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35 campgrounds and RV Parks near Iowa City, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
35 campgrounds
4000 campsites
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From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Iowa City, IA
Primitive - Lake Macbride State Park
Solon, IA (9 miles away)
$$$$$
(56 sites)
+3
Scales Pointe Camping and Boating
North Liberty, IA (10 miles away)
$$$$$
(92 sites)
+6
Cam lo-Dis-E-Ca
Solon, IA (11 miles away)
$$$$$
(10 sites)
BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow
Oxford, IA (14 miles away)
$$$$$
(108 sites)
+9
Unhitched Sleepy Hollow RV Park
Oxford, IA (14 miles away)
Palisades-Kepler State Park
Mount Vernon, IA (17 miles away)
$$$$$
(44 sites)
+3
Cedar Valley Grove Campground
Mechanicsville, IA (19 miles away)
Hidden River Campgrounds
Tipton, IA (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(50 sites)
+11
Cedar River Campground
Tipton, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(185 sites)
+11
Amana Colonies RV Park
Iowa (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(450 sites)
+10
Wapsipinicon State Park
Anamosa, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+5
Fairport State Recreation Area
Muscatine, IA (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(42 sites)
+3
Most common amenities
Tables Pet friendly Grills Toilets Showers Dump station Playground Hiking Trails Firewood
Camping near Iowa City
Iowa City sits in eastern Iowa's Iowa River Valley, with a cluster of camping options concentrated north and east of town around Coralville Lake and the wooded valleys of Mill and Jordan Creeks. Lake Macbride State Park is Iowa's largest state park, where 2,180 acres offer fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hiking, and picnicking, located in the wooded valleys of Mill and Jordan Creeks. A Primitive - Lake Macbride State Park campground sits in the shaded southern unit near the lake. Just north, Coralville Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers multi-purpose reservoir on the Iowa River, with primary benefits in flood control and secondary benefits in recreation and fish and wildlife management. The lake has three main campgrounds with 500 campsites available, and activities include fishing, boat ramps, hiking trails, lake swimming, and boating. Scales Pointe Camping and Boating operates along the lake area.
East toward Mount Vernon, Palisades-Kepler State Park lies along the beautiful Cedar River in Linn County, with 840 acres of dramatic river bluffs, deep ravines, majestic hardwood trees, and a large variety of wildflowers. Private options round out the mix, including Cam lo-Dis-E-Ca and BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow, both useful for RV travelers who want hookups or a slower pace outside the state park system.
The area works well as a base for the University of Iowa, Cedar Rapids day trips, and the Amana Colonies to the west.
Things to do near Iowa City campgrounds
Water dominates the local recreation menu. A state-maintained boat ramp and dock on the adjacent Coralville Lake provides river access, and pontoons, motorboats, canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats are available for rent near the beach. Motorboats must not exceed 5 mph on Lake Macbride, and a 10 horsepower motor limit is in effect from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day, which keeps the water calm for families and paddlers.
On land, over seven miles of hiking trails wind through diverse habitats around Lake Macbride, passing through oak and hickory forest and restored prairie. Palisades-Kepler adds rugged bluff-top trails above the Cedar River, and the park offers birding opportunities with over 200 species recorded. Several trails sit within the Coralville Dam Complex, and the Devonian Fossil Gorge just below the dam exposes an ancient sea floor, which is a hit with kids.
Camping spots and RV parks near Iowa City, IA
When to camp near Iowa City
- spring
March - May
59° / 39°F 90 mmMigratory birds arrive; campgrounds reopen April 1.
- summer
June - August
82° / 64°F 120 mmWarm, humid, thunderstorms; lake sites book out early.
- fall
September - November
63° / 41°F 70 mmCool nights, fall color peaks mid to late October.
- winter
December - February
30° / 16°F 32 mmState park campgrounds closed; walk-in only elsewhere.
