Best Campgrounds near Woodward, IA

Looking for the best campgrounds near Woodward, IA? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Woodward is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Woodward, IA. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Best Camping Sites Near Woodward, Iowa (83)

    1. Ledges State Park Campground

    40 Reviews
    Boone, IA
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 432-1852

    $12 - $25 / night

    "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."

    2. Jester County Park

    29 Reviews
    Granger, IA
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 323-5300

    $20 - $25 / night

    "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"

    "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."

    3. Swede Point Park

    13 Reviews
    Madrid, IA
    5 miles
    Website

    "Just a few minutes drive to High Trestle Bridge and right off the river. People were accommodating and friendly. Right between Madrid and Woodward with small town conveniences…"

    "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."

    4. Prairie Flower Recreation Area

    16 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 984-6925

    $20 - $336 / night

    "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."

    5. Acorn Valley

    11 Reviews
    Polk City, IA
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0429

    $14 - $84 / night

    "Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."

    "Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."

    6. Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

    15 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 276-0873

    $22 - $26 / night

    "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."

    7. Cherry Glen Campground

    13 Reviews
    Johnston, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 964-8792

    $24 - $26 / night

    "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."

    8. Timberline Campground

    13 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +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. Des Moines West KOA Holiday

    22 Reviews
    Earlham, IA
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (515) 834-2729

    "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."

    10. Walnut Woods State Park Campground

    14 Reviews
    West Des Moines, IA
    23 miles
    Website
    +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."

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Recent Reviews near Woodward, IA

452 Reviews of 83 Woodward Campgrounds



Guide to Woodward

Camping near Woodward, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic parks to family-friendly campgrounds, there’s something for everyone looking to escape into nature.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the trails at Ledges State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals."
  • Fishing: Head to Lake Anita State Park Campground for some fishing. A camper shared, "Great location, good facilities... Plenty of space in tent area - shade and soft grass."
  • Wildlife Watching: At Rock Creek State Park Campground, you can enjoy the beauty of nature. One reviewer noted, "Beautiful scenery with lake front camping. Sunset over the lake!"

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness at Jester County Park. One happy camper said, "Showers are hot every time; it’s a wonderful place to be."
  • Spacious Sites: Many enjoy the large sites at Prairie Flower Recreation Area. A visitor remarked, "The whole campsite was paved and our site (#81) had a beautiful lake view."
  • Friendly Hosts: Campers often mention the helpful staff at Des Moines West KOA Holiday. One guest said, "Staff is one of the nicest and most helpful we've ever encountered."

What you should know:

  • Limited Cell Service: If you rely on your phone, be aware that some campgrounds, like Iowa Ledges State Park Campground, have poor cell coverage. A reviewer noted, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected."
  • Busy During Summer: Popular spots like Lake Anita State Park Campground can get crowded. One camper mentioned, "It was really busy when we did."
  • Reservations Recommended: Many campgrounds, such as Bob Shelter Recreation Area, fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A visitor advised, "You must reserve these sites in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds Available: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. Jester County Park has a playground that kids love. One parent said, "The campgrounds are great; the facilities are amazing."
  • Nature Trails: Choose campgrounds with hiking trails for family adventures. At Rock Creek State Park Campground, a camper noted, "Found a great trail to hike."
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to check for nearby attractions. One camper suggested, "Madrid has a bakery and some other cute places."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Woodward, Iowa, has its perks and quirks. With a little planning, you can enjoy a great outdoor experience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Woodward, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Woodward, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 40 reviews.

What parks are near Woodward, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 parks near Woodward, IA that allow camping, notably Bankhead National Forest and Chugach National Forest.