The best river, stream, or creek camping near Canton

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Camping by the river in Canton means you can pick from over 440 tent sites, each with a mix of flowing water, shaded banks, and easy access to swimming spots. Average sites run about $32 per night, but you can snag a riverside spot for as little as $20. You'll find camps with toilets, showers, and pet-friendly policies, so bringing your dog is no problem. The top picks? Railroad creek camp ground (46 reviews) sits right along a quiet stretch of river perfect for a morning dip. Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews) puts you close to wildlife-watching trails, and Jensen Woods Camp (1 review) has wide-open spaces for snow sports in winter. Canton’s river camps draw regulars for a reason—you get running water, cool shade, and plenty to do without fighting crowds. Pack for wet shoes and keep your binoculars handy; you never know what’ll pop up along the riverbanks.

99% (64)

Top-rated campgrounds

outhouse

4. Whitetail Tent Camping

100%
(10)
45mi from Canton · 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

Camping by the river in Canton means you can pick from over 440 tent sites, each with a mix of flowing water, shaded banks, and easy access to swimming spots. Average sites run about $32 per night, but you can snag a riverside spot for as little as $20. You'll find camps with toilets, showers, and pet-friendly policies, so bringing your dog is no problem. The top picks? Railroad creek camp ground (46 reviews) sits right along a quiet stretch of river perfect for a morning dip. Whitetail Tent Camping (9 reviews) puts you close to wildlife-watching trails, and Jensen Woods Camp (1 review) has wide-open spaces for snow sports in winter. Canton’s river camps draw regulars for a reason—you get running water, cool shade, and plenty to do without fighting crowds. Pack for wet shoes and keep your binoculars handy; you never know what’ll pop up along the riverbanks.

99% (64)

Top-rated campgrounds

outhouse

4. Whitetail Tent Camping

100%
(10)
45mi from Canton · 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 Canton

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