Best Campgrounds near Clive, IA

Campgrounds near Clive, Iowa provide convenient access to both developed facilities and natural settings within a short drive of the Des Moines metro area. Jester County Park and Timberline Campground offer diverse accommodation options including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping opportunities. Several campgrounds in the area feature water recreation access, particularly around Saylorville Lake, where Prairie Flower Recreation Area and Cherry Glen Campground provide boat-in camping options alongside traditional drive-in sites. Most locations maintain year-round or extended seasonal availability, typically from April through October, making the region accessible for camping during peak warm-weather months.

Weather conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in central Iowa. Most campgrounds require reservations, especially during summer weekends when facilities reach capacity. "This is not a place to rough it, but if you have a family and want an outdoors experience close to amenities, this is the place for you," noted one camper about the region's developed camping areas. Full hookup RV sites are widely available at locations like Timberline Campground and Des Moines West KOA Holiday, while more rustic options exist at state and county parks. Visitors should prepare for variable weather patterns, particularly thunderstorms during summer months and cooler temperatures in spring and fall. Many campgrounds maintain shower facilities and modern restrooms, though availability varies by location and season.

Campers consistently mention the well-maintained facilities and amenities at campgrounds near Clive. Reviews highlight clean restrooms and shower facilities, particularly at county-managed properties. "Iowa county parks are amazing. They pour money into them and it really shows. Clean, I mean immaculate," mentioned one visitor about Jester County Park. Several campgrounds feature recreational trails connecting to broader networks, with the Volksweg Trail accessible from some Lake Red Rock campgrounds and multiple parks offering hiking opportunities. Wildlife viewing remains a popular activity, with some parks maintaining conservation areas. Proximity to urban amenities represents another advantage, with most campgrounds positioned within 15-30 minutes of shopping, dining, and cultural attractions in the Des Moines metropolitan area. The mixed-use nature of these campgrounds accommodates diverse camping preferences, from tent campers seeking shade to RV travelers requiring full hookups.

Best Camping Sites Near Clive, Iowa (112)

    1. Jester County Park

    30 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 323-5300

    $20 - $25 / night

    "A couple minor complaints that I developed would be that it is right next to the golf course so there is a lot of near by traffic, and people like to cruise on motorcycles and drive muscle cars through"

    "Iowa county parks are amazing. They pour money into them and it really shows. Clean, I mean immaculate. Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level."

    2. Timberline Campground

    13 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 987-1714

    $35 - $80 / night

    "If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at!"

    "The site we were on is sorta blacktop but the sides have crumbled and it has a slight tilt to it so stepping down out of the camper was tricky as your feet tend to slide in the loose rocks."

    3. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    6 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."

    4. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 984-6925

    $20 - $336 / night

    "The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."

    "Lots of prairie area around, spacious sites. Varying levels of shade. A25, had a good amount of shade and was near the nice playground and nice bathrooms. No view of the lake from loop A."

    5. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    8 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."

    6. Des Moines West KOA Holiday

    23 Reviews
    Earlham, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 834-2729

    "Roadside Oasis, a place to rest a weary head, food, showers, etc. Cabins always help get you in and get out early without setting up camp."

    "I love the beautiful surroundings here. Definitely worth the visit."

    7. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 964-8792

    $24 - $26 / night

    "Above average overall for central Iowa. Views of Saylorville Lake. Plenty of shade. Clean restrooms. It’s a large park and some sites are close together, but generally spacious. Good cell service."

    "Lots of RV sites around. The whole area around Saylorville Lake has camping. Lush green plots of land everywhere. I forget how pretty it is in the Midwest when I'm gone for so long."

    8. Acorn Valley

    11 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0429

    $14 - $84 / night

    "Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."

    "Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."

    9. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    15 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."

    10. Yellow Banks County Park

    15 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    17 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."

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Recent Reviews near Clive, IA

517 Reviews of 112 Clive Campgrounds


  • Bethanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    Lenon Mill Park

    Lennon Mills

    Quaint campground situated alongside a dam. Fishing is legal and there were quite a few around while I was there. Besides me, there was one other camper. Three tent sites, the rest are for RVs.

    Each site had a picnic table and fire ring. There was a swing set, shelter, modern bathroom (big enough to fit your bike in), water hydrant, and a few access points to the water.

    Two blocks down, you'll find a historic village. Tickets are only $2 per adult. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to browse because they didn't open until 10.

    Self-check in is well marked with the gigantic yellow tube. They promised WiFi but I was able to attend a meeting in my tent without it (T-Mobile).

    If you wander into town, the market has firewood for $5/bundle, as well as other essentials you can cart back to the site with you.

  • Gillian L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Adventureland Campground

    Nice site

    After some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us. Pull through paved 50 amp sites, with water and sewage. Picnic table for use. Within view of Adventureland so it was cool to see the rides lit up at night as we parked. Clean park. Will definitely stop by again when we aren’t just passing through!

  • Kent W.
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Howell Station

    One of our favorites

    This is a really nice campground. It’s run by friendly, helpful people. It’s well maintained, the bathrooms are clean, you’re not packed together like sardines, there’s a nice bike/walking trail around the park and (at least when we’ve visited) bald eagles, blue herons and pelicans line the river. It’s just a little over an hour from us so it’s easy to get to.

    We’re trying parks all over Iowa and Howell has been one of our favorites.

  • Stuart K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Newton KOA

    Highway Roadside Campground Oasis

    Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.

    HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond

    LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited

    Happy Camping!

