The best great views campgrounds in Iowa

Sandwiched between the Mississippi, Missouri, and Big Sioux Rivers, Iowa is characterized by a mix of plains and hilly countryside, farmlands, lakes, and rivers. This Midwestern state is full of spots to get out and adventure, with about 83 state parks and nearly 6,000 campsites spread among them. The state also has an extensive river system—with numerous lakes and reservoirs—and boating and angling are among the most popular summer activities here. Like elsewhere in the Midwest, the winter months often bring with them plenty of snow, ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

98% (1.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Sandwiched between the Mississippi, Missouri, and Big Sioux Rivers, Iowa is characterized by a mix of plains and hilly countryside, farmlands, lakes, and rivers. This Midwestern state is full of spots to get out and adventure, with about 83 state parks and nearly 6,000 campsites spread among them. The state also has an extensive river system—with numerous lakes and reservoirs—and boating and angling are among the most popular summer activities here. Like elsewhere in the Midwest, the winter months often bring with them plenty of snow, ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

98% (1.4K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Windy Goat Acres

99%

(723)

7 sites · Lodging · Chelsea, IA

We love animals, plants, art, and outdoor recreation and love sharing these things with people! We found the perfect little plot for all of these things we love. Nature, art, animals, and lots of space! The hilly, lush land is also known as the Bohemie Alps and it's quite a beautiful area tucked away in Iowa. Visit with the llamas, goats, peacocks, potbelly pigs and the horses and hike around the property or stay in for a quiet stay with a good book and enjoy all the sights and sounds. Lots of extra 'add ons' to enhance the experience, like a waffle bar kit, smore's package, hikes, and more! Semi wooded property with hiking trails, hammocks, aerial silks, campfire pit. 5 mi away is Otter Creek Lake, a recreational park for fishing, kayaking, swimming, etc. We have 2 kayaks available. So much to do! Also perfect to just relax, meditate, yoga, sleep...

2. 1860's Botanical Homestead

97%

(165)

2 sites · Tents, Lodging · Bellevue, IA

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*

3. Nature Heaven

96%

(315)

10 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Knoxville, IA

The winter camping is on the way! We believe each season has it’s special nature-beauty, so we open year around. This seclude, beautiful pet friendly 40 acres of fenced camping site is on hilly land and is rare in Iowa with view of 3.5 private fishing ponds and far view of the Red Rock Lake. There are 10 acres nature timber area that keep you away from the other campers and rest of the world. Each site has a firepit, picnic table and a solar light. The drinking water is at the entrance, but no electricity on. There are tons of nature features, you may see deer, rabbits and other game birds by your campsite. Each camping sites have good distances to keep privacy from each other. A recently built a 20ft diameter geodesic glamping dome tent is for those who want more climate-controlled stay while still enjoying the magnificent nature's gifts. For surrounding areas, the close by White Breast Beach is open from May 23-September 3, 2024, boating, hunting and hiking activities in the lake red rock. For our camper's safety, any hunting activities are not allowed within our camping ground. However, in case you come for hunting with Iowa hunting tags, a couple of public hunting grounds are near our camping ground. The recently built glamping geodesic Dome tent is located on a top of hill. You will have a fantastic sunset view of ponds and lake view while enjoy the great nature and have a comfortable stay. The cell phone signals are good from most providers; you may use your cell phone hotspot work remotely at this astonishing Lake Red Rock Oasis ^_^. Hope you will find joy, peace and happiness in this wonderful piece of natural land and the Red Rock Lake areas. A little history of this land: These 40 acres of land was a surface mining site. The reclamation works done during the 1970s. But over the years, the soil was seriously eroded. Anna and Peilin, who have Master's and PhD in soil and environment health background, bought this land several years ago and started to restore the vegetation. Now the site looks beautiful and ready for the nature lovers and campers to enjoy the fantastic view of the lake, ponds, hills and tall grass, Butterflys... The site is totally different from what the Google map shows now.

