The best river, stream, or creek RV campgrounds near Fairfield, Iowa

Camping near Fairfield, Iowa is the perfect way to get in touch with nature. If you're looking for an RV site and love being near rivers, Hipcamp offers over 400 camping options to choose from. With options as low as $14 and an average price of $49 per night, there's something for everyone. Top campsites like Draco Hill Farm (192 reviews), Folk School Farm Stay (135 reviews), and n*Everland Barnyard Camping (81 reviews) provide popular amenities like cooking equipment, campfires, and pet-friendly sites. Popular activities include horseback riding, off-roading (OHV), and wildlife watching. Pack your bags and get ready to explore!

100% (63)

Top-rated campgrounds

Start of private road. Veer left at end of county road.

Camping near Fairfield, Iowa is the perfect way to get in touch with nature. If you're looking for an RV site and love being near rivers, Hipcamp offers over 400 camping options to choose from. With options as low as $14 and an average price of $49 per night, there's something for everyone. Top campsites like Draco Hill Farm (192 reviews), Folk School Farm Stay (135 reviews), and n*Everland Barnyard Camping (81 reviews) provide popular amenities like cooking equipment, campfires, and pet-friendly sites. Popular activities include horseback riding, off-roading (OHV), and wildlife watching. Pack your bags and get ready to explore!

100% (63)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. River Camp

99%

(45)

48mi from Fairfield · 3 sites · RVs · Iowa City, IA

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.

2. Whitetail Tent Camping

100%

(10)

21mi from Fairfield · 3 sites · Tents, RVs · Keosauqua, IA

Camping, (Fishinfg at 2 of our sights) Enjoying a campfire and sometimes even petting Pedro the donkey! Learn more about this land: Nestled into the center of historic and scenic Van Buren County (where there are more Whitetail Deer than people) You are a 5 minute drive away from The Des Moines River which is great for kayaking, boating and fishing. You’re also 5 minutes away from Lacey State Park, which has a 30 acre lake. Lacey Lake also has a sandy beach area and over 13 miles of trails to hike on. If you like to go fishing and boating, Lake Sugema, a 579 acre lake, is a 10 minute drive from this campsite. If you’re into horseback riding, you’ll be camping 19 miles from where you can rent a horse and ride on 25 miles of trails in Shimek State Forest, just east of Farmington, Iowa.

3. Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

82 sites · Keosauqua, Iowa

Discover the serene beauty of Lacey-Keosauqua State Park.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

4. Battle of Athens State Historic Site

29 sites · Missouri

Explore Civil War history and riverfront landscapes at this park in northeastern Missouri.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

5. Geode State Park

100%

(1)

168 sites · Danville, Iowa

Discover Geode State Park's serene lake and lush trails.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

6. Nauvoo State Park

100%

(2)

30 sites · Nauvoo, Illinois

Situated peacefully on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, historic Nauvoo State Park has nature lovin’ folk jumping for joy at the sight of an expansive lake and sandy, mile-long shoreline. Take in some of the best views the park has to offer on the Locust Lane Trail. A 1.5-mile loop, the path winds around the lake, through the woods, and over prairie flower dotted hillsides. The campsites are many and the accommodations are vast. From spacious, individual sites, to a youth group area, all are centrally located and hook you up with VIP access to all adventurin’ possibilities.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

7. Rathbun Lake

100%

(1)

391 sites · Rathbun, Iowa

Discover Rathbun Lake: A Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Fairfield

Lacey-Keosauqua Campground

20mi from Fairfield · 82 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lacey-Keosauqua State Park

Battle of Athens State Historic Site Campground

32mi from Fairfield · 29 sites · Tents, RVs · in Battle of Athens State Historic Site

100%

(1)

Geode Campground

33mi from Fairfield · 168 sites · Tents, RVs · in Geode State Park

100%

(2)

Nauvoo Campground

44mi from Fairfield · 30 sites · Tents, RVs · in Nauvoo State Park

Buck Creek Campground

48mi from Fairfield · 42 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rathbun Lake

100%

(1)

Prairie Ridge Park Campground

49mi from Fairfield · 55 sites · Tents, RVs · in Rathbun Lake

Stories from the community

K

Kelly

October 2025

34 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to River Camp

If you are looking for a quiet spot this is the place. Plenty of wildlife to see deer bald eagles.

M

Michelle

October 2025

27 ft travel trailer

With pets

3 nights at River Camp

This is the perfect spot for people who love fishing, the Hawkeyes, or have family in Iowa City. Full hook-ups and a quiet spot. Loren is easy to work with and very accommodating.

B

Barritt

May 2025

20 ft pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to River Camp

Awesome campsite for a weekend getaway. Great place to let the dogs roam around off leash.

J

Josh

May 2025