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Dog-Friendly Camping near Des Moines, IA

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    Yellow Banks County Park provides pet-friendly camping with spacious sites and access to hiking trails where dogs are welcome. The campground includes both RV sites with full hookups and tent sites in a tree-lined area. All sites feature fire rings and picnic tables, with many campers noting the ample distance between sites creates privacy for pets and owners. Dogs must be leashed throughout the park except in designated exercise areas. Iowa State Fairgrounds Campground also welcomes pets with over 100 full-hookup sites, though some restrictions apply during fair events. The campground maintains cleanliness with regular maintenance of pet waste stations and provides water access points throughout. Large spacious sites with a low cost per night make Yellow Banks particularly attractive for campers with larger dogs.

    Trails surrounding Yellow Banks Park lead to Indian burial mounds and provide excellent exercise opportunities for dogs with varying terrain and shaded paths. The Des Moines River access allows dogs to cool off during summer camping trips, though owners should be aware of occasional water quality concerns. Campers report the campground host at Yellow Banks is particularly accommodating to pet owners, offering advice on the most suitable sites for dogs. Veterinary services can be found within a 15-minute drive of most Des Moines area campgrounds. Wildlife encounters are common in these parks, so campers should maintain control of dogs, especially during dawn and dusk hours when deer and other animals are most active. Quiet hours are strictly enforced at all pet-friendly campgrounds in the region to minimize disturbances from barking.

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Des Moines (89)

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      1. Yellow Banks County Park

      4.5(15)7mi from Des MoinesRVs, Tents

      "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."

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      2. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

      3.9(14)8mi from Des Moines22 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $25 - $40 / night

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      3. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

      4.0(16)10mi from Des Moines67 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $22 - $26 / night

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      4. Jester County Park

      4.5(31)17mi from Des MoinesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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. "

      "There was four of us and a dog."

      from $20 - $25 / night

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      5. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

      4.4(17)13mi from Des Moines252 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      from $20 - $336 / night

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      6. Cherry Glen Campground

      4.0(13)12mi from Des Moines125 sitesRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "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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      7. Adventureland Campground

      3.5(10)8mi from Des MoinesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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"

      "Short walk to the amusement park.  We were there for most of the early summer so we got a season pass to the park which included the water park.  They also have workcamper programs."

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      8. Iowa State Fairgrounds

      3.7(7)3mi from Des MoinesRVs, Tents

      "The Iowa State Fair is the best fair in the world with more than a million visitors every year! There is something for everyone in the family."

      "I always loved going here when I lived in Iowa! The State Fair was a blast! Being able to actually stay there made it that much better!!"

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      9. Timberline Campground

      4.6(13)14mi from Des MoinesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at!"

      "Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass."

      from $35 - $80 / night

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      10. Acorn Valley

      4.2(12)13mi from Des Moines91 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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."

      "Took the PUP, two kids, dog and grandma (first time in 20+ years) this past weekend. Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."

      from $14 - $84 / night

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    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Des Moines, IA

    30 Photos of 89 Des Moines Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Des Moines, IA

    540 Reviews of 89 Des Moines Campgrounds

    • Matt S.
      Oct. 1, 2016

      Pammel County Park

      Try out the Middle River Trail at Pammel Park

      Pammel Park is awesome. It is actually a State Park that is managed by the local County Conservation Board. Pammel Park has amazing trails with varied terrain and nice forests.

      The campgrounds are clean with options for tenters and RVs. There are even Yurt Cabins that can be rented. Pammel Park has a great water trail for Kayakers with several launch points.

      The only caution I would have is pay attention while you are hiking, there are rattlesnakes in the park. Overall I highly recommend Pammel Park. It is about a 30 minute drive from Des Moines and about 5 minutes from Winterset.

      I would consider Pammel Park a secret gem even for native Iowans. Checkout Pammel Park and spend some time in the historical town of Winterset.

    • MThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 9, 2021

      Springbrook State Park Campground

      Worth a stay!

      We've tent camped twice at Springbrook, and though it's not perfect, it's a nice campground we plan to keep coming back to for a number of reasons.

