Best Campgrounds near Indianola, IA

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Indianola, IA has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Find the best campgrounds near Indianola, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Indianola, Iowa (116)

    1. Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Indianola, IA
    5 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."

    2. Yellow Banks County Park

    15 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    14 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."

    3. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    15 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."

    4. Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)

    10 Reviews
    Swan, IA
    12 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."

    5. Hickory Hills Park

    5 Reviews
    Woodburn, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 961-6169

    $5 / night

    6. Waterfront Cabin

    1 Review
    Carlisle, IA
    8 miles
    +1 (402) 957-6970

    $200 - $300 / night

    7. Timberline Campground

    13 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    22 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."

    8. Iowa State Fair Campgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    16 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."

    9. Iowa State Fairgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    16 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!!"

    10. River Oaks RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Runnells, IA
    13 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."

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Recent Reviews near Indianola, IA

506 Reviews of 116 Indianola Campgrounds


  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    lakeside casino resort and rv park

    Good for an overnight stop

    This is a casino campground. There are full hookups but no facilities. No trees, sites very close together. It’s essentially a parking lot with hookups.

    It’s adjacent to a truck stop and right off the interstate.

    If you are traveling I35 and it’s convenient for an overnight rest, it’s well worth the cost. Otherwise, unless the casino is your destination, find a more traditional campground

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Erik W.
    Jul. 21, 2025

    Green Valley State Park Campground

    Clean and well maintained

    July, 2017

    We stayed here for a week while working in the area.  Very nice place. Clean and well maintained.

  • 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.


Guide to Indianola

Camping near Indianola, 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 choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: Many campgrounds have great trails. At Ledges State Park Campground, one reviewer mentioned, "The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals." You can enjoy scenic views and a variety of terrains.
  • Water Activities: If you love being on the water, check out Rock Creek State Park Campground. One visitor said, "Boat and kayak rental and a small store with basic necessities" make it a great spot for water fun.
  • Wildlife Watching: Campgrounds like Yellow Banks County Park are perfect for spotting local wildlife. A camper noted, "Lots of shade, fairly level sites, clean bathrooms, right off river with boat access."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. At Jester County Park, one reviewer said, "Showers are hot every time; it’s a wonderful place to be."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy spots. A visitor at Cherry Glen Campground mentioned, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often rave about the helpful staff. At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, a guest shared, "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. One camper at Iowa Ledges State Park noted, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected."
  • Busy During Peak Season: Popular spots can get crowded. A reviewer at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground area is clean... but the RV section of campground was nearly full."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor at Prairie Flower Recreation Area advised, "You must reserve these sites in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. At Jester County Park, one camper said, "CG has a kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course, and nature center."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. A family at Des Moines West KOA Holiday enjoyed the "pedal car racetrack" available on-site.
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone fueled for fun. A camper at Bob Shetler Recreation Area mentioned, "Clean, level sites, close to fishing," making it easy to enjoy a picnic by the water.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Walnut Woods State Park noted, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
  • Leveling Gear: Bring blocks for leveling your RV. A visitor at Des Moines West KOA Holiday mentioned, "Gravel sites require some leveling."
  • Dump Stations: Know where the dump stations are located. A camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground appreciated the "dump station at the entrance of the CG."

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Indianola, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Indianola, IA is Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 13 reviews.

What parks are near Indianola, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Indianola, IA that allow camping, notably Saylorville Lake and Lake Red Rock.