114 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Windsor Heights, Iowa ranges from developed RV parks with full hookups to tent sites and cabins at county and state-managed properties within a short drive of the city. Jester County Park in Granger offers diverse accommodation types including tent sites, RV hookups, cabins, and glamping options approximately 15 miles northwest of Windsor Heights. Timberline Campground in Waukee, just 5 miles west, features 168 sites with similar accommodation variety including cabins and yurts. Several campgrounds in the area feature water-based recreation opportunities, particularly those near Saylorville Lake such as Cherry Glen Campground, Prairie Flower Recreation Area, and Bob Shelter Recreation Area, all within 20 miles of Windsor Heights.
"This is a great site, it has a reserve site to its right, and a FCFS site to the left. No one showed up there either and it was Father's Day weekend! Super quiet and relaxing," noted one camper about Jester Park. Most campgrounds in the region operate year-round, though several lake-adjacent sites like Prairie Flower Recreation Area and Cherry Glen Campground have seasonal availability from spring through fall. Campground amenities vary significantly, with most offering electric hookups, drinking water, and fire rings. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Many campgrounds provide shower facilities and flush toilets, though primitive options with vault toilets are also available at certain locations.
Campers consistently rate water proximity as a key feature in the region. The Saylorville Lake area offers multiple Corps of Engineers campgrounds with lake access and trail connections. Timberline Campground receives particularly high ratings (4.6/5) for its amenities and site quality. As one visitor mentioned, "Outstanding facilities, beautiful and tranquil location, friendly and helpful staff, and a place you will always remember as a sweet spot." Most campgrounds near Windsor Heights provide mixed-use camping areas that accommodate various camping styles. Public lands with primitive sites are less common than developed campgrounds in this region. The camping landscape primarily consists of county and state-managed properties, with several private campgrounds offering additional amenities like camp stores, laundry facilities, and organized activities. Whether you prefer a lakeside campsite with electric hookups or a cabin with modern facilities, the campgrounds near Windsor Heights cover a wide range of setups across a compact, easy-to-reach area.
"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"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"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."
from $25 - $40 / 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"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."
from $35 - $80 / 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"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."
"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."
GuideWe came in really late on a Saturday night and were the only ones here. Cons: women’s bathroom was inoperable and men’s was locked; sites aren’t numbered or differentiated that I could tell at 2am. Pros: green & shady in places, nice park, lots of grass. Parked under two shady trees in what I thought was a spot, paid the $10 and slept in the car as usual.
GuideThis is a sweet well-maintained campground just south of Mitchellville, Iowa off of 80. Not many sites and only a handful were occupied mid week in July. There is a little stream running along the edge of the campground. There is one bathroom building with 6 separate rooms - each with a toilet, sink and shower with warm water. Plenty of drinking water at centralized locations. There is shade at most sites when you first enter the campground and in the loop. Along the edges (inc the stream) shade is more variable. The only issue we had was a bright light that was on all night near the end of the loop. We were in site 5 and had to move our truck so it didn’t shine in all night.
TravelerNice little city park camping area in Adair, Iowa. Basically 3-5 spots in the city park next to a bath house with showers! and a playground. We were the only campers that night (a Saturday). The town's main street is being repaved, so our little city park road was the main detour road, so we had a bit of traffic off and on. We drove about 10 miles down the road to Casey for ice cream and they have a similar city park camping area. It looked a bit nicer and we considered moving but decided to stay in Adair since we'd already paid our $10 (didn't need electric) and were pretty settled. Overall, a nice spot for a quick overnighter.
GuideLevel sites and very quiet. Great hiking location and photo opportunities.
GuideStaying here for a night on a roadtrip. It was easy to book last minute and wasn’t too expensive. Especially given it has electric hook up at each sight (I believe).
RangerThere’s not a lot going on in the vicinity of this state park, which is on the smaller side, and you will hear some cows, but all in all the campground exceeded my expectations for the two nights I stayed. This was partially because my site, 65, offered ample room away from the neighboring sites and backed up to a small green area with the road further back (minimal noise, aside from the random loud dirt bike). It also had a good mix of shade and sun if you’re hoping for a bit of solar charging, though no shore power or water. The site was long and mostly level with just the smallest tilt, but not enough to be a bother even without leveling blocks. The dumpster is nearby, but it’s a tiny one and was well maintained (aka not smelly). The brand new shower house was within easy walking distance as well. I had enough service (Verizon) to send texts and watch a bit of YouTube (buffering times were a smidge slow), but you likely wouldn’t have a strong enough signal for much more.
