Best Campgrounds near Ogden, IA

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Ogden, IA has a lot to offer. Ogden is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. You're sure to find the perfect campground for your Ogden camping trip.

Best Camping Sites Near Ogden, Iowa (85)

    1. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    8 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. Swede Point Park

    13 Reviews
    Madrid, IA
    14 miles
    Website

    "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."

    "Nice little camp ground with easy access to the high trestle bike trail"

    3. Spring Lake County Park

    9 Reviews
    Jefferson, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 738-5069

    $20 / night

    "There are campsites along the lake with easy access to shoreline. There are approximately 100 sites. There is a playground and disc golf. There is a roller rink and a concession stand."

    "Plenty of camping spaces, some right next to the lake. Swimming area, concession stand, boat rentals, and even a skating rink on the weekends. My favorite childhood camping spot."

    4. Jester County Park

    29 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    22 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."

    5. Don Williams Park

    4 Reviews
    Ogden, IA
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 353-4237

    $12 - $20 / night

    "Went kayaking on lake and then on Des Moines River (close by). Nice wildlife areas, hiking, fishing, etc. Pleasant staff."

    "Very quite and nice campground, we camped on top of the hill in tents it was awesome view and potable drinking water next to camp, bathrooms and shower facilities was clean and nice"

    6. Sportsman Park

    2 Reviews
    Minburn, IA
    16 miles
    Website

    $18 / night

    "Set off the road a bit in a tiny little town in Iowa, it's along a river and very close to the Raccoon River Valley Trail, an 89 mile loop trail (paved) that goes through several towns and counties."

    7. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    27 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."

    8. North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

    9 Reviews
    Lehigh, IA
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 543-8298

    $16 - $24 / night

    "Hitching posts behind each site which we enjoyed seeing. The roads inside the campground were all asphalt so lots of bikers enjoying rides around the grounds."

    "Camped here in order to be close to Fort Dodge first thing in the morning.  I stayed in the Beach Campground.  It's not on the beach, but close to it.  There are 3 total campgrounds in the park. "

    10. Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Lehigh, IA
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 359-2539

    $15 - $18 / night

    "Nice clean park, if passing through Iowa it's a nice overnight. A little loud if tent camping. Area not large enough to separate hard shell campers and tent campers."

    "We LOVE the hiking trails. Some can be a pretty good workout & steep for a 61 year old, but they are do-able & have resting benches a long the way."

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Showing results 1-10 of 85 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Ogden, IA

405 Reviews of 85 Ogden Campgrounds



Guide to Ogden

Camping near Ogden, IA, 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 explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Enjoy scenic trails at Ledges State Park Campground. One camper mentioned, "The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals."
  • Fishing: Head to Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground for some fishing fun. A visitor shared, "Clean, level sites, close to fishing, it was fun watching the water come through the dam."
  • Biking: The area around Jester County Park is great for biking. One review noted, "The campgrounds are great; the facilities are amazing they have airsoft ranges or tree ranges snowshoeing cross-country skiing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and shower stalls at Lake Anita State Park Campground. A reviewer said, "Clean restrooms & shower stalls. Water. Playground. Friendly & helpful campground host."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the roomy sites at Cherry Glen Campground. One camper 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 visitor remarked, "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 aware that some campgrounds, like Ledges State Park Campground, have poor cell coverage. A camper 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 at popular spots like Lake Anita State Park Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds, including Prairie Flower Recreation Area, require reservations, especially during weekends. A visitor advised, "You must reserve these sites in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds, like Jester County Park. A reviewer said, "CG has a kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course and nature center."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Choose campgrounds that offer various activities. One camper at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground mentioned, "The lake is beautiful and the path around it is in great shape!"
  • Safety Precautions: Be cautious about leaving food out at night. A camper 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:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites, like Walnut Woods State Park Campground. A reviewer noted, "Sites are paved and mostly level, although we did have to throw a couple of blocks under one side of our TT tires."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure the campground has a dump station. A camper at Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground mentioned, "Dump station and water fill in the back."
  • Electric Hookups: Check for electric hookups, especially if you have a larger rig. A visitor at Des Moines West KOA Holiday said, "Gravel sites require some leveling. Not much privacy between sites nor shade."

Camping near Ogden, IA, has something for everyone, from families to seasoned RVers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Ogden, IA?

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

What parks are near Ogden, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 parks near Ogden, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.