92 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Jester County Park accommodates pets at both tent and RV sites, with cabin options also accepting dogs. Campers find electric hookups, drinking water, and fire rings at most pet-friendly sites near Huxley. The park maintains accessible restrooms and shower facilities, with picnic tables available at each campsite. Prairie Flower Recreation Area and Cherry Glen Campground permit pets throughout their grounds, maintaining clean facilities that are inspected twice daily. Ledges State Park Campground offers additional pet-friendly accommodations with full hookup options including 30/50-amp electric service. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash policies requiring dogs to be on leads no longer than six feet when outside vehicles or tents, though specific pet waste disposal stations may be limited.
Designated hiking trails throughout Saylorville Lake's recreation areas provide excellent opportunities for exercising dogs on-leash. The campground at Prairie Flower features large, level concrete pads with ample spacing between sites, creating comfortable environments for camping with pets. Some sites in the Coneflower loop offer lake views with a short walking trail to the beach area. Seasonal considerations affect pet camping options, as Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt closes during fall and winter months with no advance notice posted online. The proximity to Des Moines means convenient access to veterinary services and pet supply stores approximately 20-30 minutes from most campgrounds. Many sites require advance reservations, particularly at popular destinations like Prairie Flower where bookings six months ahead are recommended during peak season.
"There was four of us and a dog."
"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."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
"One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."
from $18 - $38 / night
Check Availability"The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."
"The only down side of this was the grass was really long so it was bad when taking the dog out in the evenings or mornings. You would come back in with a soaked dog and wet feet."
from $20 - $336 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"We stayed here for two nights while visiting family nearby. It’s a pretty location with the dam and waterway right there. The sites are well spaced."
"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."
from $22 - $26 / night
Check Availability"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
Check Availability"Next to skunk river oxbows, kayak, no swimming, water stagnant, no fish, about 4ft depth everywhere. Great hiking trails, clean, great camp hosts, ranger. All sites first come."
"We haven't camped here, but have seen that the tent areas are right next to the water. Super serene with great hiking trails and bird watching!"
"My niece lives in Desert Moines and it was a short drive for her to come for a visit and bring some local, delicious tacos for dinner. We will definitely consider this spot next time through!"
"Lots of trees for shade but the lake has trails and a swimming beach with watercraft rentals. Truly a hidden gem in central Iowa!"
"Got to the campground around 6pm on a Friday and no one was at the primitive campground which was nice. The picnic table and fire ring were clean and in good condition."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"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."
GuideI just loved this campground. It has shade trees, grass, free showers and lots of room. 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 was well worth the 20 mile drive off I80. If I had known how m=nice this area was, I would have planned better and stayed here for more than one night.
RangerThis campground has many sites to choose from - RV with hookups as well as some non-electric tent sites. There are quite a few activities in Marshalltown, and it is within the Marshalltown city limits.
The downside is proximity. It is right next to the highway. When I was there in a tent, the hog trucks would drive by all night (loud and smelly). The RV sites are closest to the road, so maybe it is not so bad in an RV, but it is not particularly enjoyable in a tent.
Pros:
+ Marshalltown has quite a few places to eat
+ Nice bike trails (and a great bicycle store downtown)
+ It is near the Iowa River
+ Nice park in general with activities like a dog park
+ Camp host on-site
+ Decent sized campsites
+ Playground for the kids
Cons:
+ It can get busy on a summer weekend
+ Noisy - right by the highway
+ Mosquitos are really bad here
GuideOne 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.
ScoutOne of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites. The hike in spots are great if you like privacy and being in the middle of the woods - but you don’t want to be THAT far from your car.
Beware of the raccoons. They’re plentiful and crazy smart here. We had one open our cooler, steal an egg from the cartoon - without disturbing anything else. Honestly, I was impressed! But some of our friends had them rip through their tents to get at food - not as impressive.
TravelerIn a grove of trees in a slightly hilly area. Easy access, but sites are gravel. Nice bit of grass with each site, most are at least partially shaded. Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass.
GuideSome full hook ups, sites not very level, playground ok. Can hear shots from gun range next door. Dog park, pool, arcade. We have camped here a couple times, and stored our rig here for a while. Didn't find there was that much going on here to keep us busy. Not a lot of nature, no trails or biking accessible from campground.
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.
TravelerThe campground was nice, but it seems more for RVs. Sometimes you have to share a fire pit with other tents if it's busy. They have a small petting zoo and a small beach. This place feels more like a neighborhood verses camping in nature. Most people use this as a "summer home".
LegendFollowing up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in rural Iowa.
