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Best Campgrounds near Mingo, IA

499 Reviews

Camping in the Mingo, Iowa area centers around several county parks and recreation areas, providing opportunities for tent camping, RV sites, and even cabin accommodations. Ashton Wildwood Park in Mingo offers spacious primitive tent sites surrounded by woodland, while Thomas Mitchell County Park in nearby Mitchellville provides electric hookups and more developed facilities. The region includes a mix of established campgrounds with amenities like showers and drinking water, alongside more rustic options with basic facilities. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few offering cabin rentals for those seeking additional comfort.

Many campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, typically from April through October or November, though exact dates vary by location. The camping season generally aligns with Iowa's mild spring through fall weather patterns, with most facilities closing during winter months. Campers should check individual campground calendars when planning trips outside summer months. Reservation policies differ between parks - Thomas Mitchell County Park and Yellow Banks County Park accept reservations, while others like Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt operate on a first-come, first-served basis. As one camper noted about Ashton Wildwood Park, "The sites are very spacious, could easily accommodate multiple tents. The park was easy to navigate even after dark."

Several visitors highlight the natural features that enhance camping experiences in the area. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt receives praise for its water access and trail system, with a reviewer mentioning it has "great trails and is between Altoona, Ankeny and Bondurant." Ashton Wildwood Park stands out for its secluded woodland setting and observatory, with campers appreciating its quiet atmosphere and spacious sites. Thomas Mitchell County Park features creek access that campers enjoy, with one visitor describing it as "a great place to go tent camping, very clean and quiet" with "easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off." Most campgrounds in the region maintain clean facilities and offer amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to natural features like fishing ponds, creeks, and hiking trails.

Map showing campgrounds near Mingo, IowaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Mingo, Iowa (99)

    1. Thomas Mitchell County Park

    11 Reviews
    Mitchellville, IA
    10 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."

    2. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

    9 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    8 miles
    Website

    "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!"

    3. Ashton Wildwood Park

    5 Reviews
    Mingo, IA
    3 miles
    Website

    $7 / night

    "Most of the sites are tucked into the woods and very spacious.  It's only $7/night!  There is some play equipment for children. "

    "There are a couple of hiking trails in the park that are maintained. One goes to a creek and a bird watching station."

    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. Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    4 Reviews
    Mingo, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 478-6272

    $15 / night

    "They have porta potties around. Two places to launch kayaks. Most campsites have fire rings, picnic tables and trash bins. Some have grills."

    6. Yellow Banks County Park

    15 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    18 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."

    7. Newton KOA

    10 Reviews
    Kellogg, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (641) 792-2428

    "Newton KOA

    This is the primary location for camping in Newton. It’s right off interstate I-80 and is very close to the Iowa Speedway."

    "In fact, this campground outpost is so close to the highway that you’ll be hard pressed not to see or hear it during your entire stay."

    8. Adventureland Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    13 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."

    9. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    21 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."

    10. Jester County Park

    30 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    26 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"

    "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."

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Recent Reviews near Mingo, IA

499 Reviews of 99 Mingo Campgrounds

  • Kara S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Eagle City County Park

    Could be lovely but creeped me out

    Liked the spot by the lake and we could have been the only ones there but we noticed a few things on the way to the site that was unsettling and then we were followed in by a truck that just went to the end of the loop then left, with the driver and passenger obviously not wanting to be seen. Weirded me out so we left. Felt unsafe.

  • 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.

Guide to Mingo

Camping near Mingo, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. From scenic views to family-friendly activities, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the 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 Rock Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy a no-wake lake perfect for kayaking and fishing. A reviewer noted, “Boat and kayak rental and a small store with basic necessities. Campground has some 30 amp and some 50 amp sites.”
  • Wildlife Watching: Prairie Flower Recreation Area is a great spot for spotting local wildlife. One camper shared, “Large level gravel pad driveways surrounded by beautiful prairie grass.”

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A visitor at Walnut Woods State Park Campground said, “The bathrooms were modern and clean.”
  • Spacious Sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A reviewer 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. One camper at Timberline Campground said, “Marta and crew were so friendly and helpful!”

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 in the summer. A reviewer at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, “The campground area is clean... but the RV section of campground was nearly full.”
  • No Showers at Some Sites: Not all campgrounds have shower facilities. A camper at Bob Shelter Recreation Area pointed out, “We didn’t use the bathroom/shower house, but I walked into one to check it out and it was outdated.”

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. At Jester County Park, one reviewer said, “The campground has a kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course and nature center.”
  • Plan for Activities: Choose a campground that offers various activities. A camper at Yellow Banks County Park mentioned, “Lots of shade, fairly level sites, clean bathrooms, right off river with boat access.”
  • Safety First: Keep an eye on your belongings. A visitor at Yellow Banks County Park 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:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, “The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine.”
  • Look for Full Hookups: If you need them, check for campgrounds with full hookups. A camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, “Campground has some 30 amp and some 50 amp sites.”
  • Arrive Early: To secure a good spot, try to arrive early. A visitor at Timberline Campground said, “We called ahead to see if they had sites available that night.”

Camping near Mingo, Iowa, has a lot to offer, from beautiful parks to friendly communities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Mingo, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Mingo, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 99 campgrounds and RV parks near Mingo, IA and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Mingo, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Mingo, IA is Thomas Mitchell County Park with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Mingo, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Mingo, IA.

What parks are near Mingo, IA?

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

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