The camping window at the state parks is spring through fall. The Lake Macbride campground is closed January 1 through March 31, off peak April 1 through April 30, peak May 1 through October 15, off peak October 16 through November 15, then closed again November 16 through December 31. Palisades-Kepler follows the same pattern: closed January 1 through March 31, off peak April 1 through April 30, peak May 1 through October 15, off peak October 16 through November 15, then closed November 16 through December 31.
Summer is warm, humid, and busy, with weekends at lake-adjacent campgrounds often filling well in advance. Late spring and early fall bring milder temperatures, fewer crowds, and strong wildlife activity. During spring and fall migration seasons, the area becomes a hotspot attracting numerous migratory birds. Fall color along the Cedar River bluffs typically peaks in mid to late October.
Winter camping options are limited. From November 1 through March 31 all campsites are walk-in only, and advance reservations are not available due to unpredictable winter weather, with exceptions at a handful of parks. Lake Macbride, Palisades Kepler and Pleasant Creek accept reservations through November 15.
How to book a campsite near Iowa City
Iowa state parks use a single online reservation system. Advanced campsite and cabin reservations for Palisades-Kepler State Park are made through the online reservation system, and the campground is 100% reservable with a reservation required. The Lake Macbride campground accepts reservations from April 1 through November 15 and is closed November 16 through March 31. Reservations can be made up to three months in advance. Check-in for a reservable campsite is 4:00 pm and check-out is 3:00 pm, and walk-in campers must register within 30 minutes of entering the campground.
Coralville Lake sites, including federal campgrounds around the dam complex, are booked through Recreation.gov. The National Recreation Reservation Service allows individual campsite reservations up to six months in advance and group reservations up to one year in advance. Private options such as Cam lo-Dis-E-Ca, Scales Pointe Camping and Boating, and BEYONDER Getaway at Sleepy Hollow are booked directly through the operator.
What to expect at Iowa City campgrounds
State park campgrounds around Iowa City lean traditional: shaded sites, playgrounds, and basic modern amenities. The modern campground in the northern unit of Lake Macbride has full and electric hookups, a shower and restroom, and a trailer dump station, while the non-modern campground in the southern unit sits in a shaded setting near the lake. The Palisades-Kepler campground has electrical hookups, modern shower and restroom facilities, and a trailer dump station.
Expect close-set sites on busy weekends. Sites at the modern loop are relatively close together with limited privacy, especially during peak season. Campers may stay up to 14 consecutive nights in a state park or recreation area, after which they must leave the park and remove their camping unit for at least 3 nights before returning. Emerald ash borer has been confirmed in all 99 counties in Iowa, and all EAB quarantines have been removed, but buying firewood locally is still good practice.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Iowa City, IA
How much does it cost to rent an RV in Iowa City?
RV rental in Iowa City is one of the most affordable ways to explore eastern Iowa, with most rigs on RVezy ranging from about $100 to $250 per night depending on size and season. Compact campervans and travel trailers sit at the lower end, while a fully loaded Class A motorhome runs higher. To find a cheap RV rental in Iowa City, book midweek, travel in May or late September, and avoid Hawkeye football home weekends when demand spikes. Pro tip: use the price filter on RVezy and message hosts about weekly discounts. Many Iowa City owners drop their nightly rate significantly for stays of five nights or longer.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Iowa%20City%2C%20IowaDo I need a special license to rent an RV in Iowa City?
Good news: a regular driver's license is all you need to rent an RV in Iowa City. Iowa does not require a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) or any special endorsement for personal-use recreational vehicles under 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which covers virtually every RV listed on RVezy, from campervans to Class A motorhomes. You will need to be at least 25 years old with a valid driver's license, and RVezy verifies your ID during booking. Visiting from abroad? Pick up an International Driving Permit (IDP) from your home country's auto association before you fly in. That's it, you're ready for your Iowa City RV trip.
iowadot.gov/drivers-licenses-ids/get-or-renew-drivers-licenses-ids-permits/drivers-license-types-restrictions-endorsementsWhat protection is included with my Iowa City RV rental?
