bug-out plan – TheDailyChristian

As survivalists, we know that it’s not just about having the right gear and knowledge but also about finding the best locations to test your skills, hone your instincts, and be prepared for anything. In Iowa, the rolling hills, dense forests, and abundant rivers offer ideal places to practice your wilderness survival tactics. Whether you’re refining your fire-starting skills, perfecting your shelter-building techniques, or just looking for a quiet spot to test your bug-out bag, these 30 camping sites across the state offer the best conditions for preppers to be ready for any emergency situation.

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Here in Iowa, we’re lucky to have access to such diverse landscapes. While the state is known for its farmland, Iowa also boasts a number of stunning parks and forests that make perfect camping destinations for preppers. These campsites aren’t just for leisure—they’re prime spots to practice your survival skills, scout terrain, and learn how to live off the land if the need ever arises. Whether you’re an experienced prepper or just starting out, these campsites will provide the opportunities to grow your self-sufficiency and preparedness.

1. Ledges State Park – Boone

Ledges State Park is a prime spot for survivalists who want to experience the rugged beauty of Iowa’s terrain. It’s got a mix of wooded areas, rocky outcrops, and fast-moving streams—perfect for learning how to navigate tough conditions. The park’s trails will help you practice your land navigation, and the nearby Des Moines River provides opportunities for water-based survival skills. If you’re looking for a place that challenges your skills, this is it.

2. Backbone State Park – Dundee

Backbone State Park is known for its dramatic cliffs, deep valleys, and thick woodlands. This park offers challenging terrain and a variety of habitats, making it an excellent location for preppers looking to test their navigation and shelter-building skills. The surrounding water features also allow you to practice fishing and water purification techniques.

3. Yellow River State Forest – Harpers Ferry

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With over 8,000 acres of forested hills and deep ravines, Yellow River State Forest offers preppers a real opportunity to get off the grid. The dense woods are full of wildlife, perfect for those looking to practice hunting, trapping, and identifying edible plants. The park’s rugged nature makes it a great location to work on your survival skills in a more isolated, remote setting.

4. Big Creek State Park – Polk City

Big Creek State Park offers a combination of woodlands and a large lake. It’s an excellent spot for preppers who want to practice water-based survival techniques, such as fishing, boating, and water filtration. Plus, it’s one of the best locations in Iowa to practice foraging and identifying plants in a more controlled, yet natural, environment.

5. Lake Macbride State Park – Solon

This park is perfect for preppers who want to test their wilderness skills in an environment with diverse terrain. Lake Macbride’s large forested areas and freshwater lake provide opportunities to practice fishing, navigation, and shelter construction. The park’s various trails can also be used to simulate long-term bug-out scenarios.

6. Maquoketa Caves State Park – Maquoketa

If you’re looking for a place to practice spelunking or cave survival, Maquoketa Caves is the spot. This park is home to dozens of caves and rock formations that will give any prepper a challenge. While caves can be an excellent place to find shelter, they also require specific survival skills, such as managing darkness and creating secure resting areas.

7. Pike’s Peak State Park – McGregor

Located along the Mississippi River, Pike’s Peak offers breathtaking views and a variety of natural features that make it perfect for preppers. The steep hillsides, rivers, and dense woods make it an ideal spot for wilderness survival training. Whether you’re practicing fire-starting, shelter-building, or simply testing your endurance, Pike’s Peak is a great place to do so.

8. George Wyth State Park – Waterloo

George Wyth State Park is a diverse area featuring lakes, forests, and wetlands. This park is ideal for practicing water navigation and fishing techniques, while the surrounding woods are great for practicing primitive skills, such as bow hunting, shelter building, and food gathering. If you’re prepping for an emergency that might require aquatic escape, this park is a must-visit.

9. Walnut Woods State Park – Des Moines

For those who prefer a more accessible option, Walnut Woods offers dense forests, creeks, and well-maintained trails. It’s a great place for honing your navigation skills in woodland areas. Additionally, this park provides the perfect place to practice fire-starting and cooking over an open flame, which is essential for any prepper.

10. Wapsipinicon State Park – Anamosa

Wapsipinicon State Park has diverse terrain, including forests, wetlands, and the Wapsipinicon River. It’s a great location for preppers looking to practice water filtration techniques, hunting, and fishing. The park also has plenty of campsites that can serve as practice areas for learning how to build temporary shelters and live off the land for an extended period of time.

30 Best Campgrounds in Iowa for Survival Preppers

Lake of Three Fires State Park – Taylor County
Forest City Public Campground – Forest City
Red Haw State Park – Chariton
Keosauqua State Park – Keosauqua
Wildcat Den State Park – Muscatine
Union Grove State Park – Gladbrook
Strawberry Point City Park – Strawberry Point
Black Hawk State Park – Lake View
Luther College Campground – Decorah
Clear Lake State Park – Clear Lake
Eagle Point Park – Dubuque
Maquoketa River Campground – Maquoketa
Springbrook State Park – Guthrie Center
Lake Anita State Park – Anita
Pottawattamie County Conservation Board – Council Bluffs
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area – Lehigh
Waterloo Recreation Area – Waterloo
Lake Okoboji – Arnolds Park
Brushy Creek Campground – Lehigh
Rock Creek State Park – Grinnell

Iowa’s rich natural environment gives preppers the perfect blend of challenges to test and improve your survival skills. Whether you’re looking to practice fire-building techniques, develop your hunting and fishing abilities, or simply get away from the modern world to reconnect with nature, these campsites provide everything a survivalist needs. By taking the time to explore Iowa’s many camping sites, you can improve your self-reliance and ensure you’re prepared for whatever may come in the future.

