The camping spots near Guthrie Center, Iowa sit in the rolling hills of central Iowa's Western Corn Belt Plains region, approximately 60 miles west of Des Moines. Most campgrounds in the area rest between 1,100 and 1,300 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures typically ranging from 60°F at night to 85°F during daytime. Cell phone reception varies significantly across the region, with some campgrounds offering no service whatsoever.
What to do
Hiking and walking trails: Springbrook State Park Campground features multiple hiking trails through mature forests. "Springbrook State Park is beautiful. It is surrounded by mature forests and is very clean with amenities for all types of campers," writes Matt S., who recommends the park for weekend camping trips.
Disconnecting from technology: Several camping areas provide an opportunity to truly unplug. At Springbrook State Park Campground, one camper noted, "You'll love this little park if you want to really disconnect and get away from things as there was absolutely 0 cell reception where we were at."
Fishing and boating: Lake Anita State Park Campground offers a 171-acre lake for various water activities. A camper mentioned, "The lake is beautiful, and we also saw people boating, kayaking, and fishing. Although swimming is also allowed, the beach was not the best for this activity."
What campers like
Diverse camping setups: Springbrook State Park Campground offers flexibility with 25% of sites designated as walk-in. "I stayed there last year and am going back this year. It's a very nice park with several hiking trails. They have 25% of their sites designated as walk in sites," says Dean D., highlighting the options for different camping preferences.
Affordable rates: Casey City Park provides budget-friendly camping options. "This campground is part of a city park. It is far enough off I80 that you don't hear the traffic at night... Best part, it was only $10," notes Heather G., emphasizing the value for overnight stays.
Clean facilities: Littlefield Rec Area maintains well-kept grounds and facilities. One camper described it as a "Very clean campground, lots of shade trees and full hook ups," while another noted it's "Quiet, zero traffic noise. Campsites spread out over 4 campgrounds."
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Most campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, especially for city parks. For Casey City Park, Robert G. advises, "Follow the signs to 'camping'. There was nobody there and a pretty awesome playground for the kids."
Off-grid considerations: Several campgrounds have limited or no cell service. At Lenon Mill Park, one reviewer observed the tent section "offers fairly large sites, and views of the river," adding that "Electricity at these sites appears to be brand new."
Noise levels: Train tracks near some campgrounds can affect your experience. For Menlo City Park Campground, one reviewer warned, "Train comes through around 3 and 5am blowing its horn for 10 seconds. You're also surrounded by homes so you hear the families and their dogs."
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds have limited operations outside summer. Ryan S. shared his experience at Lenon Mill Park: "I stayed here one night while I was traveling. It was a Saturday so the campground was kind of busy. People shouting and loud music."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Casey City Park features excellent facilities for children. Melissa K. shared, "It also had a magnificent playground. My kids had been cooped up for two days and needed to run off some pent up energy and this was perfect."
Nature education: Some parks offer educational opportunities for children. At Springbrook State Park, Therese T. reported, "They had a little nature center which was closed but the nice lady opened it for my kids to go in and let them hold snakes and turtles! They were so excited!"
Weekend activities: Des Moines West KOA Holiday offers structured programs for families. "There are many organized weekend activities for families," mentions Debra G., while another visitor noted, "Lots for kids to do! The pool was up and running perfect! They even had a dunk tank which was pretty funny!"
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Several campgrounds feature close quarters for RVs. At Lake Anita State Park, Deb W. observed, "Nice state park with all the amenities, but this State Park definitely needs to be updated to accommodate the bigger and wider campers. If you like to be on top of each other, this is your campground!"
Hookup access: Nations Bridge Park provides essential hookups with convenient access. Christy Y. noted, "The lower camp zone looks like it floods easily and was pretty muddy, so we opted for a nice level spot in the upper section. 50 amp plug in, fire rings, picnic tables, great park for our 3 year old."
Power pedestal locations: Some campgrounds have unusual utility arrangements. Ryan S. pointed out at Lenon Mill Park, "The power pedestals are far back from the parking pad for some reason. If you back all the way into your spot or if you have a long cord you should be fine."
