Wilderness Camping In Iowa

[barny]

I was wondering if there are any laws/spots to wilderness camp in Iowa. Because I really dislike camping at campgrounds.
Thanks for your time and help.

 

[omaha-beenglockin]

Too many farms---the whole place has been parceled out.

If you are looking for a true wilderness experience---you'll have to travel west or north.

 

[bulgron]

Too many farms---the whole place has been parceled out.

If you are looking for a true wilderness experience---you'll have to travel west or north.

Can't advise on going west from Iowa for wilderness, but northern Minnesota gets as wild as you can imagine, especially in the BWCA. You'll need a canoe and be willing to portage, though.

Back in the late 80's, it seemed like I found some decent spots in northern Wisconsin as well. Check out Chequamegon-Nicolet.

 

[Bob W]

Campgrounds do suck. Like motels without walls... RVs, noisy families, and 'security' lights suitable for a prison.

Iowa has very little public lands - no National Forests or BLM land. You might check into whether the larger state forests and wildlife refuges allow backcountry camping. Even some of the state parks may have walk-in campsites that would be away from the other visitors.

Are you in a camping club by chance? In college we'd always stay in the group campgrounds at state parks. They're usually situated away from the regular campgrounds and we always had quiet and privacy.

you'll have to travel west or north.

Don't forget east and south. The Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois is a great place for hiking and camping, especially this time of the year.

Your best bet is to make friends with local landowners who have farms or woods.

-Bob

 

[Bob W]

Here 'ya go, maybe as good as it gets in Iowa, the Stephens State Forest. Camping is allowed only is designated areas, but some units have hiking trails with backcountry campsites.

http://www.iowadnr.com/forestry/stephens.html

Here's the Yellow River State Forest with 25 miles of backpacking trails, and backcountry camping.
http://www.iowadnr.com/forestry/yellowriver.html

Our backpack areas are large enough to support a large group or several small groups. They are not organized areas so you can spread out if you arrive to find a group or individuals already at the site. On nice weekends, slight but not overwhelming traffic can be expected. Our backpack trail is also part of our equestrian trail for some of its length, so horses may be encountered. On weekdays, you will seldom encounter other users.

Especially note the part about weekdays. Even in the most popular state parks in Illinois, if you visit on a weekday during the school year there are very few other visitors and many parks are deserted.

-Bob

 

[trentu]

I'm from Iowa also and find most privacy along the river. You can take some pretty cool get away trips down any of the large ones. Check with a local camper sales place near you and they can tell you several out of the way primitive camp grounds. Wolf Creek Recreation Area is nice too. Located near Beaman Iowa.

 

[barny]

I'm from Iowa also and find most privacy along the river. You can take some pretty cool get away trips down any of the large ones. Check with a local camper sales place near you and they can tell you several out of the way primitive camp grounds. Wolf Creek Recreation Area is nice too. Located near Beaman Iowa.

Cool, what river do you stay on, I've been on the Des Monies River once on a trip.

 

[JohnnyMayhem]

Not much privacy near the Missouri river here. Everybody likes tresspassing, and riding their dirtbikes down there. There are some spots here and there, but yeah mainly it's farm land. Then again there really isn't much until you hit western Nebraska, but then again when you get that far, there is South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado.

 

[trentu]

I usually am on the Iowa River around Marshalltown,Liscomb and on to Tama. Decorah has some beautiful woods up there and many farmers are use to trout fisherman coming around. If you ask one of them I bet they would let you camp out in that wooded area. Beautiful hilly country loaded with trees and trout streams.

 

[barny]

OK, thanks, I live in Ames so Marshalltown isn't too far away, I might check it out this summer. Thanks