Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking an RV, there’s no shortage of excellent places to go camping in Des Moines! Below, we put together a list of the campgrounds in the Des Moines area—so you can find your perfect campsite.
Where To Go Camping in Des Moines
This article includes campgrounds within approximately 30 miles of Des Moines. There are many great camping options here, and many are quite popular! We recommend making reservations if you can.
Disclaimer: Over the years, we’ve camped in many of the park campgrounds, but we haven’t been to the RV Parks. In other words, our list is a good starting point. But we aren’t doing reviews here, so we recommend doing your research to find the best campground for you!
Camping in Des Moines Area Parks
Walnut Woods State Park Campground
3155 Walnut Woods Dr
West Des Moines, IA 50265
With its easy access to the Des Moines metro, Walnut Woods State Park is the perfect place to camp. You’ll find Iowa’s largest stand of Black Walnut trees in this beautiful 260-acre park along the Raccoon River.
Walnut Woods campground is a popular, shady campground nestled on the east side of the park. Some campsites are first-come, first-serve, and some are reservable. With a limited number of sites, it fills fast during the summer. It’s wise to plan ahead and reserve a campsite if you can. To book your spot, visit Reserve America.
Campsites include eight full-hookups, thirteen electric sites, and a group tent site. All sites have a concrete pad (except the group tent site). Modern restrooms and a dump station are available, but there are no showers.
Yellow Banks Park Campground
6801 SE 32nd Ave
Pleasant Hill, IA 50327
Yellow Banks Park is a few short miles east of downtown Des Moines. The 552-acre park is well known for its sweeping views and bluffs over the Des Moines River valley. Fishing and hiking are a couple of the most popular activities here.
The campgrounds are home to mature trees, including large spruce trees. There are 48 electric sites and several tent, backpacker, and group campsites too.
Campgrounds #1 and #2 are near the entrance to the park. Both have electric sites, each with a public shower house/restroom. A few of the campsites in each loop are reservable. A playground is between the two campgrounds. And a dump station is available for campers’ use.
A bluff overlooking the Des Moines River hosts several tent sites. And you can find a few hike-in backpacker sites throughout the park too.
For more, see Yellow Banks Park Campgrounds: A Beautiful Outdoor Getaway Close To Des Moines
Saylorville Lake Campgrounds
Saylorville Lake is the most popular place to camp in the Des Moines area! Just a few minutes north of Des Moines, it’s super convenient. It also has beautiful views, clean facilities, and a wealth of outdoor recreational activities!
Four campgrounds with 530 campsites are at Saylorville Lake! You can (and should) reserve campsites ahead of time—they fill up fast! To make reservations for a Saylorville Lake campground, visit Recreation.gov. Below are the campgrounds at Saylorville Lake.
To learn more, see our Saylorville Lake Campgrounds article.
- Acorn Valley Campground is a 26-acre campground on the west side of Saylorville Lake. Campers love the shade and beauty of the mature Bur Oaks in this quiet campground. The lake is not visible from these campsites.
- 29 electric sites, 54 primitive tent sites, and two group tent areas
- Modern showers and restrooms
- Playground
- Potable water
- Dump station
- DRY campground – no alcohol
- Located off of Corydon Drive at NW Beaver Drive, Johnston
- Cherry Glen Campground is a 13-acre campground on the east side of Saylorville Lake, north of the dam. It’s a compact, wooded area on a ridge above the lake. As one of the most popular campgrounds in the area, it has easy access to the lake, boat ramp, Neal Smith Trail, visitor center, and more.
- 125 electric sites
- Modern showers and restrooms
- Playground
- Potable water
- Dump station
- Boat ramp
- Located at 4338 NW 94th Ave, Ankeny, IA 50021
- Prairie Flower Campground is the largest of the Saylorville Lake campgrounds. It covers over 60 acres of prairie and woodlands and is close to Oak Grove Beach and the Marina. Spacious campsites, lake views, and concrete pads make it a favorite among campers.
- 153 individual electric sites
- 10 group sites with electricity (sites are in a circle around a greenspace/picnic area)
- Modern showers and restrooms
- Playgrounds
- Potable water
- Dump station
- Located at 10498-10534 NW Lake Dr, Polk City, IA, west of Hwy 415, near the marina.
- Bob Shetler Campground is a grassy, compact campground near the spillway. It’s along the Des Moines River, so campers enjoy great fishing spots along the river and its backwaters. Bob Shetler is on the south side of Saylorville, near the Visitor Center.
- 67 electric sites
- Modern showers and restrooms
- Potable water
- Dump station
- Vault toilets
- Located near the intersection of NW 78th Avenue and Water Avenue in Johnston.
Jester Park Campground
11121 NW Jester Park Dr
Granger, IA 50109
Jester Park is 22 miles north of Des Moines, on the west shore of Saylorville Lake. It’s a one-of-a-kind 1660-acre park offering activities you won’t find in other area parks. Campers enjoy the mini-golf course, natural play area, bison and elk herds, and much more.
The campgrounds include 80 electric sites and 82 non-electric sites. Primitive, equestrian, and youth group sites are also available. Some campsites are reservable, but most are first-come, first-serve. Two modern restrooms with showers are open from mid-April through mid-October. A dump station is near the south entrance to the park.