Every RVezy booking in Iowa City automatically includes a protection plan plus 24/7 roadside assistance, so you can hit Interstate 80 with real peace of mind. RVezy offers tiered renter protection plans, so you choose the coverage level that fits your trip and budget during checkout, and the plan helps cover damage to the RV during your trip. Pro tip: choose a higher tier if you are heading to Coralville Lake or the Amana Colonies, where gravel roads and tight campsite turns can occasionally lead to minor scrapes.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/34008759079835-RVezy-renter-protection-plans-in-detailWhat happens if I need to cancel my Iowa City RV booking?
Booking is low risk: RVezy sets the cancellation policy (not individual hosts), and it includes a grace period after booking during which you can cancel for a full refund. After that, refunds depend on how far out from your trip you cancel. If a host cancels on you, RVezy refunds your booking or offers travel credits so your plans stay protected. You will see the exact terms before you confirm payment. Pro tip: book early to lock in your dates for popular weekends like the Iowa City Jazz Festival or University of Iowa graduation, knowing your cancellation flexibility is built in from the start.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037736674-Understanding-the-cancellation-policy-for-guestsCan I bring my dog on an Iowa City RV rental?
Yes, plenty of pet-friendly RV rental options in Iowa City make it easy to bring your dog along. Just flip on the Pet-Friendly filter when you search RVezy and you will see rigs whose owners welcome four-legged guests (some charge a small pet cleaning fee, which is clearly listed). Iowa City is genuinely dog-friendly: Hickory Hill Park has wooded trails right in town, the Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park covers 36 acres along the Iowa River, and most Corps of Engineers campgrounds around Coralville Lake allow leashed pets. Pro tip: pack a tie-out cable, since most local campgrounds require pets to be leashed at your site.
icgov.org/government/departments/parks-and-recreationCan the RV be delivered to my campground in Iowa City?
Yes, RV delivery in Iowa City is one of the most popular options on RVezy, especially for first-timers who would rather skip driving a big rig. Many local hosts will tow or drive the RV directly to your campsite at Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, West Overlook Campground, or Lake Macbride State Park, level it, hook up water and power, and walk you through every system before they leave. Delivery fees are typically based on mileage from the host's location. Pro tip: message a few hosts before booking to compare delivery quotes, and ask about setup and pickup at the end of your stay so you can simply pack up and head home.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Iowa%20City%2C%20IowaHow far can I travel on a typical Iowa City RV rental?
You will have plenty of range for a great Iowa City RV trip. Most hosts on RVezy include 100 to 150 free miles per night, with extra miles available for a small per-mile fee (typically $0.30 to $0.45). Some hosts even offer RV rental with unlimited mileage, which is perfect for longer adventures. From Iowa City you are about 30 minutes to Cedar Rapids, around 3.5 to 4 hours to Chicago, 5 hours to Minneapolis, 4.5 hours to Kansas City, and 4.5 hours to St. Louis. Pro tip: if you are planning a longer Midwest loop, filter for unlimited-mileage listings or negotiate a custom mileage package with your host before booking.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Iowa%20City%2C%20IowaWhere are the best campgrounds near Iowa City for my RV?
You've got fantastic options for RV camping in Iowa City within 20 minutes of downtown. Sugar Bottom Campground on Coralville Lake offers 230+ sites with electric hookups, swimming, and a famous mountain bike trail network. West Overlook Campground sits right by the Coralville Dam with paved sites and lake views. Lake Macbride State Park has both modern (full hookup) and primitive loops just 15 miles north. For full hookups closer to town, Colony Country Campground in Amana is a solid pick. Pro tip: these are some of the best campgrounds near Iowa City and they fill fast on Hawkeye football weekends, so book your site as soon as the 3-month reservation window opens.
iowadnr.gov/places-go/state-parks/lake-macbride-state-parkWhen is the best time to take an RV trip from Iowa City?
