88 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Jester County Park accommodates pets at all campsites with concrete pads for RVs, tent areas, and pet-friendly cabins. Dogs must remain on leashes no longer than 6 feet throughout the park, including on the 1.5-mile shoreline trail. The campground features dedicated pet waste stations near the main campground loops and at trailheads. Most sites at Walnut Woods State Park Campground, Bob Shelter Recreation Area, and Timberline Campground also welcome pets with similar leash requirements. Many campers note the concrete pads remain relatively clean despite muddy conditions, making it easier to keep pets from tracking dirt into tents and RVs.
Yellow Banks County Park provides year-round pet-friendly camping with access to riverside trails where dogs can cool off in designated areas. Adventureland Campground and Des Moines West KOA Holiday both offer pet exercise areas separate from the main camping loops. The KOA charges a $10 pet fee per stay for cabin rentals with a two-pet maximum. Prairie Flower Recreation Area enforces quiet hours starting at 10 PM with specific barking policies to ensure all campers have a peaceful experience. During summer months, the concrete camping pads can become extremely hot for pet paws, requiring morning or evening walks. The nearest emergency veterinary clinic is located approximately 15 minutes from most dog-friendly campgrounds in the Des Moines metro area.
"There was four of us and a dog."
"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."
"The only down side of this was the grass was really long so it was bad when taking the dog out in the evenings or mornings. You would come back in with a soaked dog and wet feet."
from $20 - $336 / night
Check Availability"Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass."
"If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at!"
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."
"Took the PUP, two kids, dog and grandma (first time in 20+ years) this past weekend. Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."
from $14 - $84 / night
Check Availability"Wonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area. "
"camped here in 2021 and I enjoyed it but the first night I was there I ran my vehicle down the second night I was there I took a tour on the campgrounds and got verbally accosted but another camper for walking"
"Decent playground, water pillow for bouncing, fishing pond, dog park, swimming pool. Well maintained, lots of planned activities. KOA, so not a lot of nature. But no traffic or train noise."
"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."
"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!!"
GuideI just loved this campground. It has shade trees, grass, free showers and lots of room. It is part of a city park on the outskirts of Winterset. There is a dog park and one of the Bridges of Madison County is located within walking distance of the campground. This was well worth the 20 mile drive off I80. If I had known how m=nice this area was, I would have planned better and stayed here for more than one night.
GuideOne 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. It's close to how I remember it.
The campground has a good picnic area, restrooms, and an excellent trail. It's also inexpensive.
What I enjoy most about this park compared to others in Iowa are the sandstone ledges and the slopes on the trail. There are some excellent views, so make sure your phone has enough battery to take photos (unlike me). I also spent a lot of time off the trail. It isn't too hard to get around. I'm not one who enjoys staying at a park that is mostly flat, so this is definitely a good place in Iowa for me to camp.
If you are looking for a cool place to camp within an hour of Des Moines, you should seriously consider this park.
ScoutOne of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites. The hike in spots are great if you like privacy and being in the middle of the woods - but you don’t want to be THAT far from your car.
Beware of the raccoons. They’re plentiful and crazy smart here. We had one open our cooler, steal an egg from the cartoon - without disturbing anything else. Honestly, I was impressed! But some of our friends had them rip through their tents to get at food - not as impressive.
TravelerIn a grove of trees in a slightly hilly area. Easy access, but sites are gravel. Nice bit of grass with each site, most are at least partially shaded. Small dog park which is pea gravel, not grass.
GuideSpots kind of level, lots of choices of pull thru or buddy sites. Decent playground, water pillow for bouncing, fishing pond, dog park, swimming pool. Well maintained, lots of planned activities. KOA, so not a lot of nature. But no traffic or train noise. Full hook ups, including TV.
GuideSome full hook ups, sites not very level, playground ok. Can hear shots from gun range next door. Dog park, pool, arcade. We have camped here a couple times, and stored our rig here for a while. Didn't find there was that much going on here to keep us busy. Not a lot of nature, no trails or biking accessible from campground.
TravelerThe campground was nice, but it seems more for RVs. Sometimes you have to share a fire pit with other tents if it's busy. They have a small petting zoo and a small beach. This place feels more like a neighborhood verses camping in nature. Most people use this as a "summer home".
LegendFollowing 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!
LegendThis County Park is located right on the edge of Lake Panorama, a great town North West of Des Moines, Iowa. It is surrounded by amenities, so if you forget something you can drive five minutes into town to replace anything you forgot at home.
This is not a place to rough it, but if you have a family and want an outdoors experience close to amenities, this is the place for you. The campground is very clean and it is right next to a river.
