Can you reserve a site at Shady Creek?

Yes, Shady Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.

How many campsites does Shady Creek have?

56 sites in total, of which 54 can be booked.

What is the maximum RV length at Shady Creek?

92 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Shady Creek?

Yes, pets are allowed at Shady Creek.

Are campfires allowed at Shady Creek?

Campfires are allowed at Shady Creek. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Shady Creek, Iowa — 54 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Shady Creek Campground is a 22-acre park where campers enjoy getaways on the banks of the Mississippi River. A nature trail, shore fishing and fantastic bird watching are offered at Shady Creek.

Recreation

The Mississippi River draws many anglers annually. The most popular fish species is the channel catfish; bluegill, walleye and northern pike are also found in the river.

Picnicking and playing horseshoes is a popular activity in the park.

Facilities

The park's campsites contain 50-amp electric hookups, campfire rings and picnic tables. Flush toilets and showers are provided. A boat ramp and playground are on-site.

Natural Features

The park has spectacular views of the Mississippi River. Many trees throughout the campground provide great places to lounge in the shade.

The Upper Mississippi River begins at the headwaters of Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows 1,250 miles to Cairo, Illinois where it joins the Ohio River.

Nearby Attractions

Wildcat Den State Park is just north of Shady Creek, offering hiking trails and the historic Pine Creek Grist Mill built in 1848.

The Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge is a 40-minute drive downstream. Trails and observation decks are open to the public. Hunting and fishing are allowed in many area of the refuge.

The facts

54 bookable sites
56 sites in total, including non-bookable
1 site for day use only
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 92 ft
Up to 50 people per site
Loops: Downriver Loop, SHADY CREEK

Site types

51 Standard Electric
2 Management
2 Tent Only Nonelectric
1 Group Shelter Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed
Water hookups — not available

Not recorded upstream: sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

56 campsites at Shady Creek

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Grade	Access	Water	Max rig	People
054	Downriver Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	—	15 ft	6	🐾
055	Downriver Loop	Tent Only Nonelectric	Back In	Gravel	Slight	Hike In	—	15 ft	6	🐾
001	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	42 ft	6	🐾
002	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	65 ft	6	🐾
003	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	57 ft	6	🐾
004	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	62 ft	6	🐾
005	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	40 ft	6	🐾
006	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	50 ft	6	🐾
007	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	42 ft	6	🐾
008	SHADY CREEK	Management	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	67 ft	6	🐾
009	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	59 ft	6	🐾
010	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	57 ft	6	🐾
011	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	50 ft	6	🐾
012	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	78 ft	6	🐾
013	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	64 ft	6	🐾
014	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	79 ft	6	🐾
015	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	76 ft	6	🐾
016	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	76 ft	6	🐾
017	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	68 ft	6	🐾
018	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	66 ft	6	🐾
019	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	64 ft	6	🐾
020	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	60 ft	6	🐾
021	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	60 ft	6	🐾
022	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	63 ft	6	🐾
023	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	60 ft	6	🐾
024	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	64 ft	6	🐾
025	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	69 ft	6	🐾
026	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	66 ft	6	🐾
027	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	70 ft	6	🐾
028	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	74 ft	6	🐾
029	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	92 ft	6	🐾
030	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	66 ft	6	🐾
031	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	65 ft	6	🐾
032	SHADY CREEK	Management	Back In	Paved	—	Drive In	—	75 ft	6	🐾
033	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	61 ft	6	🐾
034	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	59 ft	6	🐾
035	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	65 ft	6	🐾
036	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	64 ft	6	🐾
037	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	57 ft	6	🐾
038	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	53 ft	6	🐾
039	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	50 ft	6	🐾
040	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	60 ft	6	🐾
041	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	51 ft	6	🐾
042	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	50 ft	6	🐾
043	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	52 ft	6	🐾
044	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	63 ft	6	🐾
045	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	57 ft	6	🐾
046	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	50 ft	6	🐾
047	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	53 ft	6	🐾
048	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	60 ft	6	🐾
049	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	66 ft	6	🐾
050	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	68 ft	6	🐾
051	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	67 ft	6	🐾
052	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	56 ft	6	🐾
053	SHADY CREEK	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	—	—	62 ft	6	🐾
Shelter 1	SHADY CREEK	Group Shelter Electric	—	—	—	—	Riverfront	—	50	♿ 🐾

Getting there

From Davenport, Iowa, drive west on Highway 22 about 17 miles and turn at the Shady Creek sign.

41.44750, -90.87722 · 41°26'51.0"N 90°52'38.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	31	35	48	61	72	81	85	83	77	64	49	36
Low °F	13	17	30	39	51	62	65	63	55	43	31	20
Precip in	1.2	1.6	2.3	3.5	4.8	5.0	4.0	3.9	3.6	2.8	2.1	1.7

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Shady Creek

Can you reserve a site at Shady Creek?: Yes, Shady Creek is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Shady Creek have?: 56 sites in total, of which 54 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Shady Creek?: 92 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Shady Creek?: Yes, pets are allowed at Shady Creek.
Does Shady Creek have hookups?: Electric.
Are campfires allowed at Shady Creek?: Campfires are allowed at Shady Creek. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Shady Creek

Clarks Ferry 3.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Blanchard Island Recreation Area 11.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fishermans Corner 26.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Turkey Creek Day Use Area 38.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tailwater East Campground 38.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
East Overlook Day Use Area 38.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tailwater West Campground 38.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Tailwater West Day Use Area 38.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cottonwood Campground (Ia) 38.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
West Overlook Campground 39.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Visitor Center 28.7 mi · Facility
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum 28.7 mi · Library

Contact

Phone 563-419-0857
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-28.

Shady Creek