Best Camping in Lake Macbride State Park, IA 2025

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Discover the natural charm of Lake Macbride State Park.

Top public campgrounds in the park

Public campgrounds here are often sold out.

1. Lake Macbride Campground

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103 sites · RVs, Tents · In Lake Macbride State Park

If you like to bring your second home on wheels with you into the outdoors then the north campground at Lake Macbride State Park is the place for you

100% (2 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Lake Macbride State Park adventure.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Lake Macbride State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Lake Macbride State Park

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Windy Goat Acres

7 sites · Lodging15 acres · Chelsea, IA

We love animals, plants, art, and outdoor recreation and love sharing these things with people! We found the perfect little plot for all of these things we love. Nature, art, animals, and lots of space! The hilly, lush land is also known as the Bohemie Alps and it's quite a beautiful area tucked away in Iowa.Visit with the llamas, goats, peacocks, potbelly pigs and the horses and hike around the property or stay in for a quiet stay with a good book and enjoy all the sights and sounds. Lots of extra 'add ons' to enhance the experience!Semi wooded property with hiking trails, hammocks, aerial silks, campfire pit. 5 mi away is Otter Creek Lake, a recreational park for fishing, kayaking, swimming, etc. We have 2 kayaks available. So much to do! Also perfect to just relax, meditate, yoga, sleep...

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Draco Hill Nature Farm

4 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · West Branch, IA

A convenient 7 miles north of Interstate 80 but feels like an oasis away from it all. Enjoy nature in a private, wooded river valley setting. Go to sleep under the stars to the sound of frogs, cicadas, coyotes, deer and the rustling wind through the tallgrass prairie. Wake to an amazing sunrise over the river. Enjoy a hike through our 4 miles of trails on 75 acres of rolling woodlands and prairie, picking berries, finding mushrooms, scaring up a turkey or pheasant in the brush or listening to the birds. (Pull out your Merlin app to see who's singing!) Play in the river or upland pond, cut cattails and prairie grasses for souvenirs and enjoy being unplugged for a while. Your hosts are here if you need us, but we leave you to enjoy this beautiful place at your own pace. Draco Hill Nature Farm hosts free events during the year. See Dracohill.org/events for details. Make it part of your camping experience or sign up for your own private sustainable agriculture tour under "Extras." This is a "socks and shoes, jeans and boots" kind of camping. You're visiting wild places and a working perennial farm, so please dress appropriately for your optimal enjoyment. NOTE: Poison ivy is very prevalent. We spray chemicals as little as possible for your safety and the benefit of the environment. The trade off is wearing long pants in the woods and being vigilant around your campsite. We use TecNu - a product we scrub on and wash off if we get into poison ivy by mistake and it has kept us from any major outbreaks.

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#JTRidge Sites/Clothing Optional