4. Miss Effie's Country Flowers

100%

(33)

2 sites · Tents · Donahue, IA

Ms. Effie’s Flower Farm is a gated you pick flower farm located in beautiful rural countryside. Peace and tranquillity is what you will find when you are surrounded by amazing flowers and rolling farm fields. The cornzebo is a unique gathering spot with romantic lighting and comfortable seating. It’s a great place to watch the sun come up! The fire pit is also available for use.

5. Greenhouse Camping

97%

(151)

2 sites · RVs · Ankeny, IA

We love this beautiful land that has been in our family since 1917, and think you will too! We are located 1/2 mile off I-35 at the north border of the City of Ankeny. Here you'll find the best of both worlds just fifteen minutes away from your quiet campsite - Boating, skiing, jet-skiing, fishing at Saylorville Lake. Canoe, kayak and paddleboat rental at Big Creek State Park. Swimming & waterplay for all ages at the Ankeny Aquatic Center. Upscale shopping and dining at the District. Or venture out a bit further to concert venues in Ames & Des Moines, local farmers markets, Des Moines' beautiful riverwalk and exciting nightlife, or the Iowa State Fair. It's the best of country and suburban living! End your day with a quiet stroll along the mowed walking path that overlooks one of the most beautiful areas of Four Mile Creek in Iowa, which circles right back to your cozy campfire. Learn more about this land: You'll love this relaxing space to camp and enjoy the Iowa outdoors! Very easy access, we are just 1/2 mile off of Interstate-35. Our farm is bordered by nature on three sides and the city of Ankeny on the south. This is a single campsite, private and quiet. Your campsite has an adjoining mowed private walking trail overlooking Four Mile Creek, and is also within walking distance of Ankeny sidewalks for biking, walking, jogging. It’s the best of both worlds - town and country! We're a 15 minute drive from Big Creek and Ledges State Parks, Jester Park and Saylorville Lake where you can enjoy fishing, skiing, boating, horseback riding, hiking, biking, and the beach life. You'll find unique shopping experiences, delicious dining, a good movie, a thriving live music scene just 15 minutes away in downtown Des Moines, downtown and campus town Ames, and at The District in Ankeny. Upon your arrival you'll find the greenhouse mini-fridge is stocked with 4 complimentary bottles of water and everything you'll need for making S'mores.

6. Draco Hill Nature Farm

98%

(705)

4 sites · Tents, RVs · West Branch, IA

We're closing out another wonderful season with a Chestnut Festival Sunday, Oct. 19th at 2 pm. THANK YOU to all our guests who appreciated Draco Hill Nature Farm, enjoyed the trails and the river, were considerate to one another and who left their sites as clean as they found them. Hipcampers Rock! We'll see you in 2026. A convenient 7 miles north of Interstate 80 but feels like an oasis away from it all. Enjoy nature in a private, wooded river valley setting. And check out our extras! Fatwood for starting fires easily Up to 3 extra bundles of firewood A 7-person tent Freeze-dried apples A Coleman stove, matches and tank of fuel NO generators please. Campers like to go to sleep under the stars to the sound of frogs, cicadas, coyotes, deer and the rustling wind through the tallgrass prairie. Wake to an amazing sunrise over the river. Enjoy a hike through our 4 miles of trails on 75 acres of rolling woodlands and prairie, picking berries, finding mushrooms, scaring up a turkey or pheasant in the brush or listening to the birds. (Pull out your Merlin app to see who's singing!) Play in the river or upland pond, cut cattails and prairie grasses for souvenirs and enjoy being unplugged for a while. Your hosts are here if you need us, but we leave you to enjoy this beautiful place at your own pace. Draco Hill Nature Farm hosts free events during the year. See Dracohill.org/events for details. Make it part of your camping experience or sign up for your own private sustainable agriculture tour under "Extras." This is a "socks and shoes, jeans and boots" kind of camping. You're visiting wild places and a working perennial farm, so please dress appropriately for your optimal enjoyment. If you go off trails and other mowed places, you increase your chances of contact with poison ivy, wild parsnhip and ticks. Please research these ahead of time and be prepared. We live here and encounter them frequently without more than a slight inconvenience.

