The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Campgrounds near Ames, IA

487 Reviews

Campgrounds surrounding Ames, Iowa provide a range of overnight options for visitors seeking outdoor recreation in central Iowa. State parks, county parks, and recreational areas offer established campgrounds with various amenities within a 30-mile radius of the city. Ledges State Park Campground, located near Madrid about 15 miles west of Ames, features tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and several hike-in primitive sites. Little Wall Lake County Park north of Ames accommodates tent camping, RVs, cabins, and even yurts for those seeking a glamping experience. Hickory Grove Park east of Ames rounds out the developed camping options.

Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, with the majority open from April through October, though some like Jester County Park and Little Wall Lake remain open year-round. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends and holidays when sites fill quickly. Campgrounds typically provide basic amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, and restroom facilities, with many offering electrical hookups for RVs. Water access varies by location, with several campgrounds situated near lakes or rivers for fishing and boating opportunities. Cell phone coverage can be spotty in some areas, particularly at Ledges State Park where one camper noted: "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected."

Campers consistently highlight the natural features and hiking opportunities available near Ames-area campgrounds. Ledges State Park receives particular praise for its unique sandstone formations and trail system. "The views around the park are some of the very best in Iowa. Hiking trails often found you coming face to face with deer who look at you inquisitively," shared one visitor. Several campgrounds offer water recreation, with Little Wall Lake and Hickory Grove providing lake access. Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region, with many reviews mentioning deer sightings. Visitors should be aware that raccoons are notably active at some campgrounds, particularly at Ledges where proper food storage is essential to prevent unwanted nighttime visitors to your campsite.

Map showing campgrounds near Ames, IowaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Ames, Iowa (94)

    1. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 432-1852

    $12 - $25 / night

    "One 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."

    "One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."

    2. Jester County Park

    30 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 323-5300

    $20 - $25 / night

    "A couple minor complaints that I developed would be that it is right next to the golf course so there is a lot of near by traffic, and people like to cruise on motorcycles and drive muscle cars through"

    "Iowa county parks are amazing. They pour money into them and it really shows. Clean, I mean immaculate. Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level."

    3. Swede Point Park

    13 Reviews
    Madrid, IA
    15 miles
    Website

    "We camped here to be close to the Iowa High Trestle Trail for bicycling and it's very handy for that. Nothing fancy, but has plenty of sites, flush toilets and showers available."

    "Nice little camp ground with easy access to the high trestle bike trail"

    4. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 984-6925

    $20 - $336 / night

    "The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."

    "Lots of prairie area around, spacious sites. Varying levels of shade. A25, had a good amount of shade and was near the nice playground and nice bathrooms. No view of the lake from loop A."

    5. Hickory Grove Campground

    5 Reviews
    Collins, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 232-2516

    $17 / night

    "Lots of trees for shade but the lake has trails and a swimming beach with watercraft rentals. Truly a hidden gem in central Iowa!"

    "Got to the campground around 6pm on a Friday and no one was at the primitive campground which was nice. The picnic table and fire ring were clean and in good condition."

    6. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 964-8792

    $24 - $26 / night

    "Above average overall for central Iowa. Views of Saylorville Lake. Plenty of shade. Clean restrooms. It’s a large park and some sites are close together, but generally spacious. Good cell service."

    "Lots of RV sites around. The whole area around Saylorville Lake has camping. Lush green plots of land everywhere. I forget how pretty it is in the Midwest when I'm gone for so long."

    7. Acorn Valley

    11 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0429

    $14 - $84 / night

    "Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."

    "Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."

    8. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0873

    $22 - $26 / night

    "We stayed here for two nights while visiting family nearby. It’s a pretty location with the dam and waterway right there. The sites are well spaced."

    "Great spot located next to the Des Moines River. Check in was a breeze and conveniently near the fill and dump stations. Peaceful lot near the river. Great fishing in the river."

    9. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

    9 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    19 miles
    Website

    "Next to skunk river oxbows, kayak, no swimming, water stagnant, no fish, about 4ft depth everywhere. Great hiking trails, clean, great camp hosts, ranger. All sites first come."

    "We haven't camped here, but have seen that the tent areas are right next to the water. Super serene with great hiking trails and bird watching!"

    10. Little Wall Lake County Park

    5 Reviews
    Story City, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 832-9570

    "Close to the interstate and easy to get to."

    "We went when the wind was blowing in typical Iowa summer fashion. The grounds are peaceful and there's lots of great plant and flower spotting."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 94 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Ames Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Camping Photos near Ames, IA

60 Photos of 94 Ames Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Ames, IA

487 Reviews of 94 Ames Campgrounds

  • Bethanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Lenon Mill Park

    Lennon Mills

    Quaint campground situated alongside a dam. Fishing is legal and there were quite a few around while I was there. Besides me, there was one other camper. Three tent sites, the rest are for RVs.

    Each site had a picnic table and fire ring. There was a swing set, shelter, modern bathroom (big enough to fit your bike in), water hydrant, and a few access points to the water.

    Two blocks down, you'll find a historic village. Tickets are only $2 per adult. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to browse because they didn't open until 10.

    Self-check in is well marked with the gigantic yellow tube. They promised WiFi but I was able to attend a meeting in my tent without it (T-Mobile).

    If you wander into town, the market has firewood for $5/bundle, as well as other essentials you can cart back to the site with you.

