Camping near Iowa City
This vibrant city offers access to area parks and a river’s edge.
100% (672 reviews)
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- Iowa City
100% (672 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Iowa City
Star Hosts in Iowa City
Under $50
12 top campgrounds near Iowa City
98%
(28)
River Camp
3 sites · RVs28 acres · Iowa City, IA
Learn more about this land:Private 28 acre parcel with scattering of cabins and houses. Includes many feet of river frontage with private road along river that makes for good biking or walking. Some trails in forest. Lots of birds and wildlife. Large 100 year old oak trees, giant sycamores and cottonwood trees on the property. Short trail to river provides access for kayaking or fishing. Put in at Sturgis Ferry Park by airport in Iowa City and kayak to campsite or go further to Hills Access at Hills, Iowa. Camp site is close to Iowa City, but the quiet site seems 100's of miles away. River Camp is close to Ryerson's Woods State Forest Preserve, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Terry Trueblood Recreation Area and a 10 minute drive to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
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$49
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(220)
Folk School Farm Stay
7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Oxford, IA
Come enjoy the natural beauty of a working farm! In our transition to agroforestry, wetland restoration and perennial ag, you'll find some great spaces to walk your dog, let your children run and learn about ecological conservation. The farm is also home to a flower cutting garden, a food forest garden, and a folk school. Guests are welcome to cut flowers for a donation, and enjoy the sheep, chickens and resident cat. The setting is also great for taking in sunrises, sunsets and star gazing.
Come explore the landscape, book a farm tour or enjoy some studio space at Land Alliance Folk School.
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$40
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Draco Hill Nature Farm
4 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · West Branch, IA
Early Bird Special! Book an April camping trip and get another 20% off. Time is running out and the place is greening up!
A convenient 7 miles north of Interstate 80 but feels like an oasis away from it all. ln Spring the orchards are blooming and Spring ephemeral flowers are popping up in the woods. Terns, eagles and hawks are swooping toward the river and the fish are jumping.
Enjoy nature in a private, wooded river valley setting. Go to sleep under the stars to the sound of frogs, cicadas, coyotes, deer and the rustling wind through the tallgrass prairie. Wake to an amazing sunrise over the river. Enjoy a hike through our 4 miles of trails on 75 acres of rolling woodlands and prairie, picking berries, finding mushrooms, scaring up a turkey or pheasant in the brush or listening to the birds. (Pull out your Merlin app to see who's singing!) Play in the river or upland pond, cut cattails and prairie grasses for souvenirs and enjoy being unplugged for a while. Your hosts are here if you need us, but we leave you to enjoy this beautiful place at your own pace.
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$34
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#JTRidge Sites/Clothing Optional
11 sites · Tents15 acres · IA
Are you looking for the opportunity to be free and connect with nature naturally? A place to reconnect with your soul or reconnect with your significant other(s). Do you need to escape life for even just a little bit? A place to safely be your true self or selves. Our spaces are all about privacy and relaxing in nature peacefully. Perfect for first time clothing optional experiences. Maybe you just prefer a quiet natural low key space to relax.
Are you a regular camper who is tired of the busy big campgrounds? Need a overnight camping spot that is more nature and less people?
Looking for a place to relax in the sun naturally and just take some time for yourself or time with the special people in your life? Along with offering overnight camping sites, we offer day passes for those who just want some chill time within the day. A day pass gives you access to the property, relaxing chairs for that perfect moment in the sun and the woods to wander as you connect with nature. Perfect for a lunch break or just a step away from life for a few hours. Sneak away and take some moments to recharge yourself naturally. Day passes can be a bit tricky to book, reach out if you need help with the site.
