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Camping near Central City

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Looking for the best camping near Central City? The area features dozens of top-rated campgrounds and places to park your RV for the night, many within a short distance of Iowa hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. Whether you want a pet-friendly campsite or a family cabin rental with wifi, check out campsite photos, tips, and reviews from other outdoor enthusiasts to plan your next camping trip near Central City.

100% (1.8K) 1,349 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Central City

n*Everland Barnyard Camping

1. n*Everland Barnyard Camping

99%
(252)
14mi from Central City · 14 sites · Tents, RVs
We live outside the Matrix and march to the beat of our own drummer! We love sharing our space with those seeking true connection to nature and themselves. Privacy or community connection, whichever you prefer, we have 20 acres in Anamosa, Iowa at the end of a cul-de-sac just 5 blocks from Main Street. We think it's a slice of heaven and we bet you agree! NOTE: We don't have number/names of sites, just book and move through that portion as you are able. All the sites have ample privacy. Do you want to hike into a site? We have a few sites in the woods that are not easily accessible by car, if you want that kind of experience just mention it when booking. Follow us on Facebook to stay abreast of our current events! We are not very active on FB though, so we may miss your message if you reach out to us that way. FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN: Please reach out to us in messaging to determine if this is the right fit for your family vacation as we feel there are better options in the area for kids, but we do make exceptions for the well-behaved and respectful older children. Thank you for your understanding. ABOUT THE BARNYARD: n*Everland Barnyard is an eccentric art installation space created from found, recycled, and repurposed building materials in the heart of Grant Wood Country in Jones County, Iowa. We are not a commercial campground. We focus on Zen, mindfulness, peace, and tranquility. Firmly in the realm of Outsider Art, Gothic and rustic, Bob Kellogg has created a place unlike anywhere else in the world that represents freedom and inspires endless creativity. The land provides multiple camp sites for easy access to bike and walking trails taking visitors into town or through the Wapsipinicon State Park across the river from the property. Anamosa offers several restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses all within a 1-mile walking distance from your campsite. We also offer #ProjectCreatePeace, an initiative to create more peace in the world through creativity as an art project. Check out the extras listings to get your art on while you are here! There is a beautiful spring-fed water hole ideal for swimming in the state park, as well as access to the river from our property (although we do not recommend swimming in the river.)
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#JTRidge Sites/Clothing Optional

