The best river, stream, or creek campgrounds near Rockwell City, Iowa

River camping around Rockwell City puts you close to the water and right in the middle of over 480 options tailored for campers who want to pitch a tent, cast a line, or just watch the wildlife drift by. Average rates run about $40 a night, with options dipping as low as $20 if you’re keeping an eye on your budget. Top picks include Tent camping on the Raccoon River (50 reviews) and Secluded riverside ranch (31 reviews)—both favorites for their easy river access and quiet spots tucked away from the road. Most sites offer toilets, allow campfires, and welcome pets. Fishermen, wildlife watchers, and winter campers will find plenty to do along the riverbanks. Bring your gear and get ready to wake up to the sound of moving water.

100% (102)

Top-rated campgrounds near Rockwell City

River camping around Rockwell City puts you close to the water and right in the middle of over 480 options tailored for campers who want to pitch a tent, cast a line, or just watch the wildlife drift by. Average rates run about $40 a night, with options dipping as low as $20 if you’re keeping an eye on your budget. Top picks include Tent camping on the Raccoon River (50 reviews) and Secluded riverside ranch (31 reviews)—both favorites for their easy river access and quiet spots tucked away from the road. Most sites offer toilets, allow campfires, and welcome pets. Fishermen, wildlife watchers, and winter campers will find plenty to do along the riverbanks. Bring your gear and get ready to wake up to the sound of moving water.

100% (102)

Top-rated campgrounds near Rockwell City

1. Tent camping on the Raccoon River

99%

(66)

13mi from Rockwell City · 1 site · Tent, RV

Learn more about this land:Come relax at Rainbow Raccoon Ranch on the Raccoon River. The river offers floating, kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The nearby Rainbow Bend park and other local conservation areas offer hiking opportunities. As a working ranch, we have friendly Scottish Highland cattle onsite for great photos and selfies.

2. Secluded riverside ranch

100%

(41)

41mi from Rockwell City · 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.

3. Silver Lake Camp Sweet Camp

100%

(6)

46mi from Rockwell City · 1 site · RV

Come be our guest on Silver Lake near Ayrshire, IA. Our back-in camp site has full electric, water (Iowa Lakes Rural Water treated), and sewer hook ups. Relax, and enjoy fishing from our dock (don’t forget your poles and bait!), a picnic under our willow tree, listening to the birds sing, a peaceful cup of coffee, a walk on a country road, a delicious campfire meal, or sitting in our wildflower patch. Silver Lake is a quiet, shallow lake and is perfect for kayaking or playing in the water on a warm day. Bring your own, or rent ours. We have 2 kayaks and 2 stand-up paddle boards that can be rented for $25 each/day.

4. Dolliver Memorial State Park

24 sites · Lehigh, Iowa

Discover the rugged beauty of Dolliver Memorial State Park.

Pets

Toilets

Showers

5. Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

252 sites · Lehigh, Iowa

Discover the rugged beauty of Brushy Creek State Recreation Area.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

6. Springbrook State Park

111 sites · Lake Panorama, Iowa

Discover the natural allure of Springbrook State Park's diverse landscapes.

Pets

Toilets

Campfires

7. Ledges State Park

100%

(4)

94 sites · Luther, Iowa

Discover a lost lake and gorgeous sandstone cliffs at this state park.

Pets

Electrical hookup

Toilets

8. Ambrose A Call State Park

1 site · Algona, Iowa

Discover the natural charm of Ambrose A Call State Park.

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Rockwell City

Dolliver Campground

28mi from Rockwell City · 24 sites · Tents, RVs · in Dolliver Memorial State Park

Beach Campground

33mi from Rockwell City · 252 sites · Tents, RVs · in Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Springbrook Campground

44mi from Rockwell City · 111 sites · Tents, RVs · in Springbrook State Park

100%

(4)

Ledges Campground

48mi from Rockwell City · 94 sites · Tents, RVs · in Ledges State Park

Ambrose Call Campground

49mi from Rockwell City · 1 site · in Ambrose A Call State Park

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

D

Dan

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at Tent camping on the Raccoon River

Experienced camper or newbie, this is a great spot! Very quiet. River just a few feet away for water-based activities (fishing, kayaking, etc.) and some floofy cows that for the most part were quiet at night. Hosts were available and helpful, but left you to your devices. Town of Lake City is nearby for quick supply run and a Casey's pizza. Public camping spot also just down the road. Highlight of the trip was farm dog Fergus who dropped by to check on us in the morning and keep the critters away.

H

Hans

October 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Secluded riverside ranch

Very friendly hosts, cool property with lots of walking trails and cute animals

J

Josh

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Secluded riverside ranch

Great land, and always will enjoy seeing all the animals! Definitely will have to make a stop here again in the future!

B

Brandy

October 2025

14 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Tent camping on the Raccoon River

Stephanie was a very kind and welcoming host! The camping spot was very serene and peaceful. We were able to relax and soak up all the beautiful sights. We highly recommend Rainbow Raccoon Ranch!!