Highs: (1) Quick& EZ access from I-80 via Exit 173; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Very EZ check-in process; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are like brand new; (7) If you get hungry, this CG and fueling station has an imbedded Iowa’s Best Burger Café that does live up to its name; (8) There’s also an embedded Amoco gas station and mini-mart; (9) Spectacularly clean and recently refurbished bathrooms & shower facilities; (10) There’s a small launderette here, which was bonus; (11) Should you visit in the summer, you will benefit from being surrounded by 6 foot tall corn fields that will provide greater privacy and better scenery
Lows: (1) You are just 30 seconds north of I-80, the busiest highway in Iowa;(2) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic from the highway into this place, so apart from the fact that you're clear out in the boondocks, you are next to the very heavily trafficked I80, so it’s difficult to feel 100% safe & secure here; (3) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees (welcome to corn country), bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (4) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so while this isn't exactly Florida, if you're here during the hot summer months, you should bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you are OK being surrounded by RVs with absolutely no privacy in the open interior; and (7) Apart from FHUs and a decent shower / restroom in the middle of the CG and a small laundry in the NW, there’s not much here in the way of amenities
Happy Camping!
Camping near Huxley, Iowa provides access to multiple watersheds including Saylorville Lake and the Skunk River. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 830-900 feet, with terrain featuring a mix of prairie restoration areas and riparian woodlands. Fall camping season typically extends through late October, though several campgrounds like Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt close after Labor Day without advance notice online.
Fishing opportunities: At Jester County Park, visitors can fish at several locations including the main lake and a dedicated fishing pond. "Good fishing nice open areas and trails to explore. Lots of cool kid activities. Buffalo ranch near by which is cool as well as Pingora outdoor supply store near by where you can purchase firewood and other camp supplies," notes Luke C.
Wildlife viewing: The Ledges State Park Campground offers significant elevation changes unusual for central Iowa, providing excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. "The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them! It's also fun for kids to take a dip in. They have a fun 'eagles view' point that overlooks the ledges," reports Jennifer M.
Water recreation: During summer months, multiple lakes provide kayaking and canoeing options with rentals available seasonally. "The park has been closed since January 2018, but it scheduled to re-open in January of 2019. Here is a link to a local story explaining the closure and flooding and the schedule to re-open the park," shared Matt S. about Ledges State Park in a previous closure, demonstrating how water levels significantly impact recreation opportunities.
Privacy and space: Many campsites at Prairie Flower Recreation Area offer seclusion despite the campground's size. "Spacious spots. Some are concrete pads. Near a lake. Playgrounds. Very clean shower houses. We are camp here often," says Tracy V. Sites in the outer loops provide more separation between neighboring campers.
Clean facilities: Cherry Glen Campground maintains excellent bathroom facilities according to campers. "Went in without a reservation. No problem. Pleasantly surprised to find out it's an Army Corps of Engineers park; meaning if you have a annual National Parks pass, you get a discount. Didn't know that. We paid $11 for a tent site," writes Patti M., noting both the accessibility and value.
Well-maintained grounds: Pet-friendly camping near Huxley includes sites with consistent maintenance standards. "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," states Jim S. about Jester Park, highlighting the investment in infrastructure that benefits campers with pets.
Weather impacts: The Des Moines River watershed campgrounds experience frequent flooding that can alter access. "The area does not have a ton of shade - so be weary in the middle of summer," notes Elizabeth A. about Bob Shelter Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: Summer weekends typically require reservations 2-6 months in advance at most campgrounds near Huxley that accept pets. "The Des Moines area has a fairly large camping population - because of this, reservations are usually necessary," explains Elizabeth A.
Tent access challenges: Several campgrounds have challenging tent site arrangements. "If you want to tent camp, bring a cart or something to haul everything with. The parking lot is a LONG WAY from any private tent site. Youth group camp, the ones with all the energy and strength, is next to parking lot. That's messed up," warns Lena H. about Ledges State Park.
Playground access: When camping with kids, choose sites near recreational facilities. At Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, "We parked at a site by the playground and bathhouse, and could sit at our camper and watch our son play at a safe distance," shares Dana K.
Wildlife encounters: Prepare for nocturnal visitors, especially if camping with pets. "Campsites are well kept and clean. Bathrooms are immaculate and cleaned every day. Biggest downside is the resident raccoons. Come out every night to rummage through possible food options. Secure your food and they're no problem unless you're a light sleeper," warns John F.
Activity alternatives: When water levels are too low for swimming or boating, several campgrounds offer alternative activities. "The park is generally well maintained but we also found no fewer than a dozen batteries in our firepit and around our site. Some trails have weird unmarked forks that should be marked," notes Megan M., emphasizing the importance of checking trail conditions when planning activities with children.
Dump station timing: Plan Sunday departures carefully due to limited facilities. "Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on a Sunday is a good 1 hour wait...that's being generous! I hate going there knowing that instead of getting to enjoy Sunday - I'll be busy draining my pooper," warns Elizabeth A. about Prairie Flower.
Electric-only considerations: Most pet-friendly camping near Huxley provides electric hookups only. "This is a lovely spot. We stayed at spot 20 which was extra wide, concrete pad with electric hook up. No water or sewer. Spot 20 is at the end which makes it very private with nice large grassy area adjacent to wooded area," reports Wendy H.
Site selection strategy: For maximum privacy with pets, target specific loops and areas. "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. Our favorite spot to camp is 410 and 409. It's a secluded area within the 400s that is lined with trees on one side and a drop off into the Saylorville water circuit on the other," recommends Larissa C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Huxley, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Huxley, IA is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Huxley, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 92 dog-friendly camping locations near Huxley, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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