The Des Moines area is a great place to go camping! And there are excellent camping options in local parks and recreation areas in Central Iowa! But what you might not know is there are several Des Moines RV Parks too. So, whether you’re just passing through or staying awhile, there’s a local RV park nearby.
To help you find the best campsite for you, here is a guide to RV parks near Des Moines. Some of them are even open year-round!
Please note that we are locals, so we only camp at parks and recreation areas during the warmer months. In other words, we’ve never stayed at the local RV parks. But, we want to provide a resource for people looking for an RV park!
Map of Des Moines Area RV Parks
Des Moines RV Parks
Below are the RV Parks within about 20 minutes of the Des Moines Metro area.
Timberline Campground & RV Park
31635 Ashworth Rd
Waukee, IA 50263
Timberline RV is in Waukee, a few miles west of Des Moines and 1½ miles north of I-80. The great thing is, this conveniently located campground is open year-round.
They offer full hookups, electric/water sites, and tent sites, as well as cabin rentals. Modern restrooms and a dump station are on-site, and they have Wi-Fi available. Some of their amenities include an outdoor pool, picnic area, and camp store. You must pay extra fees for guests and some services. Check out their website for more information or to book a campsite.
Adventureland Resort Campground
2600 Adventureland Dr
Altoona, IA 50009
Adventureland Campground is just east of the Des Moines metro and a mile south of I-80. Over 100 campsites are available, some with pull-throughs, full hookups. They’re open from April through September. Modern restrooms/showers, laundry, and Wi-Fi are on-site. There’s also a pool, dog run, and playground.
The RV park is beside Adventureland Park, an amusement park with roller coasters and a water park. It’s also super close to Prairie Meadows Casino, shopping, and restaurants.
Griff’s Valley View RV Park and Campground
6429 NE 46th St
Altoona, IA 50009
Griff’s Valley View Campground is about 15 minutes northeast of Des Moines, east of I-35, and north of I-80. It’s nestled in the countryside and has a fishing pond, playground, and game room.
The campground is open year-round and has 142 full hookups with concrete pads. Reservations are required, and they allow extended stays. Modern restrooms, private showers, laundry, and propane are on site.
Iowa State Fair Campgrounds
Dean Ave & Lucas Ave
Des Moines, IA 50317
The Iowa State Fair Campgrounds are on the east side of Des Moines. These campgrounds are packed to the brim and are subject to different rates during the fair. But non-fair camping is available at lower rates.
There are 2300(!) water and electric sites, of which about 700 offer sewer hookups. Also, three modern restroom/shower facilities and five dump stations are on site. They’re open from mid-April through mid-October.
Cutty’s Camping Club Resort
2500 SE 37th St
Grimes, IA 50111
We’re including Cutty’s but want to let readers know it is a non-profit, members-only camping club. Members pay an initial buy-in and annual maintenance fees.
Cutty’s sits on 80-acres, with over 500 campsites, and is open from April 1 to October 31. They offer group activities and theme weekends, with several on-site amenities. These include two outdoor pools, a fishing lake, paddle boats, mini-golf, and tennis courts.
The Crow’s Nest RV Resort
100 W 17th Ave
Indianola, IA 50125
The Crow’s Nest is a scenic rural campground south of Des Moines and is open seasonally. It’s about 15 minutes east of I-35 and well within driving distance of everything Des Moines has to offer. Resort activities include Friday Movies, hayrack rides, fishing, and a jumping pillow.
The campground has 50 RV sites with full hookups, modern restrooms/showers, laundry, and Wi-Fi. Nine camping cabins (with electricity and water) are also available.
Wheel House RV Park
906 S Jefferson Way
Indianola, IA 50125
Wheel House RV Park is about 20 miles south of Des Moines, in Indianola. All RV sites have water and electric hookups and access to a dump station. See their Facebook page, and contact them for more info.
RV Parks Near Des Moines
If you don’t mind camping a bit further away from Des Moines, this list is for you. Below are the RV Parks near Des Moines – between 20-50 minutes outside the metro area.
Des Moines West KOA Holiday
34308 L Ave
Adel, IA 50003
This campground is 30 minutes west of Des Moines, just 1½ miles north of I-80. 100+ RV/trailer sites, including pull-throughs, full hookups, and tent sites, are available. Plus, lodging rentals are also available (cabins and glamping tents!). It stands out because of its extensive list of amenities. Modern restrooms, laundry, and propane are on-site. They appear to have availability year-round, though some amenities are available seasonally.
