Best camping in Iowa

300 campgrounds · 482 ranked · updated 2026-07-12 · in season

Explore the best camping in Iowa — every spot ranked by our conditions-aware Snoflo score: live conditions first, then visitor reviews and logged trips. Click a pin on the map for the score and what's driving it.

Showing the top 15 of 300 campgrounds · best 15 shown on the map
E⛰
Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground
#1 Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground Good
· Mild night · low 65°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 91°F
Emerson Bay State Recreation Area Campground in Iowa offers established campsites, including electric RV sites and tent areas—no dispersed camping. Reservations are recommended…
Why 87: live conditions (good) · 45 things to do within 15 mi
87Elite
G⛰
Gull Point State Park Campground
#2 Gull Point State Park Campground Good
· Mild night · low 65°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 91°F
Gull Point State Park Campground, located in the state of Iowa, offers a variety of amenities for campers seeking an enjoyable outdoor experience. The campground provides…
Why 87: live conditions (good) · 43 things to do within 15 mi
87Elite
M⛰
Minnewashta Campground
#3 Minnewashta Campground Good
· Mild night · low 65°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 91°F
Minnewashta Campground is a popular camping area located in Iowa. The campground offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay for campers. It features spacious…
Why 87: live conditions (good) · 50 things to do within 15 mi
87Elite
S⛰
Shoepack Lake
#4 Shoepack Lake Fair
· Mild night · low 64°F· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk· Heat advisory
Shoepack Lake camping area in Iowa is a fantastic destination for campers seeking a peaceful and scenic experience. Nestled in a beautiful natural setting, the campground offers a…
Why 87: live conditions (fair) · 22 things to do within 15 mi
87Elite
T⛰
Thunderbird Lake
#5 Thunderbird Lake Fair
· Mild night · low 64°F· Fire Weather Watch — elevated fire risk· Heat advisory
The Thunderbird Lake camping area in Iowa offers a range of amenities for campers to enjoy. The campground provides spacious campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, allowing…
Why 87: live conditions (fair) · 22 things to do within 15 mi
87Elite
A⛰
Alcock Park
#6 Alcock Park Good
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 81°F
Alcock Park is a picturesque camping area located in the state of Iowa. With its stunning natural beauty and various amenities, it is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 21 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
B⛰
Bankston Park
#7 Bankston Park Good
· Mild night · low 62°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Bankston Park camping area in Iowa is a hidden gem that offers a range of amenities for campers seeking a peaceful retreat in nature. With its numerous amenities, this campground…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 20 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
B⛰
Big Paint Creek Campground
#8 Big Paint Creek Campground Good
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Big Paint Creek Campground is a charming camping area located in the state of Iowa. It offers a range of amenities to make your camping experience enjoyable. The campground…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 33 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
B⛰
Bloody Run Campground
#9 Bloody Run Campground Good
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Bloody Run Campground in Iowa offers 20 campsites on a first-come-first-served basis. The campground features a beautiful view of the Turkey River, and visitors can enjoy…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 41 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
B⛰
Bloody Run Park
#10 Bloody Run Park Good
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Located in northern Iowa, Bloody Run Park offers picturesque views of the Turkey River valley. The park offers a variety of activities including hiking, fishing, swimming, and…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 41 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
B⛰
Brown's Hollow Camp
#11 Brown's Hollow Camp Good
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Brown's Hollow Camp is a first-come-first-served camping area located in the Yellow River State Forest in Iowa. The area offers beautiful views of the surrounding hills and…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 37 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
C⛰
Camp Glen Wendel
#12 Camp Glen Wendel Good
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Camp Glen Wendel is a beautiful campground in Iowa with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. There are plenty of activities to enjoy nearby, including hiking, fishing…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 33 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
C⛰
Camp John Schultz
#13 Camp John Schultz Good
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Camp John Schultz is a first-come, first-served camping area located in Iowa. There are 16 campsites available with picnic tables, fire pits, and access to drinking water. The…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 34 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
C⛰
Camp Terry Hennesy
#14 Camp Terry Hennesy Good
· Mild night · low 63°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Camp Terry Hennesy in Iowa offers a peaceful escape with its scenic views of the Des Moines River. The camping area has 15 first-come-first-serve sites and offers amenities such…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 36 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite
C⛰
Canoe Campsite
#15 Canoe Campsite Good
· Mild night · low 62°F· Light wildfire smoke · Light· Comfortable day · high 82°F
Canoe Campsite is a first-come, first-served campground in the Yellow River State Forest in Iowa. There are ten campsites available and each site has a fire ring and picnic table…
Why 86: live conditions (good) · 24 things to do within 15 mi
86Elite

Camping in Iowa

Iowa has 482 campgrounds on Snoflo, ranked by live conditions, visitor reviews, and logged trips — so the best, closest options rise to the top.

How we rank the best camping in Iowa

How are these campgrounds ranked?

Each gets a daily Snoflo score blending live conditions, visitor review ratings, and logged trips. The order reflects what's best right now and re-ranks every day.

How often does it update?

Daily, as new conditions, reviews, and trips arrive — so "best right now" means right now.

What do the numbers on the map mean?

Each pin shows that spot's current Snoflo score; tap it for the breakdown and a link to the full report.

Camping near you in Iowa

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