Best Campgrounds near Madrid, IA

Looking for the best campgrounds near Madrid, IA? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Madrid is surrounded by family-friendly activities. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Madrid camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Madrid, Iowa (87)

    1. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 432-1852

    $12 - $25 / night

    "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."

    2. Jester County Park

    29 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    7 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."

    3. Swede Point Park

    13 Reviews
    Madrid, IA
    2 miles
    Website

    "Just a few minutes drive to High Trestle Bridge and right off the river. People were accommodating and friendly. Right between Madrid and Woodward with small town conveniences…"

    "We camped here to be close to the Iowa High Trestle Trail for bicycling and it's very handy for that. Nothing fancy, but has plenty of sites, flush toilets and showers available."

    4. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 984-6925

    $20 - $336 / night

    "The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."

    "Lots of prairie area around, spacious sites. Varying levels of shade. A25, had a good amount of shade and was near the nice playground and nice bathrooms. No view of the lake from loop A."

    5. Acorn Valley

    11 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0429

    $14 - $84 / night

    "Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."

    "Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."

    6. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 964-8792

    $24 - $26 / night

    "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."

    7. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0873

    $22 - $26 / night

    "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."

    8. Timberline Campground

    13 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    21 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."

    9. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    21 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."

    10. Des Moines West KOA Holiday

    22 Reviews
    Earlham, IA
    27 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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 87 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Madrid, IA

460 Reviews of 87 Madrid Campgrounds



Guide to Madrid

Camping near Madrid, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do

  • Hiking: Explore the 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 and Boating: At Lake Anita State Park Campground, you can enjoy fishing and boating. A camper shared, "Great location, good facilities... Plenty of space in tent area - shade and soft grass."
  • Wildlife Watching: Rock Creek State Park Campground is perfect for spotting wildlife. One reviewer noted, "Beautiful scenery with lake front camping. Sunset over the lake!"

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of restrooms and showers. A visitor at Jester County Park said, "Showers are hot every time; it’s a wonderful place to be."
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer large, well-spaced sites. A reviewer at Yellow Banks County Park mentioned, "Large spacious sites with a fire ring and picnic table."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. One camper at Des Moines West KOA Holiday said, "Staff is one of the nicest and most helpful we've ever encountered."

What you should know

  • Cell Service: If you rely on your phone, be aware that cell coverage can be spotty. 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 Seasons: Expect crowds during peak summer months. One camper at Lake Anita State Park Campground mentioned, "A bit noisy when I stayed (people playing loud music into the evening)."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds may not have all the amenities you expect. A reviewer at Bob Shelter Recreation Area said, "There were electrical hookups, but no water."

Tips for camping with families

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. Jester County Park has a kids' playground, making it a great spot for families.
  • Nature Trails: Choose campgrounds with nearby hiking trails for family adventures. One camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Found a great trail to hike."
  • Safety Precautions: Keep an eye on your belongings, especially at Yellow Banks County Park, where a camper warned, "Other campers warned us not to leave anything out at night because teenagers come through sometimes looking for stuff to steal."

Tips from RVers

  • Level Sites: Make sure to check for level sites to avoid issues with your RV. A visitor at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
  • Dump Stations: Look for campgrounds with dump stations for convenience. One camper at Des Moines West KOA Holiday appreciated, "Dump station is at the entrance of the CG."
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your campground has the right hookups for your RV. A reviewer at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Campground has some 30 amp and some 50 amp sites."

Camping near Madrid, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're a family looking for fun or an RVer seeking convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Madrid, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Madrid, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.

What parks are near Madrid, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Madrid, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.