11 sites · Lodging, Tents15 acres · Oxford Junction, IA

Are you looking for the opportunity to be free and connect with nature naturally? A place to reconnect with your soul or reconnect with your significant other(s). Do you need to escape life for even just a little bit? A place to safely be your true self or selves. Our spaces are all about privacy and relaxing in nature peacefully. Perfect for first time clothing optional experiences. Maybe you just prefer a quiet natural low key space to relax. Are you a regular camper who is tired of the busy big campgrounds? Need a overnight camping spot that is more nature and less people? Looking for a place to relax in the sun naturally and just take some time for yourself or time with the special people in your life? Along with offering overnight camping sites, we offer day passes for those who just want some chill time within the day. A day pass gives you access to the property, relaxing chairs for that perfect moment in the sun and the woods to wander as you connect with nature. Perfect for a lunch break or just a step away from life for a few hours. Sneak away and take some moments to recharge yourself naturally. Day passes can be a bit tricky to book, reach out if you need help with the site. We hope you will find that this is a place for everything listed above and so much more. A space to enjoy some downtime, quiet at peace with nature, and a place for restorative just-for-me time. Perfect for yoga in the woods or a natural spot to meditate. Not a commercial campground, just a piece of personal property that we are looking to share with others who enjoy time in nature. We enjoy our natural privacy and welcome you to experience the same. We are stewards of the property and are charged with taking care of all that Mother Nature has given us. If you need space to think, read a book, or just be you, this could be the right fit. Forget the news, forget work, forget city life, and just take in the moments; while listening to the birds sing, (Pull out your Merlin app) to see who's singing! Your hosts are here if you need us, but we leave you to enjoy this beautiful place at your own pace. We give you privacy to enjoy your stay fully. We have 15 acres of woods with a natural rock bluff, so many different spaces which allow you to fully bond with nature. Trails to wander and wildlife to see. Clothing is optional through out all of the property; overnight camping and sunbathing/day pass spots are available. Located on the Wapsipinicon River. Camp sites are very private and tucked away from life's stresses. Relax in the woods. Watch the cows and calves moo in the nearby pasture. Walk nature trails with native wildlife and flora. Great photo opportunities abound. Cast a line to catch dinner. Escape to nature is the key to this property; find yourself tucked away from city sounds and light pollution. Come out to see the sunset/sunrise, check out the stars, read a good book, lay out in your favorite hammock, find yourself, and be at peace. Great place for a nice camping fire; treat yourself to some smores. Peaceful sounds at night of the river flowing as you drift off to sleep in your tent. Perfect little spot for peaceful relaxation and just taking some time. Walk the trails in your natural skin, shoot photos of all the different plants, listen to the birds and animals scurry, enjoy the sunshine, and feel the warmth on all of your body. Put in your canoe or kayak at Olin for a 3-4 hour float to our camping area. There are lots of state parks within a short drive; visit the only Presidential library in Iowa; and tour some amazing caves in nearby parks. Enjoy the Great Jones County Fair only 30 mins away.. So much to do, and then come back to a space without crowds and just chill. Welcoming to all, we love to meet new people and let them share in the joy of bonding with nature freely.

Booked 1 time

TJ'S Ranch - 21+ & LGBTQ+ Friendly

5 sites · Lodging, Tents5 acres · Victor, IA

TJ's RANCH SITS WITHIN THE BEAUTIFUL ROLLING HILLS OF IOWA COUNTY, IOWA. OUR LOCATION OFFERS BREATHTAKING VISTAS AND SUNSET VIEWS OF SURROUNDING PASTURE AND AGRICULTURAL LAND. WE ARE IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF HOMESTEADING WITH PLANS TO EXPAND OUR AMENITIES AND LODGING OPTIONS IN THE NEAR FUTURE. PLEASE EXCUSE ANY MESSES AS WE ARE STILL DEVELOPING OUR RANCH! TERENCE (HE/HIS) AND JUAN (HE/HIS) INVITE YOU TO TJ'S RANCH, WHICH IS QUEER-OWNED AND OPERATED, AND WELCOMES ALL VISITORS, INCLUDING THOSE WITHIN THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY THAT ARE LOOKING FOR A WELCOME AND SAFE ENVIRONMENT TO ENJOY OUTDOOR RECREATION AND CAMPING AT IT'S BEST. NO PROBLEM IF THIS ISN'T YOUR VIBE, THERE ARE OTHER HIPCAMPS AND BEAUTIFUL COUNTY PARKS IN THE AREA WE CAN RECOMMEND! PLEASE NOTE, ALL GUESTS MUST BE 21 OR OLDER ON THE DAY OF CHECK-IN, UNLESS ADVANCE PERMISSION HAS BEEN GRANTED BY THE OWNERS. OUR COMPLIMENTARY AMMENITIES INCLUDE: SEVERAL FIREPIT AREAS AND A PICNIC AREA, ACCESS TO OUTDOOR GAS GRILLING, LAWN GAMES, BOARD GAMES, PUZZLES, AND SPORTING EQUIPMENT TO BORROW WHILE ENJOYING THE PROPERTY, ACCESS TO STARLINK INTERNET SERVICE IF YOU NEED TO STAY CONNECTED, INDOOR MULTI-PUROPOSE SPACE IN OUR BARN, PERFECT PLACES FOR READING OR SETTNIG UP AN EASLE, SITTING IN THE HAMMOCK, OR EARLY SUMMER MULLBERRY AND FALL APPLE PICKING, AND MAYBE JUST A THING OR TWO FROM OUR GARDEN AS IT PRODUCES! WE ALSO PROVIDE COMPLIMENTARY ACCESS TO OUR ONSITE FITNESS CENTER. WE ARE WITHIN IOWA'S SILOS AND SMOKESTACKS NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA WITH MANY ATTRACTIONS AND SERVICES, INCLUDING: THE HISTORIC LINCOLN HIGHWAY AND THE IOWA VALLEY SCENIC BYWAY, THE IOWA RIVER VALLEY, THE AMANA COLONIES, FIRESIDE WINERY, TANGER OUTLET MALL, IOWA FARM ANIMAL SANCTUARY, THE SUNFLOWER EXPERIENCE, IOWA'S OWN BOHEMIE ALPS, AND MANY AVAILABLE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITIES OF BELLE PLAINE, VICTOR AND MARENGO. BE SURE TO ASK ABOUT OUR FAVORITE LOCAL COFFEE SHOPS, EATERIES, AND FARMER'S MARKETS. BELLE PLAINE EVEN STILL HAS A SMALL TOWN MOVIE THEATER THAT SHOWS FIRST RUNS FOR $5 ON WEEKENDS! WE ARE ALSO WITHIN AN HOURS DRIVE TO KOLONA'S AMISH COUNTRY, IOWA CITY, CEDAR RAPIDS, AND LOST ISLAND WATER AND AMUSEMENT PARKS IN WATERLOO. WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON AT TJ'S RANCH! COMING SOON - TENT CAMPING, HOT TUB AND POOL!