RangerQuite a nice campground. Pretty busy for a Monday so I can imagine it gets busy here. Sites are nice and spacious. Great amenities and right next to the water.
GuideHost were very nice and helpful. Well maintained with pretty good shade.
ScoutStayed here last week in July 2025 on a cross-country motorcycle trip. Nice and quiet. Flat grassy spot to set up my tent and a nice fire ring/ grill to cook dinner on also had a picnic table.
Very nice primitive spot. Will go back
Camping sites near Windsor Heights, Iowa typically remain open from April through October, with some sites offering year-round access. The area sits at approximately 850 feet above sea level in central Iowa's gently rolling terrain. Most campgrounds in the region receive around 36 inches of annual precipitation, creating lush surroundings during summer months when temperatures average 75-85°F.
Fishing opportunities: Acorn Valley features both pond fishing and river access. "The tent sites lead to some small trails which end at the riverbed. Our boys love exploring here," notes one visitor. The campground maintains clean facilities with immaculate bathrooms that are "cleaned every day."
Hiking trails: Yellow Banks County Park offers several trails including a longer pond trail in the southeast area. "There are a couple of short trails near the campground but a longer pond trail on the southeast area of the park which was deserted when I hiked it," shares one camper. The park also features burial mounds accessible via hiking trail.
Biking access: Griffs Valley View RV Park connects directly to the 25-mile Chichaqua Valley Trail. "Nicely paved 25 mile long biking and walking Chichaqua Valley Trail runs right between the campground and the campground office," explains one camper who stayed for two months. The trail provides convenient access for cyclists looking to explore beyond the campsite.
Clean facilities: Prairie Flower Recreation Area consistently receives praise for its maintenance standards. "The bathrooms and shower house are nice and clean," mentions one reviewer. Another notes, "Sites are large and there is plenty of space between sites. We had a concrete pad with a picnic table and fire pit with grill grate."
Water views: Cherry Glen Campground offers lake-adjacent sites with prime views. "I would suggest looking for camp sites on the back side of the western loops because they have views of the lake," suggests one camper, specifically recommending "sites 111-116 and 72-78." The campground provides electric hookups but no water or sewer connections at individual sites.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campers appreciate the peaceful setting at most Windsor Heights area campgrounds. At Yellow Banks County Park, visitors note it's "quiet, not a lot of traffic" and praise the "nice little escape" feeling despite proximity to urban areas. Griffs Valley View RV Park earns similar praise: "Quiet at night. Nice recreational fishing pond and a clubhouse with bathrooms that were really clean."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. At Bob Shelter Recreation Area, "reservations are usually necessary" due to the "large camping population" in the Des Moines area. One camper without reservations notes, "We stopped on a Friday without one, they were booked. We only wanted one night in a tent."
Seasonal limitations: Several campgrounds operate on restricted schedules. Bob Shelter Recreation Area runs from May 1 to September 30, while Acorn Valley is "closed after Labor Day." Cherry Glen Campground operates mid-April through mid-October, limiting fall camping options.
Hookup variations: Electric-only sites are common in the area. At Cherry Glen Campground, you'll find "30/50 amp electric, no water or service but bathrooms are clean." Prairie Flower Recreation Area has "no water hookups, so fill up after you get in the campground before you park."
Playground access: Campsites with playgrounds offer built-in entertainment. Yellow Banks County Park features a "good-sized playground" and baseball fields, while Prairie Flower Recreation Area has "nice playgrounds" conveniently located near camping loops.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many families enjoy the natural wildlife. At Acorn Valley, one camper warns about "resident raccoons" that "come out every night to rummage through possible food options. Secure your food and they're no problem unless you're a light sleeper."
Swimming options: During summer months, select locations offer water recreation. Des Moines West KOA provides "a pool, dunk tank, gem mining, ladder golf, horseshoes, jumping pillow, water balloon wars, basketball and more." One family noted, "The pool was refreshing for the girls and all of the activities kept them busy and having fun!"
Site selection: RVers should research specific site amenities before booking. At Timberline Campground, campers report that "sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking." However, some sites have "sorta blacktop but the sides have crumbled and it has a slight tilt to it."
Dump station congestion: Plan departure times accordingly. At Prairie Flower Recreation Area, one RVer warns, "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!"
Overnight options: For those passing through, several campgrounds accommodate late arrivals. At Des Moines West KOA, "we could still check in without a reservation! They have an awesome 'self check in'. A board marked with available spaces we chose from."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Windsor Heights, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Windsor Heights, IA is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What parks are near Windsor Heights, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Windsor Heights, IA that allow camping, notably Saylorville Lake and Lake Red Rock.
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