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Yellow Banks County Park and Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground accommodate pets with dedicated sites for tent, RV, and cabin camping. Both parks require pets to remain leashed at all times, with waste disposal expected throughout the grounds. Yellow Banks offers year-round access, while Lake Ahquabi operates seasonally from April through December. The campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire rings, and modern restroom facilities for campers traveling with animals. Grant Park provides ten spacious, well-maintained sites where pets are welcome, with ample distance between neighbors to minimize disturbances from barking. Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Ackworth provide electrical hookups and water access for campers with animals.
Hiking trails surrounding Lake Ahquabi create excellent exercise opportunities for dogs, including a 6-7 mile path that circles the entire lake on relatively easy terrain. Campers report consistently finding ticks on both themselves and their pets at Grant Park, making preventative treatments essential when camping with dogs in this area. Most campgrounds provide vault toilets near pet camping areas, though Lake Ahquabi features shower facilities that remain clean and accessible. Wildlife encounters are common throughout these areas, requiring vigilant leash control to prevent dogs from disturbing local fauna or wandering into neighboring campsites. The pet-friendly waterfront cabin at River Oaks RV Park offers direct lake access for dogs that enjoy swimming.
"We entered the park looking for a walk-up spot and landed on Site 67 which was not reserved. The site was spacious with a big tree with good shade and cover if needed."
"They have a beautiful lake and a beach. The water has minimal seaweed and great temperature! They have rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price!"
from $25 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Wonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area. "
"camped here in 2021 and I enjoyed it but the first night I was there I ran my vehicle down the second night I was there I took a tour on the campgrounds and got verbally accosted but another camper for walking"
"I travel with my dog and during the 3 nights I stayed, I was constantly removing them from him, myself and within the inside of my van."
"Each of the 10 campsites are spacious and plenty of distance between. Nice quick trails with wildlife. The park is well maintained and well priced!"
"There's a boat camp, a bird watching area, a playground, plany of park space with picnic tables and BBQ pits, hiking and biking trails, and even a lodge that I assume can be rented for events."
"Walnut Woods is conveniently located 25 minutes outside of downtown Des Moines. Sites are paved and mostly level, although we did have to throw a couple of blocks under one side of our TT tires."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair."
"Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6’ hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site. Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks."
from $45 - $60 / night
Check Availability"There are a couple small hiking trails, but they were very well maintained and an easy hike to get my daughter started in her backpack."
from $5 / night
Check Availability"Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available."
"Perfect weather last weekend and loved the little creek to splash around in with the dogs. Loads of rock stairways to enter and edit the creek throughout the park."
"The Iowa State Fair is the best fair in the world with more than a million visitors every year! There is something for everyone in the family."
"I always loved going here when I lived in Iowa! The State Fair was a blast! Being able to actually stay there made it that much better!!"
from $200 - $300 / night
Check Availability"Wonderfull Surroundings ,People and Experiences."
"Campgrounds are located on the east side of the actual fairgrounds. There are hundreds of sites here."
GuideI just loved this campground. It has shade trees, grass, free showers and lots of room. It is part of a city park on the outskirts of Winterset. There is a dog park and one of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground. This was well worth the 20 mile drive off I80. If I had known how m=nice this area was, I would have planned better and stayed here for more than one night.
GuideOne of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there. It's close to how I remember it.
The campground has a good picnic area, restrooms, and an excellent trail. It's also inexpensive.
What I enjoy most about this park compared to others in Iowa are the sandstone ledges and the slopes on the trail. There are some excellent views, so make sure your phone has enough battery to take photos (unlike me). I also spent a lot of time off the trail. It isn't too hard to get around. I'm not one who enjoys staying at a park that is mostly flat, so this is definitely a good place in Iowa for me to camp.
If you are looking for a cool place to camp within an hour of Des Moines, you should seriously consider this park.
ScoutOne of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites. The hike in spots are great if you like privacy and being in the middle of the woods - but you don’t want to be THAT far from your car.
Beware of the raccoons. They’re plentiful and crazy smart here. We had one open our cooler, steal an egg from the cartoon - without disturbing anything else. Honestly, I was impressed! But some of our friends had them rip through their tents to get at food - not as impressive.
TravelerIn a grove of trees in a slightly hilly area. Easy access, but sites are gravel. Nice bit of grass with each site, most are at least partially shaded. Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass.
GuideSpots kind of level, lots of choices of pull thru or buddy sites. Decent playground, water pillow for bouncing, fishing pond, dog park, swimming pool. Well maintained, lots of planned activities. KOA, so not a lot of nature. But no traffic or train noise. Full hook ups, including TV.
GuideSome full hook ups, sites not very level, playground ok. Can hear shots from gun range next door. Dog park, pool, arcade. We have camped here a couple times, and stored our rig here for a while. Didn't find there was that much going on here to keep us busy. Not a lot of nature, no trails or biking accessible from campground.