      Pros:

      -Not a far drive from Des Moines, but still quite remote

      -Lots of nice hiking trails

      -Easy access to large, mostly clean modern bathrooms

      -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. Has lots of benches around to sit and enjoy the view.

      -No cell reception, which could be a "con" but we like that it forces us to unplug

      Cons:

      -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, which can be loud/rowdy at night for tent campers. Lots of parties happening the two weekends we were there. Definitely don't recommend if you want a peaceful weekend away from the world.

      -Other than hiking and a bit of swimming/fishing, there's not much to do

      -Firewood is a short drive from the campground, which can get inconvenient

    • Tom S.
      Sep. 30, 2016

      Ledges State Park Campground

      Don't fall off the ledge!

      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. 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.

    • Matt S.
      Oct. 1, 2018

      Lenon Mill Park

      Lenon Mill is right next to Lake Panorama

      This 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.

    • R
      Oct. 11, 2021

      Timberline Campground

      Blow-My-Mind Camping

      If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at! Outstanding facilities, beautiful and tranquil location, friendly and helpful staff, and a place you will always remember as a sweet spot.

    • Matt S.
      Jul. 20, 2017

      Walnut Woods State Park Campground

      Walnut Woods campground is small but the park is beautiful

      This is a beautiful State Park on the southwest side of the Des Moines metro. It is hidden from most of suburbia but very close to shopping, movies, restaurants, and the Des Moines night life.

      It is also a perfect place to escape all of those things and enjoy the huge walnut trees, green grass, and trails.

      The campground is clean but it is very small with very few amenities. Most of the campers had small RVs or camper trailers, but there were a few tents. This would be rated higher if it had larger facilities.

      All in all, this is a nice park to get away from the suburbs or enjoy them. It's up to you.

    • Mike S.
      Jun. 17, 2020

      Nations Bridge Park

      Beautiful Place

      We loved this place! It was green, very clean, and in a nice location (just on the outskirts of Des Moines). We were there on a Wednesday, and there was barely anyone there. In fact, we had the bottom half all to ourselves. There are horse shoe pits and even a frisby-golf course.

    • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
      Feb. 24, 2021

      Don Williams Park

      Nice County Park

      Camped by tent, basic amenities on-site-fire ring, table, etc. Went kayaking on lake and then on Des Moines River (close by). Nice wildlife areas, hiking, fishing, etc. Pleasant staff.

    • Julian B.
      Sep. 4, 2018

      Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

      Great Pull Thru next to the Des Moines River

      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. Near a city so you don't run short on supplies.

    Guide to Des Moines

    Yellow Banks County Park permits leashed pets at all of its sites including the developed tent and RV areas. Spacious campsites feature fire rings and picnic tables, with both electric and non-electric options available. Jester County Park accommodates pets throughout its campground which offers tent sites, RV spots, and cabin options with year-round availability. Most pet-friendly campgrounds in the Des Moines area provide full hookups for RVs including water, electric, and sewer connections. Pet owners regularly note the large, well-maintained sites at Yellow Banks County Park provide ample room for dogs to rest comfortably while still respecting leash requirements. Firewood is available for purchase at most locations, and many campgrounds feature modern shower houses and clean restroom facilities.

    The Des Moines area's pet-friendly camping options allow access to water recreation opportunities where dogs can cool off during summer months. Yellow Banks offers fishing access and boat ramps, giving campers with pets additional activities. Trails near these campgrounds provide walking routes for daily pet exercise. Campers should note that wildlife encounters are possible in these areas, requiring vigilant pet supervision. Timberline Campground supports various accommodation types including cabins and yurts that accept pets. Sites typically cost between $25-35 per night, with most locations offering reservable spaces. The park areas remain clean and well-maintained according to visitor experiences, though campers should always come prepared with waste bags and portable water dishes for their pets.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Des Moines, IA?

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

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Des Moines, IA?

    TheDyrt.com has all 89 dog-friendly camping locations near Des Moines, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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