Decorah camping includes several good options within a short drive of this northeast Iowa town. R Campground sits just off Highway 218 with gravel sites and 50 amp full hookups that work well for RVs. Pikes Peak State Park Campground has walking trails and Mississippi River views that many campers enjoy. About an hour away, Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground in Minnesota lets you take guided tours through underground caves between camping trips. Spring and fall bring the best camping weather with mild temperatures and colorful trees. Summers get hot around Decorah, so bring extra water and something for shade. Winter camping happens but you'll need serious cold-weather gear to stay comfortable. Most campgrounds have good roads leading to them, though some spots might need higher clearance after it rains. The area has hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching when you're not at camp. The town of Decorah has some good stores and places to eat when you need a break from cooking at your campsite. Both tent and RV campers can find spots that match what they're looking for near Decorah.
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"This campground is located right outside of scenic Decorah and has trails for hiking or biking. Easy access for kayakers and tubers and walking distance to great breweries."
"Decorah is so beautiful. The river is right beside the tent sites. Hiking trails close by. Caves and water falls only a short drive away. Tubing, canoeing, and kayaking services behind camp grounds."
"We booked a spot for our RV because we wanted to explore the Decorah,IA area and it’s abundant set of activities."
"Easy access for kayaking and tubing on the Upper Iowa River."
$25 / night
"Gorgeous bluffs and river to camp right next to! Can’t wait to go back!"
"The camping sites also have large tall trees where a camper should be parked which causes you to park way to close to the fire pit."
$28 - $37 / night
"City water only available central locations otherwise a delight spot in a wonderful town"
"The South Bear Creek entrance is located near Highlandville, IA off of Quandahl Road. This is Iowa Department of Natural Resources land and offers primitive camping only."
"A couple sites are very close to the stream, which is wonderful to have the flowing water sound to help me fall asleep. This campground can get very busy during the spring, summer, and fall."
"We brought are kayak with us and went down the Upper Iowa River Saturday and Sunday, if you are at this campground make sure you spend a day on the river."
"As someone who bicycle tours I appreciated fire wood being on site and close to where the tent area is. The bathrooms aren’t the best but they worked."
"Lake Meyer sits atop a hill above the Lake. Beautiful trails with lots of wild life. Even an eagles nest. There are hook ups and water."
"Wen I lived in Minnesota and my boyfriend was living in iowa, this was our go-to meeting place for our weekend getaways. "
"This campground is perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River."
LegendThis is a very small campground in the middle of town across from the high school track/football field. It has a handful of grassy sites. River is behind the property. It is located off a fairly busy road. The bike trail and root river (paddling route) is close by. Pretty area.
LegendThis is a small primitive campground that has 1 vault toilet. (no shower) Horses are allowed. Fairly close together sites, but a beautiful area to get into nature or go camping at a reasonable price.
LegendThis area is getting more developed as the Owl Center will be moving here from the current location on Main Street. You do need to walk several hundred feet to the tent sites. Nature center, natural playground, biking trails, root river with paddling opportunities. This area is part of the drift-less region and known for its rolling landscape.
LegendLocated on state forest land there are 2 separate areas right next to each other. The first loop is for smaller vehicles and tents and the larger area should be reserved for larger vehicles with horse trailers. There are hiking and equestrian trails present into the state forest land. There is one vault toilet. No other amenities. Beautiful area!
LegendThis is a tucked away campground off a few miles of gravel near Spring Grove, MN. It has a pool and activities found at many KOAs. There is a beautiful creek going through the property and is a very beautiful area known as the driftless region.
LegendThis campground offers a few sites (on the smaller side) in a private area, but within town limits. There is a frisbee golf course present and it is just downhill from the football field. Spring Grove is a cute town with a strong German ancestry roots.
LegendA handful of rustic type sites in the town. This is directly across from the football field, a nice outdoor basketball court and a park.
LegendThis small campground is at the county fairgrounds in the city of Preston, MN. It has basic sites that are fairly good sized. Located within a few hundred yards of the river and the bike trail. Downtown businesses are walkable.
TravelerStaying in the Deerfield (?) loop provided quiet sites, some good wooded walks in the campground, and clean bathrooms. The park itself offers pretty, remote hiking along the bluffs and in the forests. You won't get bored camping here, although Wyalusing is a little too big to be walkable. Summers can be very hot, and swimming at Wyalusing is iffy/nonexistent.
Decorah camping sites offer several options beyond the well-known campgrounds in northeast Iowa. Located in the Driftless Area, this region features unique limestone bluffs and cold-water trout streams not found in most of Iowa's generally flat terrain. Winter temperatures regularly drop below freezing between November and March, while summer days often reach the mid-80s with higher humidity.
Kayaking and tubing: Bluffton Resort offers convenient river access with shuttle service. Ryan mentions, "This is a nice hidden little privately owned campground. The host, Randy is super nice and helpful with whatever you need. There is also the bar/store where you can get refreshments and food."
Cycling the trail network: Pulpit Rock Campground connects to extensive bike paths. Jenny K. notes, "This campground is located right outside of scenic Decorah and has trails for hiking or biking. Easy access for kayakers and tubers and walking distance to great breweries."