2. #JTRidge Sites/Clothing Optional

99%
(146)
28mi from Central City · 10 sites · Tents, Lodging
# About Welcome to our private **15-acre clothing-optional sanctuary**, located at our personal residence in eastern Iowa. One of the state's few private clothing-optional destinations, JTRidge offers a peaceful, natural setting where you can experience the freedom of clothing-optional recreation surrounded by woods, river bluffs, and abundant wildlife. Whether you're curious about your first clothing-optional experience or have enjoyed nudism for years, you'll find a welcoming, respectful environment where you can simply be yourself. Many of our guests—especially women seeking a peaceful escape—appreciate the opportunity to relax, reconnect with nature, and enjoy body-positive freedom without judgment or unwanted attention. We proudly welcome LGBTQ+ guests, solo travelers, couples, friends, and people of every background, body type, gender identity, sexual orientation, and experience level. Come alone or with those you care about—you'll be welcomed exactly as you are. Guests often tell us they appreciate the sanctuary's peaceful atmosphere and the chance to truly unwind without feeling watched, rushed, or judged. Here, you can slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature at your own pace. Unlike large commercial campgrounds, JTRidge offers only a handful of secluded campsites, a private primitive cabin, and Day Passes. With very few guests on the property at any given time, you'll enjoy exceptional privacy, tranquility, and plenty of room to breathe. This isn't a campground filled with organized activities or noisy neighbors—it's a quiet retreat created for rest, reflection, and genuine connection with the outdoors. Our Day Pass is perfect for a relaxing afternoon, a peaceful lunch break, or simply a few hours away from everyday life. Stretch out in a reclining lounge chair, explore wooded trails, relax in a hammock, read beneath the trees, practice yoga, meditate, or simply bask in the sunshine. If you need assistance with Hipcamp's Day Pass booking process, we're always happy to help. For guests wishing to deepen their relaxation experience, **private bodywork sessions are available by appointment**. These personalized sessions are designed to complement your visit by encouraging relaxation, mindfulness, and greater body awareness. Sessions may incorporate guided stretching, relaxation techniques, energy-based practices, and intentional bodywork, always tailored to your comfort level. Clear communication, informed consent, and respect for personal boundaries are central to every session. As stewards of this special property, we're honored to share it with those who appreciate privacy, nature, and the freedom of a clothing-optional environment. Clothing is optional throughout the property, but nudity is never required. Many first-time visitors quickly discover how natural and liberating the experience feels, while others choose to remain clothed throughout their stay. Both are equally welcome. Everyone is encouraged to enjoy the sanctuary at their own comfort level while respecting one another's privacy, personal boundaries, and individuality. Our goal is to foster a body-positive, inclusive atmosphere where every guest feels safe, accepted, and comfortable. As your hosts, we're committed to making every guest—especially first-time visitors—feel genuinely welcome and completely at ease. There is never any pressure or expectation beyond treating one another, the land, and the peaceful atmosphere with respect. Our hope is that you leave feeling refreshed, restored, and more connected to yourself and the natural world. Nestled along the scenic Wapsipinicon River, the sanctuary features mature hardwood forests, dramatic limestone bluffs, scenic hiking trails, open sunny spaces, and abundant wildlife. Listen to birdsong (the Merlin Bird ID app is a favorite here), watch cattle grazing peacefully in the neighboring pasture, cast a fishing line into the river, or simply enjoy the quiet rhythm of nature. As evening arrives, colorful sunsets give way to brilliant star-filled skies free from city light pollution. Gather around a campfire, listen to the gentle sounds of the river, read a favorite book, capture photographs of the landscape, or simply embrace the luxury of doing absolutely nothing. Looking for a little adventure? Launch your canoe, kayak, or tube in Olin and enjoy a scenic 3- to 4-hour float directly to our riverfront. Several Iowa state parks, fascinating caves, Iowa's only Presidential Library and Museum, and the Great Jones County Fair are all within a short drive, making JTRidge an ideal base for exploring eastern Iowa. Whether you're seeking peaceful solitude, quality time with someone special, or simply a place to unplug and recharge, we hope you'll discover that JTRidge is more than a place to camp—it's a place to breathe deeply, reconnect with yourself, and experience nature as it was meant to be enjoyed. We're always available if you need us and enjoy getting to know our guests, but we equally respect your privacy and personal space. Whether you'd like local recommendations, have questions, or simply prefer quiet solitude, we're happy to accommodate your style of visit. Many guests arrive expecting a one-time experience and leave already planning their return. We look forward to welcoming you to our peaceful corner of Iowa.
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Draco Hill Nature Farm

3. Draco Hill Nature Farm

98%
(734)
34mi from Central City · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
If you've never seen the tallgrass prairie, this is your chance! Right now, the prairie is in full bloom. Turkey tail, Indiangrass, partridge pea and many other beautiful native plants are at their best. The orchard trees are also loaded with fruit and nuts. If you've never seen a chestnut burr, a bundle of heartnuts, or Asian pears book now. No picking please - they aren't ripe yet. The weather is great and the campsites are mowed and ready for you! The river is low enough for you to walk down to it. You can only do that from Sun and Swimming and Shade and Swimming so be sure to book one of those if you want to dip your toes in the water. We know everything's expensive these days. Camping is a cheap and easy way to get away. Don't own a tent? Rent one from us. Would rather use a gas stove than struggle with a fire? We've got those too. We've also reduced our Sycamore Site to a super low $20/night for those of you pinching pennies. We hope you can enjoy it at that rate. Remember, a load of firewood is included. Please don't reserve this site if you're towing a trailer. Book over the October 17 weekend and catch our Chestnut Festival. Come any time for privacy at your site or a hike trails. Take a dip in the pond if you dare! Learn more and see map at our website. 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 for rent -- A Coleman stove, matches and tank of fuel -- A personal tour of the exotic fruits and nuts and ecological restoration we're growing here. NO generators or large RVs 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. This is "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 and ticks. Please research these ahead of time and be prepared. We live here and encounter them frequently without more than a slight inconvenience.
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Wapsipinicon State Park