TravelerThe campground was nice, but it seems more for RVs. Sometimes you have to share a fire pit with other tents if it's busy. They have a small petting zoo and a small beach. This place feels more like a neighborhood verses camping in nature. Most people use this as a "summer home".
LegendFollowing up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in rural Iowa.
Highs: (1) Quick& EZ access from I-80 via Exit 173; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Very EZ check-in process; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are like brand new; (7) If you get hungry, this CG and fueling station has an imbedded Iowa’s Best Burger Café that does live up to its name; (8) There’s also an embedded Amoco gas station and mini-mart; (9) Spectacularly clean and recently refurbished bathrooms & shower facilities; (10) There’s a small launderette here, which was bonus; (11) Should you visit in the summer, you will benefit from being surrounded by 6 foot tall corn fields that will provide greater privacy and better scenery
Lows: (1) You are just 30 seconds north of I-80, the busiest highway in Iowa;(2) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic from the highway into this place, so apart from the fact that you're clear out in the boondocks, you are next to the very heavily trafficked I80, so it’s difficult to feel 100% safe & secure here; (3) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees (welcome to corn country), bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (4) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so while this isn't exactly Florida, if you're here during the hot summer months, you should bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you are OK being surrounded by RVs with absolutely no privacy in the open interior; and (7) Apart from FHUs and a decent shower / restroom in the middle of the CG and a small laundry in the NW, there’s not much here in the way of amenities
Happy Camping!
GuideWonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area. Fishing not the greatest, Pond is silted to about 9ft deep, have caught few small bass, bluegill. Never tried the river here, but is known for big cats. Camp sites are best around, large flat white rock cinder size area with picnic table, fire ring. Sites are well spaced. Shaded. Double lane dump station. Close to home, can usually get site without reservation, IF you roll in on Wed. By Thurs night, it's full. Few reservables, 90% i'd say are first come. The way it should be in my opinion.
Ackworth, Iowa sits at approximately 800 feet of elevation with a humid continental climate featuring hot summers and cold winters. The area features rolling hills with scattered woodland areas and prairie remnants throughout Warren County. Camping sites in this region range from basic tent sites to full-hookup RV spaces, with most campgrounds open from April through October.
Hiking opportunities: Grant Park offers beautiful trails through wooded areas with relatively easy terrain. "Beautiful trails," notes one visitor, with particular mention of the "paved fire ring area and picnic table at each site" that makes it easy to return to your campsite after exploring.
Fishing access: Several fishing spots around Walnut Woods State Park Campground give anglers options for catching local species. "It sits on the Raccoon River and has good catfishing. Nice trail that is approximately 1.5 miles long that goes along the river," explains reviewer Derrick W.
Water recreation: Multiple water bodies allow for swimming and boating during summer months. "The lake is beautiful and the path around it is in great shape!" reports a camper about Lake Ahquabi State Park. Visitors can also rent equipment: "There are rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price!"
Well-maintained facilities: Thomas Mitchell County Park receives high marks for cleanliness and upkeep. "The shower house was very clean and had two showers that had hot water," notes one reviewer. Another adds that it's "clean and well groomed" with easy access to amenities.
Secluded spaces: Many campers appreciate the privacy at certain campgrounds. At Grant Park, "the sites were very spacious and plenty of distance between" according to Caitlyn S., making it ideal for those seeking quiet. Another visitor noted that "sites are very spacious, some massive and very spread out."
River access points: Yellow Banks County Park features multiple ways to enjoy the Des Moines River. "River access and a pond to fish! Camped here my whole life," shares Steve H. Another reviewer mentions the "access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area."
Reservation systems vary: Some parks require advance booking while others operate first-come, first-served. At Iowa State Fair Campgrounds, reservations are recommended during peak times. "There are hundreds of sites here. Some are flat, some are nowhere near flat, but there are so many, you can find one that will work for you!" reports Matt M.
Tick prevention essential: Especially during warmer months, ticks are prevalent in area campgrounds. One Grant Park visitor warns: "I was constantly removing them from him [dog], myself and within the inside of my van. They always got on his feet every time he used the restroom."
Site availability challenges: Popular weekends fill quickly at most campgrounds. "It is easily accessible from Indianola and the best parts of the park are the well-kept trails and stargazing! Unfortunately, we felt like we were literally on top of surrounding campers," notes one Lake Ahquabi visitor regarding weekend crowds.
Creek exploration for kids: Thomas Mitchell County Park offers safe water play options for children. "The outer loop has a creek that flows behind the sites with large stairs to get down to it. Kids were having a blast in the water," shares Shannon G.
Playground access: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Ackworth include play structures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Ackworth, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Ackworth, IA is Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Ackworth, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 86 dog-friendly camping locations near Ackworth, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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