Stories from the community

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margaret

2 weeks ago

1 night at 1860's Botanical Homestead

I wish we could have stayed a bit longer. The town was lovely; the room was sweet; the property was fascinating; and Jessica could not have been kinder. I’d love to stay there again if I get the chance. Highly recommend.

K

Kaiti

3 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

The thought and care put into this place is unmatched! Thank you for the best weekend.

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Angel

3 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

The hobbit hole was so cozy, even in the cold and rain! The land was magical and the vibe was so friendly and kind. We’ll definitely be back!

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Haley

3 weeks ago

With pets

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

Queen Armadillo yurt was magical! We arrived when it was dark and had a little trouble finding our spot since it was back a little farther but the owner helped us with directions. Once we walked into the yurt and turned on the lights, we were all so impressed with how warm and cozy it felt. We enjoyed the firepit and the super cool hammock net that is installed just outside the yurt. In the morning, we walked around the trails a little bit and then the waffle bar was delivered which was really fun. Feeding the animals was our favorite part. The ducks went absolutely bonkers for the grapes and made us light so hard. The horses and alpacas were total sweeties. One of our most favorite family getaways ever and we will come back to stay again this spring!

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Sarah

November 2025

With kids

1 night at Windy Goat Acres

Our family loved spending time at Windy Goat Acres. It is such a peaceful place. The animals are so sweet and full of personality. Jess made us feel so welcomed. This is our second time here. Can't wait to go again! There is just something magical about this place!

Nicole

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

We absolutely loved our time at Windy Goat Acres! Every corner of the property was enchanting and creative. Jim and Jessie were amazing hosts. Incredibly communicative and were eager to share their passion for their animals. We got to spend a lot of time interacting with the animals (goats, pigs, llama, emu, rabbits, horses, barn cats, peacocks, ducks and chickens) and they were all super friendly. Jim was an awesome bartender at the garden pop up bar. The tiny house was well equipped with all the essentials and nearby an indoor restroom. We can’t wait for our next stay!

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Taylor

November 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

This place is absolute magic. I love coming here, but hate leaving. It makes me feel so grounded and refreshed! Will stay again, again, and again!!

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Andy

November 2025

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

Staying at the Hobbit House on the Hill was one of our favorite things we’ve ever done in our lives. And walking around and experiencing all the artwork and how well they made an amazing experience out of their land was simply amazing. Highly recommend. Multiple times.

C

Celene

October 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

The Hobbit house was a lovely little retreat. Private and cozy, but so easy to walk down and see all the animals

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Cristian

October 2025

Tent

1 night at Nature Heaven

Great location, and accommodating host. Great directs and signs as you go through. Defined trailed with class 2 base gravel for easy 2wd access. Saw multiple deer both day for short time I was there. Well maintained.

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Jennifer

October 2025

19 ft campervan

With pets

4 nights at Greenhouse Camping

My dogs and I loved our stay on Robin’s land. He is very kind and had everything we needed. Peaceful location and close to everywhere we were going. Will definitely stay again.

The view from your camper, overlooking the beautiful Four Mile Creek valley.

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Robyn

October 2025

28 ft Class C

With pets

Weekend Trip to Greenhouse Camping

We loved the privacy to play guitars around the campfire. Robin also made a camp call to bring us an adapter so we could have electricity after dark. Awesome land. Awesome host. We plan to visit again! Thanks Robin

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Jordan

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

Windy Goat Acres is such a cute and quaint farm. My friend and I stayed in the tiny cabin, although there are larger cabins and yurts available to rent. The tiny cabin was perfect for a quick weekend getaway for the two of us and my small dog. There is quite the variety of animals on the farm that made for a unique trip as well. The hosts were very nice, very responsive to texts, and gave us privacy.

