Best Campgrounds near Pleasant Hill, IA

Searching for the best camping near Pleasant Hill, IA? Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Pleasant Hill, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. You're sure to find the perfect spot for your Iowa camping adventure.

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Best Camping Sites Near Pleasant Hill, Iowa (106)

    1. Yellow Banks County Park

    15 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    3 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."

    2. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    6 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."

    3. Thomas Mitchell County Park

    11 Reviews
    Mitchellville, IA
    8 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."

    4. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    12 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."

    5. Jester County Park

    30 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    19 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."

    6. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    14 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."

    7. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 285-4502

    $25 - $38 / night

    "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."

    8. Adventureland Campground

    9 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    5 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. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    13 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."

    10. Iowa State Fairgrounds

    5 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 262-3111

    "The Iowa State Fair is the best fair in the world with more than a million visitors every year! There is something for everyone in the family."

    "I always loved going here when I lived in Iowa! The State Fair was a blast! Being able to actually stay there made it that much better!!"

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Recent Reviews near Pleasant Hill, IA

493 Reviews of 106 Pleasant Hill Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • Jerry V.
    Jul. 17, 2025

    Colfax Quarry Springs Park

    Well Maintaned & Good Fishing

    I stayed at site #13 with my two boys.  We had a blast.  I would highly recommend site #13.  It had plenty of space for a large tent and canopy.  It had a nice access spot for fishing.  The new restroom/shower facility was very nice and clean.  Most sites are pretty sandy as this was an old quarry so be prepared for that.  There was also company on-site that rents Kayaks.  The campground manager was extremely helpful.  He had firewood already staged for $7 and even came back on day two with more firewood for the same fee.

  • Ryan M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 9, 2025

    Don Williams Park

    Beautiful park

    Great sites right on the lake. Trails, fishing and beautiful lake views.

  • J
    Jul. 8, 2025

    River Oaks RV Park

    Clean & quiet

    Made a quick trip here to de how the new puppy likes camping. Nice size campground, sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6’ hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site. Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks.

    Free WiFi was good; we streamed tv. It did freeze a few times but hard to tell if it was the WiFi or the provider.

    A new bath house, community room, and “shop” is being built. Bath house & laundry are complete. Very nice and spotless.

    The camp is quiet and well maintained.

  • Tiffany K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Howell Station

    Laid-back Campground

    This campground has great facilities with spacious sites. We have plenty of space for our dogs on two stakes. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There are large trees that provide a lot of shade for the campground. There are play grounds for the kids. It is along a river for fishing and bird watching.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Shady Brook Camping & RV Adventures, LLC

    Excellent spot!

    We looked at the other reviews and it talked about it being so close to the freeway, but we didn’t hear a sound. It was really in a good perimeter of trees and lots of shade and level camp spots. We thought this was a nice little spot and a great price.


Guide to Pleasant Hill

Camping near Pleasant Hill, Iowa, offers a great mix of outdoor fun and relaxation. With several campgrounds nearby, you can find the perfect spot to enjoy nature and make lasting memories.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore 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 and Boating: At Rock Creek State Park Campground, you can rent boats and kayaks. A visitor noted, "The lake is pretty, it's right there at the campground. Boat, kayak and canoe rentals seemed reasonable."
  • Wildlife Watching: Prairie Flower Recreation Area is a great spot for spotting local wildlife. One reviewer shared, "The whole park was the cleanest we have seen anywhere else."

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 roomy sites. A camper at Cherry Glen Campground mentioned, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campground staff often receive high praise. One reviewer at Des Moines West KOA Holiday said, "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 prepared for spotty coverage. A camper 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 summer. A visitor at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground area is clean...but the RV section of campground was nearly full."
  • Reservations Recommended: Some campgrounds fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper at Prairie Flower Recreation Area advised, "Note that you must reserve these sites in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Many campgrounds have playgrounds for kids. A reviewer at Jester County Park mentioned, "CG has a kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course, and nature center."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities. One camper at Bob Shelter Recreation Area said, "Clean, level sites, close to fishing, it was fun watching the water come through the dam."
  • Safety Precautions: Keep an eye on your belongings, especially at night. 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:

  • Leveling Sites: Some sites may require leveling. A camper at Des Moines West KOA Holiday noted, "Gravel sites require some leveling. Not much privacy between sites nor shade."
  • Dump Stations: Check for dump stations before you arrive. A reviewer at Walnut Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "There is a bathroom, trash dumpsters, and a dump station with both potable and tank cleanout water spigots."
  • Electric Hookups: Ensure your site has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Rock Creek State Park Campground shared, "Campground has some 30 amp and some 50 amp sites."

Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, the campgrounds near Pleasant Hill, IA, have something for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Pleasant Hill, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Pleasant Hill, IA is Yellow Banks County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 15 reviews.

What parks are near Pleasant Hill, IA?

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