71 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Jester County Park accommodates pets across all camping areas, with clean sites and electric hookups available at sites like #137. This popular Granger, Iowa campground offers both wooded sites with plenty of shade and open waterfront locations overlooking Saylorville Lake. Campsites include gravel pads with ample room for vehicles and tents, plus picnic tables and fire rings with grill grates. The park maintains multiple campground loops, with Loop 1 primarily featuring RV sites with electrical connections including standard household plugs. Tent campers often prefer the 400-series sites which provide more seclusion and better lake views. Campers report sites are generally spacious with adequate separation, especially in the upper campground areas.
The park's extensive trail system provides excellent pet exercise opportunities throughout the 1,675-acre property. Dogs must remain leashed while exploring the hiking paths, natural playscape area, and when visiting the elk and bison viewing areas. Pet owners should be aware of blue-green algae warnings for Saylorville Lake during summer months, as the water can be toxic to animals. The campground features modern, regularly cleaned restrooms and shower facilities, though the vault toilets in the 400-series camping area receive less favorable reviews. Beyond camping, Jester Park offers numerous recreational options including fishing, a golf course, mini-golf, archery ranges, and seasonal activities like cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Campsites range from $15-$25 per night with a $5 discount available for seniors.
"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."
from $18 - $38 / night
Check Availability"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"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"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"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"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"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."
"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"Set off the road a bit in a tiny little town in Iowa, it's along a river and very close to the Raccoon River Valley Trail, an 89 mile loop trail (paved) that goes through several towns and counties."
from $18 / 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
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".
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.
GuideGreat place to stay. 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…
Woodward, Iowa offers several campground options within a 30-mile radius of town, with most facilities open from April through October. The area features rolling prairie landscapes with elevations ranging from 850-1,050 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F during peak camping season, with cooler nights around 60-65°F.
Hiking the ledges: At Ledges State Park, visitors can explore unique sandstone formations along challenging terrain. "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," notes Tom S. The park features stone steps and varying elevations uncommon in the typically flat Iowa landscape.
Fishing opportunities: The Des Moines River below Saylorville Dam provides excellent fishing access. "We stayed at spot 20 which was extra wide, concrete pad with electric hook up. No water or sewer. Spot 20 is at the end which makes it very private with nice large grassy area adjacent to wooded area. It backs to the river below the spillway from the dam," shares Wendy H. from Bob Shelter Recreation Area. Many campers report successful catfishing along the waterways.
Bike trail access: The Raccoon River Valley Trail passes near several campgrounds, offering 89 miles of paved paths. "It costs $2/person/day if you are 18 or older, or a year pass is $10," according to Amy G. who visited Sportsman Park. The trail connects multiple towns and counties, making it ideal for day trips from camp.
Secluded waterfront sites: Many campers seek out the 400-series sites at Jester County Park for their privacy and views. "Our favorite spot to camp is 410 and 409. It's a secluded area within the 400s that is lined with trees on one side and a drop off into the Saylorville water circuit on the other. For $15/night/camping spot, you can enjoy the best view of stars and amazing sunsets," writes Larissa C.
Clean facilities: The shower houses at Prairie Flower Recreation Area receive consistently positive reviews. "The bathrooms and shower house are nice and clean," reports Melissa A. Sites in the D loop feature concrete pads, making setup easier for both tent and RV campers, while bathrooms throughout the campground are regularly maintained.
Wildlife viewing: Several campgrounds offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. "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. In addition to the water access ways, there is a sweet pond to fish in, several hiking trails, a brand new Nature Center, amphitheater, bison and bird viewing," explains Larissa C.
Seasonal closures: Not all campgrounds remain open year-round. "I tried to stay at Acorn Valley to find out it is closed after Labor Day. Bummer," shares Matt S. Many Corps of Engineers campgrounds operate from May through September, while state parks may have longer seasons into October or November.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "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. For holiday weekends, booking up to six months in advance is recommended.
Hookup limitations: Water and sewer connections vary widely between campgrounds. "Spacious campsites with cement pads... The only thing holding it back from 5 stars is no water or sewer onsite," notes Ron M. about Prairie Flower Recreation Area. Cherry Glen Campground offers electrical hookups but no water or sewer at individual sites, requiring campers to fill tanks at central locations.
Playgrounds and activities: Acorn Valley offers kid-friendly amenities that parents appreciate. "Took the PUP, two kids, dog and grandma this past weekend. Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees. Sites were great, facilities were immaculate, playground and pond were awesome for keeping kids entertained," shares Jessica. The nearby natural playscape at Jester Park provides additional entertainment options.
Swimming spots: Several campgrounds offer water access for cooling off during hot summer days. "We loved staying at Ledges State Park. The leafs were just starting to change and the weather was perfect. We really had fun on all of the trails around the park. They were easy to hike and well marked," notes Cj C., who also mentions that kids can take a dip in the water along the ledges when river levels permit.
Dog friendly campgrounds near Woodward: Most area campgrounds welcome pets with standard leash requirements. "Lots of trails and peaceful area. Our spot was pretty level and well maintained," shares Andrea H. about her stay at Jester Park. For pet exercise, the hiking trails at Ledges State Park are popular, though Elizabeth K. recommends going "a bit off the path with our dog, which made it a bit more fun!"
Dump station timing: Plan your departure carefully at busy campgrounds. "Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on a Sunday is a good 1 hour wait... I hate going there knowing that instead of getting to enjoy Sunday - I'll be busy draining my pooper," advises Elizabeth A. about Prairie Flower Recreation Area. Consider dumping on Saturday evening or Monday morning instead.
Site selection for large rigs: Timberline Campground accommodates larger RVs with spacious sites. "Sites were pretty level, sizable that our 43' motorhome and tow fit without unhooking. We just stayed over night since we're heading home. They take you to your site," mentions Roxanna L. For back-in sites at state parks, arrive during daylight hours for easier positioning.
Water access planning: Several campgrounds require filling tanks at central locations rather than providing hookups at sites. "No water hook ups, so fill up after you get in the campground before you park," advises Mia L. about Prairie Flower. Ron B. adds, "On large loops you will need a lot of hose to reach. I think I needed about 80' some campers will need 100'. There is potable water at dump site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Woodward, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Woodward, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Woodward, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 71 dog-friendly camping locations near Woodward, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
