Map showing campground location near Winterset, Iowa

Camper submitted image from Pammel County Park

Pammel County Park

Water enthusiasts find plenty to explore at Pammel County Park, where the Middle River winds through wooded terrain and offers both paddling and swimming opportunities. The campground sits within a 300-acre park managed by Madison County Conservation Board, featuring a mix of shaded and open sites with concrete pads for easier leveling.

The park splits into two distinct camping areas. Higher-numbered sites cluster under mature trees, while lower numbers occupy sunnier ground. "Fun splashing in the river catching minnows by hand," describes Mia L., highlighting the hands-on water access families enjoy. The 1.9-mile Pammel Loop provides an hour-long kayaking circuit with convenient put-in and take-out points. Several campers mention the low tunnel that requires RVs over 12 feet to use an alternate entrance route.

Sites feature electric and water hookups, though placement varies significantly. Some campers need 75 feet of hose to reach water connections, while others require 30-foot extension cords for electricity. The restroom and shower facilities serve the entire campground but reviews note they feel small during busy periods. A camp store sells firewood by the wagon load for $10.

Access requires attention to height restrictions due to the tunnel, and the park includes a water ford crossing that adds character to the drive. All sites accept reservations, which reviewers recommend booking early in the season since walk-up availability becomes limited. The campground operates April through October, with sites priced at $15-20 per night.

Plan to bring extra hoses and extension cords if booking sites in the 20s or 30s, where utility connections sit farther from parking areas.

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Map & DirectionsPammel County Park is located in Iowa near Winterset

Public Campground

Directions

From Winterset travel west on State Highway 92 for 1 mile, turn south on State Highway 322 for 3 miles.

Coordinates

41.29200091 N
94.07600075 W

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Connectivity

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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
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Yurts

Features

For Campers

Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

41 min from Des Moines, IA
1 hr 7 min from Ames, IA
1 hr 55 min from Omaha, NE
2 hrs 19 min from St. Joseph, MO

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Reviews12 Camper Reviews - Pammel County Park

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Guests frequently mentioned clean sites with helpful hosts and reasonable pricing. Some feedback indicated noise issues and crowded conditions. The park offers varied terrain with trails and water activities near Winterset.

Tammie C.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2023

I'll be back

This is a beautiful park with lots to do and miles of woods to explore. AT&T cell service was excellent throughout. And camping fees are extremely reasonable. I didn't stay the night but will be back.

Month of VisitJune

(13) View All

Kelly

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 25, 2021

Nice spot.

Road improvement 2021 is nice, cutting down the shade trees, not nice.

This is a regular stop on my campground rotation. Camp host's are the best ever. Clean facilities. Has both shaded and open spots, yurts, trails. There are lots of activities, kids can swim below the ford, canoe starting on one side of the park and loop I'd guess about 3 miles on the middle river to the other side of the park. In and out are about 500 yards from each other thru the tunnel. If your rig is over 12ft, have to come in the back way. Winterset has lots to offer, great town square, farmers market on Saturdays, great car club fills the square every month, Madison county fair, Clark Tower, John Wayne Birthplace and museum, Covered Bridges. My only complaint would be all sites can be reserved, so if you don't reserve a site at beginning of the year, you are out of luck. Be nice if there were some first come/first serve.

Month of VisitMay

Jessica

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 21, 2020

Hideaway!

I've hiked in Pammel before, and LOVE the area. We drive by the campground on our way down to the family farm on the regular, but staying in the grounds overnight was a whole different experience! We stayed with friends on sites 8 and 9 this past weekend. The concrete pads were awesome for leveling our popups, the sites were VERY clean, the bathrooms were immaculate and the firewood was a gem at $10 for a wagon full! Great hosts, great neighbors. Would absolutely stay again!

(4) View All

Katie J.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2020

Not Great

Not overly impressed with this park. Sites were crammed together, not well maintained, and a lot of partying until 3am every night from young campers. Definitely seemed like a teenage hangout spot, without any redeeming qualities to make it worth the noise issues. The drive in was almost worth the trip, as the countryside is beautiful!

Chelsea G.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2020

Great state park

First time visiting this park and will be returning! Pretty spacious between sites. Trails were great and our kids loved swimming in the lake.

(4) View All

Ronn B.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 6, 2020

Nice quiet park next to Winnebago River - Winnebago's RV's are built here

Sites are close together, but it wasn't crowded while we were here. Due to Coronavirus the restrooms and showers were closed, so I can not report on them. Would have liked to do the Winnebago factory tour but that was closed down as well.

Brian G.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 22, 2019

Beautiful

Nice small park settle nicely in the iowa country side!

Molly L.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2019

Beautiful park!

The campground is split into two parts. One part is mostly shaded and the other isn't. Thankfully, we camped in the part that was mostly shaded. The trees provided enough shade, and the evenings were cool enough to keep our camper comfortable at night. The campground hosts were welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable of the park and the area. I would give the park 5 stars, but feel the restroom/shower facilities were small for that many campsites. (I would probably go with a 4.5 if it was available). The park itself is pretty good sized and offers water activities (Middle River and the Pammel Loop) and hiking. We didn't hike this trip, but trails looked to be pretty nice. We did kayak the loop one day-it took about an hour for the 1.9-mile loop and water levels were pretty low. It's pretty easy/convenient as far as letting in and taking out. There is quite a bit to do in the area if you allow time and it's a really beautiful part of the state if you like to venture away from the campground. And it's quite the adventure to drive over the ford. :)

Site23

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Mia L.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2019

Decent trip

Site 30.

We couldn't find many spots for the busy holiday but this park had a few. Very helpful host. Fun splashing in the river catching minnows by hand. Pretty park. Easy turns with the trailer. The RV spots were a mixed bag. Some shady (higher numbers), some full sun. Playground was skimpy. If you are over 12 ft, make sure and take the detour around the tunnel.

There are water hook ups, I just had to use 75 feet of hose to get to it. And the electric I had to use a 30 ft extension cord. Funny, I didn't have either and had to drive 24 miles to Walmart on a holiday to get them. I do think site 30 was probably the worst from what I saw. Wish that when I called to ask about the sites the county office would have mentioned some sites the hook ups are super far away. The sites have a little concrete pad which makes it easier to level.

(4) View All

Alex G.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 4, 2019

Wonderful place to camp!

Beautiful wooded campground with a water ford crossing and tunnel! There is a way to avoid the tunnel while pulling a travel trailer or 5th wheel. Wonderful hosts.

carson O.

Traveler

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2018

Cozy Campground

The entire area of Madison County is very tranquil, historic and beautiful! the campgrounds are easily accessible to get in and out of town. the hookups are not as available. so I suggest getting there early. great place to get out of town and fish and explore.

Matt S.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Try out the Middle River Trail at Pammel Park

Pammel Park is awesome. It is actually a State Park that is managed by the local County Conservation Board. Pammel Park has amazing trails with varied terrain and nice forests.

The campgrounds are clean with options for tenters and RVs. There are even Yurt Cabins that can be rented. Pammel Park has a great water trail for Kayakers with several launch points.

The only caution I would have is pay attention while you are hiking, there are rattlesnakes in the park. Overall I highly recommend Pammel Park. It is about a 30 minute drive from Des Moines and about 5 minutes from Winterset.

I would consider Pammel Park a secret gem even for native Iowans. Checkout Pammel Park and spend some time in the historical town of Winterset.