95% (82) • 10 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Dows
Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC
1. Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC
98%
(41)
36mi from Dows · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging
Threshold Learning Center is 28 acres of prairie, creek, woods, and our barn dormitory. Threshold is first, an outdoor learning center for schools during the school year, and a summer camp offering several day camps, family camps, and trips. As a non-profit, however, we are constantly trying to find a way to offer our programs to everyone regardless of whether they are able to pay our fees while still making enough money to stay open. We started renting TLC to the public 5 years ago for weddings, reunions, or just families who are looking to connect to the world around them. Our motto is "No Child Left Inside" and we want every inner child to enjoy what we have at TLC. We have 7 bedrooms in our dormitory, 5 camp sites, a large camp fire ring, a mini-golf course, and we are always willing to lead your group in an educational experience or take you on a hayrack ride.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$15
/ night
Secluded riverside ranch
2. Secluded riverside ranch
100%
(41)
23mi from Dows · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
This property encompasses 15 acres featuring a mile of mowed trails that weave through wildflower prairies, along a meandering creek, peaceful woods along the river, and a 501(c)(3) animal rescue providing sanctuary to goats, a llama, a miniature cow, an ostrich and more! The perfect place to unwind, unplug, and connect with nature in a private setting, not on a gravel pad at a treeless, overcrowded campground.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$25
/ night
DILLON TREE FARM
3. DILLON TREE FARM
100%
(10)
13mi from Dows · 7 sites · RVs
Up-and-coming Christmas tree farm sits near the Iowa River (1/4 mile away). Up to 7 electrical hookups. In between two smaller towns (Alden and Iowa Falls) with restaurants and things to do. We have a big gravel lot. Christmas trees, timber, and a creek to explore. A nice peaceful setting to enjoy with friends and family.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from
$36
/ night
Beeds Lake State Park
4. Beeds Lake State Park
142 sites · Hampton, Iowa
Discover the serene beauty of Beeds Lake State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Pine Lake State Park
5. Pine Lake State Park
100%
(1)
127 sites · Eldora, Iowa
Discover Pine Lake State Park's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
The Pavilion at Walking Eagle Marsh
6. The Pavilion at Walking Eagle Marsh
83%
(3)
41mi from Dows · 1 site · Tent, RV
Welcome to The Pavillion at Walking Eagle Marsh! This acreage is a quiet, private oasis just outside of Forest City. We offer 30 and 50amp hookups, and tents can be placed almost anywhere within the mowed areas surrounding the water. There is no water or sewer at this location, but potable water may be filled at our home just 1/2 mile down the road, or in Forest City. The Pond also has a cedar pavilion with picnic seating for 16!! Catch and release fishing is allowed, and the fire pit is perfect for campfire stories and roasting marshmallows! Multiple nature trails are available to explore within our 200 acre extended property, with prior notice please. Local attractions include Pilot Knob State park just down the road to the East, and Bear Creek Golf course to the west. We are avid RV’ers, and have enjoyed camping for over 15 years! We can’t wait to host you!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
$24
/ night
Clear Lake State Park Iowa
7. Clear Lake State Park Iowa
177 sites · Clear Lake, Iowa
Discover the Serene Beauty of Clear Lake State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
McIntosh Woods State Park
8. McIntosh Woods State Park
51 sites · Ventura, Iowa
Discover the Serenity of McIntosh Woods State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Pilot Knob State Park
9. Pilot Knob State Park
100%
(1)
60 sites · Forest City, Iowa
Pilot Knob State Park is a go-to for seasoned campers.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
95% (82) • 10 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Dows
Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC
1. Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC
98%
(41)
36mi from Dows · 2 sites · Tents, Lodging
Threshold Learning Center is 28 acres of prairie, creek, woods, and our barn dormitory. Threshold is first, an outdoor learning center for schools during the school year, and a summer camp offering several day camps, family camps, and trips. As a non-profit, however, we are constantly trying to find a way to offer our programs to everyone regardless of whether they are able to pay our fees while still making enough money to stay open. We started renting TLC to the public 5 years ago for weddings, reunions, or just families who are looking to connect to the world around them. Our motto is "No Child Left Inside" and we want every inner child to enjoy what we have at TLC. We have 7 bedrooms in our dormitory, 5 camp sites, a large camp fire ring, a mini-golf course, and we are always willing to lead your group in an educational experience or take you on a hayrack ride.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
$15
/ night
Secluded riverside ranch
2. Secluded riverside ranch
100%
(41)
23mi from Dows · 3 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
This property encompasses 15 acres featuring a mile of mowed trails that weave through wildflower prairies, along a meandering creek, peaceful woods along the river, and a 501(c)(3) animal rescue providing sanctuary to goats, a llama, a miniature cow, an ostrich and more! The perfect place to unwind, unplug, and connect with nature in a private setting, not on a gravel pad at a treeless, overcrowded campground.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
$25
/ night
DILLON TREE FARM
3. DILLON TREE FARM
100%
(10)
13mi from Dows · 7 sites · RVs
Up-and-coming Christmas tree farm sits near the Iowa River (1/4 mile away). Up to 7 electrical hookups. In between two smaller towns (Alden and Iowa Falls) with restaurants and things to do. We have a big gravel lot. Christmas trees, timber, and a creek to explore. A nice peaceful setting to enjoy with friends and family.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
from
$36
/ night
Beeds Lake State Park
4. Beeds Lake State Park
142 sites · Hampton, Iowa
Discover the serene beauty of Beeds Lake State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Pine Lake State Park
5. Pine Lake State Park
100%
(1)
127 sites · Eldora, Iowa
Discover Pine Lake State Park's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
The Pavilion at Walking Eagle Marsh
6. The Pavilion at Walking Eagle Marsh
83%
(3)
41mi from Dows · 1 site · Tent, RV
Welcome to The Pavillion at Walking Eagle Marsh! This acreage is a quiet, private oasis just outside of Forest City. We offer 30 and 50amp hookups, and tents can be placed almost anywhere within the mowed areas surrounding the water. There is no water or sewer at this location, but potable water may be filled at our home just 1/2 mile down the road, or in Forest City. The Pond also has a cedar pavilion with picnic seating for 16!! Catch and release fishing is allowed, and the fire pit is perfect for campfire stories and roasting marshmallows! Multiple nature trails are available to explore within our 200 acre extended property, with prior notice please. Local attractions include Pilot Knob State park just down the road to the East, and Bear Creek Golf course to the west. We are avid RV’ers, and have enjoyed camping for over 15 years! We can’t wait to host you!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
from
$24
/ night
Clear Lake State Park Iowa
7. Clear Lake State Park Iowa
177 sites · Clear Lake, Iowa
Discover the Serene Beauty of Clear Lake State Park.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
McIntosh Woods State Park
8. McIntosh Woods State Park
51 sites · Ventura, Iowa
Discover the Serenity of McIntosh Woods State Park.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
Pilot Knob State Park
9. Pilot Knob State Park
100%
(1)
60 sites · Forest City, Iowa
Pilot Knob State Park is a go-to for seasoned campers.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
Edward
October 2025
30 ft Class A
With pets
Had the best stay here at Walking Eagle Pond. Very peaceful and quiet. The hosts were nice and even let us pick some apples of their apple tree and we made the best homemade apple turnovers!
