Matsell Bridge Natural Area campground
Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Reservations are accepted at Matsell Bridge Natural Area, which is useful for those who prefer to secure their camping spot in advance. It is recommended to make reservations, especially during peak season, to ensure availability. The best time of year to visit is during the summer months when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities. However, the campground can get crowded during this time, so it is advisable to plan accordingly.
While camping at Matsell Bridge Natural Area, it is important to be aware of a few factors. The campground is known to have a significant population of ticks, so visitors should take necessary precautions to prevent tick bites. Additionally, due to the proximity to the Wapsipinicon River, mosquitoes can be prevalent during certain times of the year. It is advisable to bring mosquito repellent to avoid any discomfort. Overall, Matsell Bridge Natural Area is a great camping destination with various amenities and recreational opportunities for nature enthusiasts to enjoy.
What's on-site at Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Matsell Bridge Natural Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pack In Campsite #2 | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Wapsipinicon State Park | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Wapsipinicon State Park Campground | ✗ | ✓ | → |
| Wakpicada Natural Area | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Squaw Creek County Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Matsell Bridge Natural Area -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa | 967 cfs | → |
| Cedar River At Cedar Rapids | 4,490 cfs | → |
| Maquoketa River At Manchester | 253 cfs | → |
| Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville | 2,140 cfs | → |
| Rapid Creek Near Iowa City | 10 cfs | → |
| Hoover Crk At Hoover Nat.Hist.Site West Branch | 2 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Matsell Bridge Natural Area -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anamosa 3 Ssw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Cedar Rapids No 1 | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Cedar Rapids 2.5 Wsw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Fairfax 4.0 Nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Coralville 1.4 S | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Fulton | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
Parks
- Matsell Bridge Natural Area
- Wapsipinicon State Park
- Joe Emmons Memorial Park
- Wakpicada Natural Area
- Brendel Park Playground
- Pinicon Ridge County Park
Camping essentials & Leave No Trace
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
- Know before you go
- Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
- Minimize campfire impact
- Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
- Leave what you find
- Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Matsell Bridge Natural Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Matsell Bridge Natural Area
Can I make reservations at Matsell Bridge Natural Area?
This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.
How fresh is the weather data on this page?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.
What's the best time of year to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.
How do I get to Matsell Bridge Natural Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Matsell Bridge Natural Area.