Under the Stars @ Chimney Rock Campground
Quick Facts
Why Cresco & the Upper Iowa River
Cresco sits in Iowa’s Driftless Area, a rugged landscape of limestone bluffs and spring-fed rivers shaped differently than the rest of the flat, glaciated state. The Upper Iowa River here runs beneath dramatic 80-foot limestone bluffs and was recognized by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as one of the top 100 adventures in the United States, with the town itself home to the Norman Borlaug boyhood farm and the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Under the Stars is a well-run campground built around kayaking the Upper Iowa River, with genuinely helpful hosts and real bluff scenery — a strong basecamp if paddling is the main point of your trip.
What Makes It Special
- Location: Cresco, in Iowa’s Driftless Area
- Setting: Beneath dramatic limestone bluffs
- Site type: Campground: river, tent, and cabin sites
- Amenities: Kayak rentals and river transport, bluff views, games room, ice and firewood on-site
- Recreation: Water activities and hiking
Pro Tips for Booking
Book the river shuttle for a float trip. It’s a genuine highlight, with staff offering helpful tips along the way.
Say hi to the resident farm animals. Baby goats and miniature horses are a real bonus for kids.
Visit the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame. It’s a short drive into Cresco and genuinely unique to the area.
What to Do Around Here
- Kayaking, canoeing, and tubing the Upper Iowa River
- Views of the Chimney Rock limestone formations
- The Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame in downtown Cresco
- Fishing for trout and smallmouth bass
- The Norman Borlaug boyhood farm, nearby
