Camping near West Des Moines provides access to a network of lakes, rivers, and parks within a 30-mile radius of the city. The Des Moines River and Saylorville Lake form the backbone of the region's water recreation system, with elevations ranging from 750 to 900 feet above sea level. Summer humidity levels typically reach 65-80% during camping season, creating conditions where proper site selection for airflow becomes important.
What to do
Fishing at multiple locations: Prairie Flower Recreation Area offers both lake and pond fishing opportunities with cement pads for accessibility. "This is a very large campground with lots of sites and large group camping areas. The bathrooms and shower house are nice and clean," notes one visitor about the Prairie Flower Recreation Area.
Trail access for biking: Several campgrounds connect to regional trail systems. "The trail can take you to the marina, where there is a burger shack style restaurant," mentions a camper about Prairie Flower's proximity to the trail network.
Wildlife viewing: Jester County Park offers bison and elk viewing areas, though one camper notes they "are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be." The park also features a nature center that one visitor describes as "just next level."
Water recreation: Cherry Glen Campground provides direct lake access with a boat launch nearby. "Love this it's close to the city yet feel so far away," writes one camper about the wildlife and water access at this location.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Consistently mentioned across campgrounds is the cleanliness of bathhouses. At Acorn Valley, "facilities were immaculate, playground and pond were awesome for keeping kids entertained," according to a recent camper.
River exploration: Yellow Banks County Park offers unique riverbed exploration areas. "We have camped here a couple times... Our boys love exploring here," notes one visitor about the small trails leading to the riverbed.
Modern amenities: Timberline Campground receives praise for its well-maintained facilities. "Great place to camp! Outstanding facilities, beautiful and tranquil location, friendly and helpful staff, and a place you will always remember as a sweet spot," writes one enthusiastic visitor.
Spacious sites: Prairie Flower campsites receive positive feedback for their size. "Sites are large and there is plenty of space between sites. We had a concrete pad with a picnic table and fire pit with grill grate," notes a visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill completely during peak season, especially weekends. "We were told @ the gate we had to pay since it was a different campground & would be reimbursed for our reservation," explains one camper at Prairie Flower, indicating the complexity when campgrounds reach capacity.
Environmental conditions: Yellow Banks County Park receives praise for its natural setting but comes with challenges. "Pond is silted to about 9ft deep, have caught few small bass, bluegill. Never tried the river here, but is known for big cats," notes one fisherman.
Wildlife encounters: Multiple campgrounds report active wildlife, especially after dark. At Acorn Valley, "resident raccoons. Come out every night to rummage through possible food options. Secure your food and they're no problem unless you're a light sleeper."
Weekend traffic: Bob Shelter Recreation Area sees significant weekend traffic. "The Des Moines area has a fairly large camping population - because of this, reservations are usually necessary," warns one visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. At Jester County Park, "We parked at a site by the playground and bathhouse, and could sit at our camper and watch our son play at a safe distance," shares one parent.
Educational opportunities: Walnut Woods State Park Campground offers natural learning experiences. "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," describes one visitor.
Water activities: Floating on the Raccoon River provides family entertainment. "We just did a day trip here with families who have a bunch of kids. Great park for kids and they loved floating down the river," shares a visitor to Walnut Woods.
Seasonal planning: Visit during non-peak times for a quieter experience. "After Labor Day" is mentioned as when some campgrounds close or significantly reduce crowds.
Tips from RVers
Hookup logistics: Electric-only sites require planning. "No water or sewer but bathrooms are clean and many. The local trail is paved and bike/walker/stroller friendly," notes one RVer at Cherry Glen Campground.
Site selection: For RVs, concrete pads provide advantages. "Spacious campsites with cement pads... The only thing holding it back from 5 stars is no water or sewer onsite," mentions an RVer at Prairie Flower Recreation Area.
Dump station timing: Plan for potential wait times when departing popular campgrounds. "There's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait," warns a camper.
