Camping near Decorah with wildlife watching

Spend a relaxing vacation camping and hiking in the scenic surroundings of Decorah.

98% (1336 reviews)
98% (1336 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Decorah

Under $50

Dog-friendly getaways

12 top campgrounds near Decorah with wildlife watching

100%
(6)

Cedar Springs

1 site · Lodging10 acres · Decorah, IA
The property has been in my family for over 40 years and was originally settled in the mid 1800's. It is about 10 acres and is primarily wooded with Cedar, Oak, Maple, Hickory and Birch. The topography is diverse, having steep heights, easy flats and everything in between; which makes hiking fun and interesting. The lower College Drive side features a historic limestone homestead and quarry, also a fossil rich creek-bed and rustic (4WD) road to the top. The upper property (Hwy. 52 access) offers a secluded forest as well as a spacious meadow. The woods are filled with birds and many other indigenous wild animals. We are only a half mile from towns edge and two miles from its center (also a five minute drive from Luther College). The Decorah area is well known for its scenic natural beauty and has extensive hiking trails, biking trails, cross-country ski routes, rivers, creeks and hunting areas. People come here year round for our outdoor recreation and beauty. Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Tubing, X-country skiing, and Trail Riding are very popular activities around here. Bring a side-by-side or ATV and have a blast both on the property and around the area. Decorah has several museums, a movie theater, 2 golf courses and bowling alley in addition to dozens of charming shops and several restaurants. You'll never get bored staying at Cedar Springs.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$90
 / night
100%
(68)

Gossman Goat Grazing Ranch

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents42 acres · Preston, MN
We have a lovely piece of property to come enjoy a getaway at. We enjoy all of the peace and quiet around here. The night sky is unbeatable in my eyes. We have a small hobby farm with lots of very tame animals. We have 42 acres to roams with lots of trails within the woods that are filled with aged oak trees and many young maple trees. Our property is filled with lots of wild flowers and wildlife. We are locate 3 miles from the root river if you enjoy fishing or going for a float down the river. There are two caves in our area that are a must see while you are visiting. I you like to hike there is a state park 14 minutes from us that have many miles of hiking trails and horse trails. If you are more the small town strolling type of person we have lots of small towns around us that are filled with shops and lots of great food! There is a large system of bike trails in our area that make a very fun way to check out some of the small towns. If you have a family with kids we have a lot of fun activities you can do with your kids, like spending time with the goats, chickens and ducks, playing on our playground, or taking a nice walk through the woods looking for fossils!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
from 
$30
 / night
88%
(4)

Hideaway Camper by the Cave 2.0

1 site · Lodging7 acres · Decorah, IA
Hideaway Camper by the Cave 2.0 is a clean & quiet camper that is located just a few feet from your private cave & waterfall! KAYAK & CANOE RENTALS AVAILABLE ON SITE by Uncle Jon. A gem that you cannot find anywhere else in Decorah. A secret hideaway for photos, hiking, sightseeing & connecting to nature. A secluded area for easy R&R while listening to water flow, chirping birds & watching deer & horses pass by. 1 queen bed sleeps 2, 1 twin bed sleeps 1, and 2 full bunk beds sleep 2-4. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings & have fun!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$125
 / night
100%
(338)

Quarry in the Mississippi Bluff

4 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Dakota, MN
This is a very private location. In its former life this property was a limestone quarry. Evidence of it's history remain with high rock walls on both ends of the property. In the center of the property is about 5 acres that is flat and covered with wildflowers and small trees. There are several good options for camping in this area. Surrounding this area is another 15 acres of hills and trees great for hiking and enjoying the beautiful view of the Mississippi River below. There is a boat ramp just a mile down the hill for boating or fishing on the Mississippi and the city of La Crosse, WI and La Crescent, MN are each only about a five minute drive. Great River Bluffs State Park and countless other recreational opportunities are just minutes away.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$29
 / night
100%
(27)

New Hartford trout camp

1 site · RV, Tent48 acres · Dakota, MN
Secluded valley site located where two trout streams come together. There is a large section of private access, as well as 1 mile of public access to the trout stream.
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from 
$30
 / night
100%
(268)