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Jessica

October 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Windy Goat Acres

Fun things to see and do everywhere. Little hidden gems around the property turned a simple walk into an adventure. Every square foot of this property has been given thought and purpose. The add-ons are clever and fun, don't miss out on this place for a weekend getaway.

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Julie

October 2025

2 nights at Windy Goat Acres

The entire trip was wonderful! The Queen Armadillo's Yurt was well supplied and very comfortable. We were thrilled to find so many hidden treasures of various artwork and activities as we explored the area. The goat social was a favorite as well as feeding the animals. Finding the horses freely wandering the farm throughout the day was so peaceful. This will definitely be an annual trip for us.

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Monica

October 2025

1 night at Windy Goat Acres

We loved Lady Morphia’s! Cozy and comfortable space. Loved the fireplace& fire pit on a cool fall evening. Would’ve loved to stay longer to go through the great book collection in the loft bedroom. Morning coffee on the front porch with the Bohemia Alps views was a lovely way to start the day.

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Grace

October 2025

Tent

1 night at 1860's Botanical Homestead

This place is everything. My friend and I booked with Jessica last minute for a night after getting rained out of our original site, and our only problem is we wish we could have stayed longer. Cozy campsite, Jessica is an INCREDIBLE, generous host (with great soaps), and what an amazing, magical piece of land to be on. Also- world’s cleanest porta potty. Had to say it. If you’re thinking about it and you’re not sure - book it. 🤍

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Monica

October 2025

With kids

1 night at Windy Goat Acres

We loved our stay! Such a charming space with fun little details throughout. It was a big hit with our daughter who loves the Hobbit. Jim& Jess were gracious hosts-the farm itself is quiet& lovely. We also loved the animals& trails-will definitely book again!

Laura

October 2025

17 ft travel trailer

With pets

1 night at Greenhouse Camping

Perfect location, beautiful sunset (picture included) nice grassy trail for an anytime still by yourself or with your dog. Speaking of dogs, Robin has installed a HUGE and I mean HUGE Dog Park. Water, electric and convenient extras if you want them🫶🏼 I’ll be back!

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Tim

October 2025

15 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Draco Hill Nature Farm

What a great little hideaway! Close to my home, super quiet and peaceful right next to the river. Everything is well marked and well kept. Nice trails to explore and super nice host. I will definitely be coming back to this one at least once a year.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best great views camping in Iowa guide

Where to go

Northwest Iowa

Northwest Iowa has lots of parks and camping opportunities along the Des Moines River, including the massive Brushy Creek State Recreation Area and Dolliver Memorial State Park. The Lakes Region—home to West and East Okoboji Lakes and Big Spirit Lake—is particularly popular among boaters, anglers, and birders, with a number of state parks and wildlife preserves across the region. Camping is available at Gull Point State Park.

Southwest Iowa

Southwest Iowa is characterized by wide-open farmland and pretty woodlands. Cyclists can take a tour of this region on the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, which stretches for 63 miles from the Missouri border up to Council Bluffs near the Nebraska border. The region's Loess Hills State Forest is one of the more popular areas for outdoor recreation, offering a fishing lake and more than 60 miles of trails.

Northeast Iowa

Iowa's Northeast is ideal for getting outside, with miles of recreation opportunities, from trout fishing to canoeing, on the Mississippi River and its Upper Iowa River tributary. Popular spots in the region include Backbone State Park, which offers camping, fishing, and cycling and hiking trails. The Effigy Mounds National Monument, which preserves hundreds of ancient effigy mounds built by Indigenous people during the first millennium, is also worth a visit.

Southeast Iowa

There's no shortage of lakes in Iowa's southeastern region, including Lake Keomah, Indian Lake, and Lake Bonnefield, in the charming town of Fairfield. This region is home to Lake Red Rock—the largest lake in the state—and the lakefront Elk Rock State Park offers camping, boat ramps, and 13 miles of trails. Other lake areas worth checking out include Geode State Park on the banks of Lake Geode and Lacey-Keosauqua State Park, which has camping, cabin rentals, and easy access to Lake Seguma.