Bill H.
Traveler
TravelerIowa State Fairgrounds
large but well maintained
rv site. very cold that night, but nice camping
Best Camping Near Indianola, Iowa: State Parks, RV Sites & More
Camping near Indianola, Iowa ranges from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV parks and cabin rentals, with most campgrounds located within a 30-minute drive. Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups, providing access to lake activities including fishing, boating, and swimming. The area features a mix of accommodation types, from primitive tent sites to full-hookup RV parks and even cabin options at locations like Waterfront Cabin and River Oaks RV Park. Several campgrounds in the area feature amenities like showers, picnic tables, and sanitary dump stations.
Most campgrounds in the region maintain seasonal operations with varying availability. Lake Ahquabi State Park typically operates from April through December, while Yellow Banks County Park and Walnut Woods remain open year-round. According to one visitor, "The lake is beautiful and the path around it is in great shape. Bathrooms and showers were nice and clean." Site reservations are recommended during summer weekends, as popular locations fill quickly. Grant Park offers free camping with a 14-day stay limit, though access can be challenging after dark. Campers should verify current operating status before arrival, as some parks like Otter Creek have closed camping indefinitely.
Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites, particularly at Lake Ahquabi. The park's lake supports fishing, paddling, and swimming, with equipment rentals available during summer months. A review noted that "There is plenty of fishing, a swimming beach, and they have water sport rentals." Some campgrounds experience crowding issues, especially during peak summer weekends. As one camper mentioned, "The campsites are all extremely packed in together, so you can really feel a part of other people's conversations and activities." Sites at Grant Park offer more separation between campers with spacious, level areas featuring fire rings, picnic tables and cement pads. Hiking trails are available at several parks, with Lake Ahquabi offering a 6-7 mile trail that loops around the entire lake. When planning camping trips near Indianola, consider that the most popular campgrounds often require reservations weeks in advance during peak season.
Best Camping Sites Near Indianola, Iowa (117)
1. Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
13 ReviewsIndianola, IA5 milesWebsite+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."
2. Yellow Banks County Park
15 ReviewsPleasant Hill, IA14 milesWebsite+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."
3. Walnut Woods State Park Campground
14 ReviewsWest Des Moines, IA15 milesWebsite+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."
4. Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)
10 ReviewsSwan, IA12 milesWebsite+1 (515) 961-6169"Each of the 10 campsites are spacious and plenty of distance between. Nice quick trails with wildlife. The park is well maintained and well priced!"
"You’ll eventually see the park entrance(a sign and fence). Pass the first bathrooms/shelter/info board. Continue down the gravel road that looks kinda like a trail."
7. Iowa State Fairgrounds
6 ReviewsPleasant Hill, IA16 milesWebsite+1 (515) 262-3111"The Iowa State Fair is the best fair in the world with more than a million visitors every year! There is something for everyone in the family."
"I always loved going here when I lived in Iowa! The State Fair was a blast! Being able to actually stay there made it that much better!!"
8. Timberline Campground
13 ReviewsWest Des Moines, IA22 milesWebsite+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."
9. Iowa State Fair Campgrounds
5 ReviewsPleasant Hill, IA16 milesWebsite+1 (515) 262-3111"Wonderfull Surroundings ,People and Experiences."
"Campgrounds are located on the east side of the actual fairgrounds. There are hundreds of sites here."
10. River Oaks RV Park
2 ReviewsRunnells, IA13 milesWebsite+1 (515) 989-0574$45 - $60 / night
"We stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair."
"Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6’ hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site. Sites are gravel and it looked like most campers had to use blocks."
Recent Camping Photos near Indianola, IA
96 Photos of 117 Indianola Campgrounds
Dare To Everywhere .
Grant Park (Warren County Consevation Board)
Derek B.
River Oaks RV Park
Aliyah B.
Hickory Hills Park
May M.
Yellow Banks County Park
Stephanie S.
Walnut Woods State Park Campground
Matt M.
Iowa State Fair Campgrounds
Whitney S.
Adventureland Campground
Shannon G.
Thomas Mitchell County Park
Tom Z.