Trout fishing: South Bear Creek provides free primitive camping with excellent angling opportunities. Kerry M. explains, "North Bear Creek is one of the most popular trout streams in Iowa. It offers fishing for a variety of skill levels from simple power-bait up to fly fishing."
River proximity: Many Decorah camping sites feature water access. Kari S. from Pulpit Rock Campground shares, "My boyfriend and I stayed right on the river with our pups (pet friendly) and it was BEAUTIFUL. Easy access to restrooms but secluded and quiet too."
Spacious sites: Hutchinson Family Farm Campground offers roomier camping spots. Clarke N. reports, "The sites are huge but pretty open and we needed 50' of cord to hit electrical box (not a big deal). The lawn was nicely mowed and the sites are very level. We did check out some of the other campgrounds and did find that some have you packed in like cord wood."
Clean facilities: Lake Meyer County Park Campground maintains good amenities. According to B B., "This is a great little park if you need a place to stop for the night. It was very inexpensive for tents ($10 I think) and the tent camping area was very nice with 3 giant pine trees and some picnic tables and fire rings."
Seasonal considerations: Winter camping requires preparation but offers solitude. Kerry M. from South Bear Creek advises, "Winter offers quite a bit more solitude, both in the campground and on the trout stream. Many times I have been the only person camping here during winter. The campsite is not plowed, so a 4WD is recommended."
Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be louder based on location. Tiffany R. warns about Pulpit Rock, "Beautiful scenery, lots of trout streams. Our site was 48 and it was noisy with the highway there. Will go back just move more in ward."
Crowds: Popular sites fill quickly in peak seasons. Mallory S. notes, "The campgrounds was mostly full (even fuller on the website, why don't people cancel when they aren't coming?)"
Swimming options: Upper Iowa Resort and Rental offers kid-friendly water activities. Sheena B. says, "Loved the sand bottom pool, owners were so nice and kids loved getting hard ice cream everyday from the shop! Clean, quiet, friendly place!"
Activity variety: Look for campgrounds with multiple recreation options. Erin A. explains, "This campground is perfectly situated on the Upper Iowa River... The best part of this camp is they offer tube canoe and kayak rentals with a shuttle to the put in then you float back to the campground. Also has a 'pool'/man made pond with a beach all the way around it."
Budget-friendly sites: Some campgrounds offer affordable stays. B B. mentions Lake Meyer County Park Campground "was very inexpensive for tents ($10 I think)" making it accessible for family outings.
Electrical access: Check hookup distances before setting up. Clarke N. from Hutchinson Family Farm Campground shares, "We needed 50' of cord to hit electrical box (not a big deal). The lawn was nicely mowed and the sites are very level."
Site spacing: Some RV areas provide more room than others. Travis P. cautions, "What I didn't enjoy was how close each RV site is. The sparks from our fire were making their way to our neighbors site."
Water availability: Not all campgrounds have hookups at each site. Robert T. notes about Pulpit Rock Campground, "City water only available central locations otherwise a delight spot in a wonderful town."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds in Decorah, Iowa?
Pulpit Rock Campground is a standout option located right outside scenic Decorah with direct river access, hiking trails, and walking distance to breweries. The campground offers affordable rates, clean shower facilities, picnic tables, and fire pits at each site. For those seeking a more spacious option, Upper Iowa Resort and Rental provides a great weekend getaway spot with more room to spread out. Decorah's campgrounds offer excellent access to outdoor activities including kayaking, tubing, hiking to caves and waterfalls, and trout fishing opportunities. The area's bike trail connectivity makes it easy to explore the region's natural beauty without needing to drive.
Are there state parks with camping options near Decorah, Iowa?
Several state parks with camping options are located near Decorah. Yellow River State Forest offers multiple campgrounds including Little Paint Campground, which features excellent trout fishing opportunities that set it apart from other Iowa state forests. Backbone State Park with its Six Pines Campground is another nearby option. Just across the border in Wisconsin, Wyalusing State Park Campground offers clean, well-maintained sites with great hiking trails and is conveniently located near Effigy Mounds. These parks typically provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to outdoor recreation opportunities.
Is there a campground at Chimney Rock near Decorah?
Yes, Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground is located near Decorah. This private campground offers a more rustic camping experience but maintains clean shower facilities and well-kept grounds. The campground features ample space for campers to spread out and is an ideal base for exploring the Decorah area's abundant outdoor activities. The lower campground area sits adjacent to water access, making it convenient for paddlers. While the facilities are basic compared to some more developed campgrounds, its strategic location and spaciousness make it popular with visitors looking to enjoy the natural beauty and recreational opportunities of the Decorah region.
What RV camping facilities are available in Decorah?
Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground offers RV camping with a rustic feel but includes clean shower facilities and well-maintained grounds with plenty of space to spread out. It's an excellent base for exploring Decorah's numerous outdoor activities. For those needing more amenities, Hutchinson Family Farm Campground provides toilet facilities and is big-rig friendly. Most RV sites in the area offer the basics like fire pits and picnic tables, though sites tend to be close together with limited privacy. Some campgrounds have electric hookups, but full hookups are less common. Reservation policies vary by location, with some operating on a first-come, first-served basis.
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