Best Campgrounds near Runnells, IA

Runnells, IA is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Runnells is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Runnells. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Runnells, Iowa (112)

    1. Yellow Banks County Park

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

    "Close proximity to the state fair without being to close. Great stay! Our site had an open field behind it definitely recommend."

    "There are two RV sites with shower houses, and about 10 tentsites on a large rectangular area in the back surrounded by trees."

    2. Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

    10 Reviews
    Swan, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 961-6169

    "Each of the 10 campsites are spacious and plenty of distance between. Nice quick trails with wildlife. The park is well maintained and well priced!"

    "You’ll eventually see the park entrance(a sign and fence). Pass the first bathrooms/shelter/info board. Continue down the gravel road that looks kinda like a trail."

    3. Thomas Mitchell County Park

    11 Reviews
    Mitchellville, IA
    9 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."

    4. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    14 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."

    5. Adventureland Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    12 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"

    "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."

    6. River Oaks RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Runnells, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 989-0574

    $45 - $60 / night

    "We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair."

    "Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6’ hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site. Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks."

    7. Iowa State Fair Campgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 262-3111

    "Wonderfull Surroundings ,People and Experiences."

    "Campgrounds are located on the east side of the actual fairgrounds. There are hundreds of sites here."

    8. Iowa State Fairgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 262-3111

    "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!!"

    9. Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Indianola, IA
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 961-7101

    $25 - $35 / night

    "We entered the park looking for a walk-up spot and landed on Site 67 which was not reserved. The site was spacious with a big tree with good shade and cover if needed."

    "The beach, and park were very far away from the camping area. A suggestion of a bagger for their lawn mower for all the cut grass. The lake by the boat landing was nice and so were the trails."

    10. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

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

    $25 - $38 / 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."

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Recent Reviews near Runnells, IA

495 Reviews of 112 Runnells Campgrounds


  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Winterset City Park

    Peaceful

    Our first time staying here and we extended twice because we like the area so much. It’s been a peaceful two weeks and we love the town of Winterset. The campground has a variety of FHU and or just W& E, also some shared water.

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Diamond Lake County Park

    Diamond lake

    Clean showers & flush toilet’s. No hand towels. Sites are close together. Some road noise. But overall a nice campground for one night.

  • Bethanie S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 27, 2025

    Sportsman Park

    Sportsman Park

    Dawson is such a cute little park. I rented a primitive tent site for two nights and it was $20. The self-registration was super simple!

    They say there’s a live-in park employee. I never met him/her, which was a bummer. Theres two cabins, ten electric sights and five primitive, a shelter, a playground with slides and swings, and a bigger building you can reserve. I clocked four water spouts.

    The place was well maintained, people were polite, modern restrooms and showers. Everything was handicap accessible. You can tell the employees put a lot of care into their work. So glad I was able to stay here.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Nice campground. Clean. Well kept.

    We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Jester County Park

    Nothing but exceptional

    Iowa county parks are amazing. They pour money into them and it really shows. Clean, I mean immaculate. 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. Camp host was top notch, neighbors fantastic, quiet and respectful. Only spent two days there but could make it a two week vacation and never get tired of it. Okay, let's address the dump station, I've never been to one so thought out and efficient. Weird favorite thing but if you know you know

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Adventureland Campground

    Great campground and amazing amusement park

    July, 2017

    Great place but not quiet at all.  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.

    We especially loved the fireworks display on the 4th.

  • Jerry V.
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    Well Maintaned & Good Fishing

    I stayed at site #13 with my two boys.  We had a blast.  I would highly recommend site #13.  It had plenty of space for a large tent and canopy.  It had a nice access spot for fishing.  The new restroom/shower facility was very nice and clean.  Most sites are pretty sandy as this was an old quarry so be prepared for that.  There was also company on-site that rents Kayaks.  The campground manager was extremely helpful.  He had firewood already staged for $7 and even came back on day two with more firewood for the same fee.

  • J
    Jul. 8, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Clean & quiet

    Made a quick trip here to de how the new puppy likes camping. Nice size campground, sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6’ hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site. Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks.

    Free WiFi was good; we streamed tv. It did freeze a few times but hard to tell if it was the WiFi or the provider.

    A new bath house, community room, and “shop” is being built. Bath house & laundry are complete. Very nice and spotless.

    The camp is quiet and well maintained.

  • Tiffany K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Howell Station

    Laid-back Campground

    This campground has great facilities with spacious sites. We have plenty of space for our dogs on two stakes. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are large trees that provide a lot of shade for the campground. There are play grounds for the kids. It is along a river for fishing and bird watching.


Guide to Runnells

Camping near Runnells, 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 several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: Ledges State Park Campground is a popular spot for hiking. 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." The scenic trails are perfect for both summer and winter hikes.
  • Water Activities: At Rock Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy a no-wake lake with boat and kayak rentals. A reviewer noted, "The campground area is clean. Showers and toilets are clean. The RV section of campground was nearly full but the tent/non-hook up section had lots of space."
  • Family Fun: Jester County Park offers a variety of activities, including airsoft gun and archery ranges. One camper shared, "Campgrounds amazing views airsoft gun and archery ranges snowshoeing equestrians and cross-country skiing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Rock Creek State Park Campground said, "Clean facilities."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds, like Cherry Glen Campground, offer spacious sites. One camper remarked, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff. At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, a reviewer 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 visitor at Ledges State Park Campground noted, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected."
  • Busy During Peak Season: Many campgrounds can get crowded, especially in summer. One camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground is busy in the summer months."
  • Reservations Recommended: Some campgrounds, like Prairie Flower Recreation Area, require reservations, especially during peak times. A camper advised, "You must reserve these sites in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds and Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and family-friendly activities. Jester County Park has a kids' playground and hiking trails, making it a great spot for families. One camper said, "The campgrounds are great; the facilities are amazing."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites to give kids room to play. A visitor at Cherry Glen Campground mentioned, "Some sites are close together, but generally spacious."
  • Plan for Meals: Bring easy-to-cook meals or check if the campground has food options. At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, a camper noted, "Pizza on site is excellent and you can order it ahead for your arrival."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Walnut Woods State Park Campground said, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground features. At Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground, a camper mentioned, "Some sites have full hookups, ours had only electrical."
  • Be Prepared for Narrow Roads: Some campgrounds have narrow roads, so be cautious when maneuvering. A visitor at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "The road around the campground is paved, but very narrow."

Camping near Runnells, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy a fantastic outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Runnells, IA?

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

What parks are near Runnells, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Runnells, IA that allow camping, notably Lake Red Rock and Saylorville Lake.