Best Campgrounds in Iowa: 2026 Guide

Iowa doesn't make most camping bucket lists — and that's exactly why it should be on yours. The state's Army Corps of Engineers built some of the most well-maintained lakeside campgrounds in the Midwest around Saylorville, Rathbun, Red Rock, and Coralville lakes. Add the Mississippi River corridor along the eastern border — complete with bluff-top campgrounds overlooking the continent's greatest waterway — and Iowa delivers a quietly excellent camping experience with none of the crowds you'll find in neighboring states.

Why Iowa Stands Out

Iowa's lake system is entirely engineered, which means the campgrounds were designed from the start with recreation in mind. The facilities are modern, the sites are spacious, and the lakes support excellent fishing for walleye, catfish, and bass. The Des Moines River corridor alone hosts three major reservoirs: Saylorville, Red Rock (Iowa's largest lake), and Rathbun. Along the Mississippi, campgrounds perch on wooded bluffs with river access for boating and fishing. The Loess Hills along the western border — a landform found only here and in China — add a geographic curiosity worth exploring.

Top Campgrounds to Explore

Howell Station

Just below Red Rock Dam on the Des Moines River near Pella. Lake Red Rock is Iowa's largest lake, and this campground puts you right at the action with excellent fishing and river access.

Acorn Valley

On the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake stretching over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley near Johnston. A wide variety of recreational activities make this a perennial favorite.

Cherry Glen Campground

Another Saylorville Lake gem near Johnston, Cherry Glen sits along the Des Moines River Valley with spacious sites and easy access to the metro area while feeling miles away.

Bridgeview at Rathbun Lake

On beautiful Rathbun Lake near Centerville in southern Iowa. Camping, boating, swimming, and fishing in a setting that feels more like the Ozarks than the prairie.

Buck Creek at Rathbun Lake

Another excellent Rathbun Lake campground near Centerville with full amenities and direct access to the 11,000-acre reservoir's best fishing and swimming spots.

Cottonwood Campground

Within the dam complex at Coralville Lake near Iowa City, this multiple-use campground offers flood control history alongside excellent lake recreation in east-central Iowa.

Bulger's Hollow Recreation Area

A hidden gem on the Mississippi River near Clinton. Whether you camp, fish, boat, or just take in the river, Bulger's Hollow offers a peaceful riverside escape.

Island View at Rathbun Lake

On the shores of Rathbun Lake near Mystic, with access to the 11,000-acre lake's fishing, boating, and swimming. A quieter alternative to the lake's busier campgrounds.

Planning Tips

Iowa camping peaks from Memorial Day through Labor Day — Corps campgrounds are open roughly April through October. Summer heat and humidity are real; choose lakeside sites where you can swim to cool off. The Mississippi River campgrounds are excellent in spring and fall when migrating birds fill the flyway. Severe weather season runs April through June — know your tornado shelter options. Most Iowa campgrounds are very affordable compared to destination states, making extended stays practical.

Find More

Browse all Iowa campgrounds on our Iowa camping page, or explore the full campground directory to plan your next trip.