Best Campgrounds near Prole, IA

The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Prole. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Prole. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.

Best Camping Sites Near Prole, Iowa (102)

    1. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    9 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."

    2. Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Indianola, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 961-7101

    $20 - $25 / night

    "We entered the park looking for a walk-up spot and landed on Site 67 which was not reserved. The site was spacious with a big tree with good shade and cover if needed."

    "The beach, and park were very far away from the camping area. A suggestion of a bagger for their lawn mower for all the cut grass. The lake by the boat landing was nice and so were the trails."

    3. Timberline Campground

    13 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    14 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."

    4. Yellow Banks County Park

    15 Reviews
    Pleasant Hill, IA
    16 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."

    5. Winterset City Park

    12 Reviews
    Winterset, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 462-3258

    $15 - $22 / night

    "It is part of a city park on the outskirts of Winterset. There is a dog park and one of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground."

    "This is a city campground on the outskirts of town that does not feel that way. It sits right next to a park. White rock roads and pads."

    6. Des Moines West KOA Holiday

    22 Reviews
    Earlham, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 834-2729

    "Roadside Oasis, a place to rest a weary head, food, showers, etc. Cabins always help get you in and get out early without setting up camp."

    "I love the beautiful surroundings here. Definitely worth the visit."

    7. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    20 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."

    8. Jester County Park

    29 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"

    "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."

    9. Pammel County Park

    12 Reviews
    Winterset, IA
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 462-3536

    $15 - $20 / night

    "Nice small park settle nicely in the iowa country side!"

    "We didn't hike this trip, but trails looked to be pretty nice.  We did kayak the loop one day-it took about an hour for the 1.9-mile loop and water levels were pretty low."

    10. Waterfront Cabin

    1 Review
    Carlisle, IA
    10 miles
    +1 (402) 957-6970

    $200 - $300 / night

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Showing results 1-10 of 102 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Prole, IA

480 Reviews of 102 Prole Campgrounds



Guide to Prole

Camping near Prole, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled family adventure, there are several campgrounds in the area that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Explore nature trails: Many campgrounds, like Jester County Park, have beautiful hiking trails. One camper mentioned, "Nice CG located on the North end of Saylorville Reservoir... Plenty to do with the city of Ankeny just 15 minutes away."
  • Fishing and boating: At Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground, you can enjoy fishing and watching the water flow through the dam. A reviewer noted, "Clean, level sites, close to fishing, it was fun watching the water come through the dam."
  • Visit local attractions: Des Moines West KOA Holiday is conveniently located near John Wayne's birthplace and the covered bridges of Madison County. One visitor shared, "Convenient to John Wayne’s birthplace and covered bridges of Madison County."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. A review for Prairie Flower Recreation Area stated, "Fantastically clean & well maintained facilities."
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer roomy sites. A camper at Cherry Glen Campground said, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often mention the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Des Moines West KOA Holiday remarked, "Staff is one of the nicest and most helpful we've ever encountered."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For instance, Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground has electrical hookups but no water at some sites. A camper noted, "There were electrical hookups, but no water."
  • Seasonal availability: Some campgrounds, like Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground, are only open from April to December. A review mentioned, "The web link from Dyrt is out of date, and thus park is closed for 2022."
  • Wildlife encounters: Campers should be cautious about wildlife. 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 for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. Jester County Park has a kids' playground, and one camper said, "The campgrounds are great... the facilities are amazing."
  • Plan for busy weekends: Many campgrounds fill up on weekends. A camper at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "The campground was fairly empty until around Thursday and filled on the weekend."
  • Pack essentials: Make sure to bring everything you need, as some campgrounds may not have stores nearby. A visitor at Des Moines West KOA Holiday mentioned, "Not much privacy between sites nor shade."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have smaller sites that may require leveling. A review for Walnut Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "The pad was a little small but fit our camper fine."
  • Look for full hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground details. A camper at Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground said, "Most sites feature 20/30/50 electric, a fire ring and a picnic table."
  • Be mindful of noise: Some campgrounds can get loud, especially near public areas. A visitor at Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground noted, "It gets busy with a lot of fishing."

Camping near Prole, Iowa, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent, RV, or cabin. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Prole, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Prole, IA is Walnut Woods State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 14 reviews.

What parks are near Prole, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Prole, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.