4. Wapsipinicon State Park

State park 14mi from Central City · 25 sites
Discover the natural charm of Wapsipinicon State Park.
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Electrical hookup
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Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area

5. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area

State park 16mi from Central City · 74 sites
Discover the allure of Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area.
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Blueberry Farm on a Hill

6. Blueberry Farm on a Hill

100%
(21)
39mi from Central City · 1 site · Tent, RV
Welcome to our idyllic 10-acre historic farmstead in rural Johnson County, Iowa (about 8 miles west of Iowa City). We are a bookish, quiet couple with a 9-year-old daughter, 2 llamas, 4 chickens, 2 babydoll sheep, 3 housecats, and 5 barn cats. In June and July, we open our farm to the public for U-pick organic blueberries. Campers have access to a private firepit with 4 chairs, a bathroom shed with a composting toilet, a campfire coffee percolator, a prairie trail, a hammock, a free little library, and a beanbags lawn game. We're looking for Hipcampers who are respectful and clean.
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River Camp

7. River Camp

99%
(51)
41mi from Central City · 2 sites
Learn more about this land: Private 28 acre parcel with scattering of cabins and houses. Includes many feet of river frontage with private road along river that makes for good biking or walking. Some trails in forest. Lots of birds and wildlife. Large 100 year old oak trees, giant sycamores and cottonwood trees on the property. Short trail to river provides access for kayaking or fishing. Put in at Sturgis Ferry Park by airport in Iowa City and kayak to campsite or go further to Hills Access at Hills, Iowa. Camp site is close to Iowa City, but the quiet site seems 100's of miles away. River Camp is close to Ryerson's Woods State Forest Preserve, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Terry Trueblood Recreation Area and a 10 minute drive to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
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Full hookups
Folk School Farm Stay

8. Folk School Farm Stay

99%
(295)
42mi from Central City · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Come enjoy the natural beauty of a working farm! In our transition to agroforestry, wetland restoration and perennial ag, you'll find some great spaces to walk your dog, let your children run and learn about land conservation. The farm is also home to a flower cutting garden, a food forest garden, and a folk school. Guests are welcome to cut flowers for a donation, and enjoy the sheep, chickens and resident cat. The setting is also great for taking in sunrises, sunsets and star gazing. Come explore the landscape, book a farm tour or enjoy some studio space at Land Alliance Folk School.
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Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp

9. Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp

99%
(87)
47mi from Central City · 1 site
We offer one private site on four acres, including a small pond, beach, treehouse, trails and peace and quiet. In addition to the tipi, there are kayaks, canoe, fire ring, wood supply, cooking equipment, dutch ovens, hammock, and tables and chairs Catch and release fishing is allowed. Campers will need to bring sleeping bags and food. Dogs are welcome. There is a rustic restroom (outhouse), with an outdoor shower. Water and electricity are available at the restroom and campsite. In addition, Navigation Play-Williamsburg, provides outdoor play opportunities at the farm on a seasonal basis. If interested, find her on her facebook page. Our dream was to restore an old farmstead to prairie and woods, grow our own food, make some wine and create a wonderland for grandchildren. The tipi and pond campsite is our way of sharing our place. We love meeting new people, especially those that are looking for a new camping experience.
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Palisades-Kepler State Park

10. Palisades-Kepler State Park

State park 20mi from Central City · 40 sites
Discover the scenic beauty of Palisades-Kepler State Park.
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Coralville Lake

11. Coralville Lake

80%
(5)
Park 28mi from Central City · 480 sites
Discover the scenic beauty and outdoor adventures at Coralville Lake.
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Electrical hookup
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Backbone State Park

