Best Campgrounds near Earlham, IA

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Earlham. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Iowa camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Earlham, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Earlham, Iowa (91)

    1. Des Moines West KOA Holiday

    22 Reviews
    Earlham, IA
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 834-2729

    "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."

    2. Winterset City Park

    12 Reviews
    Winterset, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 462-3258

    $15 - $22 / night

    "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 is a city campground on the outskirts of town that does not feel that way. It sits right next to a park. White rock roads and pads."

    3. 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."

    4. Pammel County Park

    12 Reviews
    Winterset, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 462-3536

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Nice small park settle nicely in the iowa country side!"

    "We didn't hike this trip, but trails looked to be pretty nice.  We did kayak the loop one day-it took about an hour for the 1.9-mile loop and water levels were pretty low."

    5. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

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

    $23 - $25 / 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."

    6. Beaver Lake Campground

    2 Reviews
    Earlham, IA
    5 miles
    +1 (515) 789-4661

    "This campground is on the side of a lake. You hear beavers at night, see rabbits are on the sides of the lot. We came late around 8pm and the owner helped us fill the form and pick our spot."

    7. Nations Bridge Park

    4 Reviews
    Stuart, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 523-1789

    "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."

    "It’s a little ways off the highway through the town of Stuart (Home to 1600 good eggs). There is an upper and lower campground and rumor has it that the lower sites can be a little muddy."

    8. Jester County Park

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

    $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."

    9. Kuehn Conservation Area

    1 Review
    Earlham, IA
    5 miles
    Website

    $5 - $8 / night

    "Has hiking, fishing, hunting, paddling, wildlife, small Bear Creek nature center, open daily 1/2 hr before sunrise to 10:30 pm, Has upper and lower (adjacent to Raccoon River) campground sites."

    10. Dallas County Fairgrounds

    1 Review
    Dallas Center, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 993-3728
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Showing results 1-10 of 91 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Earlham, IA

465 Reviews of 91 Earlham Campgrounds



Guide to Earlham

Camping near Earlham, 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 explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Enjoy 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: Head to Lake Anita State Park Campground for some fishing. A camper shared, "We loved staying there over the weekend... a big lake close by to fish."
  • Biking: Check out the trails near Jester County Park. One review noted, "The campgrounds are great... they have airsoft ranges or tree ranges snowshoeing cross-country skiing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Prairie Flower Recreation Area. A reviewer said, "The bathrooms and shower house are nice and clean."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the large, well-spaced sites at Bob Shelter Recreation Area. One camper mentioned, "The sites are well spaced."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often rave about the helpful staff. At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, a visitor 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 Ledges State Park Campground noted, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI."
  • Busy in Summer: Many campgrounds can get crowded during peak season. One visitor at Lake Anita State Park Campground mentioned, "It was really busy when we did."
  • No Showers at Some Sites: Not all campgrounds have shower facilities. A camper at Bob Shelter Recreation Area pointed out, "We didn’t use the bathroom/shower house, but I walked into one to check it out and it was outdated."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. Jester County Park has a playground that families enjoy. One parent said, "The campground has a kids playground."
  • Nature Trails: Choose campgrounds with easy access to trails for family hikes. A visitor at Walnut Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "There are trail heads near the campground that follow along the raccoon river."
  • Group Camping: If you're going with a larger family, consider campgrounds with group sites. Prairie Rose State Park Campground offers spacious areas for families to gather.

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level pads for easier setup. A reviewer at Des Moines West KOA Holiday noted, "Gravel sites require some leveling."
  • Full Hookups: Choose campgrounds that offer full hookups for convenience. One camper at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground mentioned, "Ours had only electrical, but potable water was close by."
  • Quiet Locations: For a peaceful stay, find campgrounds away from busy roads. A visitor at Yellow Banks County Park said, "QUIETEST KOA IN AMERICA. no highway no train tracks or airport!"

Camping near Earlham, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. With a variety of campgrounds and activities, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Earlham, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Earlham, IA is Des Moines West KOA Holiday with a 4.4-star rating from 22 reviews.

What parks are near Earlham, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Earlham, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.