110 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Slater, Iowa ranges from developed RV campgrounds with full hookups to tent sites, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Jester County Park, located near Granger, provides year-round camping options with tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping accommodations. Ledges State Park Campground in Madrid, just north of Slater, offers similar diversity with electric hookups and shower facilities in a natural setting. The region's campgrounds typically feature picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water access, with many sites along Saylorville Lake, providing water recreation opportunities for campers seeking developed outdoor experiences.
Most campgrounds in the Slater area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Jester Park and Prairie Flower Recreation Area maintain electric hookups, water access, and sanitary facilities, though availability varies by season. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend camping during summer months when sites fill quickly. Several campgrounds offer both reservable and first-come, first-served options, with prices typically ranging from $15-25 per night depending on amenities. Weather conditions can impact camping experiences, especially in spring when rainfall may affect site conditions. As one visitor noted, "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."
Campers consistently mention the variety of recreational activities available at campgrounds near Slater. Jester Park receives praise for its hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and wildlife viewing areas featuring bison and elk. The park's nature center and playground facilities make it particularly family-friendly. Sites along Saylorville Lake provide water recreation options including boating and fishing access. Many developed campgrounds in the area balance natural settings with convenient amenities. "Lots of different camp sites. Large park with great hiking trails and fishing," wrote one visitor about Jester Park. Travelers seeking more secluded experiences can find sites in the 400s loop of Jester Park, which one reviewer described as having "plenty of room for 2 vehicles and two sizable tents" with a "super quiet and relaxing" atmosphere even during busy holiday weekends.
"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 $12 - $25 / 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"
"Been camping here every summer for about 3 years as pass thru Iowa."
"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."
from $24 - $26 / night
Check Availability"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"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!"
LegendVery nice state park campground. There are cabins as well as campsites. The park is adjacent to Pine Lake and water based recreation is available including swimming beach and boating. The campground is off a paved road and is near to town. There is a walking path to the boat launch from the campground. Biking/hiking trails are on property.
LegendSmall park with basic amenities along the river. There is a big event center at the entrance and keep going back and the campground is there along the river. This would be a great area for paddling the river. Seemed pretty quite and spaces are moderately spread out. There is a rifle range on the property if that interests you (negatively or positively- there is a photo of the rules in my review). No shooting while I was there.
ScoutNot free $10 a night.
ScoutNot free. $10 a night. Haven’t been here yet just writing a review to let everyone know it’s not free.
ScoutAs you arrive there is parking and a center with rest rooms, maps, and shelter with information. They print out free maps and it is easy to follow. The camp site is a short walk and they have a porta potty for use at the group site which is nice. Kuehn has some fire pits and grates available for a fire. They also have a table which is nice. The trails are in great condition and are multi connected throughout the park. There is also an additional camp spot by the river that we spotted which looked even a bit nicer and secluded. The only cons are At night when it’s still you can hear the highway in a distance ever so faintly and walking to the campsite with toddlers is super manageable but annoying if you need to make multiple trips. Overall it’s a fantastic place and well kept up!
RangerThere have been a total of 3 people camping here this weekend. If you want peace, quiet, and solitude, this is a great place!!! There have been a half dozen cars come through, one being a sheriff, so it’s not TOTALLY, quiet but nothing too noisy. Keep in mind there are no amenities other than a pit toilet(no shower) that was actually quite clean! Anything you need, you have to bring with you including water. There is also no dump station…. It worked out great for me. Also, it’s not free like the website stated. It’s ten dollars a night which is reasonable…
TravelerOnly stayed one night but very convenient location and registration.
Legend9-14-26 Timberline East RV Campground, I do not think this is a KOA anymore. Tent site T1 & 2 was level and on grass with table and fire ring. checked in at 7pm, overcast, Molly was great at the check in, offered a 10% Veteran discount. $34 for the night. We only stayed one night. Showers and bathrooms were decent. T-Mobile was 5G 4 bars. Rained all night, you can hear the noise from the highway but you drown it out.
ScoutThis is a great location by the lake with some spots having great water views. You dont feel like sardines with all the space between sites. You can walk down to the beach as well in no time. We had a nice relaxing weekend. Will be back.
Camping spots near Slater, Iowa sit within the Des Moines River watershed at approximately 830 feet elevation. The area features a mix of prairie and woodland environments, with camping facilities typically open from April through October. Winter weather makes most campgrounds inaccessible from December through March, with spring rains sometimes affecting ground conditions at tent sites.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple oxbow lakes at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt provide unique water access within 30 minutes of Slater. "Great hiking trails, clean, great camp hosts, ranger. All sites first come. Camp there 2-4 times a year," reports one regular visitor. The stagnant water isn't suitable for swimming but supports kayaking in early season.