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    lakeside casino resort and rv park

    Good for an overnight stop

    This is a casino campground. There are full hookups but no facilities. No trees, sites very close together. It’s essentially a parking lot with hookups.

    It’s adjacent to a truck stop and right off the interstate.

    If you are traveling I35 and it’s convenient for an overnight rest, it’s well worth the cost. Otherwise, unless the casino is your destination, find a more traditional campground

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Winterset City Park

    Peaceful

    Our first time staying here and we extended twice because we like the area so much. It’s been a peaceful two weeks and we love the town of Winterset. The campground has a variety of FHU and or just W& E, also some shared water.

  • Bethanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Sportsman Park

    Sportsman Park

    Dawson is such a cute little park. I rented a primitive tent site for two nights and it was $20. The self-registration was super simple!

    They say there’s a live-in park employee. I never met him/her, which was a bummer. Theres two cabins, ten electric sights and five primitive, a shelter, a playground with slides and swings, and a bigger building you can reserve. I clocked four water spouts.

    The place was well maintained, people were polite, modern restrooms and showers. Everything was handicap accessible. You can tell the employees put a lot of care into their work. So glad I was able to stay here.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Nice campground. Clean. Well kept.

    We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.


Guide to Clive

Camping spots near Clive, Iowa range from rustic tent sites to full-service RV parks, with most facilities sitting at elevations between 800-900 feet. Central Iowa experiences significant seasonal temperature swings, with summer highs regularly reaching 85-90°F and high humidity levels from June through August. Winter camping options exist but require preparation for temperatures that can drop below 20°F during December through February.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Access prime fishing locations at Yellow Banks County Park where anglers can target multiple species. "There is a fishing pond that's got plenty of bluegill and largemouth bass. There is a couple of docks and boat ramps," notes a visitor at Yellow Banks County Park.

Trail exploration: Connect to the 25-mile Chichaqua Valley Trail directly from some campgrounds for extended biking or walking. A camper at Griffs Valley View RV Park mentioned, "Nicely paved 25 mile long biking and walking Chichaqua Valley Trail runs right between the campground and the campground office."

Wildlife viewing: Observe local wildlife in their natural habitats, particularly in early morning hours. "We only wanted one night in a tent. They don't have designated tent sites but they have one overflow sight and they let us use it for the night," shares a visitor to Bob Shelter Recreation Area, noting the riverside location provides excellent wildlife spotting opportunities.

What campers like

Clean facilities: Bathhouses and restrooms at most campgrounds receive consistent praise for cleanliness and maintenance. A camper at Timberline Campground reported, "Very pretty and clean. We got in pretty late, staff was awesome even showed us to our spot. The park looked nice, only thing some spots looked really close together."

Lake access: Multiple campgrounds offer direct access to Saylorville Lake for water recreation. "The campground is a hot spot for Des Moines to escape the weekend - with that said, reservations are a must! Most times you need to make them six months out," explains a visitor about Prairie Flower Recreation Area.

Storm shelters: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated storm shelters for severe weather events common during summer months. One camper at Griffs Valley View RV Park noted the "Kitchen with attached TV room, oh and storm shelter," highlighting safety features not typically mentioned in promotional materials.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many Clive-area campgrounds fill completely during peak season, especially weekend spots. A visitor to Prairie Flower Recreation Area warns, "Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large in size and popularity. Trying to leave on a Sunday is a good 1 hour wait."

Seasonal operations: Operating schedules vary significantly among campgrounds, with several closing after Labor Day. "I tried to stay at Acorn Valley to find out it is closed after Labor Day. Bummer," reports one camper, highlighting the importance of checking seasonal availability.

Wildlife encounters: Raccoons and other wildlife actively visit campsites after dark. "Campsites are well kept and clean. Bathrooms are immaculate and cleaned every day. Biggest downside is the resident raccoons. Come out every night to rummage through possible food options," notes a visitor to Acorn Valley.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity: Select sites near playground facilities for convenient supervision. At Cherry Glen Campground, one reviewer notes, "Nice campground with 30/50 amp electric, no water or service but bathrooms are clean and many. The local trail is paved and bike/walker/stroller friendly."

Noise considerations: Family-friendly campgrounds often balance activities with noise management. A camper at Jester County Park shared, "We had a great stay here, check in was easy, getting firewood was easy, the bathhouses were so clean and nice, hiking and views were amazing!"

Weather preparedness: Summer storms develop quickly in central Iowa, requiring family-appropriate sheltering options. A visitor to Acorn Valley mentions, "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," highlighting convenient supervision during variable weather.

Tips from RVers

Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer electric hookups but lack water and sewer connections at individual sites. A reviewer at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "Sites were not secluded and not very exciting plus they seemed very set up for an RV experience not so much tent camping. The bathrooms look pretty nice though."

Leveling requirements: Site leveling varies widely between campgrounds and specific sites. "Spots kind of level, lots of choices of pull thru or buddy sites. Decent playground, water pillow for bouncing, fishing pond, dog park, swimming pool. Well maintained, lots of planned activities," explains a Des Moines West KOA visitor.

Dump station timing: Plan dump station use outside peak Sunday morning departure times to avoid long waits. A Prairie Flower Recreation Area camper advises, "I hate going there knowing that instead of getting to enjoy Sunday - I'll be busy draining my pooper. Please - more dump stations."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Clive, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clive, IA is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.

What parks are near Clive, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Clive, IA that allow camping, notably Saylorville Lake and Lake Red Rock.