The best forest campgrounds near Grundy Center, Iowa

Forest camping around Grundy Center means waking up to the sound of chickadees and pitching your tent under thick canopies of oak and maple. With over 360 forest campsites here, you’ll find plenty of spots that put you right in the woods—no highway noise, just wind and wildlife. Prices start at $15, but most sit around $105 a night. Choose from unique stays like Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC (30 reviews), or opt for a tiny cabin in the trees such as Spruce Tiny Cabin (2 reviews) and Black Oak Tiny Cabin (1 review). Most sites allow campfires and come with showers and toilets—nothing fancy, but everything you need. Swimming holes, quiet fishing spots, and deer sightings are the norm out here. If you want forest, Grundy Center delivers. Pack layers—it cools off fast when the sun drops behind the trees.

99% (36)

Top-rated campgrounds near Grundy Center

Forest camping around Grundy Center means waking up to the sound of chickadees and pitching your tent under thick canopies of oak and maple. With over 360 forest campsites here, you’ll find plenty of spots that put you right in the woods—no highway noise, just wind and wildlife. Prices start at $15, but most sit around $105 a night. Choose from unique stays like Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC (30 reviews), or opt for a tiny cabin in the trees such as Spruce Tiny Cabin (2 reviews) and Black Oak Tiny Cabin (1 review). Most sites allow campfires and come with showers and toilets—nothing fancy, but everything you need. Swimming holes, quiet fishing spots, and deer sightings are the norm out here. If you want forest, Grundy Center delivers. Pack layers—it cools off fast when the sun drops behind the trees.

99% (36)

Top-rated campgrounds near Grundy Center

1. Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

98%

(41)

30mi from Grundy Center · 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.

2. Spruce Tiny Cabin

100%

(2)

25mi from Grundy Center · 1 site · Lodging

Pilgrim Heights is an oasis of natural beauty and outdoor recreation for all ages! We sit on 100 private wooded acres with an 80 acre recreational lake complete with a beach, and stunning views from our private cabins. From fishing to canoeing to hiking, the center is bursting with enriching activities. 100 private wooded acres 80-acre recreational lake Beach Fishing Boating Swimming Hiking Campfires Challenge Course Frisbee Golf

3. Black Oak Tiny Cabin

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(2)

25mi from Grundy Center · 1 site · Lodging

Unique tiny cabin experience! Black Oak Cabin has been recently updated and sleeps up to four people. Relax, unwind, and take a break from technology. It features a stunning view of our lake and private deck for sipping your cup of coffe in the morning. Commune with nature on our private trails, beach and more! Black Oak Cabin features a mini fridge, mircowave, and coffee maker. Hot water, A/C and heater.

4. Pine Lake State Park

100%

(1)

127 sites · Eldora, Iowa

Discover Pine Lake State Park's natural beauty and outdoor adventures.

Pets

Toilets

Showers

5. Union Grove State Park

22 sites · Gladbrook, Iowa

Discover Union Grove State Park's natural charm and outdoor activities.

Pets

Toilets

Showers

6. George Wyth State Park

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(1)

69 sites · Cedar Falls, Iowa

Discover the natural charm of George Wyth State Park.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

7. Beeds Lake State Park

142 sites · Hampton, Iowa

Discover the serene beauty of Beeds Lake State Park.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Grundy Center

A cabin, in the woods, by the river, on a snowy morning. The warmth inside from the fireplace. Life is quiet, and good.

100%

(1)

Pine Lake Campground

16mi from Grundy Center · 127 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pine Lake State Park

Union Grove Campground

16mi from Grundy Center · 22 sites · Tents, RVs · in Union Grove State Park

100%

(1)

George Wyth Campground

22mi from Grundy Center · 69 sites · Tents, RVs · in George Wyth State Park

Beeds Lake Campground

37mi from Grundy Center · 142 sites · Tents, RVs · in Beeds Lake State Park

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Our barn dormitory with 7 bedrooms, a lounge, men's and women's restrooms with showers, and kitchenette on the lower level. The upper level has a full kitchen, a large dining hall/dance hall, and a stage.

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!!

H

Heather

June 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Black Oak Tiny Cabin

The little cabin is was nice! We really enjoyed our stay. The office manager/co-director was on top of anything we needed. She even brought us firewood!! The only thing I would add is the cabin is part of a larger camp. So there is no guarantee you will have it all to yourself as the description says. However, it was very quiet and we were not disturbed any other campers. I would recommend 10 out of 10!

Mark

May 2025

With pets

1 night at Spruce Tiny Cabin

The good: At night you'll have crickets and frogs singing for you, and in the morning birds will take over. Waking up to a sun rising over the lake is wonderful. The host was friendly, and they provide pretty much everything you'll need. There is a great truck stop just a few minutes away, too. The bad: There were dead bugs everywhere. The bed wasn't the most comfortable. The road is in terrible condition, and I worried about getting out if it rained. If I'd been on the motorcycle it would have been impossible to do.