Imagine you’re coming back from work one day, and you receive this message.

“Emergency Alert – Hurricane Warning”

You are being instructed to evacuate as quickly as possible.

But that doesn’t scare you.

You grab your bug-out bag, gather your family, and head for the road.

Following your carefully planned escape route.

But there’s one factor you haven’t considered. Everyone else is trying to do the same thing.

The reality is, when emergency strikes, roads will be congested, gas stations will run dry, and tensions will be high.

And the approaching hurricane will not be making things any easier.

Doesn’t sound ideal, does it?

This is why having one escape route is not enough.

You need multiple options.

Begin by evaluating your escape routes and identifying less-traveled alternatives that could allow you to stay away from congested areas.

Also, consider the timing of your departure. Leaving at the first sign of trouble, before the masses clog the road, could give you a critical head start.

Additionally, it’s essential to prepare for the possibility that you may need to abandon your vehicle and continue on foot.

Ensure that your bug-out bag is equipped with the necessary items for a long trek and that your loved ones are physically prepared for such a journey.

And don’t forget to have a backup plan.

In the unpredictable world we live in, it’s essential to be adaptable and ready to alter course if your initial plan proves unfeasible.

I know people who are dead set on their emergency plans, and refuse to modify them.

However, adaptability is essential in emergency situations.

Follow these 10 survivalism steps to craft multiple emergency plans quickly.

By taking the time to rethink your bug-out plan you can account for the often-overlooked risk of getting caught in the disarray of a mass evacuation.

And you can make more informed decisions when emergency strikes.

Remember, it’s not just about planning for things you can expect. It’s also about being ready to face unexpected challenges that may arise along the way.

So take the time to consider every option available.

Don’t Bug Out Unless You’ve Thought About This

Sometimes we have to make tough decisions.

Decisions that can determine the fate of our families and our own future.

One of these decisions is knowing when to bug out, and when to stay put.

Deciding whether you should bug out or not is like choosing a partner.

It can either make you or break you.

Sometimes, it can be a lifesaving choice.

But bug out when you shouldn’t, and the consequences could be catastrophic.

I will tell you everything you need to know before you make a decision.

So you can protect yourself and your family with confidence.

First and foremost, always trust your instincts.

As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, our intuition is an incredible thing that can assist in guiding us in high-stress situations.

If your gut is telling you that it’s time to bug out, take that feeling seriously.

Next, consider the severity of the hazard.

Is it something that’s likely to escalate?

Or is it a situation that may subside without causing any significant harm?

For example, if you’re facing a natural emergency like a wildfire or hurricane, bugging out might be the greatest option to escape imminent risk.

On the other hand, if it’s a temporary power outage or a localized matter, staying put might be wise.

So these are the factors that you can’t control

Let’s talk about the things you can control.

Your resources.

When deciding whether to bug out or not, take a good look at your stockpiles.

If you have enough food, water, and first aid to last you throughout the whole emergency, then might want to stay indoors.

But if you need to look elsewhere for gear and essentials, then evacuating could be a necessity.

Then there’s the condition of your vehicle.

Whether we like it or not, our cars are essential for bugging out.

Evacuating on foot can be a hundred times tougher.

Another critical factor is the well-being of your family.

If you have young children, elderly relatives, or anyone with special needs, bugging out may be more challenging.

In some cases, staying put and fortifying your house could be safer.

Making the decision to bug out or not isn’t easy.

By considering these factors, however, you can pick the correct option.

Remember, having a well-thought-out plan in place will always beat getting caught unprepared.

So think about the things that you can and can’t control, and choose wisely.

Keep This Versatile Item In Your Bug-Out Bag.

Did you know you have an incredible prepping tool in your bathroom cabinet?

It’s true. No one thinks about it.

And yet dental floss has many uses that might come in handy when the chips are down.

First and foremost, it is essential for maintaining oral hygiene.

In a post-emergency scenario, dental care may be nonexistent.

Taking care of your teeth and gums is essential for preventing infections and other health hazards.

Dental floss can allow you to maintain good oral health, even in the most challenging circumstances.

But beyond its primary use, it has a surprising number of other applications that can come in handy in an emergency situation.

Its thin yet incredibly strong nature makes it a versatile tool.

For example, dental floss can be used as a makeshift fishing line.

If you find yourself needing to catch fish for sustenance, simply attach a hook to the end of the floss and cast it into the water.

Its inconspicuous appearance makes it less likely to scare fish, and its strength ensures that it can handle the weight of your catch.

Another practical use for dental floss is as a sturdy thread for sewing.

Whether you need to mend torn clothing, stitch up a wound, or create makeshift gear, dental floss is a reliable option.

Dental floss can also be used to create a tripwire alarm system around your camp or bug-out location.

By stretching it taut between trees or other anchor points, you can create a simple perimeter that will alert you if someone or something attempts to enter your area.

Tie a few aluminum cans or other noise-making objects to the floss, and you’ll have an early warning system in place.

These are just a few examples of the many uses for dental floss in an emergency situation.

What I love the most about it is that it comes in small packaging, so it doesn’t take up any space in your bug-out bag.

It’s light, compact, and versatile.

Why don’t you throw one in your bug out bag?

TheDailyChristian

Tag: bug-out plan

Top 30 Must-Visit Campgrounds in Iowa for Survival Preppers