I stayed at Ledges in June and hiked the trails again in February. The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals. With most of the surrounding areas having little to no elevation changes there are a few nice hikes along some rocky hills beside the river both in summer and winter.

I stayed at Adventureland for the summer months and had no issues. The staff was very helpful, plenty of laundry/restrooms throughout the campground and pretty clean overall. Concrete pads with full hook ups (30/50 amp, water and sewage) make setting up quick. Tent camping is an option in the back of the campground. Nature is not really the draw of this campground, convenience is more the approach. With a theme park on one side and a casino on the other, both in walking distance. It’s more of a park and party place hahaha

I stayed at Griffs for two months in autumn while working in Altoona. The campground very very well kept with spacious concrete pads, both 30/50 amp and full water/ sewage hookups. Two nice laundry/shower houses, one in the front and one in the back of the campground. You can check in and fill propane at the campground office that is actually up NE 46th St to the north of the campground attached to a feed store/ barn that is own by a sweet yet stern woman named Carol. You will see what I mean from the notes she leaves throughout the campground. They cracked me up. Nicely paved 25 mile long biking and walking Chichaqua Valley Trail runs right between the campground and the campground office. During the summer months they are quite busy so definitely call ahead to before making the trip out.

Hope to make it back someday.

It was early April so still off season for that area which was nice because there was basically no body there and I got to pick any site I wanted. Water and restrooms where still closed until the 15th of April, except a outhouse across from the playground on the right as you enter. All sites looked well maintained, had space for vehicle and camper or tents, large sturdy fire pits and they sold fire wood at the check in for $5 a bundle. 3 nice sets of stairs that take you from the campground to the 3.5 mile trail around the lake. Nice little hike with the lake at the base of the surrounding hills. The trees hadn’t leafed out yet from winter but it was nice being able to the hills throughout the area with nothing blocking the view.