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Timberline Campground's dedicated pea gravel dog park provides a convenient exercise area for pets staying at this Waukee campground. The family-run facility welcomes pets at all 168 sites, offering full hookup options for RVs and pet-friendly cabins. Jester County Park in Granger also accommodates pets throughout its tent, RV, cabin, and glamping sites, with spacious camping areas providing ample room for dogs to stretch out while remaining leashed. Des Moines West KOA Holiday features pet-friendly accommodations with a designated dog park, making it suitable for overnight or extended stays with pets. Yellow Banks County Park maintains clean, well-spaced sites with picnic tables and fire rings where pets are welcome. Raccoons are plentiful and smart at Ledges State Park Campground, requiring campers to secure pet food and supplies.
Hiking trails throughout these pet-friendly campgrounds offer opportunities for dog walking, with Ledges State Park providing particularly scenic paths along sandstone formations. The Volksweg trail accessible from North Overlook Campground accommodates any level of hiker or bicyclist with dogs. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash requirements, typically six feet or less, and expect owners to clean up after their pets. Seasonal considerations include tick prevention, as multiple campers report finding ticks on their dogs, particularly in grassy areas. Campground hosts at Thomas Mitchell Park provide helpful information about pet policies and nearby services. Water access varies by location, with some campgrounds offering lake or river access where dogs can cool off during summer months. Veterinary services are available in nearby communities including Des Moines, Waukee, and Granger.
"There was four of us and a dog."
"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."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass."
"If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at!"
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $22 - $26 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."
"The only down side of this was the grass was really long so it was bad when taking the dog out in the evenings or mornings. You would come back in with a soaked dog and wet feet."
from $20 - $336 / night
Check Availability"Decent playground, water pillow for bouncing, fishing pond, dog park, swimming pool. Well maintained, lots of planned activities. KOA, so not a lot of nature. But no traffic or train noise."
"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."
"Clean bathrooms, close to the lake, playground, and a lot of sites. It does get busy. As you would expect there are a lot of bugs on a hot day in Iowa. Tent sites have good shade from trees."
"Took the PUP, two kids, dog and grandma (first time in 20+ years) this past weekend. Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."
from $14 - $84 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $26 / night
Check Availability"Wonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area. "
"camped here in 2021 and I enjoyed it but the first night I was there I ran my vehicle down the second night I was there I took a tour on the campgrounds and got verbally accosted but another camper for walking"
"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!!"
GuideI just loved this campground. It has shade trees, grass, free showers and lots of room. It is part of a city park on the outskirts of Winterset. There is a dog park and one of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground. This was well worth the 20 mile drive off I80. If I had known how m=nice this area was, I would have planned better and stayed here for more than one night.
GuideOne of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there. It's close to how I remember it.
The campground has a good picnic area, restrooms, and an excellent trail. It's also inexpensive.
What I enjoy most about this park compared to others in Iowa are the sandstone ledges and the slopes on the trail. There are some excellent views, so make sure your phone has enough battery to take photos (unlike me). I also spent a lot of time off the trail. It isn't too hard to get around. I'm not one who enjoys staying at a park that is mostly flat, so this is definitely a good place in Iowa for me to camp.
If you are looking for a cool place to camp within an hour of Des Moines, you should seriously consider this park.
ScoutOne of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites. The hike in spots are great if you like privacy and being in the middle of the woods - but you don’t want to be THAT far from your car.
Beware of the raccoons. They’re plentiful and crazy smart here. We had one open our cooler, steal an egg from the cartoon - without disturbing anything else. Honestly, I was impressed! But some of our friends had them rip through their tents to get at food - not as impressive.
TravelerIn a grove of trees in a slightly hilly area. Easy access, but sites are gravel. Nice bit of grass with each site, most are at least partially shaded. Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass.
GuideSpots 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. KOA, so not a lot of nature. But no traffic or train noise. Full hook ups, including TV.
GuideSome full hook ups, sites not very level, playground ok. Can hear shots from gun range next door. Dog park, pool, arcade. We have camped here a couple times, and stored our rig here for a while. Didn't find there was that much going on here to keep us busy. Not a lot of nature, no trails or biking accessible from campground.
TravelerThe campground was nice, but it seems more for RVs. Sometimes you have to share a fire pit with other tents if it's busy. They have a small petting zoo and a small beach. This place feels more like a neighborhood verses camping in nature. Most people use this as a "summer home".
LegendFollowing 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 rural Iowa.
