Best Glamping near Ankeny, IA

It was a fun place for kids. They had plenty to do between the pool and all of the fun activities. We went during Father’s Day weekend so they had face painting, movies, and hungry hungry daddy (a version of hungry hungry hippos). Over all I think it would be a fun maybe 1 time a year place while kids are young. I like the outdoors so I wished the camper spaces were MUCH bigger! You are on top of your neighbors. They didn’t have grates for our grill and when we called they tried to get a make shift one which was at least something for us to use to cook off of (we could have just ordered pizza from their kitchen lol). So it’s definitely a camper only friendly place, tent spaces are almost nonexistent. Overall extremely clean, staff was great, they pick up your trash.. it’s glamping at it finest.

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. 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.

Nice CG located on the North end of Saylorville Reservoir. Camped in the upper CG site#145. Numerous shade trees, gravel pad and room for our 20' trailer and TV. CG has a kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course and nature center. Plenty to do with the city of Ankeny just 15 minutes away. CG was fairly empty until around Thursday and filled on the weekend. Seniors can get$5 off per day of their reservation. Dump station is at the entrance of the CG. We camped at Jester Park in a Travel Trailer.

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.

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. Fun for family as the waters over the roadways are a splash for adults and children alike. It's a hidden gem, just outside Boone Iowa.

This RV park is right off the interstate but far enough you won’t hear the noise. I can’t tell you if they are actually Iowa’s best burger because this is the only burger I’ve had in Iowa.

Nice people, everything is clean. Spots are pull thru. No issues at all.

It’s a one night because unless you’re in the area for something there isn’t much to see if do

Would stay here again

Nice small park settle nicely in the iowa country side!

Not something you see a lot of in Iowa. It is well worth a trip to see and explore.

This is the best park in the state of Iowa, so much fun going thru the low water crossings!

Simple campground behind a Philips 66 gas station that totes they have Iowa’s best burger. They have recently updated shower building along with a laundry building

If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at! Outstanding facilities, beautiful and tranquil location, friendly and helpful staff, and a place you will always remember as a sweet spot.

We will definitely return, we loved this park. The bridges of Madisin County, Clarke Tower, cute local ice cream shop, John Wayne Museum! So much fun in a cute Iowa community!

Wallashuck in Pella, iowa is one of my favorite places to camp. It’s mostly quiet and peaceful. Plus town is close and has plenty to entertain or fill up supplies

Very nice, clean and comfortable campground for an overnight stop. Price is right! The “office” is a little gas station, hamburger cafe with a very efficient and friendly check in person. The sites are mostly pull through with full service electric, water, and sewer. The only real issue is the constant noise from I-80 which is just to the south of the campground. But nothing that a good set of earplugs can’t fix. Our little dog especially liked the two chicken coops at east side of the the campground! (Not noisy or any problem - just a reminder that you are in Iowa!). Overall, very nice and has clean restrooms. The sign on the “office” says they have Iowas “BEST” Hamburger. We didn’t try it, but will take their word for it!

Clean and host was nice. Kids had a fun time and want to come back. Close to the interstate and easy to get to. Only downfall if I need one is the campsites are closer together and it’s close to an highway so you can hear cars driving by but it’s rural Iowa so there aren’t that many.

This is a nice small camp area that only has one downfall: a lack of wind break. 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. When we were there, there were only a few small bass boats on the water, no water sports.

This campground is right off the interstate in the small town of Casey Iowa. This is a small town. There is a little diner and a few businesses, but if you camp here make sure you have not forgotten anything important at home.

The campground is clean and perfect for someone with a camper or an RV.

Growing up in Iowa maybe 50 miles from the Ledges was one the the best things for me. Campground is clean and well kept with both electric and primitive with a few hike in spots. It is a beautiful park with some good trails and a creek running through the bottoms of the "canyon". Loved going all the time when I was a kid and now 30 years later I have taken my family there several times making the drive from Kentucky just for some relaxation time.

Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available. 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. Some sites are reservable and some walk up. There is a fishing lake,playground,sand volleyball, and hiking. The main hiking trails are wide with smaller ones shooting off the sides. There is also a group site that you can hike to on the Devote trail. The camp hosts are helpful and offer firewood,which they bring to your site, on Wednesday-Sunday. It is very peaceful but we also camp Sun-We’d when there isn’t a ton of people. We will definitely camp here again.