The best camping near Fairfield with swimming

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In Fairfield, you’ll find over 590 campsites where swimming isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the main event. Locals hit the water at tucked-away farm ponds, spring-fed lakes, and creekside clearings. Tent campers have options as low as $20 a night, with the average stay running about $49. The top spots? Folk School Farm Stay (226 reviews) blends hands-on farm life with cool-off swims. Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp (62 reviews) puts you right near the water’s edge for sunset dips. Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews) keeps things quiet and shaded, perfect for a midday swim. Most sites allow campfires, pets, and basic toilets, while fishing, hiking, and wildlife-watching round out the lineup. Bring a towel and a sense of adventure—Fairfield’s swimming campsites do the rest.

100% (320)

Top-rated campgrounds

Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp

2. Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp

99%
(85)
46mi from Fairfield · 2 sites · Lodging · Williamsburg, IA
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. 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$105
 / night
The recreational bike trail (13 miles) is located immediately adjacent to the camping area.

3. Trail-Side Rural Retreat

100%
(9)
40mi from Fairfield · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Oskaloosa, IA
Our 3-acre pasture borders a 13-mile recreational trail that encompasses our entire town. Super easy access to the trail via bike, golf cart, or on foot to the middle school, high school, community auditorium, William Penn University or Lacey Recreational Complex. We live approximately 150 yards from the city limits, but are on a gravel road. It is an easy 7-minute drive to the grocery store, 2 minutes to the local hospital, and the trail is accessible to walkers, golf carts and bicyclists. Our property does not have any hookups, but if needed, there is are a couple of spots where a 110 connection could be accommodated (for an additional $5/night) close to our home that we could have discussions about using. My husband and are I both retired and our property is LGBTQIA+ friendly. Please note on the three acres, we do have 15 laying hens who free-range during the day, but are confined at night. They typically do not have any desire to interact with humans unless you are feeding them and should not present any problems. IF you bring a pet, please insure it is kept controlled and not allowed to interact with our hens or the folks using the recreational trail. As a bonus, for $5 per person we would be happy to whip up a farm-fresh egg breakfast each morning you stay with us. During summer months, guests are welcome to use our above-ground fully-enclosed pool complete with outdoor shower (heated by the power of the sun shining on a garden hose which means hot water is VERY limited!). There is a tiki bar, small deck and lawn furniture inside the pool enclosure. Please stop by the main house to check in when you arrive. We look forward to hosting you!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$23
 / night
outhouse

6. 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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night

In Fairfield, you’ll find over 590 campsites where swimming isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the main event. Locals hit the water at tucked-away farm ponds, spring-fed lakes, and creekside clearings. Tent campers have options as low as $20 a night, with the average stay running about $49. The top spots? Folk School Farm Stay (226 reviews) blends hands-on farm life with cool-off swims. Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp (62 reviews) puts you right near the water’s edge for sunset dips. Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews) keeps things quiet and shaded, perfect for a midday swim. Most sites allow campfires, pets, and basic toilets, while fishing, hiking, and wildlife-watching round out the lineup. Bring a towel and a sense of adventure—Fairfield’s swimming campsites do the rest.

100% (320)

Top-rated campgrounds

Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp

2. Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp

99%
(85)
46mi from Fairfield · 2 sites · Lodging · Williamsburg, IA
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. 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$105
 / night
The recreational bike trail (13 miles) is located immediately adjacent to the camping area.

3. Trail-Side Rural Retreat

100%
(9)
40mi from Fairfield · 8 sites · Tents, RVs · Oskaloosa, IA
Our 3-acre pasture borders a 13-mile recreational trail that encompasses our entire town. Super easy access to the trail via bike, golf cart, or on foot to the middle school, high school, community auditorium, William Penn University or Lacey Recreational Complex. We live approximately 150 yards from the city limits, but are on a gravel road. It is an easy 7-minute drive to the grocery store, 2 minutes to the local hospital, and the trail is accessible to walkers, golf carts and bicyclists. Our property does not have any hookups, but if needed, there is are a couple of spots where a 110 connection could be accommodated (for an additional $5/night) close to our home that we could have discussions about using. My husband and are I both retired and our property is LGBTQIA+ friendly. Please note on the three acres, we do have 15 laying hens who free-range during the day, but are confined at night. They typically do not have any desire to interact with humans unless you are feeding them and should not present any problems. IF you bring a pet, please insure it is kept controlled and not allowed to interact with our hens or the folks using the recreational trail. As a bonus, for $5 per person we would be happy to whip up a farm-fresh egg breakfast each morning you stay with us. During summer months, guests are welcome to use our above-ground fully-enclosed pool complete with outdoor shower (heated by the power of the sun shining on a garden hose which means hot water is VERY limited!). There is a tiki bar, small deck and lawn furniture inside the pool enclosure. Please stop by the main house to check in when you arrive. We look forward to hosting you!
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
$23
 / night
outhouse

6. 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.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$28
 / night

Public campgrounds near Fairfield

Stories from the community

Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field