Des Moines is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Des Moines is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Des Moines camping trip.
$35 - $90 / night
"Sites are level and well marked. The property is kept up nicely. Has a cute pond and is adjacent to a bike and running trail."
"Simple campground behind a Philips 66 gas station that totes they have Iowa’s best burger."
$35 - $45 / night
"The park was clean with level sites. The front desk person was friendly and helped me with my reservation."
$45 - $60 / night
"Many KOAs have a small toilet/shower combo when the main building is far away. Might be something to consider."
"As far as the RV park goes it’s pretty busy, mostly small families and older folks."
$22 - $26 / night
"Site 67BSHM had electric. Park had water available to fill fresh tanks, showers, flush toilets and dump station. Sr."
RangerIt's no surprise that the fair grounds always have some sort of event going on throughout the year, my family and I stay in this campground a few times a year to hit up multiple days for certain events. The site is pretty standard, but it has full RV hook ups, and always seems to be full of happy and friendly people. Plus it's location is so close to the fair grounds, it's better and far more affordable than any hotel
LegendPammel 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.
LegendThis 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.
ScoutSmall county park with clean showers and restrooms. Several short trails, mile mile and a half maybe. Tent camping is always available (literally - was just there over Labor day weekend and had no trouble getting a spot on Saturday), with maybe 20 electric sites, no reservations. New this year is firewood for purchase. Not far from the famous High Trestle Trail for you bicycle enthusiasts! My wife and I teardrop trailer camp here as often as we can.
TravelerSite are level. Full hook up for reason price. Has electric and water sites, too. Bugs are bad this time of the year.
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.
ScoutI am sure this was a user error! We didn't get to the entrance until late about 8:30 pm when it was dark. Sign was difficult to see. Wasn't marked for trailer camping. Difficult to get out once we decided we didn't understand where we were going. I bet this is a great spot but not for navigating after dark.
GuideWe'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
GuideWe love to return here every year!
Recently updated two-way fresh-fill/santiary dump station. There is Ice Cube Consessions and the skating rink from Memorial Day through Labor Day every year. Great long-term hosts really make this park feel like going home.
RV camping near Des Moines, Iowa, offers a variety of well-reviewed parks that cater to different needs, from family-friendly amenities to serene natural settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular RV campsite near Des Moines, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular RV campground near Des Moines, IA is Griffs Valley View RV Park with a 4.6-star rating from 11 reviews.
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