Highs: (1) Quick& EZ access from I-80 via Exit 173; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Very EZ check-in process; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are like brand new; (7) If you get hungry, this CG and fueling station has an imbedded Iowa’s Best Burger Café that does live up to its name; (8) There’s also an embedded Amoco gas station and mini-mart; (9) Spectacularly clean and recently refurbished bathrooms & shower facilities; (10) There’s a small launderette here, which was bonus; (11) Should you visit in the summer, you will benefit from being surrounded by 6 foot tall corn fields that will provide greater privacy and better scenery
Lows: (1) You are just 30 seconds north of I-80, the busiest highway in Iowa;(2) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic from the highway into this place, so apart from the fact that you're clear out in the boondocks, you are next to the very heavily trafficked I80, so it’s difficult to feel 100% safe & secure here; (3) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees (welcome to corn country), bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (4) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so while this isn't exactly Florida, if you're here during the hot summer months, you should bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you are OK being surrounded by RVs with absolutely no privacy in the open interior; and (7) Apart from FHUs and a decent shower / restroom in the middle of the CG and a small laundry in the NW, there’s not much here in the way of amenities
Happy Camping!
LegendThis County Park is located right on the edge of Lake Panorama, a great town North West of Des Moines, Iowa. It is surrounded by amenities, so if you forget something you can drive five minutes into town to replace anything you forgot at home.
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. The campground is very clean and it is right next to a river.
The Des Moines River valley surrounding Clive, Iowa creates varied terrain for camping at elevations between 830-950 feet. Summer humidity levels often reach 70-80% from June through August, making water access particularly valuable. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October, with limited winter availability at select locations.
Outdoor fishing options: Yellow Banks County Park provides both river and pond fishing opportunities. "There is a fishing pond that's got plenty of bluegill and largemouth bass. There is a couple of docks and boat ramps," notes Willy W. The boat ramp access to the Des Moines River adds versatility for anglers seeking larger catches.
Biking trail connections: Prairie Flower Recreation Area connects to extensive paved trails. "The trail can take you to the marina, where there is a burger shack style restaurant," explains John B. The connected network allows cyclists to reach Des Moines and surrounding communities directly from camp.
Hiking sandstone formations: Ledges State Park Campground offers unique geological features uncommon in Iowa. "I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc. The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them," reports Jennifer M., highlighting the park's distinctive terrain.
Concrete camping pads: Campsites at Prairie Flower Recreation Area feature permanent surfaces that remain stable regardless of weather. "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," reports Heather S., noting the well-designed spacing between campsites.
Tree coverage and shade: Acorn Valley provides abundant natural shade, particularly valuable during hot Iowa summers. "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!" mentions Lindsey M. The surrounding woods create natural temperature regulation.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Jester County Park offers controlled wildlife observation areas. "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," notes Jim S. The conservation center provides educational opportunities about local ecosystems and native species.
Seasonal flooding concerns: Water levels can affect campground availability and trail access. "Ledges State Park is one of the most visited parks in Iowa. I loved coming to this park as a kid and I can't wait for it to re-open. It has been closed since January 2018, but it scheduled to re-open in January of 2019," Matt S. shares, referencing periodic closures due to Des Moines River flooding.
Raccoon management requirements: Acorn Valley campers need secure food storage. "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. Secure your food and they're no problem unless you're a light sleeper," warns John F.
Weekend reservation necessities: Most campgrounds fill completely Thursday through Sunday. "The Des Moines area has a fairly large camping population - because of this, reservations are usually necessary," Elizabeth A. notes about Bob Shelter Recreation Area. For spontaneous camping, midweek arrivals provide the best chance for securing sites.
Playground proximity: Timberline Campground offers kid-focused amenities. "Smaller and quaint. Has a swimming pool and playground. Basketball court and a community hall. It's a great place. Doesnt have the overcrowded, large campground feel to it," describes Karey A., highlighting the family-friendly atmosphere.
Youth group camping locations: Site selection matters for group experiences with children. "If you want to tent camp, bring a cart or something to haul everything with. The parking lot is a LONG WAY from any private tent site. Youth group camp, the ones with all the energy and strength, is next to parking lot," Lena H. notes about Ledges State Park Campground.
Swimming and water play: Multiple locations offer water access for cooling off during hot months. "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," Sara S. shares about Walnut Woods State Park, mentioning how the water features provide natural entertainment.
Dump station planning: Des Moines West KOA Holiday provides full hookups for extended stays. "Not too far off the highway. Office is open until 7pm which was very helpful as we arrived a little later than expected," notes Iris A., mentioning late check-in options beneficial for travelers arriving after standard hours.
Pet-friendly facilities: Campgrounds with dog parks provide exercise areas separate from wildlife. "This place is wonderful. The staff are all extremely friendly and accommodating. Facilities are all very clean and well taken care of. The pool is a great bonus!" shares Bradley N. about Timberline Campground, which maintains a dedicated exercise area for pets.
Site levelness considerations: Selecting level sites reduces setup time. "Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking. We just stayed over night since we're heading home. They take you to your site," explains Roxanna L., noting that staff assistance helps identify suitable spaces for larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Clive, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Clive, IA is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Clive, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 86 dog-friendly camping locations near Clive, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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