property managed 24-7 by video and security services*
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Foley's 4x4 Timber Trail Camping

7. Foley's 4x4 Timber Trail Camping

100%
(11)
21mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 28 sites · Tents, RVs
These campsites are located along the lower half of our property and are tucked into fun little sites bordering our off road trail built for Jeeps, Broncos, and other similar off road vehicles. These are primitive style sites and cell phones likely will not work on any of our sites. This is truly a way to get away and just disconnect for a while! There is a VERY steep entrance into the camping area and a small water crossing is also necessary. Low clearance vehicles, cars, campers/trailers, and RV's will not be able to access the zone. If you'd like to camp at one of our sites and have a vehicle that won't qualify -- we do have friendlier parking but it will require quite a hike to get to your site or we can offer you a ride as well.
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New Hope Farm

8. New Hope Farm

100%
(13)
24mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 1 site
This farm is ancestral land of the Sauk and Fox peoples and has been our home since 2001. It offers diverse natural beauty including fresh springs and the Tetes des Morts Creek, quiet woods on sloping bluffs, various songbirds and other wildlife. We tend a few sheep and a flock of 20 laying hens, a small orchard and large vegetable gardens. Our black Labrador retriever wanders around here freely. The tiny house is equipped with a camp cookstove with an extra propane bottle, cooking and eating utensils, press coffee pot, 2 gallons drinking water, full bed, rocking chair, writing table, woodstove for winter heat. It has a back porch and front deck with patio furniture. There’s a firepit with two Adirondack chairs. Firewood provided for $5/bundle.
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Wooded Retreat Tiny House

9. Wooded Retreat Tiny House

100%
(11)
24mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 1 site
Imagine this: a wooded creekside. Bird song and wildflowers. Campfire and starlight. Our 8' x 16' tiny house offers the essentials for a back-to-nature getaway without the trouble. We provide a full bed, cookstove, basic cooking and eating utensils, 2 gallons drinking water, outdoor eating area, firepit, and hammock. Bath facilities are on the rustic side including a shower bag and port-a-potty. Short hiking path into the woods and up to the meadow are marked. Creek stomping and fossil hunting are encouraged. Caves, state and county nature areas, canoeing and kayaking are all nearby.
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Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

10. Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

100%
(1)
Park 61mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 152 sites
Discover the scenic splendor of Mississippi River - Pools 11-22.
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Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area

11. Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Recreation Area

100%
(1)
State park 17mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 138 sites
Create happy memories at a lake with a funny-sounding name.
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Mississippi Palisades State Park

12. Mississippi Palisades State Park

100%
(3)
State park 20mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 241 sites
See the mighty Mississippi River from a unique vantage point at this state park.
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Maquoketa Caves State Park

13. Maquoketa Caves State Park

100%
(5)
State park 39mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 29 sites
Take a hike, go spelunking, and learn about bats.
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Pachamanka Prairie + Woodland

14. Pachamanka Prairie + Woodland

100%
(11)
26mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 3 sites
Land is stewarded by an ecologist who grows food and medicinal plants, tends ducks, chickens, quail and honey bees. Agroecological methods used in growing. Woodland, grassland and prairie habitat creation and restoration on going. Learn more about this land: Explore the southern Driftless Region with prairie and woodlands. Pitch your tent between an allée of eastern white pine and several  mature apple trees and enjoy late morning sun and afternoon shade. Wide open skies and a viewing platform for stargazing. Mown paths for walking through prairie and grasslands. Jane Adams bike path 5 minute ride away for many hours of biking., Bikes available free for use.  Canoe and Kayaks for rent to put in the Pecatonica or Sugar Rivers. Shared barn kitchen with propane cooking surface, cooking utensils and pans, toaster, cooking oil, and myriad cooking ingredients. Two fire circles for building fires. Firewood bundles and fresh eggs available for sale. Boats available to rent if you'd like to paddle a river, wood sauna can be fired up for a fee.
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The Lichen Pod - 26' 1974 Argosy

