The Woodward area offers camping sites set among sandstone features and rolling woodlands not typical of Iowa's normally flat terrain. Located approximately 30 miles northwest of Des Moines, campgrounds in this region range in elevation from 850-950 feet. Most campsites near Woodward, Iowa are positioned along waterways including the Des Moines River and Saylorville Lake, creating unique fishing and paddling opportunities.
What to do
Biking opportunities: Swede Point Park provides direct access to the High Trestle Trail. "Nice little camp ground with easy access to the high trestle bike trail," notes one camper, highlighting the park's convenient location for cyclists.
Fishing spots: Prairie Flower Recreation Area offers excellent shoreline fishing access. "The trail can take you to the marina, where there is a burger shack style restaurant," mentions one visitor, describing the amenities available to fishermen at Prairie Flower Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: Jester County Park features bison and elk viewing opportunities. "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," explains a visitor, adding that the "Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level."
Explore sandstone formations: Bob Shelter Recreation Area provides access to the spillway at Saylorville Lake. "Love to camp here and watch the spill way," remarks one camper, highlighting a unique geological feature in the area.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Sportsman Park offers peaceful midweek stays when crowds are minimal. "It was very quiet when we were there, but I assume it gets busy on the weekends," shares a camper who appreciated the Sportsman Park atmosphere.
Clean facilities: Timberline Campground receives consistent praise for maintenance. "Great, safe, and quiet campground. Beautiful site on a pond, clean bath houses," notes a visitor who stayed for an extended period at Timberline Campground.
Spacious sites: Cherry Glen Campground provides ample room between camping spots. "Lots of trees so plenty of shade. Nice playground areas," comments one visitor who appreciated the layout of sites.
Entertainment options: Des Moines West KOA offers numerous recreational facilities. "They have a ton of fun amenities for kids such as a pool, dunk tank, gem mining, ladder golf, horseshoes, jumping pillow, water balloon wars, basketball and more," reports a winter visitor.
What you should know
Water access variations: Not all campgrounds provide water hookups at individual sites. At Prairie Flower Recreation Area, one visitor notes: "No water or sewer onsite," despite the campground having other amenities.
Reservation requirements: Acorn Valley campground fills quickly during peak season. "The Des Moines area has a fairly large camping population - because of this, reservations are usually necessary," advises a frequent camper at Acorn Valley.
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds close earlier than others. "I tried to stay at Acorn Valley to find out it is closed after Labor Day," reports one camper who was disappointed by the early closure.
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds have active wildlife. "Secure your food and they're no problem unless you're a light sleeper," warns a camper about the "resident raccoons" at Acorn Valley that "come out every night to rummage through possible food options."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: At Acorn Valley, sites near recreational areas are ideal for families. "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 a parent.
Water activities: Bob Shelter Recreation Area provides fishing opportunities suitable for children. A visitor mentions that "there were a lot of folks casting near the spillway," making this a good option for family fishing outings.
Nature exploration: Cherry Glen Campground offers hiking trails for children of various ages. "The hiking trails are easy to hike and well marked," notes a camper who visited with family during fall, when "the leafs were just starting to change."
Winter camping options: Some facilities remain open year-round. "Don't pay attention to the highway signs that says they're only open until October, they're working on updating them," advises a visitor to Des Moines West KOA, noting they found "space heaters running to ensure they're warm during the December cold."
Tips from RVers
Dump station planning: Several campgrounds have limited dump facilities. "Now my one complaint - 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 visitor to Prairie Flower.
Site leveling considerations: Timberline Campground offers varied site qualities. "Sites not very level," reports an RVer, adding that you can "hear shots from gun range next door" - important information for noise-sensitive travelers.
Concrete pad availability: At Bob Shelter Recreation Area, certain sites offer superior parking surfaces. "We stayed at spot 20 which was extra wide, concrete pad with electric hook up," reports an RVer who appreciated that their site was "at the end which makes it very private with nice large grassy area adjacent to wooded area."
Water fill locations: At Swede Point Park, RVers should note water access points. "Only two water connections for the camp," mentions a visitor, though they still rated the experience positively due to other amenities.
