The best forest campgrounds near Audubon, Iowa

Forest camping in Audubon blends thick tree cover with easy access to trails, fishing spots, and winter snow sports. With over 300 forest campsites, you'll find everything from basic clearings to sites with showers, toilets, and pet-friendly rules. Prices average $45 a night, but you can snag a site for as little as $29. Locals rate Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure (206 reviews) for its deep woods feel and well-kept grounds. Rock N Ranch Events & Campground (114 reviews) draws people for its quiet corners and direct access to forest trails. For something a bit more tucked away, The Waypoint (34 reviews) offers peaceful sites under mature oaks. Bring your hiking boots and fishing gear—these woods see action year-round.

98% (413)

Top-rated campgrounds

Forest camping in Audubon blends thick tree cover with easy access to trails, fishing spots, and winter snow sports. With over 300 forest campsites, you'll find everything from basic clearings to sites with showers, toilets, and pet-friendly rules. Prices average $45 a night, but you can snag a site for as little as $29. Locals rate Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure (206 reviews) for its deep woods feel and well-kept grounds. Rock N Ranch Events & Campground (114 reviews) draws people for its quiet corners and direct access to forest trails. For something a bit more tucked away, The Waypoint (34 reviews) offers peaceful sites under mature oaks. Bring your hiking boots and fishing gear—these woods see action year-round.

98% (413)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

98%

(208)

30mi from Audubon · 14 sites · Lodging · Menlo, IA

Our retirement dream is to share our beautiful property with people who love the outdoors. We started with our rustic tent sites and slowly added cabins. We go from primitive to sites with heat and air conditioning. We are not far from the Interstate but sure seems like we are as you travel the 4.6 miles of gravel road to step back in time.

2. Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

96%

(492)

45mi from Audubon · 61 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Earlham, IA

This property has a year round running creek called Bear Creek. They also mined the stone off the property for the State Capital in Des Moines, Iowa. Abundant wildlife and mature beautiful trees. Hiking trails, playground equipment, dog park, shelterhouse, showerhouse/restrooms, community fire pit, all sites have fire pits and picnic tables, laundry area, rec room, and welcoming staff!

3. The Waypoint

99%

(55)

42mi from Audubon · 5 sites · RVs · Earlham, IA

A vanlife destination located at the confluence of I80 and I35. 18 acres of land featuring a limestone quarry pond, perfect trees for hanging hammocks, flat ground for parking vans and so much space for community. If you’re interested, we are happy to coordinate introducing you to our small herd of alpacas and Great Pyrenees dogs.

4. Springbrook State Park

111 sites · Lake Panorama, Iowa

Discover the natural allure of Springbrook State Park's diverse landscapes.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Black Hawk State Park

128 sites · Lake View, Iowa

Discover the scenic beauty and outdoor adventures at Black Hawk State Park.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

6. Rooted Timbers

100%

(20)

33mi from Audubon · 4 sites · Tents · Stuart, IA

We're Ben, Trinh, Camille, and Sage. We purchased this 12 acres in Fall '20 as a way to share our love of the outdoors with our friends and family. As time went on, we noticed a need in making outdoor activities more accessible and inclusive to those outside our network. Rooted Timbers was created with the intention of making it easier for you to disconnect from business and connect with stillness.

Public campgrounds near Audubon

Springbrook Campground

25mi from Audubon · 111 sites · Tents, RVs · in Springbrook State Park

Black Hawk Campground

40mi from Audubon · 128 sites · Tents, RVs · in Black Hawk State Park

Stories from the community

R

Robin

3 weeks ago

1 night at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

Beautiful property, lots of trails to explore, pond and complete relaxation. Hunters Havin sleeping cabin was awesome. Great for cooler weather and beautiful surroundings for campfire. We can’t wait to return in the summer with the grandkids.

RV Spots have electric at the site, water to fill your tanks with and we have a dump station on the way out.

Xavier

3 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

Great roadside stop. Safe and comfortable. Would reccomend.

Holly

October 2025

1 night at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

The host was super friendly and flexible, even when we got in around midnight. The space was safe and views were lovely the next morning. I'd recommend staying!

J

Josh

October 2025

18 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to The Waypoint

Emma and her husband Jason always go above and beyond to make any visit to the Waypoint awesome! The stay was perfect as usual and I will definitely be back again

E

Eric

October 2025

2 nights at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

Absolutely love the cute little cottage and the fun playground areas.