15. The Lichen Pod - 26' 1974 Argosy

100%
(20)
26mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 1 site
+ The Lichen Pod is only large enough for single campers!+ Learn more about this land: The southern Driftless Area is one of rolling hills of farmland, prairie and woodlands. The camper is parked near a line of pines with both beautiful light and fresh breezes, located on a working ecological farm. Land is stewarded by an ecologist who grows food and medicinal plants, tends ducks, chickens, quail and honey bees. Agroecological methods used in growing. Woodland, grassland and prairie habitat creation and restoration on going. Learn more about this land: Explore the southern Driftless Region with prairie and woodlands. Lichen Pod trailer is next to allée of eastern white pine and several mature apple trees. Enjoy late morning sun and afternoon shade. Wide open skies and viewing platforms for stargazing. Mown paths for walking through prairie and grasslands. Jane Adams bike path 5 minute ride away for many hours of biking., Bikes available free for use.  Canoe and Kayaks for rent to put in the Pecatonica or Sugar Rivers. Shared barn kitchen with propane cooking surface, cooking utensils and pans, toaster, cooking oil, and myriad cooking ingredients. Two fire circles for building fires. Firewood bundles and fresh eggs available for sale. Boats available to rent if you'd like to paddle a river, wood sauna can be fired up for a fee.
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Vintage Spring Lake Campground

16. Vintage Spring Lake Campground

98%
(129)
27mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Spring Lake Campground was est. in 1943. This “vintage campground” has provided a place for families to relax in nature and make memories for generations. The lake is a backwater Mississippi River refuge, so there is always something to see and learn about. The Great River Bike Trail runs right through, so bring your bike! It’s a beautiful ride from the campground to nearby Savanna, IL. We rent kayaks and canoes through September here as well. The lake is great to paddle but be aware there is a lot of plant life on the backwaters. (The lake closes for all boat traffic Oct 1 to provide a refuge for migrating birds during duck hunting season. If you enjoy birding, plan a trip during October) There is so much to do in the surrounding area: hiking and climbing at Palisades State Park, restaurants, bars and shopping in Savanna, "Troll hunting" in Clinton, IA, museums and more. But enjoying a peaceful time at the campground, having a bonfire, watching the sunset on the lake and seeing the stars at night is really what it’s about. True old school camping, enjoying the wildlife sanctuary. Instead of pavement, we have trees. Our best amenity is nature! Get outside, unplug and relax. *While is says maximum capacity 4, if you are a family with more kids submit a specific request. We can make exceptions for families camping with their children. *We DO allow small campers on the peninsula like teardrops and Scamps but no generators please. *We ask that our campers please arrive before dark to find their site and set up to avoid disrupting other campers. It gets really dark! We do not have street lights so people can see the stars.
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Goatland

17. Goatland

99%
(166)
27mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 4 sites
Fifteen acre livestock farm in NW IL with a creek and pond. We raise sheep, goats, chickens, guineas, peafowl, fancy pheasants, Tom's pet trout, and two ridiculous dogs. (But we no longer raise cattle, or keep a donkey.) If you like nature, and animals, up close, this is the spot. You can respectfully interact with the livestock, or not, as you choose. We're pretty hands off, but are happy to talk about the animals if you ask. We welcome and are a safe space for LGBTQ+ visitors. We also are familiar with, and are usually able to accommodate, ND/ASD sensory concerns.
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Riverview Fin & Feather Campground

18. Riverview Fin & Feather Campground

100%
(11)
29mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Fin and Feather is a rustic campground located right on the banks of the Mississippi River backwaters, known for its true “camping in nature” experience. Every site looks out over the water with a beautiful sunset view! These primitive sites are large, shaded, and hammock-friendly. The ground is sandy, but the beach is not known as a swimming location. Fin and Feather sits where Big Slough of the Mississippi River meets Spring Lake, part of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge. The Great River Bike Trail runs parallel to the campground. We offer canoe and kayak rentals (message us to arrange a rental in advance of stay) and the lake is an great place to paddle but be aware there is a lot of plant life in backwaters (closes to all boat traffic on October 1st as part of the wildlife refuge during hunting season). Firewood is available for purchase. It's is a work in progress as we renovate this beautiful campground. We only have a few sites listed currently. The camp store has limited hours but nearby towns of Thomson and Savanna offer additional supplies. There’s so much to do in the area, such as hiking at Mississippi Palasades State Park, "troll hunting" in Clinton, IA, shopping in Fulton or Galena etc but with the peacefulness of the campground, you may just want to relax and enjoy the view! We are a small privately owned campground. The grounds are separated into two regions. as you enter the property off off Riverview Road, there is a "T" intersection. As Hipcampers, you will turn right. The north side of the campground is for Hipcamp drop in camping only; tents and small campers like teardrops etc exclusively. (The south end of the campground is for our seasonal campers with bigger Rvs.) You will turn right and drive past the small camp store, a vintage trailer we are renovating and one Rv that is ours. The beach sites listed here on Hipcamp will be on the left along the shore line. We offer well maintained port a potties and there are water spigots on property as well. There is no power or water at the sites, *while is says maximum capacity 4, if you are a family with more kids please submit a specific request. We can make exceptions for families camping with their children.
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Pink River Ranch in the Driftless

