RVezyRV rental marketplace
List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Calmar, IA
54 campgrounds and RV Parks near Calmar, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
54 campgrounds
4058 campsites
37 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Best campgrounds near Calmar, IA
Sampson Springs Campground
Decorah, IA (12 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+5
Hutchinson Family Farm Campground
Decorah, IA (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(25 sites)
+5
Bluffton Campground & Bar
Decorah, IA (15 miles away)
Skip-A-Way Resort
Clermont, IA (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(198 sites)
+7
Chimney Rock Canoe Rental and Campground
Cresco, IA (16 miles away)
$$$$$
(20 sites)
Volga River State Recreation Area - Lakeview
Fayette, IA (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(41 sites)
Harvest Farm Campground Resort
Cresco, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(125 sites)
+8
Upper Iowa Resort and Rental
Iowa (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(114 sites)
+6
Pine Bluff Campsites
Iowa (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(10 sites)
Spook Cave & Campground
McGregor, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(72 sites)
+14
Hidden Bluffs Resort
Spring Grove, MN (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(86 sites)
+9
Deer Run Resort
Elkader, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(80 sites)
+3
Most common amenities
Showers Tables Toilets Pet friendly Grills Dump station Firewood Playground Internet General store
Camping near Calmar, Iowa
Calmar sits in Winneshiek County in the Driftless Area of northeast Iowa, a region of limestone bluffs, cold-water trout streams, and hardwood forest that escaped the last glaciation. The town is a short drive from Decorah and puts RV travelers within easy reach of the Upper Iowa River, one of the Midwest's best-known paddling corridors.
Most campgrounds near Calmar cluster along the Upper Iowa and Turkey rivers. Hutchinson Family Farm Campground sits on the banks of the Upper Iowa River about ten minutes from Decorah on a working family farm, with riverside campsites, cabins, and open space geared to families. Bluffton Campground & Bar has operated since 1979 and offers tent and RV camping, on-site canoe and kayak rentals, and a bar and grill on roughly eight acres, with tent sites that include electric and RV sites with full water and electric.
Farther south along the Turkey River, Skip-A-Way Resort combines shady river sites with open sites on an eighteen-acre lake, a restaurant and bar, mini golf, tubing, canoeing, fishing, and paddle boats. Sampson Springs Campground and Chimney Rock Canoe Rental and Campground round out the local options for river-focused stays.
Things to do around Calmar
Paddling drives the local economy. The Upper Iowa is known for limestone bluffs and clear water and holds smallmouth bass, walleye, and trout, with cold-water tributary streams supporting a strong trout fishery. Most riverfront campgrounds rent canoes, kayaks, and tubes and run shuttles to upstream put-ins so paddlers can float back to their sites.
On land, the Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail runs through Calmar and connects to Ridgeway and Cresco for cycling and walking. Coldwater Cave State Preserve, about four miles northwest of Bluffton, protects a 60-acre parcel and a spring at the mouth of an extensive cave system under farmland, with a surface trail although the cave entrance itself is gated shut. Lake Meyer County Park just west of Calmar adds fishing, a swim area, and short hiking loops, and Decorah offers the Trout Run Trail, a fish hatchery, and downtown shops for a rest-day trip.
Camping spots and RV parks near Calmar, IA
When to visit Calmar
- spring
March - May
55° / 34°F 85 mmHigh water and cool nights; state facilities open by May 1
- summer
June - August
81° / 61°F 115 mmPeak paddling season; riverfront weekends fill fast
- fall
September - November
57° / 39°F 65 mmCrisp nights; hardwood color usually peaks in early October
- winter
December - February
27° / 10°F 30 mmCold and snowy; most private campgrounds closed
The camping season in this part of Iowa runs roughly late April through mid-October. Iowa state park staff generally have water on and shower buildings and dump stations open by May 1 and start closing showers, water, and dump stations around mid-October depending on weather, and most private riverfront campgrounds follow a similar calendar. Skip-A-Way Resort operates from April 15 through October 15.
Summer is peak season. River levels are usually best for family paddling from June through August, and weekends fill quickly, especially around the Fourth of July and local events. Bluffton Campground & Bar hosts its annual Light Up The Bluff country concert series on the last full weekend of July, which books out well in advance.
Spring brings higher, faster water and cold nights, so RVs with heat are useful. Fall is quieter, with hardwood color usually peaking in early to mid-October and cool, crisp nights along the river corridor. Winter camping options are limited; most private campgrounds close, and only select state and county sites remain open with minimal services from November through March.
How to book a site near Calmar
Private campgrounds near Calmar handle reservations directly. Riverfront properties like Hutchinson Family Farm Campground, Bluffton Campground & Bar, Chimney Rock Canoe Rental and Campground, and Skip-A-Way Resort take bookings by phone or through their own websites, with Skip-A-Way also listed on Campspot. For summer weekends and holidays, reserve several months out.
For public land, use the correct system. Iowa state parks and forests book through the Iowa DNR portal on ReserveAmerica, with a three-month rolling reservation window that opens at 7 a.m. Central Time. From November 1 through March 31, most Iowa state park sites are walk-in only. County parks, including sites in Winneshiek County, book through MyCountyParks, the reservation portal for Iowa's 99 County Conservation Boards.
Iowa state park stays are capped at 14 consecutive nights, after which campers must leave the park for at least three nights before returning.
What to expect on-site
Sites near Calmar range from full-hookup RV pads to primitive tent spots on gravel bars. Hutchinson Family Farm Campground offers electric and primitive riverside sites plus cabin rentals with shared restroom and shower facilities nearby. Skip-A-Way Resort provides shady river sites and open lake sites with 20/30/50-amp electric, sewer hookups, laundry, cable TV, and a dump station.
Cell service is spotty in the river valleys and coverage drops off in the bluffs. Bring drinking water backups; some smaller river campgrounds run on limited facilities during busy weekends. Firewood is usually sold on-site and importing wood from out of the area is discouraged.
Expect gravel roads, tight turns, and low-clearance tree cover on approach to several riverside properties. Larger rigs should call ahead to confirm site length and turnaround space, particularly at the smaller family-run campgrounds along the Upper Iowa.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Calmar, IA
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Calmar, IA?
Campsite prices near Calmar, IA depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Calmar, IA?
Free camping near Calmar, IA depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Calmar, IA?
Camping near Calmar, IA works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Calmar, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Calmar, IA. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Calmar, IA?
Dump stations near Calmar, IA are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Calmar, IA?
Renting a RV in Calmar, IA works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Calmar, IA?
RV rentals in Calmar, IA peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Calmar, IA?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Calmar, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Calmar, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
Nearby cities with campgrounds
Minneapolis, MNMadison, WIDes Moines, IACedar Rapids, IAApple Valley, MNAlbia, IAHopkins, MNPrior Lake, MNLong Lake, MNSigourney, IAHiawatha, IAHudson, WIChamplin, MNRockland, WIJohnston, IAAntigo, WIDurand, WIMaplewood, MNVan Meter, IASaint Anthony, MNCoon Rapids, MNBecker, MNPleasant Hill, IASaint Francis, MN