Camping Rules

A tent in the grass.

Camping Rules:

Note: Select campgrounds/campsites are designated as "Reservable". All other sites are rented on a first-come-first-serve only basis and holding of spaces is not permitted. Reservations can be made here.

Parks with camping:

  • Scott County Park
    18850 270th St
    Eldridge, IA 52748
    (563) 328-3282 ext 1
    • Bald Eagle: All Full Service (50 amp)
    • Woodside: All Full Service (50 amp)
    • Pine Grove: Electric with dump station available (30 amp)
    • Incahias: Electric & Water (30 amp)
    • Sac-Fox: Primitive Sites
    • Wilderness: Primitive Sites
  • West Lake Park
    14910 – 110th Avenue
    Davenport, IA 52804
    (563) 328-3281 ext 1
    • Park Terrace: All Full Service (50 amp) & 13 non-electric tent sites
    • Summit: Electric & water sites (50 amp)
  • Buffalo Shores Recreation Area
    1433 West Front Street
    Buffalo, IA 52728
    (563) 328-3281 ext 1
    • 17 River Sites – Electric & Water (50 amp)
    • Remaining Sites – Electric & Water (50 amp)

Please see Park Rules & Regulations Section 8 for a complete listing of camping rules & regulations

  • Summer hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
  • Winter hours: 7:00am – Dusk (Note: Buffalo Shores is not open in the winter)
  • Very friendly campground offices - Open late April through mid-October – 8am until 10pm
    • Scott County Park - located at the South entrance of the park on 270th Street
    • West Lake Park – located at Gate 5 on 110th Avenue
  • Campsite must be occupied by YOUR camping unit before registering with the campground attendant. 
  • Stay limit: 14 days out of a 28-day period
  • Protect our natural areas & use designated parking spots only
  • QUIET HOURS: 10:30 PM until 6:00 AM
  • NO VISITORS or entry to the park after 10:30 P.M. or before 6 A.M - all entrance gates are locked
  • Campers are restricted to their campgrounds between 10:30 PM and 6:00 AM
  • Check-out by 3:00pm (5:00pm at Buffalo Shores) or you must re-register by that time if staying longer
  • Campers are allowed only 1 rug per site no larger than 18 sq ft in size
  • Tents must move to a new site after 7 days
  • All animals must be on a leash no longer than 6-foot
  • Kegs are not allowed in the campgrounds.
  • Tobacco usage is prohibited except at individual campsites in accordance with the Iowa Smokefree Air Act.
  • Peddling, hawking, soliciting, or advertising of a commercial enterprise is strictly prohibited.
  • Dumpsters are provided for the disposal of refuse in order to assure that all areas remain clean. Please do not litter
  • Horses shall be confined to the equestrian area at Scott County Park – no horses are allowed at West Lake Park
  • Salvaging or collecting of cans are not allowed
  • The post office and overnight delivery drivers cannot deliver to individual campsites and we cannot have your regular mail or mail from any overnight service sent to the campground office or headquarters office. We cannot guarantee that someone will be available to receive your mail and cannot accept responsibility for problems that may occur if a delivery is not accomplished. All outgoing mail needs to be taken to a post office as our mail is not sent out on a daily basis.
  • Bald Eagle at Scott County Park and Park Terrace at West Lake Park are open year round.

Scott County Conservation Board Park Rules and Regulations
govern the use of park and recreation areas

In addition to the rules and regulations, all state laws apply to conduct in county areas.

Any violation of the rules can result in the denial of park privileges. The state conservation code gives county conservation officers the right to deny park privileges in county parks.