75 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Timberline Campground's pet-friendly facilities accommodate campers traveling with dogs at their 168-site property near Dallas Center. Full hookup RV sites, cabins, yurts, and tent camping areas welcome pets with designated exercise areas. The campground enforces quiet hours which helps prevent excessive barking issues. Guests note the campground is laid out in different sections, each with its own character - from open grassy areas to forested sites. Des Moines West KOA Holiday also accepts pets at their camping accommodations including cabins. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities and provide spacious sites where pets can remain comfortable. Some Timberline Campground visitors mention hearing shots from a nearby gun range which may disturb noise-sensitive dogs.
Nearby Dallas County Fairgrounds provides economical pet-friendly camping with full hookups, showers, and a dump station. The fairground sites accommodate both tents and RVs with clean facilities and friendly staff. For outdoor activities with pets, Jester County Park and Ledges State Park Campground offer trail systems where leashed dogs can exercise. Prairie Flower Recreation Area and Cherry Glen Campground provide water access points where dogs can cool off during summer months. Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed at all times outside vehicles or camping units, properly supervised, and waste properly disposed of. The gun range proximity at Timberline has prompted some pet owners to request sites farther from that area to minimize stress for their animals.
"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"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."
"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"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."
from $18 - $38 / 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"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"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."
"Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."
from $14 - $84 / 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"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
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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".
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.
GuideWonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area. Fishing not the greatest, Pond is silted to about 9ft deep, have caught few small bass, bluegill. Never tried the river here, but is known for big cats. Camp sites are best around, large flat white rock cinder size area with picnic table, fire ring. Sites are well spaced. Shaded. Double lane dump station. Close to home, can usually get site without reservation, IF you roll in on Wed. By Thurs night, it's full. Few reservables, 90% i'd say are first come. The way it should be in my opinion.
Camping options near Dallas Center, Iowa accommodate tent and RV visitors within a 30-minute drive. The area features rolling prairie landscapes at approximately 950 feet elevation with mature oak groves and river access points. Campers find both established campgrounds with full amenities and more primitive options for those seeking quieter experiences.
**Fishing opportunities: **Jester County Park provides easy access to Saylorville Lake waterways and includes a pond for fishing. "Good fishing nice open areas and trails to explore. Lots of cool kid activities. Buffalo ranch near by which is cool as well as Pingora outdoor supply store near by where you can purchase firewood and other camp supplies," notes Luke C.
Biking access: The Prairie Flower Recreation Area connects to regional trails throughout the area. "This campground is connected to regional bike trails that will take all the way to Des Moines and suburbs," explains Ron B. The paved paths accommodate various skill levels and are suitable for both casual riders and more serious cyclists.
Nature center visits: Jester Park offers educational opportunities through its recently constructed nature center. "Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level," shares Jim S. The facility opened in August 2018 and provides interactive exhibits about local ecosystems and wildlife.
Clean facilities: Cherry Glen Campground maintains well-kept amenities despite high usage. "Clean bathroom & shower facilities. Campsites weren't overcrowded. Many activities located nearby," says Leah C. Most campgrounds in the area prioritize bathroom cleanliness and regular maintenance.
Abundant shade: Many campsites feature mature trees that provide relief during summer months. "Lots of trees so plenty of shade. Nice playground areas," mentions Janet A. about Cherry Glen Campground. This natural coverage helps moderate temperatures during peak camping season.
Affordable options: Dallas County Fairgrounds provides budget-friendly camping close to town. "Clean, economical, and friendly staff," notes James W. The fairgrounds offer basic amenities at lower rates than some of the more developed recreational areas while still providing necessary hookups.
Weather considerations: Flooding affects low-lying campgrounds seasonally, particularly those near water. "Floods with lots of rain but still great. No showers," Laura B. explains about Walnut Woods State Park. Check water levels before planning trips, especially during spring and early summer.
Reservation requirements: The more popular locations fill quickly during peak season. "It's 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 Elizabeth A. about Prairie Flower Recreation Area.
Noise factors: Some campgrounds experience unexpected noise issues. "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," shares Roxanna L. Position yourself away from potential noise sources when booking sites.
Playground access: Acorn Valley offers strategic sites near play areas. "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," suggests Dana K. This allows parents to supervise while maintaining their own camping space.
Wildlife viewing: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Dallas Center offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "Pretty nice park during the week, on weekends it is way too crowded," Kent B. notes about Jester Park's bison viewing area. Weekday visits provide better wildlife viewing with fewer visitors.
Water activities: Several campgrounds provide water access for cooling off. "So quiet and peaceful down by the water. Beautiful scenery, great playground, friendly atmosphere," Brenda M. shares about Jester County Park. Most parks require supervision of children near water and enforce safety rules.
Arrival timing: Bob Shelter Recreation Area accommodates late arrivals. "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," explains Tanja M. Call ahead to confirm self-check-in procedures.
Site selection: RV campers should consider leveling needs when selecting sites. "Sites are a bit cramped," notes Jo E. about Des Moines West KOA. Look for campgrounds advertising "big-rig friendly" amenities if traveling with larger vehicles.
Dump station congestion: Plan departure times to avoid waiting at limited facilities. "Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait... that's being generous!" warns Elizabeth A. Consider weekday departures or prepare for potential delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Dallas Center, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Dallas Center, 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 Dallas Center, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 75 dog-friendly camping locations near Dallas Center, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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