Winterset City Park
Jim H.
Middle Area Campground — Stephens State Forest
Meredith L.
Elk Rock Campground And Boat Ramp — Lake Red Rock
T J.
Mine Pond Campground — Stephens State Forest
Recent Reviews near Indianola, IA
519 Reviews of 117 Indianola Campgrounds
Ryan R.
GuideColfax Quarry Springs Park
Quarry Springs Park
Quarry Springs Park was a one night stay. Quick and easy off/on road location. Was their first year. This is a new RV Park that was once a quarry. Hence the name. Big lakes and good areas to walk. We arrived after dark, not late, just that time of year. Took us a bit of time to figure out where our site was. Would suggest some added signage. Besides that all was good! The moon was full and made for excellent viewing. Not so much for the pictures however 🙄. Would stop again. Just note this is within ear shot of the interstate. Didn't bother us, might others. Thanks for stay!
Doy O.
ScoutR&B Campground
Great Family Owned Campground
I rent year round. Love this place. Quiet, fishing, dead end so little traffic. The owners are great people. Bring your boat, kayak, tube. You can float the river.
- Mark C.Scout
Des Moines West KOA Holiday
Koa
Very nice campground with running water,electricity and wifi. It's opened year round.
- SSteve S.Traveler
Acorn Valley
Easy access for quick getaway
This is a great campground if you’re wanting to get out for a night or two w the family. 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.
- SSteve S.Traveler
Green Valley State Park Campground
Clean, great fishing, and plenty of activities
I’ve been here multiple times tent camping. Tent sites are right on the shore. Many spillways for fishing. ~10 mile loop you can hike or MTB. Restrooms, including the vaulted toilets, are kept clean. This is where we go for a low key weekend for fun.
- JJtboScout
Howell Station
Safety concern
Homeless, Crack heads using the showers/bathrooms. Men and women can share the bathroom and shower together even when children are in the facilities.
Stuart K.
LegendKellogg RV Park
Highway Campground Oasis
Following up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in rural Iowa.
Highs: (1) Quick& EZ access from I-80 via Exit 173; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground – very clean and well-organized; (3) Very EZ check-in process; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the CG staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are like brand new; (7) If you get hungry, this CG and fueling station has an imbedded Iowa’s Best Burger Café that does live up to its name; (8) There’s also an embedded Amoco gas station and mini-mart; (9) Spectacularly clean and recently refurbished bathrooms & shower facilities; (10) There’s a small launderette here, which was bonus; (11) Should you visit in the summer, you will benefit from being surrounded by 6 foot tall corn fields that will provide greater privacy and better scenery
Lows: (1) You are just 30 seconds north of I-80, the busiest highway in Iowa;(2) There’s no security gate to prevent any wandering traffic from the highway into this place, so apart from the fact that you're clear out in the boondocks, you are next to the very heavily trafficked I80, so it’s difficult to feel 100% safe & secure here; (3) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees (welcome to corn country), bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (4) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so while this isn't exactly Florida, if you're here during the hot summer months, you should bring your own awning or shelter; (5) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (6) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you are OK being surrounded by RVs with absolutely no privacy in the open interior; and (7) Apart from FHUs and a decent shower / restroom in the middle of the CG and a small laundry in the NW, there’s not much here in the way of amenities
Happy Camping!
Bethanie S.TravelerLenon Mill Park
Lennon Mills
Quaint campground situated alongside a dam. Fishing is legal and there were quite a few around while I was there. Besides me, there was one other camper. Three tent sites, the rest are for RVs.
Each site had a picnic table and fire ring. There was a swing set, shelter, modern bathroom (big enough to fit your bike in), water hydrant, and a few access points to the water.
Two blocks down, you'll find a historic village. Tickets are only $2 per adult. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to browse because they didn't open until 10.
Self-check in is well marked with the gigantic yellow tube. They promised WiFi but I was able to attend a meeting in my tent without it (T-Mobile).
If you wander into town, the market has firewood for $5/bundle, as well as other essentials you can cart back to the site with you.
