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Ledges State Park Campground and Jester County Park accommodate campers with pets across various site types including tents, RVs, and cabins. At Jester Park, the campground enforces standard leash requirements while providing spacious sites with plenty of room for dogs to rest alongside their owners. The park features multiple loops with some sites offering more privacy than others, particularly in the 400s area which provides more seclusion for pets that need quiet spaces. Both campgrounds maintain clean facilities with Jester Park's bathrooms noted for being exceptionally well-maintained. Each campsite includes fire rings and picnic tables where dogs can relax with their families during meals. Multiple reviewers note that despite being a popular destination, Jester Park remains relatively quiet, creating a peaceful environment for pets that may be sensitive to noise. Camping photos and user guides for Madrid, Iowa are available on The Dyrt.
Extensive hiking trails throughout both parks give dog owners ample opportunity for exercise with their pets. Jester Park's trail network connects to various areas including access to Saylorville Lake where dogs can cool off during warmer months. The park's natural playscape area provides additional exploration opportunities, though dogs should remain leashed near wildlife viewing areas featuring bison and elk. Campers staying multiple nights appreciate the park's accessible water spigots for refilling dog water bowls. The surrounding region offers several pet-friendly activities with nearby Des Moines just 15 minutes away for emergency veterinary services if needed. Temperature fluctuations can affect pets differently than humans, particularly during summer months when the campground's shaded sites become especially valuable for dog comfort.
"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"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"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"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"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"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"Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass."
"If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at!"
from $35 - $80 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
"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!"
"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."
from $25 - $40 / night
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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.
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.
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.
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!
Madrid, Iowa camping areas combine woodland settings with prairie landscapes at elevations ranging from 830 to 1,000 feet. The region experiences distinct seasons with summer highs averaging 86°F and winter lows reaching 14°F. Many campgrounds connect to the central Iowa trail system, creating accessible recreation options throughout the Des Moines River valley.
River fishing access: Walnut Woods State Park offers good catfishing along the Raccoon River. A local reviewer noted, "Its sits on the Raccoon River and has good catfishing. Nice trail that is aproximately 1.5 miles long that goes along the river." The park maintains several fishing access points that remain accessible even during weekday visits.
Visit wildlife viewing areas: Jester County Park features a bison and elk viewing area, though sightings require patience. "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," shares reviewer jim S. The nature center provides information about wildlife viewing opportunities and local conservation efforts.
Explore sandstone formations: Ledges State Park Campground offers unique geological features uncommon in Iowa. "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," explains reviewer Tom S. The park's hiking trails include stone steps and elevation changes unusual for the region.
Modern facilities: Prairie Flower Recreation Area maintains exceptionally clean bathhouses. A camper reports, "This is a very large campground with lots of sites and large group camping areas. The bathrooms and shower house are nice and clean." The campground offers multiple loops with varying amenities and proximity to Saylorville Lake.
Quick access to Saylorville Lake: Cherry Glen Campground provides convenient water recreation options. "Cherry Glen is very clean and well managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is one of the main campgrounds that service Saylorville Lake," notes Matt S. Sites 111-116 and 72-78 offer better lake views than other locations in the campground.
Secluded camping options: Acorn Valley's tent sites provide privacy for pet owners seeking quieter settings. "We're big fans of Acorn Valley. It's quiet and there is plenty of shade in the tent camping area. The tent sites lead to some small trails which end at the riverbed," says Russ G., highlighting the natural exploration opportunities accessible directly from campsites.
Seasonal flooding affects access: Several campgrounds experience periodic closures due to Des Moines River flooding. One camper at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "Always full. Floods with lots of rain but still great. No showers." Checking current conditions before arrival prevents disappointment, especially during spring and early summer.
Campground seasonal variations: Operating seasons vary significantly between parks. Bob Shelter Recreation Area runs May 1 to September 30, while Prairie Flower operates May 1 to October 20, and Ledges stays open April 1 to December 31. Some campers find unexpected closures: "I tried to stay at Acorn Valley to find out it is closed after Labor Day. Bummer."
Reservation requirements: Most popular campgrounds require advance planning. One camper advised about Prairie Flower: "This campground is a hot spot for Des Moines to escape the weekend - with that said, reservations are a must! Most times you need to make them six months out."
Accessible playground facilities: Acorn Valley offers strategic campsites near play areas. One parent shared, "Nice and well maintained! 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." The playground areas feature updated equipment on well-maintained grounds.
Wildlife education opportunities: Jester Park Nature Center provides interactive learning experiences. "The Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level," notes one reviewer, making it suitable for educational family outings regardless of weather conditions.
Riverbed exploration: Several campgrounds offer safe shallow water access for children. A camper at Acorn Valley mentioned, "The tent sites lead to some small trails which end at the riverbed. Our boys love exploring here." These areas provide natural play spaces where children can observe stream ecology and wildlife.
Dump station logistics: Bob Shelter Recreation Area offers well-designed waste disposal facilities. One experienced RVer noted, "I've never been to one so thought out and efficient. Weird favorite thing but if you know you know." However, at larger campgrounds like Prairie Flower, the limited facilities create challenges: "There's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait."
Site leveling considerations: Cherry Glen Campground offers varied site conditions. "The shower houses and bathrooms are clean and well maintained. I would suggest looking for camp sites on the back side of the western loops because they have views of the lake," advises one reviewer, indicating that prime spots combine both practical amenities and scenic value.
Water hookup limitations: Some campgrounds require preparation for limited utilities. A Prairie Flower camper advised, "Not all loops are paved. A is not. But the site was pretty level, wasn't too much trouble to get our trailer backed in and leveled. No water hook ups, so fill up after you get in the campground before you park."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Madrid, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Madrid, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Madrid, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 76 dog-friendly camping locations near Madrid, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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