12. Backbone State Park

80%
(5)
State park 29mi from Central City · 124 sites
Discover the rugged beauty of Backbone State Park.
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Electrical hookup
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Lake Macbride State Park

13. Lake Macbride State Park

100%
(2)
State park 28mi from Central City · 103 sites
Discover the natural charm of Lake Macbride State Park.
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Electrical hookup
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Wooded Retreat Tiny House

14. Wooded Retreat Tiny House

100%
(11)
47mi from Central City · 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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New Hope Farm

15. New Hope Farm

100%
(14)
47mi from Central City · 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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Roy's Acres

16. Roy's Acres

98%
(33)
49mi from Central City · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Our 360-acre family farm—held by our family for nearly 80 years—has been transformed from a tree grove and a former highway borrow pit into a welcoming campground. We’ve built two structures on the property, including a shop with a restroom and a cozy porch where my wife and I enjoy evenings watching deer and other wildlife. What began as a spot for family camping has grown into a campground we’re now opening to guests. Campsites range from electric-hookup sites for convenience to primitive sites for those who want to unplug and enjoy quiet time in nature. Beyond relaxing, guests can fish and paddle-boat on our pond or access the nearby Volga River for canoeing and kayaking. The Volga River State Recreation Area is just 10 miles away and offers additional fishing, boating, hiking, and horseback-riding opportunities. Update: So far this spring we haven't seen any fish in our pond. We don't know what happened to them and if fishing on the pond will be possible this year.
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Windy Goat Acres

17. Windy Goat Acres

99%
(871)
50mi from Central City · 5 sites
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...
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Gooseberry Grove

18. Gooseberry Grove

18mi from Central City · 1 site
Welcome to Gooseberry Grove, a peaceful countryside retreat where guests can slow down, explore, and enjoy the simple beauty of nature. Nestled on our family property, this private grass RV site offers a quiet place to relax white surrounded by open skies, greenery, and country charm. Guests are welcome to explore the average, enjoy a round of disc golf on our 12-hole course, wander along the small creek, relax by the koi pond, and experience the little moments that make country living special. During your stay, you may meet our friendly cats, visit our chickens, and enjoy the peaceful rhythm of life on the farm. Where you're traveling through, looking for an outdoor getaway, or simply want a place to unplug, Gooseberry Grove offers a cozy escape filled with nature, adventure, and quiet mornings. Come for the stay, stay for the memories.
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Lazy Acres RV Park

19. Lazy Acres RV Park

18mi from Central City · 95 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Discover the unique charm of Beyonder Getaway Lazy Acres, a full-service campground that offers a serene escape surrounded by nature. Located near Cedar Rapids, Iowa, our park features a peaceful pond and a vibrant community of feathered friends, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers and families alike. At Lazy Acres, we provide a diverse camping experience with a variety of distinctive sites, each offering its own unique atmosphere and features. Our family-friendly environment is complemented by a wide range of amenities and activities designed to cater to campers of all levels. Whether you’re looking to relax by the water, explore nearby hiking trails, or enjoy outdoor games, we ensure that every visit creates cherished memories. With our commitment to privacy and tranquility, you can unwind and connect with nature while enjoying the comforts of our well-maintained facilities. Explore the nearby attractions, including natural swimming holes, local restaurants, and charming shops, all within easy reach. Join us at Lazy Acres for an unforgettable camping adventure that promises relaxation and fun for everyone!
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Full hookups
Unhitched Sleepy Hollow

20. Unhitched Sleepy Hollow

38mi from Central City · 136 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Unhitched Sleepy Hollow has found its way into the Unhitched family, and we think Oxford, Iowa, just got a little more exciting. Tucked away just 20 minutes from Iowa City, Sleepy Hollow has been a beloved escape for families seeking the kind of Midwest peace that’s getting harder to find. Unhitched Management is stepping in to lead the way forward, bringing our Safe, Clean, and Friendly promise to every corner of this scenic property. We’re investing in improvements, refreshing the experience, and building something worth coming back to.
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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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