See more
H
Hans
October 2025
16 ft car
Very friendly hosts, cool property with lots of walking trails and cute animals
See more
B
Blake
September 2025
Tent
With pets
Shannon has a great little spot on offer. We took our twin toddler two year olds camping for the first time at this location and it was perfect well groomed grass with organic apple trees and a brand new pavilion made our evening very comfortable. There’s also a fire pit and we were able to roast s’mores.
See more
Richard
August 2025
5 nights at Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC
Our stay at the TLC Learning Center was an incredible experience. I only wish I had more time to explore and take advantage of the many available activities. And next time I would bring more friends and family to enjoy the experience. There’s room for everyone!!
See more
L
Linda
July 2025
40 ft travel trailer
With pets
Very very clean, Ryan & family very friendly, you can tell they take much pride in their farm & sharing it with making campsites to share. The aroma walking thru the pines was amazing. Definitely stay there again.
See more
Jayne
July 2025
24 ft Class B
WONDERFUL FIRST TIME EXPERIENCE WITH HIP CAMP!!! Ryan’s family was the bonus on top of amazing camp sites and beautiful countryside.
We loved everything about our 1 night stay, and we will be back! Clean, pristine grounds, pickleball, walking trails. A fire was already started and Ryan’s came out to share snores with us! Loved their pups! The tree farm and we bought fresh sweet corn to take with us!
An amazing experience!
See moreT
Terry
July 2025
22 ft travel trailer
We enjoyed the camp site, the welcoming host and meeting the well cared for rescue animals! Easy to find location, would certainly stay again.
See moreA
Amy
June 2025
20 ft Class B
With kids
Passing through Iowa we found Dillon Tree farm to supplement us with water & electric. Family friendly, family owned business. Quiet off off the highway between US-65 and I-35.
Nice place to have some peace a quiet overnight. We were the only ones that night but spots are spaced very well.
Highly recommend if you need a quiet, safe place for the night.
See moreC
Cindy
June 2025
27 ft Class B
We’ve been traveling for over a month in our RV. So far The Tree Farm is our favorite stay! The property is stunning and easily accessed. There’s plenty of room and lots of walking paths, if you’re so inclined. Ryan and his family are very kind and responsive. There was a giant thunderstorm during our stay. This was the perfect place to ride it out. Ryan even offered us refuge should the storm get to gnarly! Also, if you need to dump your tanks, there is a little free dump station in the town of Iowa Falls, just as you enter the town. It’s in a little park next to the National Guard armory, only a few miles away.
See moreR
Rob
June 2025
14 ft travel trailer
With pets
Tyler was a great host and the site was just what I was looking for! A peaceful place for a getaway complete with a Noah’s Ark full of animals!!
See more
T
Tyrsa
June 2025
29 ft travel trailer
With pets
We had a great stay at Lazy J's! It was very peaceful and nice to be close to so many different animals. Our kids and dogs loved spending time here and being out in nature. We will definitely be back again sometime!
See more
K
Kimberly
May 2025
37 ft fifth wheel
Host was quick to respond and very accommodating. Spot couldn’t have been more perfect. Easy access for our 37 ft fifth wheel to get in and out easily. Great tree farm with a walking path and peaceful surrounding. Would book again.
See moreK
Katie
May 2025
16 ft car
Great lil find! The house is secluded so no busy roads or highway lights. Tyler was friendly and accommodating with my late arrival. The animals were the sweetest and the cows just stared at me haha! They've got a cat who followed me on my morning walk - super cute! Would recommend to anyone!
See more
J
Jeff
May 2025
21 ft Class B
With kids
Hidden Gem not too far off the beaten path. I was super impressed with the great hospitality, wonderful accommodations and relaxing atmosphere. We will be back!
See moreA
Alex
February 2025
37 ft fifth wheel
With pets
My wife and I live full time in a RV while we travel for work. This is by far the best place we have stayed along our journey. Hosts are hospitable and the site is private. Everyone in the area should stay here.
See more
