Best Camping in and near Mississippi River

Discover the scenic splendor of Mississippi River - Pools 11-22.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

Blanding Landing Campground

37 sites · RVs, Tents In Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

Fishermans Corner Campground

56 sites · RVs, Tents In Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

Blanchard Island Campground

34 sites · RVs, Tents In Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

from

$8

/ night

Andalusia Slough Campground

25 sites · RVs, Tents In Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

Top-rated campgrounds near Mississippi River - Pools 11-22

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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. Summer has begun! The prairie is starting to flower, the mulberries are just finishing up and black raspberries are coming on in the woods for you to forage. Please take a taste and leave the rest for others to enjoy. There have also been black bear sightings in Cedar County! If one decides to visit, please steer clear of it. They are NOT as cute as they look, especially if you get between them and their food or cubs! This year, Draco Hill Nature Farm is hosting free events you can join in on when you camp. Coming up is a night time bug show and talk July 12 and prairie walks in August and September. 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." 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. NOTE: It's raining more this summer than it has in 4 year so bring insect repellant. Poison ivy is also very prevalent. We spray chemicals as little as possible for your safety and the benefit of the environment so wear long pants in the woods and be 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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Geneseo Campground

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Geneseo, IL

Located just north of the charming city of Geneseo, IL, our little campground has it all! Whether you’re traveling with a tent, van, tow-behind or a big rig, we can accommodate you. Our RV sites have 30 and 50 amp electric connections as well as water and sewer connections on most sites. We have three cozy cabins on property as well as a yurt that can accommodate 5-8 guests. If it’s fun and adventure you’re looking for, we’re situated right on the Hennepin Trail which offers miles of hiking and biking paths as well as fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Your furry friends will enjoy our wonderful enclosed dog park! Our newly renovated camp store has everything you might need including ice, firewood and much more. Our community room is perfect for meetings and gatherings and even has arcade games to keep the kids happy. Our restrooms are modern and very clean. Need to top off your propane tank? We have you covered! In the event you need to stay connected and productive during your stay, the entire campground has access to fast, fiber-powered WiFi. Come see what it’s like to be treated like family at Geneseo Campground! For more camping options - including group reservations - please visit our website at https://roam.camp/geneseo-campground or call 309-442-2662.

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Vintage Spring Lake Campground

6 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Savanna, IL

Spring Lake Campground was est. in 1943. The lake is fed by the Mississippi River and there is access to the lake and directly to the river for kayaking/boating and fishing, which is a popular reason people come to the campground. Another popular draw is that the Great River Bike Trail runs right through! It’s a beautiful ride from the campground to nearby Savanna, IL. There is so much to do in the surrounding area: hiking and climbing at Palisades State Park, restaurants, bars and shopping in Savanna, museums and more. But enjoying a peaceful time at the campground, having a bonfire, watching the sunset on the lake and seeing the stars at night is really what it’s about. True old school camping-enjoying the wildlife sanctuary. Get outside and relax. *We ask that our campers please arrive before dark to find their site and set up to avoid disrupting other campers. It gets really dark! We do not have street lights so people can see the stars. Learn more about this land: A Vintage campground est. 1943. Known for kayaking and fishing, this is a true campground. Instead of pavement, we have grass and trees but our best "amenity" is the peaceful outdoors! The Great River Bike Trail runs right through our campground. Rent a canoe or kayak (through October 1st) Historical Savanna, IL is close by. Enjoy Illinois!

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1860's Botanical Paradise

2 sites · Lodging, Tents2 acres · Bellevue, IA

Happy to announce we’ve won 2nd best property to visit in Iowa! We hope to keep striving and adding more amenities as we go! Thank you to our wonderful guests and hello to future guests! 👋🏽 Built in 1860 by its first caretaker botanist, this homestead was propagated over its many years of life and is busting at the seams with medicinal and edible herbs. We now run a flower farm and vegetable gardens on our homestead. If you’d like to learn about herbs or gardening/ homesteading, we love sharing our knowledge. If you’d just like some farm fresh eggs for breakfast and enjoy your time alone amongst the songbirds, that's just fine too :) The property is built into the stone hillside allowing for breathtaking views but also stairs to get to the campsites. Please wear comfortable shoes (not flip flops 😉). If you have mobility issues property access will be difficult. Please no children under 5. !CLASSES! We run our small school/business: HOMESTEAD and HAMMER from the property and are bringing classes to YOU! Look in the "EXTRAS" for classes you can partake in on your visit OR for more information on what's included on class weekends check out our website below! Classes include, forAging wild edibles, mushroom identification, homesteading skills, soap making, forging metals and many more! Website: www.homesteadandhammer.com *For guest and host safety property managed 24-7 by video and security services*

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#JTRidge Sites/Clothing Optional

11 sites · 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. Very private and peaceful, perfect for those looking for some alone time or time with family/friends. 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. **Property Owner is certified in Massage, offering sessions at the property.

