Camping sites near Coon Rapids, Iowa sit within the western edge of the Des Moines Lobe landform region, characterized by gently rolling hills and prairie pothole wetlands. The area experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Most RV campgrounds remain open from April through October, with a few sites providing year-round access during milder winter periods.
What to do
Hiking trails: Springbrook State Park offers multiple hiking paths through mature forests. "Lots of nice hiking trails. They have 25% of their sites designated as walk in sites," notes one camper about the Springbrook State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Nations Bridge Park provides fishing access with views of the water from campsites. A reviewer at Nations Bridge Park mentioned, "Views of the water and walking trails from the site. The showers are a bit primitive but plenty of hot water."
Recreational activities: Multiple campgrounds offer additional recreation beyond standard camping. "There are many organized weekend activities for families. Spaces are tight and some share electrical, so bring your connectors just in case," explains a visitor to Des Moines West KOA about their event programming.
What campers like
Disconnecting from technology: Several campsites offer limited or no cell service. "You'll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at. That's definitely not a bad thing since that's exactly what we were looking for!" writes a reviewer about their stay at Springbrook.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness ranks high in visitor priorities across RV campgrounds near Coon Rapids. A camper at Des Moines West KOA Holiday praised, "We stayed one night in a basic cabin. AC was on upon arrival- check in/out was quick and easy! Bathrooms were immaculate!"
Family-friendly atmosphere: Multiple RV parks cater specifically to families with children. "The pool was refreshing for the girls and all of the activities kept them busy and having fun! All while being close to the city but the beauty of the country!!!" shares a summer visitor to Des Moines West KOA.
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some facilities close during colder months. A visitor to Nations Bridge noted, "Our review would be 5 stars, but all the restrooms were locked for the season, and the only signage was on the doors of the facilities. No signage about the closures at the self registration."
Site spacing concerns: Several campgrounds feature tightly arranged sites. A camper at Shady Brook Camping & RV Adventures observed contrasting experiences: "We looked at the other reviews and it talked about it being so close to the freeway, but we didn't hear a sound. It was really in a good perimeter of trees and lots of shade and level camp spots."
Tent camping limitations: Some RV parks offer minimal tent camping accommodations. A visitor to Springbrook State Park explained: "Tent camping spots are clustered mainly in the middle of a loop, which feels a bit like a fishbowl with no privacy. It's mainly an RV/camper campground."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Lakes and pools provide cooling options during summer months. A visitor to Springbrook shared: "The lake is a peaceful spot to spend the early mornings, a nice place to fish (but don't expect to catch anything) and its beach is fun on the hot summer days, and tends to not be too busy."
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain dedicated children's play areas. A reviewer at Nations Bridge Park mentioned, "Great park for our 3 year old," showing its family-friendly features.
Nature education: Some parks offer wildlife learning opportunities. A parent visiting Springbrook recounted: "They had a little nature center which was closed but the nice lady opened it for my kids to go in and let them hold snakes and turtles! They were so excited!"
Tips from RVers
Off-season camping: Year-round options exist for RVers traveling outside summer months. A winter traveler to Des Moines West KOA Holiday shared: "Office is open until 7pm which was very helpful as we arrived a little later than expected. Well kept, clean bathrooms with space heaters running to ensure they're warm during the December cold."
Road noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some RV campgrounds near Coon Rapids. A visitor to Shady Brook noted: "You could literally throw a rock from the entrance and hit a passing semi. Would be a possible extended stay for construction folks. Not for any peace and quiet camping."
Self-registration process: Several campgrounds offer after-hours check-in procedures. One camper mentioned: "Although we were arriving after 10pm, we could still check in without a reservation! They have an awesome 'self check in'. A board marked with available spaces we chose from."