Shady Rest Acres

3 sites · Lodging, Tents23 acres · Brownsville, MN
Once the site of the historic V.J. Fetzner Brewery from the late 19th Century. The land is now used as a hobby farm, honey bee sanctuary and nursery to a unique tree species normally not found in Southeastern Minnesota. Remnants of the brewery are still visible. Foundation walls outline the massive structure of the brewery. Nestled in the center of the foundation is the entrance to the sixty-seven foot deep cave that once held barrels of beer and can be accessed by canoe only. Hops have been located on the property and are believed to be ancestors of those raised to make the beer once stored in the cave. The pond that provides access to the cave was dug out in the early 1990's to create a fish out for the Spring Falls Trout Farm that used to exist across the highway. Some of the original brood stock still exist and continue to naturally stock the pond. It is not uncommon to see fish that are five to ten pounds in size. We do not allow fishing from our pond. The residents house is built to scale to the original brew master's house. While the house is only twenty-four years old it looks as though you have taken a step back in time. The name Shady Rest was given to the house by the Brew Master's wife. We thought it was appropriate to keep the name alive. Shady Rest Acres is comprised of twenty-three acres of beautiful woodlands and pasture that are protected forever in the Minnesota Land Trust. The pasture is home to Scottish Highlander cows, two miniature donkeys, five sheep, four goats, honey bees and a flock of chickens. Scottish Highlanders were selected for both their grazing and browsing abilities. They are very docile and make excellent pasture mates to the smaller species sharing the pasture. The cows are excellent forest managers. They clear out invasive species such as Honey Suckle, Buckthorn, and Barberry which can often be difficult to manage. A guided tour with the host can be taken to meet the pasture animals. The forest is comprised of many tree species. Some are unique in that they normally do not grow in this region of Minnesota. The yellow birch is a species normally found in Northern Minnesota. It's bark is golden in color and glistens when the sun hits it just right. We have a cluster of several yellow birch including one that is so big that the bark no longer looks golden but instead is grey and very rough. Years ago the largest of these trees made excellent wood for turning bowls. Blue Beech (musclewood) can also be found on the property. As the name indicates the bark is shaped like muscles. Songbirds and some other species will use different parts of the tree as a food source. Towering white pines also speckle the landscape. Mother pine requires at least two humans arm lengths to encircle the whole tree. She is a favorite resting spot for the barred owl. There is oak, elm, maple, ceders, poplars and numerous other species. Honey bees are an integral part of the landscape. We partnered with a friend and started raising honey bees two years ago in order to do our part to keep pollinators thriving. Their hives are located in the pasture where it has the perfect amount of early morning sun to get them moving and afternoon shade to balance out the summer heat. It is not uncommon to see them pollinating garden plants, trees and wild flowers around the property. One of their favorite feeding spots is the acre and a half prairie which offers a range of plants including big blue stem, wild indigo and baby blue stem, to name a few. Not only are honey bees essential to the food chain but they also provide a very enriching experience when they are observed moving about their hives. There is nothing more relaxing and fascinating than watching these amazing creatures.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Trash
from 
$40
 / night
96%
(25)

S-Camp at Turtle Head Rock

1 site · RV, Tent1 acre · Viroqua, WI
Hey there Happy Campers! We welcome you to our small slice of Driftless heaven. This private campsite is located in prairie land, surrounded by agricultural and wooded property (it’s quiet). Within a few minutes drive you have access to some of the best trout streams a fishing license can buy. You're also in close proximity to amazing hiking and biking trails, agri-tourism (apple pickin' good times!), endless photography opportunities, wineries, birding, stargazing and visits to downtown Viroqua! After a long day of adventuring, come back to this quiet retreat, make some brandy old fashions and enjoy the ambiance of the stars and crackling camp fire! This site can accommodate 2 large tents with plenty of room for a camp kitchen, fire pit and seating area. There is newly constructed composting style outbuilding (please read instructions before using it) and a camp kitchen table along with solar powered lighting. Firewood and other supplies are conveniently available in downtown Viroqua. Be sure to check out the various retailers and restaurants while you're there! Hope you enjoy the camp and we just ask to please leave it better than you found it!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Cooking equipment
from 
$25
 / night
91%
(17)

Relax near the Mississippi

5 sites · RVs4 acres · Prairie Du Chien, WI
Relax
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from 
$20
 / night
100%
(360)

Gilles Family Dairy & Woodland

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Houston, MN
Welcome ; Located in southeast Minnesota's Driftless region of hills, valleys, fields and forests, we are a grass based working dairy farm with over 100 acres of woodland, including an extensive trail system and campsites in our wooded acres. What makes this woodland special is it's quiet, secluded setting and over 6 miles of hiking / skiing trails. Our farmstead sits three quarter of a mile off the paved county highway on our well maintained gravel driveway. Each of our campsites are secluded from the others with their own sawdust compost toilets, picnic tables, fireplaces, and firewood. Two of our sites require 4WD with a minimum of 6 inches ground clearance to access, and two are accessible with 2WD. If you do not have 4WD we can help transport your gear while you enjoy the walk in. There are plenty of woodland birds, deer, turkeys, raccoons and squirrels sharing the woods with you. At night it is common for owls to visit the campsite area to say hello, and coyotes talking in the distance. The winding trails through 100 acres of woodland offer a variety of woodland habitats, from Old growth Maple to mixed hardwood, to dense brush, to the edges of open pastureland. Bring your fat bike or mountain bike for an enjoyable ride. For winter users there is a mix of easy, moderate, and challenging winter cross country skiing or snowshoeing / hiking on the property. However the Rock Bottom Cabin is our only heated and insulated site and is available for winter booking. Winter access is walk in only with snow on the ground or in the forecast. We can help transport gear. This property is part of a working pasture-based dairy farm and guided tours of the dairy and cattle are available when scheduling allows. Children 12 and younger are free at our campsites. No need to be counted as guests , but please let us know when requesting to book. We do not allow non-booked visitors to our campsites due to the secluded, remote location, and accessibility.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
from 
$30
 / night
100%
(115)

