Best camping near Ely
12 campgrounds · 12 ranked · updated 2026-08-02 · off-season
Explore the best camping near Ely, 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 12 of 12 campgrounds · best 15 shown on the map
P⛰
#1
Palisades Kepler State Park
Fair
3.2 mi away
· Warm night · low 72°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 88°F
Palisades Kepler State Park in Iowa is a fantastic camping destination that offers a range of amenities for visitors. The campground provides 43 modern campsites, equipped with…
Why 100: 78 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
L⛰
#2
Lake Macbride State Park Campground
Fair
6.7 mi away
· Muggy night · low 73°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 87°F
Lake Macbride State Park Campground is located in the state of Iowa, not Minnesota, near the city of Solon. This campground offers a range of amenities for campers, including…
Why 100: 108 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
S⛰
#3
Squaw Creek County Park
Fair
8.7 mi away
· Warm night · low 72°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 88°F
Squaw Creek County Park camping area, located in the state of Iowa, offers a range of amenities for campers to enjoy. The campground provides spacious and well-maintained…
Why 100: 78 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
M⛰
#4
Morgan Creek County Park
Fair
11.8 mi away
· Warm night · low 72°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 88°F
Morgan Creek County Park is a beautiful camping area located in the state of Iowa. This well-maintained campground offers a range of amenities to enhance visitors' camping…
Why 100: 68 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
F⛰
#5
F. W. Kent County Park
Fair
13.8 mi away
· Muggy night · low 73°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 86°F
F.W. Kent County Park in Iowa offers 86 established campsites (22 with electric hookups) in a peaceful, forested setting near Coralville. Reservations are required for electric…
Why 100: 68 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
K⛰
#6
Kent Park Family Campground
Fair
13.8 mi away
· Muggy night · low 73°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 86°F
Kent Park Family Campground in Iowa offers established campsites only—no dispersed camping. Reservations are recommended via MyCountyParks, especially in peak season. Fees apply…
Why 100: 68 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
Y⛰
#7
Youth Group Camp
Fair
13.8 mi away
· Muggy night · low 73°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 86°F
Youth Group Camp is a county-operated campground located near North Liberty in Johnson County, Iowa. The facility serves as a camping destination in the Cedar Rapids metropolitan…
Why 100: 68 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
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#8
Middle Amana Park
Fair
18.3 mi away
· Warm night · low 72°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 86°F
Middle Amana Park is a charming camping area located in Amana, Iowa. The campground offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Campers can enjoy spacious…
Why 100: 28 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
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#9
Pack in Campsite #1
Fair
18.4 mi away
· Warm night · low 72°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 88°F
Pack in Campsite #1 is a backcountry tent camping area located near Marion in east-central Iowa. This pack-in site offers a primitive camping experience for those seeking solitude…
Why 100: 40 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
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#10
Pack in Campsite #2
Fair
18.9 mi away
· Warm night · low 72°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 88°F
Pack In Campsite #2 is a picturesque camping area located in the state of Iowa. This campsite offers a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable stay in the great outdoors. With…
Why 100: 40 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
M⛰
#11
Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Fair
19.0 mi away
· Warm night · low 72°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 88°F
Matsell Bridge Natural Area is a popular campground located in the state of Iowa. It offers a variety of amenities for campers to enjoy their stay. The campground provides both…
Why 100: 38 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
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#12
Pleasant Creek State Rec Area
Fair
20.0 mi away
· Warm night · low 72°F· Wildfire smoke — hazy, poorer air · Medium· Comfortable day · high 88°F
Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area is a picturesque camping area located in the state of Iowa. It offers a range of amenities to make your camping experience comfortable and…
Why 100: 64 things to do within 15 mi
100Elite
Camping near Ely
The Ely area has 12 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 near Ely
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.