The sweet spot for an RV trip from Iowa City runs from late May through early October, with July highs averaging around 84°F and pleasant evenings perfect for campfires. June tends to be the wettest month with occasional thunderstorms, while September and early October bring crisp days, fewer bugs, and beautiful fall color along the Iowa River. May and late September are smart shoulder seasons with lower nightly rates and more open campsites. Pro tip: if you are flexible, target the third week of September for warm afternoons in the high 70s, cool sleeping weather, and the start of fall foliage at Lake Macbride and the Devonian Fossil Gorge.
weather.gov/dvn/I have never rented an RV before. Is Iowa City a good place to start?
Iowa City is one of the friendliest places in the Midwest for first time renting an RV. The terrain is gentle, traffic outside of Hawkeye game days is light, and Interstate 80 and Highway 218 are wide, well-maintained, and easy to navigate. Every RVezy host gives you a full walkthrough at pickup covering the generator, water tanks, slide-outs, and hookups, so you are never figuring it out alone. Many hosts also offer delivery if you would rather skip driving entirely. Pro tip: book a smaller Class C or travel trailer for your first trip and head to Kent Park in Oxford, just 20 minutes away, with easy back-in sites and helpful camp hosts.
rvezy.com/rv-search?SearchAddress=Iowa%20City%2C%20IowaWhat if something breaks down during my Iowa City RV trip?
You are covered. Every RVezy booking includes 24/7 roadside assistance, so if you have a flat tire on I-80, a dead battery at Sugar Bottom, or a generator that will not start, one phone call gets help dispatched to you. Your host is typically just a text away and knows the RV inside and out, so they can usually troubleshoot common issues in minutes. RVezy customer support is available before, during, and after your trip. Pro tip: save the roadside assistance number in your phone before you leave the driveway, and snap photos of the RV's water and waste valves during your walkthrough so you can describe any issue quickly if you need to call for help.
rvezy.com/insurance-and-protectionCan I take my Iowa City RV rental across state lines or into Canada?
Interstate travel is welcome and is one of the best parts of an Iowa City RV trip. You are a day's drive from Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, and Kansas City, all popular routes. Cross-border travel into Canada is allowed on many RVezy rentals but depends on the host and insurance arrangements, so message the host directly before booking to confirm. Travel into Mexico is not permitted on RVezy rentals because the protection plan does not extend there. Pro tip: a fantastic RV road trip from Iowa City heads northeast through Galena and Dubuque to the Mississippi River bluffs, an easy 3-night loop with stunning overlooks at Pikes Peak State Park.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360039340074-Insurance-coverage-validityWhat should I budget for fuel on an Iowa City RV trip?
Fuel is one of the bigger trip expenses, but Iowa gas prices are consistently among the lowest in the country, currently averaging well under the national average at stations along I-80 and in Coralville. Plan on roughly 8 to 10 miles per gallon (MPG) for a Class A, 10 to 14 for a Class C, and 18 to 22 for a campervan or a truck towing a travel trailer. For a typical 3-night, 300-mile loop around eastern Iowa, budget $90 to $180 in fuel depending on rig size. Pro tip: Costco and Sam's Club in Coralville offer the cheapest fuel in the area, and Casey's General Store locations are perfect for filling up plus grabbing famous Iowa breakfast pizza on the road.
eia.gov/petroleum/gasdiesel/How far in advance should I book a campsite near Iowa City?
For Iowa state parks like Lake Macbride, the reservation window opens 3 months before your arrival date through the Iowa DNR reservation system, and popular summer weekends often book up within hours of opening. For Corps of Engineers campgrounds at Coralville Lake (Sugar Bottom, West Overlook, Tailwater), reservations open 6 months ahead on Recreation.gov. Weekday and shoulder-season sites are far easier to grab last minute. Pro tip: set a calendar reminder for the exact day your window opens, log in 5 minutes early, and have your dates and site preferences ready. This is especially critical for any weekend that overlaps with a University of Iowa football home game.
recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2991What are driving conditions like around Iowa City?