Bluffscapes Camping

3 sites · Tents235 acres · Brownsville, MN
This 235 acre property, located in the Driftless Region, has been in our family for over 100 years.  From the wooded bluffs there are beautiful views of the Mississippi River and surrounding valleys.  We never tire of hiking in the woods, seeing many different kinds of wildlife, or seeing the beauty of nature in any season of the year.Learn more about this land:Wooded campsites on bluff top overlooking the Mississippi River. Hardwood forest offering hiking trails, bird and wildlife watching. Convenience store, public boat landing and Mississippi River Trail bicycle route within a mile of the property.  You can either take a 20 minute hike to the campsite or if conditions are dry we can give you a ride in our Ranger for a small fee. The trail does get steep in a few areas and the hike can be strenuous for some campers. NO smoking or alcohol. 
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
from 
$25
 / night
99%
(316)

Ranch Retreat

4 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Winona, MN
Our ranch has been in our family for 14 years and prior to that belonged to one family for over 200 years. Jolene (me, - owner) and my two sons, Riley and Logan put a lot of time and dedication into our ranch. Our ranch is located on 40 acres where anyone can find their little piece of “peace.” We pride ourselves on taking excellent care of our guests, making them feel at home the instant they step onto our land. We will do our best to accommodate your needs in any way possible. Our WIFI is not always 100% reliable. If you absolutely need WIFI at all times during your stay, please bring another option with you, such as a hotspot on your cell phone, in case ours is not dependable. From the crew who loves to share a little piece of our life on Stone Roller Road, – Jolene, Riley, Logan, Scotch (the yellow lab) Hops (the chocolate lab) and Scrappy (the late ranch dog)
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
from 
$32
 / night
Booked 1 time

Rush Creek Retreat

1 site · Lodging3 acres · Ferryville, WI
Welcome to Rush Creek Retreat, a charming rustic cabin nestled on 3 acres in the heart of the Driftless Region of Wisconsin. Situated just a stone's throw away from the mighty Mississippi River and a scenic 25-30 minute drive from Viroqua, Wisconsin, this Amish-built cabin offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. While the cabin boasts rustic charm, it is equipped with a number of modern amenities to make your stay cozy and comfortable. There is no running water, but the cabin does have electricity, high-speed internet (52 Mbps) and an electric water cooler on site that offers both hot and cold water options (while there may be water in the container from previous guests, it is best to come prepared with your own water to fill the container). Additionally, you'll find a small refrigerator with freezer, microwave, two electric heaters for warmth, a hot water kettle, and a Chemex for your coffee brewing needs. Dishes and cookware are provided. You'll also find an array of options to keep you occupied during your stay. Lose yourself in the mini library of 250+ books, or spin your favorite vinyl on the record player (BYOR). The Amazon Echo is equipped with SiriusXM radio for music streaming, and the projector and pull-down screen offer a fun movie night experience. Dive into a game or puzzle, flip through magazines, or simply relax in the hammock and soak in the tranquil ambiance. For nature explorers, within easy reach are Rush Creek State Natural Area, Blackhawk Park, Mt. Hosmer (Lansing, IA), Wyalusing State Park, Kickapoo Valley Reserve, Wildcat Mountain State Park and more. Flush toilets and showers can be found at Blackhawk Park in De Soto, a 10-15 minute drive from the cabin. This property is located in a rural setting, so you can expect to hear occasional noise from passing farm equipment and trucks. Across the street, a hobby farm adds to the countryside charm, and you may hear the morning greeting of a rooster. And while we do our best to keep nature outside of the cabin, keep in mind that bugs and mice do occasionally happen. As a guest at Rush Creek Retreat, you're responsible for leaving the cabin in clean condition, ready for the next guests. There is no cleaning fee charged, and no cleaning services are available after your stay, so it is important to honor this agreement. Remember to wash all dishes, place all furniture in its original setting and remove all trash and recyclables from the property upon departure. Learn more about Driftless Wisconsin at driftlesswisconsin.com.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
Trash
Cooking equipment
from 
$60
 / night

Available this weekend

Star Hosts in Decorah

Value Prop
Value Prop

Camping near Decorah with wildlife watching guide

Overview

If you're looking to experience the great outdoors near Decorah, Iowa and have a passion for wildlife watching, Hipcamp has over 460 options tailored just for you. From the tranquil Gilles Family Dairy & Woodland (239 reviews) to the rustic Ranch Retreat (226 reviews) and the stunning Quarry in the Mississippi Bluff (209 reviews), there's something for everyone. With average prices per night around $33 and options as low as $15, you can find a campsite that fits your budget. Popular amenities like trash disposal, toilets, and showers are available, while activities such as horseback riding, wind sports, and visiting historic sites add to the adventure. So grab your gear and get ready to immerse yourself in nature!

Safety at Hipcamp

Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Inclusion Policy
Hipcamp Hand

Safety partners

Recreate Responsibly

About us

Hipcamp is the most comprehensive resource for beautiful private campsites.

Discover and reserve tent camping, RV parks, cabins, treehouses, and glamping.

Download the Hipcamp App

Hipcamp is created with ❤️ and hope for our future.