Rayven

October 2025

2 nights at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

We had a great stay! The cabin was cozy and clean, tucked on the outskirts of Des Moines in a quiet little RV park and campground. The host was super friendly and helpful, and we appreciated that it wasn’t crowded at all. There were fun swings to discover around the property, and we enjoyed a perfect evening campfire—firewood was conveniently available on-site. Would definitely stay again!

J

James

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

The facilities were good, the site was nice (trees, nearby creek), and the staff were friendly and helpful. The only potential downside to this campsite is that there was fairly continual traffic noise from an interstate highway that was about a half mile to the north of the site; the noise eventually faded into the background of our awareness and didn't impact our ability to sleep at night

Patricia

September 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

Hostess was friendly and helpful. The site was large and shady. The facilities were clean. Directions, actually coordinates, were for a location about a mile away. I had to call to find the campground. Site T3 was very close to I-80 so it became noisy at times. The brook had an area of extremely slow moving water which seemed to attract mosquitoes. Perhaps that was seasonal. I would highly recommend for RVs and camper vans. Only can rate a maybe for tent camping..

D

Dave

August 2025

18 ft travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Waypoint

We had a wonderful, relaxing weekend at Waypoint. We enjoyed walking the nature trails and fishing in the pond. We even visited the alpacas. Emma kindly gave us an educational tour of all of their animal friends including dogs, cats, chickens, goats, and alpacas. Emma was very patient with our kid's many questions. The land is kept wild except for the camping spots and trails. We will definitely return.

K

Karl

August 2025

16 ft campervan

1 night at The Waypoint

Nice little place. We didn’t get to stay very long, but it is very peaceful and quiet.

Dudley

August 2025

30 ft travel trailer

With pets

1 night at The Waypoint

This is a wonderfully quiet place with gorgeous trees! It was a little too hot for pups and I to explore much but our camping area was very secluded and private. Emma is an incredibly responsive and kind hostess!

Ronda

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

I enjoyed the privacy and shade that site #T3 offered. The other tent sites in the loop were in full sun. I set up a tail gate tent and appreciated that there was enough grass at the end of the parking gravel for the tent. The large site could easily fit a couple of more tents. Very relaxing to listen to the accessable babbling creek on the back of the site. Only negative would be if there are other tenters you could be bothered by the close port-a-potty. I definitely heard the white noise of the interstate but it didn't drown out the sounds of the owls at night. Few lights in the campground allow for stargazing. So surprised to find the cleanest shower house ever! The private shower included a sink and toilet. Host was quick to answer any questions I had. I will definitely visit again.

J

Jj

August 2025

18 ft campervan

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Waypoint

This place was very secluded with private campsites. Our dogs loved it also. Obviously certain months bring bug spray lol. Had it not been overcast I'm sure we would have been able to enjoy millions of stars. If you e joy outdoors and seclusion 100% recommend!

Devon

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

The Ranch is a hidden paradise for a person like myself!! Very peaceful with a Creek,Pond, and Trails!!!! We had a Full moon during the stay and it’s amazing view every night! 10/10!!! 5 Star!!! MUST SEE!!!

B

Barbara

August 2025

20 ft Class B

1 night at The Waypoint

Our first night in our new camper van was spent in this very private peaceful location! Nice walk to beautiful pond - enjoyed the stay!

A

Ariane

August 2025

Tent

3 nights at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

Very clean and beautiful! I slept like a baby with the sounds of the stream. Owners readily available to help with any needs!

MICHAEL

August 2025

3 nights at Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

This place is a hidden gem and we will continue to come back year after year. The family is very kind and we absolutely love coming to camp here.

J

Jodi

July 2025

Tent

Group trip

1 night at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

We had reservations and wanted to stay so bad but the heat index was dangerous as well as the air quality from wildfire smoke so we did not go. I left the host a message through hip camp to let them know we weren't coming. So sorry to have missed it!

J

Jason

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

Super quiet. Very clean and well maintained. I'll definitely be back if I ever come through the area again.

M

Milt

July 2025

Tent

With pets

1 night at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

Shady Brook is a wonderful campground for those looking for a quiet and safe place to rest! We like to stay here when traveling to the Midwest to visit family. The tent site 3 is tucked away near the creek and we went to sleep with the calming sound of the creek. Fireflies that came out was a great bonus!