Campsites near Pleasant Hill, Iowa offer variety across county and state parklands ranging from river settings to lakefront areas. The region sits at approximately 955 feet above sea level with humid summer conditions from June through August when temperatures regularly exceed 80°F. Most camping areas operate with extended seasons, though water access points at Saylorville Lake locations close earlier in fall when water levels fluctuate.
What to do
Explore Indian burial mounds: A hiking trail at Yellow Banks County Park leads visitors to historical sites. "Great little campground. Theres a hiking trail that will take you to indian burial mounds. There is also fishing and boating. They have a fun playground also. There are a couple of backpacking sites as well," notes Derrick W.
Fish in multiple locations: Catch bluegill and bass at the fishing pond in Griffs Valley View RV Park. A reviewer commented, "There is a really nice pond for fishing that has some bluegills. The water is very clean." At Yellow Banks, river fishing offers different opportunities as one camper shared: "Never tried the river here, but is known for big cats."
Splash in creek waters: Children enjoy cooling off in the small waterways at Thomas Mitchell County Park during summer months. "Easy trails for the kids to go hiking and playing in the creek to cool off in the heat. There is even a pond for fishing that you can take a trail from the campsite to," reports a visitor.
Bike paved trails: Access extensive trail networks directly from several campgrounds. "The voicemail said it was fully booked from May until September. Good thing we got through because they found us a site for the night," reports one cyclist who stayed at Griffs Valley View while accessing the nearby Chichaqua Valley Trail.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Thomas Mitchell County Park offers creek-side sites with ample room. "Thomas Mitchell park is located outside of Altoona Iowa on 197 acres. There are electric and non electric sites available. The outer loop has a creek that flows behind the sites with large stairs to get down to it," explains Shannon G.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple camping areas provide habitat for viewing local fauna. At Jester County Park, visitors can see bison in designated viewing areas. "It's got access to trails and to the Des Moines river. It's a great little escape. There is a fishing pond that's got plenty of bluegill and largemouth bass," notes one outdoor enthusiast about Yellow Banks.
Clean facilities: Prairie Flower Recreation Area maintains quality bathhouses even during busy seasons. "This is a very large campground with lots of sites and large group camping areas. The bathrooms and shower house are nice and clean," writes Melissa A. Another camper noted the concrete pads at many sites, adding "The only thing holding it back from 5 stars is no water or sewer onsite."
Late arrival accommodation: Several campgrounds offer systems for after-hours check-in. "We rolled up to this campground past 10pm on a Thursday night just looking for a safe spot to sleep and hopefully a shower before getting back on the road. This place was great... There was no camp office that we could find, but we were pleasantly surprised when we found an open spot that we could make a same day reservation and payment online," reports Reese W.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Sites at Jester County Park and other popular locations fill months in advance for summer weekends. "This campground is a hot spot for Des Moines to escape the weekend - with that said, reservations are a must! Most times you need to make them six months out," explains a regular visitor to Prairie Flower.
Dump station congestion: Single dump stations at larger campgrounds create delays during checkout times. "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... that's being generous!"
Seasonal availability: Water access and some facilities close earlier than camping areas. A visitor to Thomas Mitchell notes, "We stayed at site 4, glad I read reviews on here. I personally would not want to be in a site beyond number 7 as it gets too close to the dump station and subsequent 'sewage lagoon.'"
Mosquito presence: Wooded areas near water features experience significant insect activity. "Mosquitoes can get pretty bad, also poison ivy if you get into the thickets," warns a visitor to Thomas Mitchell County Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Bob Shelter Recreation Area offers recreation facilities within walking distance from campsites. "Along with the campgrounds there are quite a few picnic areas and shelters with playground equipment and plenty of space to run and play games with your kids," describes Matt S.
Creek exploration: Children particularly enjoy wading areas at Thomas Mitchell Park. "Kids were having a blast in the water," reports a visitor who appreciated the large stairs providing creek access behind the outer loop sites.
Water safety precautions: Campgrounds near Saylorville Lake require added vigilance. "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," notes a visitor who appreciated the river access while maintaining safety awareness.
Educational opportunities: Several parks feature nature centers with programming. "It's got access to trails and to the Des Moines river. It's a great little escape. There is a fishing pond that's got plenty of bluegill and largemouth bass. There is a couple of docks and boat ramps."
Tips from RVers
Concrete pad availability: Cherry Glen Campground and others offer sturdy surfaces for larger rigs. "The sites are level and well marked. The property is kept up nicely. 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!" explains Paula O.
Site selection strategy: Waterfront locations require advance planning. "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 a regular visitor.
Water access planning: "No water hook ups, so fill up after you get in the campground before you park. Lots of prairie area around, spacious sites. Varying levels of shade," notes Mia L. about Prairie Flower's facilities.
Full-hookup options: For extended stays, select locations with complete services. "We got here and the staff and people are very friendly they keep it very clean and it's nice and quiet. The lots are a nice size and have hookups for everything."