Natasha

October 2025

Tent

2 nights at Secluded riverside ranch

Awesome private campsite, right next to the river! Clear line of communication with Tyler the whole time. Next time I'll bring a wagon to haul my gear out there, but definitely worth it! My dog loved all the space to run and all the swimming he got to do!

D

Dale

September 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Tent camping on the Raccoon River

This spot is the quietest I’ve experienced yet. The sound of the river is very faint and the cows are quite as well 🙂. The host is very hospitable. Their livestock watchdog and a few donkeys to add to the livestock protection make for a wonderful experience.

R

Ramsey

September 2025

Tent

1 night at Secluded riverside ranch

I absolutely loved camping at Tyler’s place! It felt so welcoming and private, shout out to Conor being the lil farm cat that showed us around lol Will definitely be returning for another awesome night

M

Michael

September 2025

Tent

With kids

3 nights at Tent camping on the Raccoon River

I tried out my new RTT and annex and there was plenty of places to set up. Great firewood and fire pit. It was far enough away from the farm to have privacy. I packed in water, toilet, electricity and didn’t need to rely on the site. We had family and small children visit and it was great for that as well.

L

Larry

August 2025

30 ft travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Silver Lake Camp Sweet Camp

This was our first Hipcamp experience..and was it awesome!! Everything was so well cared for. All our needs were met and then some!! We loved sitting on the dock watching the boaters, found a great spot just down the road to put in our kayaks. Having firewood there was awesome! The patio by the Lake was so well laid out it was easy to enjoy the Lake!! We will be back for sure! Thanks for the great weekend!!

Lauren

August 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Secluded riverside ranch

Tyler and Sarah were so nice, meeting us the moment we arrived. We were given the option of a few sites and essentially, anywhere really. The space we set up camp at was like a shire tucked away not far from the main yard and bathroom. But somehow felt totally secluded. Our music didn't even cut through the trees. The dogs got to run their butts off, we soaked up the gurgling creek and hooting owls. We will definitely be back. My personal highlight- The cows. Next time I need to meet and pet the pig!

G

Greg

August 2025

42 ft fifth wheel

With pets

Weekend Trip to Silver Lake Camp Sweet Camp

Peaceful area, lots of area for yard activities if your bringing kids bring your yard activities as well. Will definitely plan on staying here in the future.

R

Robyn

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Tent camping on the Raccoon River

Beautiful and peaceful surroundings! Super easy river access and right next to rainbow bend park - the hosts and their dog fergus were great :)

J

Jennifer

July 2025

29 ft Class C

6 nights at Silver Lake Camp Sweet Camp

We loved staying at Mary's RV site on Silver Lake! Beautiful view of the lake and the best part is so private and secluded being the only hook up site on the property!!! Full hook-ups for RV was a big bonus. A wonderful and beautiful spot and so quiet, relaxing and a peaceful place. Mary was a great host and took good care of us checking in on us and making sure we were safe and she responded super quick anytime we had questions. Thank you Mary love your camp site, we will be back!!!

B

Benjamin

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Tent camping on the Raccoon River

Fantastic spot to camp. The hosts were incredibly accommodating and polite.

N

Nick

July 2025

35 ft Class B

With kids

1 night at Silver Lake Camp Sweet Camp

Very nice place, the entire property was very well kept and clean. Great views, and super quite.

A

Alison

July 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Tent camping on the Raccoon River

Another great weekend spent here! Site is gorgeous!

K

Kirsten

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Secluded riverside ranch

This was a great place to stay. Tyler greeted us upon arrival and showed us around pointing out several options for setting up our tent. We were disappointed that it rained the next day so we had to leave without the chance to explore the trail and meet the animals. We’ll have to go there again.

T

Terry

July 2025

22 ft travel trailer

1 night at Secluded riverside ranch

We enjoyed the camp site, the welcoming host and meeting the well cared for rescue animals! Easy to find location, would certainly stay again.

K

Kim

June 2025

35 ft Class C

Weekend Trip to Silver Lake Camp Sweet Camp

We enjoyed the beautiful setting on Silver Lake. With multiple areas to explore and relax like a stroll around the wild flower patch, sitting in the dock chairs, and enjoying the lake view from the shade of the patio swing on the lakeside patio, it's a great place to decompress. Unfortunately, the heat and humidity kept us from enjoying the picnic table in the wild flowers, a nap under the willow tree, the kayaks on the lake, or an evening campfire. But that's a "me problem" as I don't do well in that weather. For us, Campsite 1 at Silver Lake Camp Sweet Camp was a great place to get to know our new-to-us Class C motorhome with the use of full hookups, the birds outside our windows, and the lake a leisurely stroll away. Thank you Mary and Eric for sharing your little piece of the world!

T

Tammie

June 2025

23 ft travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Silver Lake Camp Sweet Camp

Private camping spot with access to small lake. Nice dock-we loved the dock/fishing chairs. Quiet area, Long lot, Mature trees(some with Swings). Hilly but grass is soft and well groomed/landscaped. Fire pit area is perfect for cooking/campfire needs with chairs provided. Full hook-ups worked well. Would recommend.