We hope you will find that this is a place for everything listed above and so much more. A space to enjoy some downtime, quiet at peace with nature, and a place for restorative just-for-me time. Perfect for yoga in the woods or a natural spot to meditate. Not a commercial campground, just a piece of personal property that we are looking to share with others who enjoy time in nature. We enjoy our natural privacy and welcome you to experience the same. We are stewards of the property and are charged with taking care of all that Mother Nature has given us. If you need space to think, read a book, or just be you, this could be the right fit. Very private and peaceful, perfect for those looking for some alone time or time with family/friends. Forget the news, forget work, forget city life, and just take in the moments; while listening to the birds sing, (Pull out your Merlin app) to see who's singing!
Your hosts are here if you need us, but we leave you to enjoy this beautiful place at your own pace. We give you privacy to enjoy your stay fully.
We have 15 acres of woods with a natural rock bluff, so many different spaces which allow you to fully bond with nature. Trails to wander and wildlife to see. Clothing is optional through out all of the property; overnight camping and sunbathing/day pass spots are available.
Located on the Wapsipinicon River. Camp sites are very private and tucked away from life's stresses. Relax in the woods. Watch the cows and calves moo in the nearby pasture. Walk nature trails with native wildlife and flora. Great photo opportunities abound. Cast a line to catch dinner. Escape to nature is the key to this property; find yourself tucked away from city sounds and light pollution. Come out to see the sunset/sunrise, check out the stars, read a good book, lay out in your favorite hammock, find yourself, and be at peace. Great place for a nice camping fire; treat yourself to some smores. Peaceful sounds at night of the river flowing as you drift off to sleep in your tent. Perfect little spot for peaceful relaxation and just taking some time. Walk the trails in your natural skin, shoot photos of all the different plants, listen to the birds and animals scurry, enjoy the sunshine, and feel the warmth on all of your body. Put in your canoe or kayak at Olin for a 3-4 hour float to our camping area. There are lots of state parks within a short drive; visit the only Presidential library in Iowa; and tour some amazing caves in nearby parks. Enjoy the Great Jones County Fair only 30 mins away.. So much to do, and then come back to a space without crowds and just chill.
Welcoming to all, we love to meet new people and let them share in the joy of bonding with nature freely.
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$20
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Blueberry Hill
1 site · RV, Tent10 acres · Oxford, IA
Welcome to our idyllic 10-acre historic farmstead in rural Johnson County, Iowa (about 8 miles west of Iowa City). We are a bookish, quiet couple with a 6-year-old daughter, 2 llamas, 12 chickens, 3 housecats, and 5-10 barn cats. In June and July, we open our farm to the public for U-pick organic blueberries. We're looking for Hipcampers who are respectful and clean.
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n*Everland Barnyard Camping
24 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Anamosa, IA
New for 2024: We have expanded the flat land available for camping while maintaining the privacy of all our campsites. We have added sites, but don't worry, you will still experience the same solitude and peace as if you were our only guests. The promised bathhouse/storm shelter is also nearing completion, and we should be able to offer showers (and safe haven during storms) to guests during the 2024 season!
Do you want to hike into a site? We have a few sites in the woods that are not easily accessible by car, if you want that kind of experience just mention it when booking.
Follow us on Facebook to stay abreast of our current events! Summer Solstice, Full Moon Sound Baths, and Music planned Summer 2024. AND News coming soon about a 2024 Fall retreat too! We are not very active on FB though, so we may miss your message if you reach out to us that way. https://www.facebook.com/NeverlandBarnyard
FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN: Please reach out to us in messaging to determine if this is the right fit for your family vacation as we feel there are better options in the area for kids, but we do make exceptions for the well-behaved and respectful older children. Thank you for your understanding.
ABOUT THE BARNYARD:
n*Everland Barnyard is an eccentric art installation space created from found, recycled, and repurposed building materials in the heart of Grant Wood Country in Jones County, Iowa. We are not a commercial campground. We focus on Zen, mindfulness, peace, and tranquility. Firmly in the realm of Outsider Art, Gothic and rustic, Bob Kellogg has created a place unlike anywhere else in the world that represents freedom and inspires endless creativity. The land provides multiple camp sites for easy access to bike and walking trails taking visitors into town or through the Wapsipinicon State Park across the river from the property. Anamosa offers several restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses all within walking distance and less than a mile from our land.