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n*Everland Barnyard Camping

16 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Anamosa, IA

Seeking an adventure that feels like somewhere completely different from the norms of society? This is what you will find at n*Everland Barnyard. We march to the beat of our own drummer and love sharing our space with those seeking true connection to nature and themselves. Privacy or community connection, whichever you prefer, we have 20 acres in Anamosa, Iowa at the end of a cul-de-sac just 5 blocks from Main Street. We think it's a slice of heaven and we bet you agree! Do you want to hike into a site? We have a few sites in the woods that are not easily accessible by car, if you want that kind of experience just mention it when booking. Follow us on Facebook to stay abreast of our current events! We are not very active on FB though, so we may miss your message if you reach out to us that way. FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN: Please reach out to us in messaging to determine if this is the right fit for your family vacation as we feel there are better options in the area for kids, but we do make exceptions for the well-behaved and respectful older children. Thank you for your understanding. ABOUT THE BARNYARD: n*Everland Barnyard is an eccentric art installation space created from found, recycled, and repurposed building materials in the heart of Grant Wood Country in Jones County, Iowa. We are not a commercial campground. We focus on Zen, mindfulness, peace, and tranquility. Firmly in the realm of Outsider Art, Gothic and rustic, Bob Kellogg has created a place unlike anywhere else in the world that represents freedom and inspires endless creativity. The land provides multiple camp sites for easy access to bike and walking trails taking visitors into town or through the Wapsipinicon State Park across the river from the property. Anamosa offers several restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses all within walking distance and less than a mile from our land. We also offer #ProjectCreatePeace, an initiative to create more peace in the world through art as an art project. Check out the extras listings to get your art on while you are here! There is a beautiful spring-fed water hole ideal for swimming in the state park, as well as access to the river from our property (although we do not recommend swimming in the river.)

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Folk School Farm Stay

10 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents120 acres · Oxford, IA

Come enjoy the natural beauty of a working farm! In our transition to agroforestry, wetland restoration and perennial ag, you'll find some great spaces to walk your dog, let your children run and learn about ecological conservation. The farm is also home to a flower cutting garden, a food forest garden, and a folk school. Guests are welcome to cut flowers for a donation, and enjoy the sheep, chickens and resident cat. The setting is also great for taking in sunrises, sunsets and star gazing. Come explore the landscape, book a farm tour or enjoy some studio space at Land Alliance Folk School.