19. Pink River Ranch in the Driftless

99%
(39)
30mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 4 sites · Tents, Lodging
Tucked along the banks of the Pecatonica River, Pink River Ranch offers peaceful nights, soft pink sunsets, and the gentle soundtrack of chorus frogs. You’ll find the quiet beauty of nature paired with a few thoughtful comforts—yes, including real bathrooms and hot showers. Our ranch is home to a friendly mix of sheep, cattle, goats, chickens, cats, and dogs. We love our animals and imagine you will too. Guests share a clean, well-kept restroom space, available to both our vintage Airstream and tent site visitors. It includes a shower, tub, and standard facilities. For those craving a little extra connection to the outdoors, there’s also an open-air shower. Each campsite is set up with a small camp grill, fire ring, and picnic table—everything you need for a simple, cozy stay. Potable water is available on-site. All tent sites are walk-in only, creating a quieter, more immersive experience. A nearby parking area is available, along with wagons to help transport your gear. Sites are just a short one- to five-minute walk from your vehicle. Firewood and charcoal are available for purchase and can be reserved ahead of your stay (cash or Venmo). We also offer a selection of camping essentials for rent to help you pack a little lighter. If you’re looking to explore, we’re conveniently located near New Glarus, Yellowstone Lake State Park, House on the Rock, Cave of the Mounds, Blue Mounds State Park, and Mineral Point. We also have one women’s and one men’s bike available for shared use—perfect for a quick ride into town for coffee or a bite to eat. Your stay directly impacts the improvements and continued restoration of this special place. We can’t wait to welcome you to our little slice of heaven on earth
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Circle M Farm Stay: Camp or Glamp

20. Circle M Farm Stay: Camp or Glamp

100%
(209)
30mi from Apple Canyon Lake · 6 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Camp in style on a beautiful Driftless Farmstead! This tiny valley farm once had stanchions to milk 8 cows in the barn. That was in 1890. Now we are home to sheep, steers, hogs, cats, dogs, chickens and myriad wild critters and pollinators and migrators. We are a conservation farm and on a mission to heal our wetland, improve our trout stream and bring people out to the land. We are in Driftless Southwest Wisconsin - gorgeous hills and quilted cropland bisected by oak woods and switchback rivers. Pitch your tent, park a small camper/rv, or stay in one of our three vintage campers. You will share an indoor bathroom, or our open-to-the-sky hot outdoor shower, and an outdoor sink with other campers. We serve a pick-up community breakfast with coffee and tea. We have a Cedar Sauna you can reserve. This is easy camping with a view of the stars, nestled in a farm-to-table farm community with lots of goods to buy. We LOVE our Driftless neighborhood in SW Wisconsin and can recommend many amazing activities for everyone from fisherman to families! We're close to shopping, antiquing, Amishing and good eating. We're within a half hour of 3 great rail trails, two state parks and one amazing ATV rental. Go to an old-fashioned drive in movie, a local farmers market, dirt-track stock care races, tractor pulls, a u-pick apple farm or a Toy Train Museum. Go kayaking, boating or biking - you can rent what you need. Or sit on one of the porches to watch the chickens peck and the pigs dig. We can't wait to introduce you to all the livestock, cats, our Great Pyrr Willie and our Border Heeler Dolly! We are a five minute walk from our cute downtown with a playground, library and several great places to eat. Ten minutes from New Glarus Brewery. A half hour from Mineral Point (Fall Art Tour), Mount Horeb (Troll Way), Dodgeville (House on the Rock) and Monroe (Cheese Days). Fifteen minutes from hiking, fishing and boating at Yellowstone Lake State Park. Campfire with s'mores every night, coffee and scones in the morning. Wifi is reliable on some spots on the property, and a sure thing on the front breakfast porch. We do require a two-night minimum to stay in the campers. Tent camping we have no minimum. Please reach out to us on the app to see what is available.
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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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