Kayak the Wapsipinicon River, we recommend a put in at Matsell Bridge, and end only a mile away from your campsite at the Barnyard in Anamosa at the dam takeout. Visit the State Penitentiary Museum, hang out with the Barnyard chickens, hike our wooded trails, or simply unwind. This place is a magical retreat unlike anywhere else in the world. If you are seeking to disconnect from the world, find presence and live in the Now, this is the place for you.
We also offer #ProjectCreatePeace, an initiative to create more peace in the world through art as an art project. Check out the extras listings to get your art on while you are here!
There is a beautiful spring-fed water hole ideal for swimming in the state park, as well as access to the river from our property (although we do not recommend swimming in the river due to pollutants.) Watching the sunset at the river is one of our absolutely favorite ways to end the day.
n*Everland Barnyard and the events we host are the perfect place to meet cool like-minded people, so even if you are single traveler, know that you will find an inviting, safe, and welcome site here for your getaway!
We make some of the best pizza you have ever eaten (or so we keep being told) and we have a few special weekends a summer that highlight events such as sound baths that feature garden-fresh, oven-baked foods and pizza. Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeverlandBarnyard to stay updated on our events!
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$55
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Rainbow's End Farm
3 sites · Tents55 acres · Lisbon, IA
Rainbows End Farm is a 55 acre property with a mix of pasture, field, forest, and creek bottom. Mown paths are maintained for exploring the landscape. The creek is spring-fed and has several spots for access and recreation.
Campsites are located south of the house/barn. Each includes a fire ring, with wood provided.
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$25
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Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp
2 sites · Lodging4 acres · 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 or find her link on my website www.walkingstickadventurescom.com
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.
*A short note as of January 2024- we have been experiencing a drought. Our pond is the highlight of activity during the summer. Presently it is half it's size, about 1/2 acre. This may affect how campers will use our site, ie kayaking, fishing, swimming, etc. Hopefully, we will have a rainy spring!
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$116
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Booked 1 time
Tora Mill Farm
10 sites · RVs4 acres · Wellman, IA
Four acre property complete with a lot of shade trees, a fishing/swimming pond, screened in cabin, picnic table, fishing dock and a new outhouse. Quarter mile from road or nearest residence, which provides a lot of privacy.
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$75
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Cottage on the Bay
1 site · Lodging1 acre · New Boston, IL
This Sears kit home was originally built in 1941 and has been remodeled to give it a more cabin like feel. It sits on 1.38 acres of land with mature trees and direct access to Boston Bay which connects to the Mississippi River. Enjoy the view from the new deck or take your boat or jet ski down the road to one of 3 public boat launches. This area is known for boating, fishing, hunting, camping and snowmobiling.
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$130
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Captain's Cove Muscatine
1 site · Lodging5 acres · Muscatine, IA
Originally built with four ponds to accommodate a Catfish Farm and Shitake Mushroom Farm - this property has been in the family for four generations. We are pleased to share this amazing property with your family to continue the tradition of enjoying life's moments. We consider this place a small piece of heaven in Iowa and hope you will too.
The activities available range from fishing, swimming or kayaking, in our private ponds, bonfires, outdoor grilling, sunrise or sunset watching, hiking around the property, and so much more. The property is just minutes away from Wild Cat Den State Park, bike paths and the Muscatine River Front.
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$200
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(16)
Miss Effie's Country
2 sites · Tents2 acres · Donahue, IA
Ms. Effie’s Flower Farm is a gated you pick flower farm located in beautiful rural countryside. Peace and tranquillity is what you will find when you are surrounded by amazing flowers and rolling farm fields. The cornzebo is a unique gathering spot with romantic lighting and comfortable seating. It’s a great place to watch the sun come up! The fire pit is also available for use.
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$40
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Dog-friendly getaways
Available this weekend
Nearby parks
Explore the area’s public lands.
Camping near Iowa City 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.
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