  • Gillian L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Adventureland Campground

    Nice site

    After some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us. Pull through paved 50 amp sites, with water and sewage. Picnic table for use. Within view of Adventureland so it was cool to see the rides lit up at night as we parked. Clean park. Will definitely stop by again when we aren’t just passing through!

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following 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 very rural Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited

    Happy Camping!

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Eagle City County Park

    Could be lovely but creeped me out

    Liked the spot by the lake and we could have been the only ones there but we noticed a few things on the way to the site that was unsettling and then we were followed in by a truck that just went to the end of the loop then left, with the driver and passenger obviously not wanting to be seen. Weirded me out so we left. Felt unsafe.

  • Bethanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Sportsman Park

    Sportsman Park

    Dawson is such a cute little park. I rented a primitive tent site for two nights and it was $20. The self-registration was super simple!

    They say there’s a live-in park employee. I never met him/her, which was a bummer. Theres two cabins, ten electric sights and five primitive, a shelter, a playground with slides and swings, and a bigger building you can reserve. I clocked four water spouts.

    The place was well maintained, people were polite, modern restrooms and showers. Everything was handicap accessible. You can tell the employees put a lot of care into their work. So glad I was able to stay here.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Nice campground. Clean. Well kept.

    We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.

  • Bethany G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    Peaceful

    I stayed at this campground a week after Memorial Day weekend along with my dogs in our minivan/tent. I butted up against woods with neighbors to one side which made me feel like I had a pretty private area to myself. Other than the bugs, which it is that time of the year, I enjoyed our time and the almost non-existent cellphone service. However, I was able to text my family via satellite to let them know I was okay. It could be seen as a pro or con, but I think we all need no phone time at some point to just set still and relax. I look forward to camping here again soon!

Guide to Ames

Camping near Ames, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Enjoy scenic trails at Ledges State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals."
  • Fishing and Boating: Head to Rock Creek State Park Campground for a relaxing day on the water. A reviewer noted, "Boat and kayak rental and a small store with basic necessities."
  • Playgrounds and Family Activities: Jester County Park has a kids' playground and various outdoor activities. One camper shared, "The campgrounds are great; the facilities are amazing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A visitor at Walnut Woods State Park Campground said, "The bathrooms were modern and clean."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots for tents and RVs. A review for Cherry Glen Campground mentioned, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often highlight the helpful staff. One reviewer at Des Moines West KOA Holiday stated, "Staff is one of the nicest and most helpful we've ever encountered."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: Some campgrounds, like Iowa Ledges State Park, have poor cell coverage. A camper noted, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected."
  • Busy During Peak Season: Expect crowds in summer months, especially at popular spots like Rock Creek State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The campground was large but busy."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, so it's best to book in advance. A camper at Prairie Flower Recreation Area advised, "You must reserve these sites in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Play Areas: Look for spots like Jester County Park that have playgrounds and family-friendly activities. A reviewer said, "Campgrounds amazing views airsoft gun and archery ranges."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make family outings smoother. One camper at Yellow Banks County Park mentioned, "Firewood available and camp host was a wonderful older gentleman."
  • Plan for Outdoor Games: Bring along games for the kids to play outside. A visitor at Bob Shetler Recreation Area shared, "Clean, level sites, close to fishing."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Des Moines West KOA Holiday noted, "Gravel sites require some leveling."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Campgrounds like Rock Creek State Park Campground offer various electric options. One camper said, "Some 30 amp and some 50 amp sites."
  • Be Mindful of Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can get loud, especially near playgrounds. A visitor at Bob Shetler Recreation Area mentioned, "The public parking lot is also just a few feet from a lot of the campsites."

With these insights, you're all set for a great camping experience near Ames, Iowa!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I find lake camping options near Ames, Iowa?

Little Wall Lake County Park offers lake camping relatively close to Ames and is conveniently located near the interstate. The campground is clean and family-friendly, though sites are somewhat close together. Another excellent lake option is Briggs Woods Park near Webster City, which offers camping alongside water access for canoeing or kayaking on the Boone River. This county park also features hiking trails, swimming, fishing, and reasonable rates, making it a versatile destination for water-oriented camping near Ames.

What are the best campgrounds near Ames, Iowa?

Ledges State Park Campground is widely considered one of the best options near Ames, offering beautiful hiking trails, well-shaded campsites, and creek access. The park features both RV sites with hookups and primitive tent sites. Another excellent choice is Prairie Bridges Park, a quiet small-town campground with great walking paths and scenic views. It's especially peaceful on weekdays and provides convenient access to nearby amenities. Both parks offer a blend of natural beauty and recreational opportunities within a reasonable driving distance from Ames.

Where can I go for affordable one-night camping in the Ames area?

Timmons Grove County Park offers electric sites for $18/night, though it may feel a bit expensive for tent camping. The park is rarely crowded, making it ideal for a quiet overnight stay. Another option is Thomas Mitchell County Park near Altoona, which offers both electric and non-electric sites with some walk-up availability. It features a creek where kids can play and is set on nearly 200 acres of land. Both parks provide affordable options for campers looking for a simple one-night stay without long-term reservations.

Are there any RV parks in Ames, Iowa with full hookups?

Yes, RV campers have several options near Ames with hookups. Riverview Park Campground in Marshalltown offers RV sites with hookups, though be aware it's located close to a highway which may create some noise. For a more natural setting, Lenon Mill Park at Lake Panorama provides hookup options with the convenience of being just five minutes from town amenities. While not directly in Ames, these parks are within reasonable driving distance and provide the full hookup amenities that RV campers need.

Keep Exploring