Best Campgrounds near Polk City, IA

Polk City is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Polk City is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Polk City. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Polk City, Iowa (104)

    1. Jester County Park

    29 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    4 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."

    2. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    2 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."

    3. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    5 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."

    4. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    18 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."

    5. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    3 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."

    6. Acorn Valley

    11 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0429

    $14 - $84 / night

    "Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."

    "Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."

    7. Swede Point Park

    13 Reviews
    Madrid, IA
    11 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"

    8. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    12 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."

    9. Timberline Campground

    13 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 987-1714

    $35 - $80 / night

    "If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at!"

    "The site we were on is sorta blacktop but the sides have crumbled and it has a slight tilt to it so stepping down out of the camper was tricky as your feet tend to slide in the loose rocks."

    10. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

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

    $23 - $25 / 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."

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Recent Reviews near Polk City, IA

511 Reviews of 104 Polk City Campgrounds



Guide to Polk City

Camping near Polk City, Iowa, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun family adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Enjoy scenic 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: Head to Lake Anita State Park Campground for fishing and boating. A camper shared, "Great location, good facilities... Plenty of space in tent area - shade and soft grass."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Rock Creek State Park Campground, you can spot various wildlife. One reviewer noted, "Beautiful scenery with lake front camping. Sunset over the lake!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the 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 large, well-spaced sites. A reviewer at Yellow Banks County Park mentioned, "Large spacious sites with a fire ring and picnic table."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often rave about the helpful staff. One camper 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, especially in summer. One visitor at Lake Anita State Park Campground mentioned, "A bit noisy when I stayed (people playing loud music into the evening)."
  • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly, so it’s best to book in advance. A camper at Prairie Flower Recreation Area advised, "You must reserve these sites in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. Jester County Park has a playground, making it a great choice for families. One parent said, "Kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course, and nature center."
  • Nature Trails: Choose campgrounds with easy access to trails for family hikes. A visitor at Rock Creek State Park Campground mentioned, "Found a great trail to hike, also the opportunity to rent a boat or paddleboard."
  • Safety Precautions: Keep an eye on your belongings. 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 pads for easier setup. A reviewer at Des Moines West KOA Holiday noted, "Gravel sites require some leveling."
  • Dump Stations: Ensure the campground has a dump station. A camper at Bob Shelter Recreation Area mentioned, "Dump station and water fill in the back."
  • Electric Hookups: Check for electric hookups if you need them. A visitor at Walnut Woods State Park Campground said, "Most sites feature 20/30/50 electric, a fire ring, and a picnic table."

Camping near Polk City, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Polk City, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Polk City, IA is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 29 reviews.

What parks are near Polk City, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Polk City, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.