Camping sites near Earlham, Iowa offer convenient access to outdoor recreation within 10-30 minutes of Interstate 80. The area sits at approximately 1,100-1,300 feet elevation with rolling hills typical of western Iowa's landscape. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F during camping season, with most campgrounds in the region providing varying levels of shade coverage to manage the heat.
What to do
Hiking trails at Pammel Park: Walk through the historic limestone tunnel or explore the 1.9-mile water loop trail. One visitor shared, "There is a way to avoid the tunnel while pulling a travel trailer or 5th wheel. Wonderful hosts."
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line at Timberline Campground where campsites overlook the fishing pond. A camper noted, "Great, safe, and quiet campground. Beautiful site on a pond, clean bath houses, cool weekend amenities."
Covered bridges tour: Explore Madison County's famous bridges near Winterset City Park. A visitor mentioned, "We enjoyed a long weekend here reconnecting with friends. The John Wayne museum and downtown are a 20 minute walk away."
Disc golf course: Play a round at Nations Bridge Park's disc golf course. A camper said, "There are horse shoe pits and even a frisby-golf course."
What campers like
Clean, well-maintained facilities: At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, campers appreciate the spotless amenities. One reviewer shared, "We stayed one night in a basic cabin. AC was on upon arrival- check in/out was quick and easy! Bathrooms were immaculate!"
Budget-friendly options: Several campgrounds offer affordable rates for both tent and RV camping. A visitor at Nations Bridge Park commented, "Electrical at all the RV sites with grey water access and black water dumping station. Views of the water and walking trails from the site."
Self-check-in services: Late arrivals are accommodated at many campgrounds. One KOA visitor noted, "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."
Variety of camping styles: From tent sites to cabins and yurts, the area offers multiple accommodation types. A Pammel Park visitor mentioned, "The concrete pads were awesome for leveling our popups, the sites were VERY clean, the bathrooms were immaculate and the firewood was a gem at $10 for a wagon full!"
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most campgrounds operate April through October, though Kuehn Conservation Area offers primitive camping with different seasonal limitations. A visitor described it as "Nice quite sites along the Raccoon River. Has hiking, fishing, hunting, paddling, wildlife, small Bear Creek nature center, open daily 1/2 hr before sunrise to 10:30 pm."
Site selection matters: Some campgrounds have significant variation between sites. A camper at Timberline noted, "Site 30 was probably the worst from what I saw. Wish that when I called to ask about the sites the county office would have mentioned some sites the hook ups are super far away."
Reservation requirements: Weekends fill quickly during summer months. One visitor said, "My only complaint would be all sites can be reserved, so if you don't reserve a site at beginning of the year, you are out of luck. Be nice if there were some first come/first serve."
Weather considerations: Heavy rains can impact certain campgrounds. A visitor observed, "The lower camp zone looks like it floods easily and was pretty muddy, so we opted for a nice level spot in the upper section."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Jester County Park offers extensive recreational options. A visitor shared, "In addition to the water access ways, there is a sweet pond to fish in, several hiking trails, a brand new Nature Center, amphitheater, bison and bird viewing, and even cabins if you want to rent them."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer water recreation for cooling off in summer. One Des Moines West KOA visitor noted, "Lots for kids to do! The pool was up and running perfect! They even had a dunk tank which was pretty funny!"
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playgrounds for younger campers. A Timberline visitor mentioned, "Very pretty and clean. We got in pretty late, staff was awesome even showed us to our spot. The park looked nice, only thing some spots looked really close together. Our spot was big right by the park area."
Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing and nature centers enhance family camping experiences. A visitor to Jester Park mentioned, "Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level. They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds offer concrete pads that simplify setup. A Beaver Lake Campground visitor shared, "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."
Utility access: Hookup placement varies significantly between campgrounds and sites. A Timberline camper noted, "Some full hook ups, sites not very level, playground ok. Can hear shots from gun range next door. Dog park, pool, arcade."
Winter options: Limited campgrounds remain open year-round. A Des Moines West KOA visitor reported, "Now open year round. Well kept, clean bathrooms with space heaters running to ensure they're warm during the December cold."
Size restrictions: Some areas have limited access for larger rigs. A visitor mentioned, "If your rig is over 12ft, have to come in the back way," when describing Pammel Park's tunnel access.