Guide to Indianola
Camping near Indianola, Iowa centers around the Raccoon River watershed region, with terrain varying from prairie to wooded river valleys. The region experiences typical Midwest seasonal variations, with summer temperatures often reaching 80-90°F and high humidity from June through August. Most campgrounds within 30 minutes of Indianola require reservations for weekend stays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
What to do
Water activities on Lake Ahquabi: Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground offers paddle sport rentals during summer months. "They have rentals for paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc, for a decent price!" according to Jennifer M. The lake supports various fishing opportunities with minimal aquatic vegetation.
Hiking trail options: Walnut Woods State Park features riverside trails suitable for casual hiking. One camper noted, "They have some nice hiking trails through the woods and along the river. I was hoping the trails would be longer but they are still nice." The park's bird viewing building provides opportunities for wildlife observation.
Stargazing spots: Grant Park offers excellent night sky viewing due to its distance from city lights. "The best parts of the park are the well-kept trails and stargazing!" reports Larissa C., who visited Lake Ahquabi multiple times. Clear summer nights provide optimal stargazing conditions.
What campers like
Spacious, level sites: Grant Park offers particularly well-spaced camping areas. "The sites were very spacious, some massive and very spread out. You could see neighbors but you aren't on top on them," notes Abby M. Each site includes a cement pad, fire ring with grill, and picnic table.
Waterfront camping options: Sites near Lake Ahquabi provide lake views from select locations. "During day light you could see the lake in the distance from this site, and the clearing around the site gave great visibility of stars with very low light pollution," reports Brent R. about site 67.
Clean facilities: Yellow Banks County Park maintains well-kept restrooms and camping areas. One camper described it as "Wonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area." The park's dump station features double lanes for efficient service.
What you should know
Limited availability: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. At Yellow Banks, one camper advised, "Can usually get site without reservation, IF you roll in on Wed. By Thurs night, it's full." This pattern repeats across most parks in the area.
Bug considerations: Walnut Woods State Park Campground can have significant mosquito activity in summer months. "Beautiful river access and camping in the trees. However the mosquitos get crazy here!" warns Steve H., suggesting insect repellent as essential equipment.
Site spacing varies: Campground density differs significantly between locations. At Lake Ahquabi, "The campsites are all extremely packed in together," while Grant Park offers "10 beautiful campsites, all with new picnic tables, fire ring and cement pad so you're chairs are actually level!"
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Timberline Campground features family-friendly facilities. "Has a swimming pool and playground. Basketball court and a community hall," notes Karey A. The campground's smaller size creates a more intimate environment for families.
Beach and swimming options: Lake Ahquabi provides a designated swimming beach with gradual entry. "They have a beautiful lake and a beach. The water has minimal seaweed and great temperature!" reports Jennifer M., making it suitable for younger swimmers.
Navigation challenges: Some parks can be difficult to locate after dark. One visitor to Grant Park noted, "Sign was difficult to see. Wasn't marked for trailer camping. Difficult to get out once we decided we didn't understand where we were going." Arriving during daylight hours is recommended for first-time visitors with children.
Tips from RVers
Hookup placement: Waterfront Cabin and surrounding RV sites often have varying hookup configurations. At River Oaks RV Park, a visitor noted, "Sites have good spacing and full hookups that were installed with some thought. Only used one stinky slinky, could have hooked up water with a 6' hose, and the electrical was near the back of the site."
Site leveling requirements: Many sites in the area require leveling blocks. At Timberline Campground, "Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking," though some campers note that "the site we were on is sorta blacktop but the sides have crumbled and it has a slight tilt to it."
Cell service coverage: Most campgrounds near Indianola maintain reliable cellular connectivity. At Grant Park, one camper reported, "I had 2-3 bars of LTE via AT&T," ensuring connectivity for those needing to stay in touch during their camping trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Indianola, IA?
Which is the most popular campground near Indianola, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Indianola, IA is Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 13 reviews.
What parks are near Indianola, IA?
What parks are near Indianola, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 parks near Indianola, IA that allow camping, notably Saylorville Lake and Lake Red Rock.
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