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Best Campgrounds near Des Moines, IA

512 Reviews

Des Moines has several good camping options nearby. Ledges State Park Campground sits about 33 miles from the city with nice trails and water features. You can choose between electric and non-electric sites depending on what you need. Lake Anita State Park Campground is good for fishing and boating, and comes with modern restrooms, showers, a playground, and picnic areas that work well for families. Watch for fire restrictions during dry periods and check if you need permits before you go. It's smart to book ahead for places like Prairie Flower Recreation Area since they fill up fast in busy seasons. Yellow Banks County Park is just 7 miles from Des Moines with access to trails and the Des Moines River—a quick escape with basic restrooms and water available. Walnut Woods State Park Campground offers quieter, shaded camping spots for a more basic experience. Remember to follow the stay limits and take your trash with you when you leave. The Des Moines area has camping spots that work for short trips or longer stays with different levels of amenities.

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Best Camping Sites Near Des Moines, Iowa (109)

    1. Yellow Banks County Park

    15 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 266-1563

    "Nice quiet campground with the Des Moines river close by for fishing or kayaking. Most of the spots are shaded and well maintained. The backpacking area is very nice as well."

    "It’s got access to trails and to the Des Moines river. It’s a great little escape. There is a fishing pond that’s got plenty of bluegill and largemouth bass."

    2. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 285-4502

    $25 - $38 / night

    "We checked out the camping situation for our next visit to Des Moines and decided a park a bit further away was worth a more secluded camping experience."

    "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."

    3. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0873

    $22 - $26 / night

    "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."

    "The Des Moines area has a fairly large camping population - because of this, reservations are usually necessary. The area does not have a ton of shade - so be weary in the middle of summer."

    4. Jester County Park

    29 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 323-5300

    $20 - $25 / night

    "Stayed at this campground for 3 nights while visiting Des Moines.  We stayed in Loop 1- site 138 because we wanted electrical.  The electrical box has 2 standard household plugs which is nice. "

    "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"

    5. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    9 miles
    Website

    $35 - $90 / night

    "Has a cute pond and is adjacent to a bike and running trail. The main lodge has very clean restrooms and showers with hot water! Recommended"

    "There is also a very nice bike trail right outside the park."

    6. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 984-6925

    $20 - $336 / night

    "This campground is connected to regional bike trails that will take all the way to Des Moines and suburbs."

    "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."

    7. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 964-8792

    $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."

    8. Timberline Campground

    13 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 987-1714

    $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."

    9. Thomas Mitchell County Park

    11 Reviews
    Mitchellville, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 967-4889

    "Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available."

    "The drive into the grounds was a little confusing, but I imagine that in the daylight we would have had an easier time."

    10. Adventureland Campground

    8 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 265-7384

    "With a theme park on one side and a casino on the other, both in walking distance. It’s more of a park and party place hahaha"

    "There are lots of restaurants near by like Spectators and Jethro’s BBQ.

    As far as the RV park goes it’s pretty busy, mostly small families and older folks."

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Recent Camping Photos near Des Moines, IA

87 Photos of 109 Des Moines Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Des Moines, IA

512 Reviews of 109 Des Moines Campgrounds

Guide to Des Moines

Camping near Des Moines, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Nature Walks: Explore the scenic trails at Ledges State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals."
  • Fishing and Boating: At Lake Anita State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. A camper shared, "Great location, good facilities... Plenty of space in tent area - shade and soft grass."
  • Family Activities: Jester County Park has a playground and various recreational options. One family said, "We love it here; people are great, and the price is right."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Rock Creek State Park Campground noted, "The campground area is clean. Showers and toilets are clean."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A review for Yellow Banks County Park highlighted, "Large spacious sites with a fire ring and picnic table."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff. One reviewer at Des Moines West KOA Holiday said, "Staff is one of the nicest and most helpful we've ever encountered."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: If you rely on your phone, be prepared for spotty coverage. A camper at Iowa Ledges State Park mentioned, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI."
  • Busy During Peak Season: Many campgrounds can get crowded in the summer. A visitor at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground noted, "It was ran over with loud radios and flashing lights."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly, so it's best to book in advance. A camper at Prairie Flower Recreation Area advised, "You must reserve these sites in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Amenities: Look for places with playgrounds and clean facilities. One family at Walnut Woods State Park Campground said, "The park was nice and well maintained with walking trails."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or games to keep kids entertained. A camper at Bob Shelter Recreation Area mentioned, "Clean, level sites, close to fishing."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make things easier. A visitor at Lake Anita State Park Campground noted, "A bit noisy when I stayed... Overall a good place to stay."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Des Moines West KOA Holiday mentioned, "Gravel sites require some leveling."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you want convenience, choose campgrounds with full hookups. A camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground said, "Some 30 amp and some 50 amp sites."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: Some campgrounds can get loud, especially on weekends. A visitor at Yellow Banks County Park warned, "Other campers warned us not to leave anything out at night because teenagers come through sometimes looking for stuff to steal."

Camping around Des Moines, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking a peaceful spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Des Moines, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Des Moines, IA is Yellow Banks County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.

What parks are near Des Moines, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Des Moines, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.

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