RV camping options near West Des Moines, Iowa primarily cluster along Interstate 80 corridors and neighboring communities. Most campgrounds in this central Iowa region operate between April and October, though several offer year-round availability. Winter camping facilities maintain heated bathhouses and water connections despite Iowa's cold season temperatures that regularly drop below freezing.
What to do
Fish at local ponds: Griffs Valley View RV Park features a clean fishing pond with bluegills. "There is a really nice pond for fishing that has some bluegills. The water is very clean," notes one camper, who also mentioned the convenient "very nice bike trail right outside the park."
Use connecting bike trails: The Des Moines West KOA Holiday provides access to regional trails. "The pool was refreshing for the girls and all of the activities kept them busy and having fun! All while being close to the city but the beauty of the country," reported a visitor who stayed with multiple families during a softball tournament.
Visit nearby breweries: When staying at Kellogg RV Park, consider exploring local craft beverages. One reviewer suggests: "If you are looking to get buzzed while out here at Kellogg RV Park, you are in luck as just nearby there's Grinnell Craft Brewhouse, Buzzed Bee Meadery as well as Van Wijk Winery – all of which are absolutely worth the visit!"
What campers like
Spacious concrete pads: River Oaks RV Park offers well-designed sites with thoughtful hookup placement. "Sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6' hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site," explains one visitor who appreciated the free WiFi that was strong enough for streaming.
Landscaped grounds: The manicured appearance of sites receives consistent praise. At Griffs Valley View RV Park, a reviewer noted: "The campground very very well kept with spacious concrete pads, both 30/50 amp and full water/sewage hookups. Two nice laundry/shower houses, one in the front and one in the back of the campground."
Storm shelters: Safety features matter in tornado-prone Iowa. Kellogg RV Park offers "an F5-rated tornado shelter located on-site, so while your RV might blow away, no worries, you and those you hold most precious will be protected in the event of a tornado, which is important because this state gets hit by them all the time."
What you should know
Seasonal demand: Summer months bring capacity crowds to rv parks in West Des Moines, Iowa and surrounding communities. One camper at Griffs Valley View RV Park reported: "The voicemail said it was fully booked from May until September. Good thing we got through because they found us a site for the night."
Highway noise varies: Interstate proximity affects sound levels differently between parks. At Shady Brook Camping, some report significant noise while others have different experiences: "We looked at the other reviews and it talked about it being so close to the freeway, but we didn't hear a sound. It was really in a good perimeter of trees and lots of shade and level camp spots."
Self-check-in options: Late arrivals have accommodation at some facilities. "Although we were arriving after 10pm, we could still check in without a reservation! They have an awesome 'self check in'. A board marked with available spaces we chose from," noted a Des Moines West KOA visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Look for activity packages: Adventureland Campground combines camping with amusement park access. "We were there for most of the early summer so we got a season pass to the park which included the water park," shared one family, adding that the "fireworks display on the 4th" was especially memorable.
Consider buddy sites: Some parks offer specialized group camping arrangements. One visitor noted that Des Moines West KOA has "buddy sites" where "you are sitting on top of your neighbors with no privacy. It works pretty good if you actually have a 'buddy', but if you come alone it's not private at all."
Winter options exist: Year-round family camping is possible at select locations. "Office is open until 7pm which was very helpful as we arrived a little later than expected. Well kept, clean bathrooms with space heaters running to ensure they're warm during the December cold," reported a winter visitor who recommended ignoring highway signs indicating seasonal closure.
Tips from RVers
Water hose planning: Site layouts affect hookup accessibility. A reviewer at Shady Brook Camping & RV Adventures shared: "We thought this was a nice little spot and a great price," while noting that level sites with shade made for comfortable camping despite their initial concerns about highway noise.
Check for on-site food options: Several rv parks near West Des Moines offer food service. "We needed to stop for the night and this was a great choice. It was right off the interstate but the sounds of traffic wasn't too bad. The site was an easy pull through and pretty level," wrote a Kellogg RV Park visitor who added "The burgers were not the greatest but ok."
Site leveling requirements: Concrete pads don't guarantee level parking. "Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks," noted a River Oaks RV Park camper, though they still praised the campground as "clean and quiet" with good WiFi service that only occasionally froze.
