Map showing campground location near Mingo, Iowa

Camper submitted image from Ashton Wildwood Park

Ashton Wildwood Park

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Hiking trails, an orienteering course, and a bird-watching station give campers at Ashton Wildwood Park in Mingo, Iowa, more to do than simply set up a tent. One trail leads to a creek, another winds through woods as part of an orienteering route, and the park also sits near the Ashton Wildwood Observatory, open most Saturday evenings, where astronomers walk visitors through telescopes and a classroom. At $7 per night, this Jasper County Conservation Board property draws families and solo travelers looking for a low-cost overnight with genuine activity options.

Most sites are tucked into the woods and spacious enough to fit multiple tents with room to spare. The campground runs quiet and tends to stay uncrowded, though a few reviewers note that late arrivals should be mindful of neighbors already settled in. Reviewers consistently flag cleanliness as a strength, and Michael K. sums it up plainly: "Very clean, easy to reserve." Picnic tables and fire rings with grates are available at sites, and pets are welcome.

The main campground toilet is a pit toilet, no plumbing. Water is not available at the campground itself, so bringing your own supply is necessary. Flush toilets, a hot shower, and a water spigot can be found up the road at the observatory building. Navigation is worth a note: GPS can route drivers down a winding gravel road, but The Dyrt's directions lead to the same entrance more directly. Nearby alternatives include Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt to the west and Colfax Quarry Springs Park to the south for campers building a longer Iowa itinerary. Ashton Wildwood works best for tent campers and those with basic needs who want trail access and low crowds at a minimal nightly rate.

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Map & DirectionsAshton Wildwood Park is located in Iowa near Mingo

Public Campground

Coordinates

41.81400023 N
93.28900055 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
Group
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Showers
Toilets
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sewer Hookups

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

22 min from Des Moines, IA
29 min from Ames, IA
1 hr 22 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
1 hr 26 min from Waterloo, IA

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Ashton Wildwood Park

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

5.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Campers consistently appreciate the large wooded sites, peaceful atmosphere, and outstanding $7/night value. Basic facilities include clean pit toilets but no water at campsites, though full amenities available at observatory.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Gypsy J.

Scout

Reviewed Jul. 2, 2026

Quiet wooded peaceful

Stayed here last week in July 2025 on a cross-country motorcycle trip. Nice and quiet. Flat grassy spot to set up my tent and a nice fire ring/ grill to cook dinner on also had a picnic table.

Very nice primitive spot. Will go back

SiteSite 1

Month of VisitJuly

Michael K.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 22, 2024

Small but great spot to camp

Very clean, easy to reserve. Bathroom was a pit toilet but clean. Camp spot was clean and well-maintained.

Sitecampsite 11

Month of VisitSeptember

Deb K.

Scout

Reviewed Dec. 23, 2023

I love this secluded little campground!

I live just 7 miles away, but I love to take my grand daughter here for overnight camping. Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious. It's only $7/night! There is some play equipment for children. There is only a pit toilet in the campground and it's nice enough for midnight runs. (Bring your flashlight!) Drive up the road to the observatory and there is a bathroom with flush toilets and a hot shower, also a water spigot on the back side. There is also a big group site for family get togethers. There is a nice little circle hike that's not too difficult and was great for rehab after my knee replacement. I'd highly recommend it, but I don't want it to get too crowded!

Month of VisitJune

Topaz G.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 2, 2023

Rustic. Huge sites. Nature.

Definitely follow the directions on Dyrt, google took us on a winding gravel road that led to the same place.

The sites are very spacious, could easily accommodate multiple tents.

We arrived just after 9p after a long long day of driving and found the park easy to navigate.

Please be courteous when finding a spot after dark. The park was mostly empty but even still some people were shining flashlights at our tent.

Hoping to do an early morning hike, the trails, observatory and orienteering course all look awesome.

The entire property was well maintained, previous campers enjoyed copious amounts of beer and threw the cans into the brush, but I can't fault the park for that.

Month of VisitSeptember

Willy W.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 28, 2019

Pretty happy

The campground has some very nice spots and wasn’t busy at all. The bathroom at the campground doesn’t have plumbing and no water available so make sure to bring plenty of water. There is a small park to play at for kids.

There are a couple of hiking trails in the park that are maintained. One goes to a creek and a bird watching station. There is also a orienteering course but you have to walk in the woods to finish it.

The observatory that’s open on Saturday’s (except the 1st Saturday) was awesome and the astronomers were great people and very knowledgeable. They showed how their telescopes worked and took us a tour of the building and classroom. The bathrooms at the observatory had plumbing and were very clean.

All in all it was a great campsite, not really anyone there and we had a lot of fun on the trails and the observatory.

(7) View All

Chris C.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 3, 2017

Camping with observatory

Quiet campground and big campsites. Lots of trees and nature.

Site1

Month of VisitJuly

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Ashton Wildwood Campground?

Ashton Wildwood Campground offers spacious campsites nestled among trees, providing natural shade and privacy. The campground features pit toilets that are regularly maintained and kept clean. Note that there is no running water available at the campground, so visitors should bring plenty of water for their stay. The campground is particularly notable for its affordable rate of $7 per night. While amenities are basic, the natural setting and well-maintained sites make this a peaceful camping destination.

What recreational activities are available at Ashton Wildwood Park?

Ashton Wildwood Park offers several recreational opportunities for visitors. There are maintained hiking trails throughout the park where you can explore the natural surroundings. Families with children will appreciate the playground equipment available for kids to enjoy. The campground's wooded setting provides ample opportunity for nature observation and peaceful walks. The spacious campsites, tucked into the woods, create a serene environment perfect for relaxing and enjoying the outdoors. The park's natural setting makes it ideal for activities like bird watching, photography, and enjoying quiet time in nature.

How far is Ashton Wildwood Campground from Ames, Iowa?

Ashton Wildwood Campground is located approximately 7 miles from the nearest town, making it conveniently accessible for local residents. While the exact distance from Ames isn't specified, it's within reasonable driving distance for a weekend getaway. When traveling to the campground, it's recommended to follow directions from official sources rather than relying solely on GPS, as some navigation apps may route you along winding gravel roads. The park is easy to navigate once you arrive.

How do I make reservations for Ashton Wildwood County Park?

Reservations for Ashton Wildwood County Park can be made easily online. The campground has a straightforward reservation system that allows you to secure your spot ahead of time. The process is described as clean and simple by visitors. For the most current reservation information and to book your site, check the official county park website or contact the park office directly. Given the campground's affordability ($7/night) and spacious sites, it's a good idea to reserve in advance during peak camping seasons.

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