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Ramsey Creek Natural Area

3 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Kalona, IA

3 acres that were converted from a cornfield 30 years ago to an area containing prairie, woods and creek. A great place to relax and enjoy rural Iowa, guests are welcome to roam the mowed areas and paths while respecting other guests. In the heart of the largest Amish community west of the Mississippi, only 2 miles from Kalona Historical Village. Groceries, gas and food and dump station available in Kalona, firewood available on site, kayak trips may be arranged.

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River Camp

3 sites · RVs28 acres · Iowa City, IA

Learn more about this land: Private 28 acre parcel with scattering of cabins and houses. Includes many feet of river frontage with private road along river that makes for good biking or walking. Some trails in forest. Lots of birds and wildlife. Large 100 year old oak trees, giant sycamores and cottonwood trees on the property. Short trail to river provides access for kayaking or fishing. Put in at Sturgis Ferry Park by airport in Iowa City and kayak to campsite or go further to Hills Access at Hills, Iowa. Camp site is close to Iowa City, but the quiet site seems 100's of miles away. River Camp is close to Ryerson's Woods State Forest Preserve, Johnson County Fairgrounds, Terry Trueblood Recreation Area and a 10 minute drive to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

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Walking Stick Adventures Tipi Camp

2 sites · Lodging4 acres · Williamsburg, IA

We offer one private site on four acres, including a small pond, beach, treehouse, trails and peace and quiet. In addition to the tipi, there are kayaks, canoe, fire ring, wood supply, cooking equipment, dutch ovens, hammock, and tables and chairs. Campers will need to bring sleeping bags and food. Dogs are welcome. There is a rustic restroom (outhouse), with an outdoor shower. Water and electricity are available at the restroom and campsite. In addition, Navigation Play-Williamsburg, provides outdoor play opportunities at the farm on a seasonal basis. If interested, find her on her facebook page or find her link on my website www.walkingstickadventurescom.com Our dream was to restore an old farmstead to prairie and woods, grow our own food, make some wine and create a wonderland for grandchildren. The tipi and pond campsite is our way of sharing our place. We love meeting new people, especially those that are looking for a new camping experience.

The best camping near Lake Macbride State Park guide

Overview

About

Nestled right on a big blue lake, Lake Macbride State Park boasts 2,180 acres of lush forest, grassy fields, and a handful of stellar camping spots. Outdoor enthusiasts of all walks will be pleased as punch to hear about all the activities you can get up to at Lake Macbride. We’re talking hiking, fishing, boating, and much, much more. Lake Macbride is particularly well-known for being a prime fishing spot—cast a line and try your hand at fishing for catfish, muskies, and spotted bass. Even in the winter this popular state park has got a heck of a lot to offer, featuring everything from cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, to winter camping. Stop by, camp under the stars, and soak up that nature goodness.

When to go

The best time to visit Lake Macbride State Park is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its peak. Summer brings warm temperatures perfect for water activities, though it can be quite busy. Winters are less crowded but can be cold, so dress accordingly if you plan a visit during this season.

Know before you go

Check the weather forecast and dress in layers to accommodate changing conditions.
Be aware of park hours, typically from 6am to 10:30pm, and plan your visit accordingly.
Stay informed about any trail closures or area restrictions before your trip.
Remember to pack essentials like water, snacks, and a first aid kit.
Take advantage of the available facilities, including restrooms and picnic areas, for a comfortable visit.

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2 ratings · 1 review

Recommends

· October 2017

Lake Macbride Campground

This is a neat little area. A trail off of the campground leads to the lake, where it's easy to climb down the rocks to the water. We had our dogs with us, and they had a blast. The trail leads to a dam and a hill that's easy to climb. It's a popular fishing spot--nice to relax. I have been meaning to visit this campground again and will bring a big group of friends when I do. <3