Dallas County Fair Campgrounds
US-169
Adel, IA 50003
This campground is about 30 miles west of Des Moines, north of Adel (about 6 miles north of I-80). Eighty electric campsites are available, with some full hookup and pull-through sites. It’s open from April through November, and all sites are first-come, first-serve.
River Oaks RV Park
22905 Buchanan Trail
Hartford, IA 50118
River Oaks RV Park is a family-owned campground about 30 minutes southeast of Des Moines. It’s north of Hartford, Iowa, off Hwy 5, by way of about 3½ miles of gravel. Nestled in a rural area, it offers views from bluffs over the Des Moines River. There are 50 full hookup sites, and modern restrooms/showers and laundry are on-site. Owners permit seasonal and long-term stays, and RV rentals are available.
Shady Brook Camping & RV Adventures
36026 Jewel Ct
Earlham, IA 50072
Shady Brook Campground is 30 miles west of Des Moines. This rural campground is south of Interstate 80 off 3 miles of gravel roads. It has 10+ electric sites. They also offer some rentals, including cabins, tree tents, and a camping trailer. Hunting packages are available seasonally. An above-ground pool and restroom/shower facilities are on-site.
Winterset City Park Campground
225 S 10th St
Winterset, IA 50273
The Winterset City Park Campground is 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines and about 12 miles west of I-35. This quaint Iowa town is known for its annual Covered Bridge Festival. The campground has 40 electric sites, some with full hookups. Campsites have reasonable rates, and the City Park offers several things to do. They’re open from around April 1 to November 15 (depending on the weather).
Whistlin’ Donkey Sports Bar and Campground
111 N Main St
Woodward, IA 50276
The Whistlin’ Donkey campground is 30 miles north of Des Moines, along the High Trestle Trail. It’s a popular campground for those biking the trail or visiting the High Trestle Bridge. Visit their Facebook page and contact the owners for camping information.
Newton/Des Moines East KOA
1601 E 36th St S
Newton, IA 50208
This KOA is 40 miles east of Des Moines, right off of I-80 in Newton. They have over 100 campsites, some with full hookups, with tent camping and cabins also available. Like many KOAs, this one offers several amenities, like a fishing pond, disc golf, laundry, swimming pool, and playgrounds. Though many amenities are open seasonally, many sites appear to be available year-round.
Kellogg RV Park
1570 IA-224
Kellogg, IA 50135
The Kellogg RV Park is about 45 miles east of Des Moines, conveniently located off Interstate 80. The campground is in a rural area (and is solar powered!) with a famous burger joint nearby. The town of Newton is a larger town about 5 miles to the west. Thirty-eight pull-through RV sites accommodate any size camper.
Whispering Oaks Campground
1011 Timberland Dr
Story City, IA 50248
Whispering Oaks Campground is 45 miles north of Des Moines, right off Interstate 35 in Story City. They’re open year-round and have several full hookup sites. Call their office for more info and reservations at (515) 733-4663.
Twin Anchors Campground and RV Sales
68132 US-30
Colo, IA 50056
Twin Anchors Campground is 40 miles northeast of Des Moines and 12 miles east of Ames & Interstate 35. The campground is open from April to October. It has 100+ campsites, with electric and full hookups (ask them about winter availability). Amenities include a lake, boat rental, petting zoo, and nearby restaurant.
Two Bears Campground
1173 237th St
Boone, IA 50036
Two Bears Campground is a small campground about 45 minutes northwest of Des Moines (22 miles west of I-35). There are ten campsites with electric and water hookups and WiFi. See their Facebook page and contact them for more information.
Lakeside RV Park (& Casino)
777 Casino Dr
Osceola, IA 50213
Lakeside RV Park is part of the Lakeside Casino and is about 45 minutes south of Des Moines, off Interstate 35. Forty-seven full-hookup RV sites are on large concrete pads. And the campsites are within walking distance of the casino (with shuttle service). Reservations are available year-round.
Prairie Ridge Camping
2004 130th Ave
Murray, IA 50174
Praire Ridge Camping is a small RV campground west of Osceola and Lakeside Casino. It’s about an hour south of Des Moines, 12 miles west of I-80. This new family-owned campground has 12 RV sites, with ten full hookups. Campers can enjoy the picnic shelter, automated driving range, and small lake with a beach and paddle boats. Make reservations on their website.
While you’re in the Des Moines area…
While you’re here in Des Moines, check out all the excellent outdoor activities in the area! There’s no shortage of fishing, paddling, and hiking. And if biking is your thing, we’ve got you covered. Hundreds of miles of connected paved trails get you anywhere in the Des Moines metro and beyond.
