108 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds in central Iowa near Sheldahl offer a variety of accommodation options from tent and RV sites to cabin rentals. Jester County Park provides one of the most comprehensive camping experiences in the area, featuring electrical hookups, drinking water, and shower facilities. Other notable options include Ledges State Park Campground about 10 miles west of Sheldahl and Prairie Flower Recreation Area located near Saylorville Lake. Most campgrounds in this region support both tent and RV camping, with several locations like Griffs Valley View RV Park specifically designed for recreational vehicles with full hookups.
Seasonal considerations affect camping availability throughout the area, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Saylorville Lake campgrounds, including Cherry Glen and Bob Shelter Recreation Area, typically open in May and close by late September or October. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during summer months when facilities reach capacity. Some campgrounds have specific regulations regarding pets, alcohol, and generator use. Campground roads are generally well-maintained for standard vehicles without specialized clearance requirements. A camper noted, "The campgrounds are clean and quiet. Currently some camping spots are out of use due to flooding, but they are working on clean up."
Waterfront access represents a significant draw for many campgrounds in the area, with several offering views of Saylorville Lake. Campers frequently mention the peaceful atmosphere at waterside sites, though proximity to water may limit availability during peak season. According to one visitor, "We stayed at site 410 and 409. It's a secluded area within the 400s that is lined with trees on one side and a drop off into the Saylorville water circuit on the other." Many campgrounds feature well-maintained facilities with clean bathrooms and shower buildings. Families appreciate the additional amenities at locations like Jester Park, which includes hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing areas with bison and elk. Several campgrounds provide gravel pads with picnic tables and fire rings, creating comfortable sites for overnight stays.
"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."
from $20 - $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $18 - $38 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $336 / night
Check Availability"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"
"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."
from $22 - $26 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $24 - $26 / night
Check Availability"Clean bathrooms, close to the lake, playground, and a lot of sites. It does get busy. As you would expect there are a lot of bugs on a hot day in Iowa. Tent sites have good shade from trees."
"Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."
from $14 - $84 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $35 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Next to skunk river oxbows, kayak, no swimming, water stagnant, no fish, about 4ft depth everywhere. Great hiking trails, clean, great camp hosts, ranger. All sites first come."
"We haven't camped here, but have seen that the tent areas are right next to the water. Super serene with great hiking trails and bird watching!"
"My niece lives in Desert Moines and it was a short drive for her to come for a visit and bring some local, delicious tacos for dinner. We will definitely consider this spot next time through!"
ScoutGreat spot in the woods. Lots of trails. They have a bison and elk sanctuary. Also a nature center. A playground. They have several RV spots. Most are pre book but they have a section for first come first serve. Also lots of tent camping. A few group camping areas. Showers are ok. I believe the non shower house bathrooms are all vault toilets. Overall a great place to stay!
ScoutThere are a couple small hiking trails, but they were very well maintained and an easy hike to get my daughter started in her backpack.
ScoutThey show tent camping reservations allowed online and they even let you book a tent to Camp online for paying $32 but then when they come around and talk to you they don't say anything about not having a tent allowed and they don't give you the codes to the restroom and then they just close the office and go to bed and then at 11:00 at night the sheriff comes and tells you to grab all your stuff because there's no camping allowed and put you out on the street with nowhere to go and no more money cuz you wasted all your money on that stupid site that you didn't even get to stay at and then you realize that after you carried all your stuff over to the bar and had to sleep outside on the streets with your service dog when you have disabilities and you told them you have seizures that you had a seizure and now you have to go to the hospital and you lost your tent because somebody stole it so now you have nowhere to live because you're homeless and somebody stole your only house which was your tent because the sheriff kicked you out at 10:00 or 11:00 at night that was really great thanks that was the best experience in my whole life not really and thanks for putting my stress level so high that I went to seizures when people have disabilities you guys should be more accommodating and be more open and honest and be more willing to talk to people
GuideArrived at Reece Memorial Park in the early afternoon. I stopped by the Octagonal shelter at the south entrance of the park. This is a large shelter house with a fireplace in the middle of the building with several picnic tables.
I then drove down the road and entered into the west entrance of the park and followed it around the loop. There is a wide open area with a small slide and Merry-go-round, along with a couple of picnic tables.
I found, what I think, the best campsite in the park, and it was open. It sits along the creek and there was a fire ring there. This park is all primitive campsites, and so be prepared for that, although the description of the campground mentions vault toilets, I did not see them.
It was a very nice relaxing campsite, and the fact that there was no cell service, made it even better! There were a few vehicles drive through, and a little road noise, but I enjoyed my stay there. The creek was up, and it looks like part of the park might still be closed on the South side.
To primitive camp, the cost is $10.00 a night, and registration is with a QR Code, but since there is little to no cell service, it was difficult to get registered, so you may want to pay before you go.
TravelerThis location is on the east side of Jefferson on the old Lincoln highway at the Greene county fair grounds directly next to the Milwaukee trestle bike trail. It has both tent and RV camping spots. The RV is parallel parking with electric only. Black water dump site is at the waist water treatment plant by the public swimming pool on west Russell street on the south side of the street across from south walnut street entrance. The fairgrounds dose have horse and livestock amenities and events at times of the year with the Greene county fair and other events. It also has an agricultural museum and other events in the summer.