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Avalon Unity Garden

2 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Tampico, IL

This garden is intended to help people connect to Mother Earth. There is room for yoga or meditation with the plants. You can sleep in a tent, or your vehicle. It has a walkable spiral, an 18’ Mother Earth sculpture, an earth lodge for ceremonies and a hexagon swing area. It’s located in a very small farm community. We are about a mile from the Hennepin canal where you can walk, fish or canoe.

Booked 4 times

1951 Dream

1 site · Lodging82 acres · Orion, IL

This is an 82 acre property of approximately 65 percent old growth forest, 20 percent row crop and 15 percent of alfalfa/vegetable garden. Bookings are exclusive, that is, whether you are just looking to pitch a tent for the night or host a mid-summers wedding party for 250, the place is yours. You won't be sharing it with any other campers. There are three levels of booking: Ghost...Starts and hopefully ends at $35 Perfect for those who just want to pitch a tent for the night or host a picnic during the day. There is a well-maintained port-a-potty and an open-air shower. You're free to explore all 82 acres, dangle your feet in the creek, sunbathe. A popular stop with cyclists, it's called Ghost because outside of a couple grocery bags of trash in the metal can, we don't expect to even know you were there. Access to ConX7 starts at $100 Are you hosting a small group and you want a weather-secure space? Container Experiment No.7 (Conx7), is a forty-foot, high-cube intermodal container. It was built in China, carried one load of tires and has been adapted as a multi-use hospitality property. It’s camping... in a tent made of cor‑ten steel. Conx7 is off the grid, enough solar power to charge devices and LED illumination after dark. Not enough for hair dryers. A day watching thunderstorms with friends from inside ConX7 is a comfortable and pleasant experience. After dark, the container is a nightlight, an HQ for the party and home to the camp's composting toilet. Concierge Support Hands-on assistance for your event of stay. We can arrange for a generator or catering. Tenting for groups up to 250, monster wall of sound, fireworks displays, video/drone event coverage, bodyguards, we've done all that. We have a deep bench of resources in the community and we're glad to share them.

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Frakers Grove Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents250 acres · La Fayette, IL

Frakers Grove Farm has been part of my family since the 1980s, but its history extends back to 1828 when Michael Fraker arrived and negotiated a peaceful settlement with the local Native American tribes, becoming the first settler in North Eastern Knox County. His grave, along with those of approximately 26 relatives and friends, is located on the property. Camp on a 250-acre farm in Western Illinois, featuring a 1.5-acre pond stocked with Blue Gill, Crappie, Wide Mouth Bass, Catfish, and resident Grass Carp, plus a small creek. The property also has trails and abundant wildlife, including deer, American river otters, beavers, geese, wood ducks, and raccoons. A Jon boat is available for use on the pond. We offer 1 Walk-in Camp Site and 1 Drive-In Site by the pond, each with a fire ring. RV camping is currently in a trial phase; your feedback is invaluable. This area provides primitive wooded camping behind and around the pond, with the RV site located next to the pole barn. Note: The RV site listing is not normally active, so please reach out in advance if interested. Guest WiFi is available near the buildings. Assistance with transporting tents and supplies to and from the campsite on check-in and check-out days is available upon request. Facilities include a Porta Potty and potable water from a yard hydrant, both located near the Pole Barn. NOTE: This is an active farm with considerable activity involving heavy machinery during the spring and fall. We currently have chickens and are taking a break from pigs. The newly established pasture is expected to yield grass hay this year to help fund new fencing, a preparatory step for introducing cows.

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Miss Effie's Country Flowers

2 sites · Tents2 acres · Donahue, IA

Ms. Effie’s Flower Farm is a gated you pick flower farm located in beautiful rural countryside. Peace and tranquillity is what you will find when you are surrounded by amazing flowers and rolling farm fields. The cornzebo is a unique gathering spot with romantic lighting and comfortable seating. It’s a great place to watch the sun come up! The fire pit is also available for use.

The best camping near Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 guide

Overview

About

The famous Mississippi is unlike any river you will come across in America. It’s grand, it’s gorgeous, it’s no wonder Mark Twain wrote a whole adventure on it: one look and you’ll be finding a raft of your own. Stick by the water’s edge to fish, boat, or day dream. Venture into the trails and pretend you’re discovering this for the first time. Let your imagination run wild, it’s what Mr. Twain would have wanted.

When to go

The best time to visit Mississippi River - Pools 11-22 is during the spring and fall when the weather is mild and the natural scenery is at its peak. Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities, though it can be quite busy. Winters are less ideal due to cold temperatures and limited services.

Know before you go

Check the latest river conditions and weather forecasts before planning your trip to ensure a safe experience.
Be aware of any seasonal closures or restricted areas to avoid any inconveniences during your visit.
Accessibility varies across different recreation areas, so inquire ahead if you require special accommodations.
While some amenities are available, it's wise to bring essential supplies, including water and snacks.
Remember to respect wildlife and practice Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural beauty of the river's ecosystem.