Best Campgrounds near Sheldahl, IA

Looking for the best campgrounds near Sheldahl, IA? Sheldahl is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. Search nearby campsites and find top-rated spots from other campers.

Best Camping Sites Near Sheldahl, Iowa (107)

    1. Jester County Park

    29 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    7 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. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 432-1852

    $17 - $35 / 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."

    3. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    17 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    8 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."

    4. Swede Point Park

    13 Reviews
    Madrid, IA
    8 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"

    5. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    9 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. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    11 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."

    7. Acorn Valley

    11 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    9 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 ;) )."

    8. Griffs Valley View RV Park

    11 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    16 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. Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

    8 Reviews
    Bondurant, IA
    15 miles
    Website

    "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!"

    10. Greenhouse Camping

    2 Reviews
    Ankeny, IA
    8 miles
    +1 (515) 423-8877

    "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!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 107 campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Sheldahl, IA

526 Reviews of 107 Sheldahl Campgrounds



Guide to Sheldahl

Camping near Sheldahl, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

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: 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 nearby High Trestle Trail is perfect for biking. One reviewer noted, "Great place to stay. Just a few minutes drive to High Trestle Bridge and right off the river."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A review for Prairie Flower Recreation Area stated, "Fantastically clean & well maintained facilities."
  • Friendly Hosts: Many campers enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. At Des Moines West KOA Holiday, one guest said, "Staff is one of the nicest and most helpful we've ever encountered."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers love having room to spread out. A visitor at Cherry Glen Campground mentioned, "This campground is big and clean. It’s pretty peaceful & quiet."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: If you're relying 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 the summer. One reviewer at Walnut Woods State Park Campground mentioned, "The campground was nice and well maintained with walking trails."
  • No Showers at Some Sites: Be aware that not all campgrounds offer shower facilities. A visitor at Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground said, "I didn’t use the bathroom/shower house, but it was outdated, old and dark."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. At Jester County Park, one camper mentioned, "The campgrounds are great; the facilities are amazing."
  • Plan for Activities: Bring bikes or hiking gear to keep everyone entertained. A family at Timberline Campground shared, "Great, safe, and quiet campground. Beautiful site on a pond, clean bath houses."
  • Check for Events: Some campgrounds host special events or activities. A visitor at Swede Point Park noted, "Just a few minutes drive to High Trestle Bridge and right off the river."

Tips from RVers:

  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level pads for easier setup. A reviewer at Des Moines West KOA Holiday mentioned, "Gravel sites require some leveling."
  • Full Hookups: Choose campgrounds that offer full hookups for convenience. A camper at Cherry Glen Campground said, "The whole area around Saylorville Lake has camping."
  • Quiet Locations: Seek out quieter spots if you prefer a peaceful stay. A visitor at Walnut Woods State Park Campground noted, "The campground was fairly empty until around Thursday and filled on the weekend."

Camping near Sheldahl, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you're sure to find the perfect spot for your next adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Sheldahl, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, Sheldahl, IA offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 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 29 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 Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.