Camping sites near Cumming, Iowa offer a range of outdoor accommodations within central Iowa's rolling hills, located at elevations between 800-900 feet. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, with several experiencing high demand during summer weekends when temperatures average 75-85°F. Seasonal restrictions apply at certain locations, with Prairie Flower Recreation Area operating from May 1 to October 20.
What to do
Wildlife viewing: At Jester County Park, visitors can observe bison and elk in designated viewing areas. "The Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level. They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," notes one camper.
Hiking trail access: The 6-7 mile lake loop at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground provides a relatively easy path around the entire lake. "If you're up for it there is a hike that loops around the entire lake making it about 6-7 miles long. It's a pretty easy hike, but definitely long," shares one visitor.
Water recreation: Multiple watercraft rental options are available at Lake Ahquabi, including paddleboards, kayaks and canoes. A reviewer mentions, "They have rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price!" The lake is noted for having "minimal seeweed and great temperature."
What campers like
Proximity to attractions: Winterset City Park offers access to the Bridges of Madison County and John Wayne Museum. "The John Wayne museum and downtown are a 20 minute walk away," writes one camper, while another notes, "The bridges of Madison County, Clarke Tower, cute local ice cream shop, John Wayne Museum! So much fun in a cute Iowa community!"
Concrete camping pads: Cherry Glen Campground provides paved, level sites that simplify setup. A visitor explains, "Sites do have some space for privacy between them. Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large in size and popularity. Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait."
Family amenities: Many campsites include playground equipment and recreational facilities. At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, "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!!!"
What you should know
Flooding concerns: Several campgrounds experience occasional flooding issues during heavy rainfall. A camper at Lake Ahquabi notes, "Always full. Floods with lots of rain but still great. No showers."
Noise considerations: Shooting ranges near some campgrounds create ambient noise. At Timberline Campground, "we didn't realize there must be a shooting range close by as all afternoon all we heard were gun shots. Not relaxing for us or our fur babies."
Limited water hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric-only sites with centralized water access. According to one visitor at Bob Shelter Recreation Area, "No water or sewer. Spot 20 is at the end which makes it very private with nice large grassy area adjacent to wooded area. It backs to the river below the spillway from the dam."
Tips for camping with families
Budget-friendly options: State parks generally offer lower nightly rates compared to private campgrounds. "At $16.00 per night a real bargain. Showers were always clean and it's a short drive or hike to the beach," reports a Lake Ahquabi visitor.
Recreational variety: Yellow Banks County Park offers multiple outdoor activities in one location. "The banks are amazing! River access and a pond to fish! Camped here my whole life. Boy scouts and with friends. Check out the burial grounds," writes an enthusiast.
Seasonal planning: Family campgrounds become significantly more crowded on summer weekends. "This 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," advises one camper about Prairie Flower Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Arrival timing: Self-check-in options accommodate late arrivals at some locations. At Des Moines West KOA, "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."
Dump station delays: Plan for potentially long waits at single dump stations, particularly on Sunday mornings. "Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait.... that's being generous! I hate going there knowing that instead of getting to enjoy Sunday - I'll be busy draining my pooper," reports a camper about Prairie Flower.
Hose length preparation: Some group camping areas require extra-long water hoses. According to a Prairie Flower visitor, "On large loops you will need a lot of hose to reach. I think I needed about 80' some campers will need 100'. There is potable water at dump site."
