The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Dallas Center. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Dallas Center, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Dallas Center and user-submitted reviews.
$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"
"Jester Park is our go-to camping destination in central Iowa! By far, this county park has a lot of fun activities and access points to the Saylorville waterway circuit."
"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."
$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."
$17 - $35 / night
"One 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."
"One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."
$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."
$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."
"We camped here to be close to the Iowa High Trestle Trail for bicycling and it's very handy for that. Nothing fancy, but has plenty of sites, flush toilets and showers available."
"Nice little camp ground with easy access to the high trestle bike trail"
$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 ;) )."
$25 - $38 / 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."
$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."
GuideWe loved this KOA! Itinerary was on point. Lots for kids to do! The pool was up and running perfect! They even had a dunk tank which was pretty funny! Cabin was beautiful inside and out! Would stay again!
GuideBased on other reviews we weren’t expecting much, but this spot is perfect for getting a good night’s rest when passing through Iowa.
Camping is basically a parking space in a tiny town park in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. Each space is marked by an electric hookup. Although it says RV and tent, tent camping isn’t exactly defined (just pull up and pitch a tent in the grass). Just rolled up in our “hard-shelled tent mobile” and don’t use hookups, so can’t comment there.
The park is quiet, though the interstate noise is still fairly loud. But it’s far better than pulling into a rest area where the highway and truck generators are constant.
Our only non-quiet moment was when we pulled in on a Saturday night after dark and a group of local kids were hanging out around the bathrooms. We heard some good old fashioned hide and seek (which made us smile) among other screeches and hollers. They stayed out till 11-11:30pm, which was a bit late, but what can you expect from kids in a tiny town with not a whole lot else to do.
There are signs for camping at just about every small town exit, so there are a number of options between Des Moines and Council Bluffs. We chose this town because access is quick and easy. Keeping it in our list of quieter non-rest area places to sleep!
GuideSpacious campsites with cement pads... The only thing holding it back from 5 stars is no water or sewer onsite
GuideWe 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! The only thing we had an issue with was a camp site of noisy people, which was not the parks fault!
ScoutBeautiful campground! Lots of trees and peaceful area. Our spot was pretty level and well maintained
TravelerIf 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. That's messed up.
RangerEverything’s changed out here, can no longer pay using cash have to reserve it online and can no longer stay out here for a month for my construction workers , definitely don’t like the changes and with all the hidden charges definitely not my cup of tea, $16 plus tax for non electric tent camping is ridiculous and two years ago it was $8-10 for that , on the website it says $12 plus $4 processing fee just ridiculous
ScoutThis is a nice place to stay off of I 80. It’s nice but packed. The voicemail said it was fully booked from May until September. Good thing we got through because they found us a site for the night.
ScoutBeautiful and quiet place to stay. Really affordable as well.
Camping near Dallas Center, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled weekend, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.
Camping near Dallas Center, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you’re a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking adventure.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Dallas Center, IA is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 29 reviews.
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near Dallas Center, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.
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