Best Campgrounds near Carlisle, IA

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Carlisle, IA has a lot to offer. Carlisle is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Carlisle camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Carlisle, Iowa (104)

    1. Yellow Banks County Park

    15 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 266-1563

    "Close proximity to the state fair without being to close. Great stay! Our site had an open field behind it definitely recommend."

    "There are two RV sites with shower houses, and about 10 tentsites on a large rectangular area in the back surrounded by trees."

    2. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 285-4502

    $23 - $25 / night

    "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."

    "Walnut Woods is conveniently located 25 minutes outside of downtown Des Moines. Sites are paved and mostly level, although we did have to throw a couple of blocks under one side of our TT tires."

    3. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    12 miles
    Website

    $35 - $90 / night

    "Has a cute pond and is adjacent to a bike and running trail. The main lodge has very clean restrooms and showers with hot water! Recommended"

    "There is also a very nice bike trail right outside the park."

    4. Thomas Mitchell County Park

    11 Reviews
    Mitchellville, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 967-4889

    "Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available."

    "The drive into the grounds was a little confusing, but I imagine that in the daylight we would have had an easier time."

    5. Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

    10 Reviews
    Swan, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 961-6169

    "Each of the 10 campsites are spacious and plenty of distance between. Nice quick trails with wildlife. The park is well maintained and well priced!"

    "You’ll eventually see the park entrance(a sign and fence). Pass the first bathrooms/shelter/info board. Continue down the gravel road that looks kinda like a trail."

    6. Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Indianola, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 961-7101

    $20 - $25 / night

    "We entered the park looking for a walk-up spot and landed on Site 67 which was not reserved. The site was spacious with a big tree with good shade and cover if needed."

    "The beach, and park were very far away from the camping area. A suggestion of a bagger for their lawn mower for all the cut grass. The lake by the boat landing was nice and so were the trails."

    7. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    16 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."

    8. Iowa State Fairgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 262-3111

    "The Iowa State Fair is the best fair in the world with more than a million visitors every year! There is something for everyone in the family."

    "I always loved going here when I lived in Iowa! The State Fair was a blast! Being able to actually stay there made it that much better!!"

    9. Iowa State Fair Campgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 262-3111

    "Wonderfull Surroundings ,People and Experiences."

    "Campgrounds are located on the east side of the actual fairgrounds. There are hundreds of sites here."

    10. Adventureland Campground

    8 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 265-7384

    "With a theme park on one side and a casino on the other, both in walking distance. It’s more of a park and party place hahaha"

    "There are lots of restaurants near by like Spectators and Jethro’s BBQ.

    As far as the RV park goes it’s pretty busy, mostly small families and older folks."

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Recent Reviews near Carlisle, IA

474 Reviews of 104 Carlisle Campgrounds



Guide to Carlisle

Camping near Carlisle, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore scenic trails at Ledges State Park Campground. One camper 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: At Rock Creek State Park Campground, you can rent boats and kayaks. A reviewer noted, "The lake is pretty, it's right there at the campground. Boat, kayak and canoe rentals seemed reasonable."
  • Family Activities: Jester County Park has playgrounds and trails. One visitor shared, "The campgrounds are great; the facilities are amazing with airsoft ranges and hiking."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Prairie Flower Recreation Area. A reviewer said, "The bathrooms were exceptionally clean; they were cleaned twice daily."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Cherry Glen Campground. One camper remarked, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff. At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, a visitor said, "Staff is one of the nicest and most helpful we've ever encountered."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: If you rely on your phone, be aware that some campgrounds, like Iowa Ledges State Park, have poor cell coverage. One camper noted, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected."
  • Busy During Peak Season: Many campgrounds can get crowded in the summer. A reviewer from Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground area is clean, but the RV section was nearly full."
  • No Showers at Some Sites: Not all campgrounds have shower facilities. For instance, Bob Shelter Recreation Area does not offer showers, as noted by a visitor who said, "I didn’t use the bathroom/shower house, but I walked into one to check it out and it was outdated."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Playgrounds: Look for spots like Jester County Park that have playgrounds. A family shared, "The campground has a kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course, and nature center."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. One camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Found a great trail to hike, also the opportunity to rent a boat or paddleboard."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Keep everyone happy with snacks. A visitor at Des Moines West KOA Holiday said, "Pizza on site is excellent and you can order it ahead for your arrival."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check campgrounds like Des Moines West KOA Holiday that offer them. A visitor mentioned, "Sites are paved and mostly level, although we did have to throw a couple of blocks under one side of our TT tires."
  • Be Prepared for Crowds: Some campgrounds can fill up quickly. A camper at Iowa Ledges State Park said, "The campground was large but the DNR was helpful when finding our spot."

Camping near Carlisle, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Carlisle, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Carlisle, IA is Yellow Banks County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.

What parks are near Carlisle, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Carlisle, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.