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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Preston, IA
55 campgrounds and RV Parks near Preston, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
55 campgrounds
5022 campsites
65 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
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Best campgrounds near Preston, IA
Bellevue State Park Dyas Unit Campground
Bellevue, IA (12 miles away)
$$$$$
(46 sites)
+6
Seven Eagles Resort and Campground
Savanna, IL (14 miles away)
+6
Mississippi Palisades State Park
Savanna, IL (14 miles away)
$$$$$
(241 sites)
+5
Spring Lake Campground
Savanna, IL (14 miles away)
$$$$$
Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground
Maquoketa, IA (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+5
Timber Lake Resort and Campground
Mount Carroll, IL (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(133 sites)
+8
Vel Terra Campground
Elizabeth, IL (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+6
Palace Camp Ground
Galena, IL (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(182 sites)
+8
Camp Hauberg
Port Byron, IL (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(164 sites)
+7
Apple River Canyon State Park
Illinois (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(47 sites)
+6
Interstate RV Park
Davenport, IA (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(97 sites)
+10
Riverview Ridge Campgrounds
Cascade, IA (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(135 sites)
+10
Most common amenities
Playground Toilets Pet friendly Tables Showers Dump station Grills Firewood Internet Fishing
Preston camping overview
Preston sits in Jackson County in eastern Iowa, a short drive from the Mississippi River bluffs and the Great River Road. RV travelers use the town as a base for exploring both sides of the river, since crossings at Sabula and Savanna put Illinois state parks within easy reach. The surrounding landscape is part of the Driftless region, with limestone bluffs, hardwood forests, and river backwaters that support strong birding and paddling.
The closest developed public campground is Bellevue State Park Dyas Unit Campground, since Bellevue State Park is split into two separate areas, the Nelson Unit and the Dyas Unit, with camping only available at the Dyas Unit. Across the river, the 2,500-acre Mississippi Palisades State Park sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and Apple rivers in northwestern Illinois and offers a large campground with hundreds of sites.
Private options include Seven Eagles Resort and Campground and Spring Lake Campground, both on the Illinois side near Savanna. West of Preston, Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground pairs camping with one of the most unusual cave systems in the Midwest.
Things to do near Preston
Hiking and river views anchor most trips. Bellevue State Park Dyas Unit Campground provides direct trail access, with four trails at the Dyas Unit including the challenging Yellow and Blue trails that follow animal paths, the shorter Deer Trail suitable for young children, and the Bluff Trail with views of the Mississippi River below. In winter, bald eagles concentrate to feed near the open waters below Lock and Dam 12.
At Mississippi Palisades State Park, campers can hike 7 trails in the North section and 4 in the South, totaling 11.7 miles, with the North section trails connecting directly to the campground. The Great River Bike Trail runs through Savanna and passes Seven Eagles Resort and Campground and Spring Lake Campground.
Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground puts roughly thirteen caves within reach, including Dancehall Cave. Bring headlamps and clothes that can get muddy.
Camping spots and RV parks near Preston, IA
When to visit Preston
- spring
March - May
57° / 37°F 85 mmParks reopen in stages; May brings wet trails and mud
- summer
June - August
82° / 61°F 110 mmPeak season; weekend sites fill weeks out; humid and buggy
- fall
September - November
59° / 39°F 70 mmCool bluff hikes; caves close mid-November for bat hibernation
- winter
December - February
30° / 14°F 35 mmState park campgrounds closed; eagles gather at Lock and Dam 12
Iowa and Illinois state park campgrounds around Preston operate on a clear seasonal calendar. The Bellevue Dyas campground is closed January 1 through March 31, off-peak in April, peak from May 1 to October 15, off-peak through October 31, and closed November 1 through December 31. At Mississippi Palisades, showers and flush toilets operate from May 1 until October 31.
Maquoketa Caves has a longer reservation calendar than most Iowa parks, since it is one of the few state parks that accepts reservations in November and March while other Iowa parks are walk-in only from November 1 through March 31. The caves themselves close each year from mid-November until April 1 to serve as a hibernaculum for overwintering bats.
Summer weekends fill fastest, especially around Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. Iowa State Parks require a two-night weekend stay from May 1 through October 31 and a three-night stay on holiday weekends. Spring and fall bring smaller crowds and better wildlife viewing.
How to book near Preston
Iowa state park sites, including Bellevue State Park Dyas Unit Campground and Maquoketa Caves State Park Campground, are reserved through the Iowa DNR system on iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com. Reservations may be made up to three months in advance of the arrival date, with a same-day cutoff of 10 p.m. central. From November 1 through March 31, most Iowa parks switch to walk-in only, though Maquoketa Caves is one of the exceptions that accepts reservations in November and March.
Mississippi Palisades State Park is administered by Illinois DNR, with campground policies posted at camp.exploremoreil.com and on the park page at dnr.illinois.gov. Check the current portal for reservation status before arriving.
Seven Eagles Resort and Campground and Spring Lake Campground are private and book directly through their own websites. Weekend and holiday inventory disappears early, so lock in dates as soon as travel is confirmed.
What to expect in Preston
Public campgrounds in this corridor generally offer a mix of electric and non-electric sites with modern restrooms and dump stations. The Dyas Unit at Bellevue has 46 camping units, with 31 offering electrical hookups, modern restrooms, showers, and a sanitary dumping station. Mississippi Palisades offers 241 Class A and B sites with electrical hookups available at 110, plus water and two sanitary dump stations. Sites at both parks can feel close together, so expect neighbors within view.
Full hookups are limited on the public side. Renters needing sewer at the site should look to private parks like Seven Eagles Resort and Campground. Iowa is under state and federal firewood transport quarantines related to emerald ash borer, so buy firewood locally rather than hauling it in.
Cell service is generally usable but spotty in the bluffs and inside cave areas. Bring a paper map for backup.
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 Preston, 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 Preston, IA?
Campsite prices near Preston, 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 Preston, IA?
Free camping near Preston, 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 Preston, IA?
Camping near Preston, 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 Preston, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Preston, 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 Preston, IA?
Dump stations near Preston, 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 Preston, IA?
Renting a RV in Preston, 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 Preston, IA?
RV rentals in Preston, 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 Preston, 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 Preston, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Preston, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
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