Mountain biking access: Regional trails connect to several campgrounds in the area, making them popular with cyclists. "The entire saylorville compound is an amazing place to be. I especially liked this area for the access to the water," notes a visitor about Acorn Valley. Most trails maintain paved sections suitable for families with children.
Wildlife viewing: Bird watching at Swede Point Park offers morning observation opportunities from multiple hiking trails. "Nice and quite little park, very scenic and beautiful area, park rangers are very nice and helpful as well," according to one camper. The park maintains mowed trails alongside wooded paths with elevation changes.
Clean facilities: Modern bathhouses receive consistent praise across campgrounds. A visitor to Ledges State Park Campground noted it has "fun 'eagles view' point that overlooks the ledges. Nice picnic areas are also available. I would be careful hiking in the winter for obvious reason, especially because of the steep edges, etc."
Spacious sites: Concrete pads at several campgrounds accommodate larger setups. "Spacious campsites with cement pads... The only thing holding it back from 5 stars is no water or sewer onsite," mentions a camper at Prairie Flower Recreation Area. Electric sites typically cost around $25 per night, while primitive tent sites range from $12-16.
Quiet atmosphere: Weekday camping provides more solitude than weekends at most locations. "We stayed at site A25. Not all loops are paved. A is not. But the site was pretty level, wasn't too much trouble to get our trailer backed in and leveled," reports a Prairie Flower visitor. Many campgrounds fill completely on summer weekends.
Reservation requirements vary: Most Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds near Saylorville Lake can be reserved six months in advance, but some operate on first-come basis. "Cherry Glen is very clean and well managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. It is one of the main campgrounds that service Saylorville Lake. I highly suggest visiting during the week because on the weekends the local boaters invade," advises one experienced camper.
Wildlife concerns: Several campgrounds report active raccoon populations after dark. At Acorn Valley, "Campsites are well kept and clean. Bathrooms are immaculate and cleaned every day. 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."
Seasonal closures: Most campgrounds operate April through October with limited winter access. "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," shared a visitor about previous maintenance closures.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playgrounds and child-friendly facilities. At Prairie Flower Recreation Area, "This is a very large campground with lots of sites and large group camping areas. The bathrooms and shower house are nice and clean." The group camping areas provide circular arrangements with shelters in the middle.
Educational programming: Nature centers operate seasonally at select locations with structured activities. "We had a great stay here, check in was easy, getting firewood was easy, the bathhouses were so clean and nice, hiking and views were amazing!" reports a visitor to Jester County Park. Nature programs typically run May through September.
Walking distances: Consider site location relative to restrooms for young children. At Ledges State Park, "If you want to tent camp, bring a cart or something to haul everything with. The parking lot is a LONG WAY from any private tent site. Youth group camp, the ones with all the energy and strength, is next to parking lot. That's messed up."
Dump station limitations: Holiday weekends create long waits at single-station facilities. At Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground, "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." However, the single dump station creates congestion during peak departure times.
Water fill locations: Many campgrounds require filling tanks before parking. "There is potable water at dump site. This campground is connected to regional bike trails that will take all the way to Des Moines and suburbs," notes a camper at Prairie Flower Recreation Area. Water connections aren't available at individual sites in many locations.
Site size variations: Different loops accommodate different RV sizes. At Griffs Valley View RV Park, "Sites are large with nicely manicured lawns. My only issue was that my hose was just barely long enough but that was my fault not the campgrounds. The woman that runs it was very nice and met me at the entrance to lead me to my spot." This private park maintains year-round availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping facilities are available at Slater Campground?
For camping facilities near Slater, Thomas Mitchell County Park offers both electric and non-electric sites. The outer loop features a creek flowing behind the campsites with large stairs for access, perfect for kids to play in. Another nearby option is Ledges State Park Campground, which provides restrooms, picnic areas, and excellent hiking trails with well-shaded campsites. They even offer hike-in spots if you prefer privacy while staying relatively close to your vehicle.
Is there camping available at Slater Park?
While there isn't a specific Slater Park in Iowa's camping system, nearby options include Jester County Park which offers peaceful camping with several first-come, first-served sites. For a camping experience close to Slater, Iowa, consider Timmons Grove County Park which provides electric campsites for $18/night. This park tends to be less crowded, making it a good option if you're seeking a quieter camping experience in the area.
How do I make reservations for camping at Slater?
For camping near Slater, reservations for many county parks can be made online through their respective county conservation websites. At Briggs Woods Park, reservations can be made at reasonable rates, and they offer campsites, cabins, and access to various outdoor activities. Some parks like Little Wall Lake County Park have a mix of reservable and first-come, first-served sites. For Iowa state parks, reservations can typically be made through the Iowa DNR website up to 3 months in advance.
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