Bell tents near Iowa City with showers
This vibrant city offers access to area parks and a river’s edge.
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- Iowa City
Popular camping styles for Iowa City
Bell tents near Iowa City with showers guide
Overview
This Midwestern destination serves up some incredible outdoor experiences and great local culture. Aside from the city’s college sports scene and extensive museum network, area campers may be surprised to also find a deep gorge, numerous hiking and mountain biking trails, and easy access to natural wooded spaces along the Iowa River. Waterside RV and tent camping options are abundant on Coralville Lake and the river, which serves as an Iowa City highlight.
Where to go
Iowa River and Coralville Lake
A majority of the camping options near Iowa City are set along the Iowa River and Coralville Lake, a reservoir of Iowa’s namesake river. A number of lakefront campsites and beach areas draw campers to the area, including the Macbride Nature Recreation Area, home to secluded campsites and top-notch trails. Below the dam, fishing is a highlight for campers, but any spot along the lakeside or riverfront is prime for those looking for boating, hiking, swimming, or fishing.
Lake Macbride State Park
If you're looking for a day or multi-day destination from Iowa City, this state park has plenty to offer. Lake Macbride boating and walleye fishing are standout summer activities, both to thank for this state park’s popularity. Year-round trails also navigate around the lake and prairie, prime for hiking in spring and summer, or skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Multiple Lake Macbride campgrounds are available, most with shaded sites in primitive settings, as well as one campground with RV hookups, showers, and a dump station. Some campsites can be reserved in advance, while others are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Devonian Fossil Gorge
Grab a brochure and walk the self-guided tour along an ancient seabed at the Devonian Fossil Gorge, which was an ocean floor a staggering 375 million years ago. This site was an ocean long before dinosaurs existed, meaning visitors can spot some seriously ancient fossils preserved in the rock. A convenient roadside stop makes for easy access—just be sure to follow all rules to avoid damaging or excavating preserved fossils in the limestone rock formations.
Palisades-Kepler State Park
The Cedar River is a spectacular place to visit, and this park is loaded with riverside trails and adventure. Steep cliffs create amazing scenery throughout the seasons, leading to many arriving with a camera in hand to photograph both the cliffs and the abundance of spring wildflowers along the trails. Hikers are attracted to Palisades-Kepler’s five miles of trails, while fishers hit the water for bass, walleye, and catfish. At the state park campground, showers, restrooms, and electrical hookups serve as conveniences for tent campers, although a few cabins are also available for more of a glamping experience.
When to go
Summer and fall are the prime visiting seasons for much of Iowa and the Iowa City surrounds, when most roads and campgrounds are open. Summer weather can range from mild to hot and humid, but days spent on the Iowa River or Coralville Lake are perfect for beating the heat. Wooded campsites, meanwhile, make it possible to stay comfortable after enjoying the cool waters. Fall brings changing colors, cool nights, and sunny days, but when winter arrives, weather can turn cold and snowy, which causes cross-country skiing trails and snowshoeing opportunities to draw cabin campers. When spring arrives, so does the mud season. This may be the most difficult time to access natural spaces as the snowmelt can create difficult trail and road conditions.