Campsites near Windsor Heights occupy the rolling terrain where Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers converge. Elevation ranges from 830 to 950 feet across campgrounds, with most sites experiencing typical Midwestern seasonal shifts. Summer camping temperatures often reach 85-90°F, while spring and fall bring milder conditions with occasional rainfall that can create muddy conditions on unpaved sites.
Fishing opportunities: Cherry Glen Campground provides direct lake access with multiple fishing spots. "I am not a fisherman but there were a lot of folks casting near the spillway," notes Matt S. The campground connects to multiple picnic areas with playground equipment.
Wildlife viewing: Jester County Park features bison and bird viewing areas accessible by walking trails. "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," mentions Jim S. The park's nature center, opened in August 2018, offers educational exhibits about local wildlife.
Hiking options: Yellow Banks County Park maintains several trail systems of varying difficulty. "There is a hiking trail that will take you to indian burial mounds," explains Derrick W. The park includes both wooded and riverside trails ranging from 0.5 to 2 miles in length.
Water recreation: Prairie Flower Recreation Area sits directly on Saylorville Lake with boat launch facilities. "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," Stacy M. reports from a July 2018 visit.
Privacy options: Acorn Valley campground offers sites with natural separation. "Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time)," notes Jessica, who appreciated the secluded atmosphere while still maintaining access to amenities.
Concrete camping pads: Multiple campgrounds feature level, concrete pads that stay relatively clean even in wet conditions. "Amazingly quiet. We loved listening to the wildlife at night," shares Nancy C. about her Acorn Valley stay, highlighting the benefit of properly designed sites.
Clean facilities: Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and shower facilities. "The campgrounds are clean and well managed with modern bathrooms and showers," states Matt S. Several reviewers note that Army Corps of Engineers sites consistently offer clean public areas.
Water views: Sites 111-116 and 72-78 at Cherry Glen Campground offer views overlooking Saylorville Lake. "This is a lovely spot. We stayed at spot 20 which was extra wide, concrete pad with electric hook up," Wendy H. says of Bob Shelter, noting the river views below the spillway dam.
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds operate on limited schedules. "I tried to stay at Acorn Valley to find out it is closed after Labor Day," reports Matt S., highlighting the importance of checking operating dates before planning a trip.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "The Des Moines area has a fairly large camping population - because of this, reservations are usually necessary," explains Elizabeth A. about Bob Shelter Recreation Area.
Wildlife encounters: Walnut Woods State Park Campground and Acorn Valley campgrounds both report active wildlife. "Beautiful river access and camping in the trees. However the mosquitos get crazy here!" warns Steve H. about Walnut Woods. At Acorn Valley, "campsites are well kept and clean. Bathrooms are immaculate and cleaned every day. Biggest downside is the resident raccoons," notes John F.
Limited services: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "Spots are great. The noise level is unbearable. Dogs bark all night and day. No water or sewer electrical only," Terry G. mentions about Cherry Glen Campground, emphasizing the need to arrive with water tanks filled.
Playgrounds: Prairie Flower Recreation Area features multiple play areas throughout the campground. "Nice and well maintained! We parked at a site by the playground and bathhouse, and could sit at our camper and watch our son play at a safe distance," shares Dana K., highlighting the family-friendly layout.
Swimming access: Several locations offer swimming options during summer months. "Plenty to do here. Right next to the casino and horse race track and also next to adventure land amusement park," explains Dark M. about Adventureland Campground, which maintains a swimming pool open seasonally.
Nature activities: Jester Park offers educational opportunities through its nature center. "Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level," Jim S. reports, making it ideal for family learning experiences. The park also features hiking trails suitable for children.
Site selection: When camping with children, consider proximity to facilities. "Sites were great. The office looked nice, only thing some spots looked really close together. Our spot was big right by the park area," Tessa M. notes about Timberline Campground, suggesting families should request sites near amenities.
Dump station limitations: Popular campgrounds often have limited dump facilities relative to their size. "Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait," Elizabeth A. warns about Prairie Flower Recreation Area.
Winter camping options: Timberline Campground offers extended season camping. "Office is open until 7pm which was very helpful as we arrived a little later than expected. Well kept, clean bathrooms with space heaters running to ensure they're warm during the December cold," reports Iris A., noting this campground operates year-round despite highway signs indicating October closure.
Pull-through availability: Multiple dog friendly campgrounds near Windsor Heights feature accessible pull-through sites. "Great spot located next to the Des Moines River. Check in was a breeze and conveniently near the fill and dump stations," Julian B. shares about Bob Shelter Recreation Area, highlighting the convenient layout for larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Windsor Heights, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Windsor Heights, IA is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Windsor Heights, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 88 dog-friendly camping locations near Windsor Heights, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