Driving an RV around Iowa City is refreshingly relaxed, the terrain is gently rolling, the roads are well-maintained, and traffic is light outside of Hawkeye football Saturdays and University of Iowa move-in days. Interstate 80 cuts right through with wide lanes and big shoulders, perfect for first-time RV drivers. The one thing to watch: summer thunderstorms can bring strong crosswinds and occasional severe weather, and winter brings snow and ice from November through March. Avoid downtown Iowa City's narrow, one-way streets near the Pentacrest with larger rigs. Pro tip: take Highway 6 or Highway 1 for scenic, low-stress driving to the Amana Colonies or Kalona, much easier than threading through campus.
511ia.org/What amenities will I find at campgrounds near Iowa City?
Campgrounds around Iowa City are well-equipped for a comfortable RV stay. Most Corps of Engineers sites at Coralville Lake (Sugar Bottom, West Overlook, Linder Point, Tailwater East and West) offer paved pads, electric hookups (30/50 amp), potable water spigots, modern restrooms with hot showers, and centrally located dump stations. Lake Macbride State Park's modern loop offers electric hookups, and dump stations are available on site. Pro tip: fill your fresh water tank before pulling into your site since not every site has a water spigot, and bring a 25-foot sewer hose since some dump connections are placed a bit farther from the pad than you would expect.
recreation.gov/camping/gateways/2991What's included inside a typical RV rental from Iowa City?
Iowa City RV rentals on RVezy come ready for adventure. Expect a full kitchen with a refrigerator, stove, microwave, sink, and cookware; a bathroom with toilet and shower; comfortable sleeping for 2 to 8 depending on the rig; air conditioning and a furnace for Iowa's hot summers and crisp fall nights; and seatbelts for all designated passengers. Most listings include linens, towels, a TV, and many offer onboard generators and Wi-Fi hotspots. Campervan rental in Iowa City is great for couples, while Class C motorhomes and travel trailers shine for family RV trips in Iowa City. Pro tip: scan each listing's amenities list and message the host with any must-haves like a coffee maker or outdoor speaker setup.
iowadnr.gov/things-do/campingWhat add-ons and pickup options are available for motorhome rental in Iowa City?
Motorhome rental in Iowa City comes with plenty of optional add-ons to customize your trip. Popular extras include camping chairs and tables ($5 to $15 per trip), bedding and towel packages ($25 to $50), bike racks, generators (often included on Class C and Class A), portable propane grills, and outdoor mats. Many hosts offer delivery and setup as the easiest add-on, especially handy if you're flying into the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids, just 25 minutes north. Pickup is usually at the host's home, and most stays run 24-hour check-in to check-out windows. Pro tip: ask your host about a generator and a Starlink or hotspot add-on if you're heading to Kent Park or remote Corps sites where cell signal can be spotty.
flycid.com/How does payment and the security deposit work on RVezy?
Payment is simple and secure. You pay through RVezy at booking with a credit card, and your funds are held safely until your trip begins. Most Iowa City hosts also require a refundable security deposit (commonly $500 to $1,500 depending on the RV) that is authorized on your card a few days before pickup and released after the trip if there are no issues. The security deposit is separate from your booking payment. Take dated photos of the RV inside and out at pickup and drop-off, and respect the host's mileage and generator-hour allowances. Pro tip: use a credit card with a high enough limit to comfortably cover both the rental and the deposit hold, and confirm the deposit amount in the listing before you book.
help.rvezy.com/hc/en-us/articles/360038106214-How-the-security-deposit-worksCan I rent an RV from Iowa City in the winter?
Winter RV rental in Iowa City is absolutely possible and can be a beautiful adventure, think snowy walks at Lake Macbride, ice fishing on Coralville Lake, and toasty evenings in a heated RV. Many RVezy hosts keep rigs available year-round, and quite a few feature heated holding tanks, enclosed underbellies, and reliable propane furnaces built for Iowa's January temperatures (which average highs near 30°F and lows around 13°F). Filter for four-season RVs and confirm with your host that the rig is winter-ready. Pro tip: book a host who offers delivery and setup with winterization support so they handle the water lines and antifreeze while you focus on hot cocoa and snowy sunrises.
weather.gov/dvn/