GuideI took my mother and my youngest on a Mother’s Day weekend camping adventure. We chose Briggs Woods because of its location and reviews from other campers. It is a larger campground than you think! Spots for primitive tent camping, electrical hook up and full hook ups. The campground offers free WiFi and it reached clear to the back end over by the four little cabins. The pit toilets by the four little cabins were clean and stocked. My daughter was able to walk her little dog around the campground with no issues of other dogs running loose. Quiet hours begin at 10:30 pm and everyone followed the rule. I also like how close to the river this campground is. We stayed in electrical spots in the #60s. I like how you can scan the QR code and pay right there from your phone. Very convenient! The camp hosts were friendly and would often cruise by in their golf cart checking on campers.
TravelerPark was pretty full, but they found us a spot for the night. Excellent pricing and the yards are BIG compared to other places we've stayed. Would definitely come back
TravelerGreat, convenient campground at a very reasonable price $15 if you pay cash or $19 when paying via the QR code at each site. The location is sitting right along the river where I saw several people fishing. There’s also a small playground, which is a nice touch for families.
I stayed at a 30-amp electric-only site, so no water hookups or dump station, but there is a dumpster available for trash. Overall, it’s a simple, safe, well-maintained spot that offers good value, and I would definitely stay here again.
ScoutTesting out a new set up and this has full service with electric, water and sewer line.
Camping spots near Sheldahl, Iowa range from rustic tent sites to full hookup RV facilities, with most nestled in the Des Moines River watershed at elevations around 830-850 feet. The region contains multiple recreation areas managed by the Army Corps of Engineers in connection with Saylorville Lake. Campgrounds typically experience high occupancy from May through September when temperatures average between 65-85°F during summer months.
Trail hiking access: Ledges State Park Campground features distinctive sandstone formations with challenging terrain. "This is the best park in the state of Iowa, so much fun going thru the low water crossings!" notes Kent B. The park's trails offer varied difficulty with stone steps and elevation changes.
Fishing opportunities: At Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt, anglers can catch bass and bluegill in the oxbow waters. A camper reports: "There are plenty of trails to hike and some really nice views of the prairies. You can bring a kayak/canoe to go on the water. There is also some pretty good fishing. Lots of bass and bluegill."
Wildlife viewing: Beyond hiking and fishing, observation areas for bison are available at Jester County Park. "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. In addition to the water access ways, there is a sweet pond to fish in, several hiking trails, a brand new Nature Center, amphitheater, bison and bird viewing," explains Larissa C.
Privacy options: Campers appreciate secluded spots at specific sites within larger campgrounds. At Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Elizabeth A. notes a practical concern: "This campground is a hot spot for Des Moines to escape the weekend - with that said, reservations are a must! Most times you need to make them six months out. Sites do have some space for privacy between them."
Clean facilities: Acorn Valley maintains exceptionally clean restrooms and common areas. "The whole place is super clean, especially the bath house. All the spots are nice and lots of exploring to do!" reports Gina J. Another camper adds: "Bathrooms are immaculate and cleaned every day."
Easy lake access: Multiple campgrounds provide water access points for recreational activities. The Bob Shelter Recreation Area backs up to the river below the dam spillway. Wendy H. describes her experience: "We stayed at spot 20 which was extra wide, concrete pad with electric hook up. No water or sewer. It backs to the river below the spillway from the dam."
Reservation requirements: Weekends fill quickly, especially during summer months. At Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground, one visitor warned: "I would suggest getting reservations. We stopped on a Friday without one, they were booked. We only wanted one night in a tent. They don't have designated tent sites but they have one overflow site and they let us use it for the night."
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate limited schedules. Acorn Valley closes after Labor Day, and Swede Point Park operates from April 15 to October 15. At Ledges State Park, temporary closures sometimes occur due to flooding: "Ledges State Park is one of the most visited parks in Iowa. I loved coming to this park as a kid and I can't wait for it to re-open. It has been closed since January 2018, but it scheduled to re-open in January of 2019."
Wildlife encounters: Several campgrounds report raccoon activity, particularly around food storage areas. At Acorn Valley, John F. advises: "Biggest downside is the resident raccoons. Come out every night to rummage through possible food options. Secure your food and they're no problem unless you're a light sleeper."
Playground proximity: Swede Point Park offers various recreational facilities for children. "This county park has many amenities not to mention that it is close to a very popular bike trail. There are a few miles of mowed trails along with a couple of trail through the woods up and down hills. Do you like volleyball? They have that and a half court basketball too."
Water safety planning: When camping with children near Saylorville Lake, water levels can fluctuate. At Cherry Glen Campground, a visitor noted: "The local trail is paved and bike/walker/stroller friendly but due to recent flooding at the lake, it was also cut short until clean up could resume."
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature centers with youth programming. Jim S. describes Jester Park's features: "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."
Site specifications: Griffs Valley View RV Park offers full hookups with concrete pads. Anthony W. describes: "The campground very well kept with spacious concrete pads, both 30/50 amp and full water/sewage hookups. Two nice laundry/shower houses, one in the front and one in the back of the campground."
Dump station congestion: Plan your departure time strategically at popular campgrounds. Elizabeth A. warns about Prairie Flower: "Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large in size and popularity. Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait... that's being generous!"
Water hookup planning: Not all sites feature water connections directly at campsites. At Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Mia L. advises: "No water hook ups, so fill up after you get in the campground before you park. Lots of prairie area around, spacious sites."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Sheldahl, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Sheldahl, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Sheldahl, IA and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Sheldahl, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sheldahl, IA is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Sheldahl, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Sheldahl, IA.
What parks are near Sheldahl, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Sheldahl, IA that allow camping, notably Saylorville Lake and Lake Red Rock.
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