Check out our article on camping at Jester Park for more information. For reservations, go to the My County Parks website. (There are also modern cabins available year round!)
Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt Campground
8700 NE 126th Ave
Maxwell, IA 50161
Chichaqua Bottoms is about 25 miles northeast of Des Moines. With over 8300 acres along the Skunk River oxbows, the park features a diverse Iowa landscape, with vast wetland and prairie. Hike the trails or rent a canoe to explore this unique park.
The campground has ten electric sites and two non-electric sites. Five tent sites are available, as well as a youth tent area. The youth tent area is reservable, but all other campsites are first-come, first-serve. The campground has a modern restroom/shower building, water, and a dump station.
Thomas Mitchell Park Campground
4250 NE 108th St
Mitchellville, IA 50169
Thomas Mitchell Park is about 15 miles east of Des Moines. You won’t guess you’re that close to the city in this beautiful, secluded campground. The campground is right along a scenic creek, with access to hiking trails.
The campground has 23 electric sites and 20 tent sites (3 allow trailers). A youth tent area and primitive sites are available too. Five electric sites and the youth area are reservable, but all others are first-come, first-serve. The campground has a modern restroom/shower building, water, and a dump station.
Lake Ahquabi State Park Campground
16510 118th Ave
Indianola, IA 50125
Lake Ahquabi is 25 miles south of Des Moines in Indianola. The campground is on the shores of a 115-acre lake, popular for fishing, boating, and swimming at the beach.
The campground has 141 campsites, of which 85 are electric sites. A youth group camping area is also available. Some of the sites are available for reservation, and others are first-come, first-serve. A playground, modern restrooms/showers, and two dump stations are on-site.
Quarry Springs Park
200 North Park Road
Colfax, IA 50054
Quarry Springs Park is a newer park 25 miles east of Des Moines. It was once a sand and gravel quarry and has recently added camping. Though their RV section isn’t complete, they offer 15 primitive tent sites and allow limited RV parking for up to four units (no hookups). Campers self-register at the campground entrance.
RV Parks and Private Campgrounds
Timberline Campground & RV Park
31635 Ashworth Rd
Waukee, IA 50263
Timberline is outside of Waukee, a few miles west of Des Moines. It’s conveniently situated 1½ miles north of I-80. The campground has full hookups, electric/water sites, and tent sites, as well as cabin rentals. They charge extra fees for guests and some services. 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. Check out their photo gallery to get a feel for the campground.
Adventureland Resort Campground
2600 Adventureland Dr
Altoona, IA 50009
Adventureland Campground is next to Adventureland Park, a well-known amusement park with roller coasters, a water park, and entertainment. Located in Altoona, Iowa, a mile south of I-80, the campground is within walking distance of the park. It’s also close to Prairie Meadows Casino, shopping, and restaurants.
It has around 300 campsites, with pull-throughs, full hookups, and tent sites. A pool, dog run, and playground are some campground amenities. And modern restrooms/showers, laundry, and Wi-Fi are on-site.
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 in a rural area of Altoona. It’s three miles east of I-35, nestled in a quiet countryside location. Some amenities include a fishing pond, playground, exercise equipment, and a game room.
The campground has 142 full hookups with concrete pads, some with pull-throughs. 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 Campground is on the east side of Des Moines, next to the Iowa State Fairgrounds. During the fair, the campgrounds are packed to the brim, require a reservation, and are subject to fair-time rates. Non-fair camping is much easier to come by and offered at lower rates.
The campgrounds have 2300(!) water and electric sites, of which about 700 offer sewer hookups. Three sizable modern restroom/shower facilities and five dump stations are on site.
Des Moines West KOA Holiday
34308 L Ave
Adel, IA 50003
This KOA is 30 minutes west of Des Moines, just north of I-80, in a quiet, rural area. The campground stands out because of its extensive list of amenities. Kids enjoy the jumping pillow, heated pool, and paddle boats. Other things worth mentioning include two dog parks, a fishing pond, and themed weekend activities.
The campground has about 100 RV/trailer sites, including pull-throughs, full hookups, and tent sites. Lodging rentals are also available (cabins and glamping tents!). Modern restrooms, laundry, and propane are on-site.
The Crow’s Nest RV Resort
100 W 17th Ave
Indianola, IA 50125
The Crow’s Nest is a scenic rural campground 20 miles south of Des Moines. There, you’re within driving distance of everything Des Moines has to offer. But you can also enjoy activities at the resort, like Friday Movie Nights hayrack rides, as well as the jumping pillow and fishing pond.
The campground has 50 RV sites with full hookups, modern restrooms, a bathhouse with private 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.
Webb’s RV Park
22905 Buchanan Trail
Hartford, IA 50118
Webb’s RV Park is 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 panoramic views from bluffs over the Des Moines River.
The campground offers 50 full hookup sites. A stocked fishing pond and river access are nearby. And modern restrooms/showers and laundry are on-site. Owners permit long-term stays.
Shady Brook Camping & RV Adventures
36026 Jewel Ct
Earlham, IA 50072
Shady Brook Campground is 30 miles west of Des Moines. It’s a rural campground, south of Interstate 80 off of about 3 miles of gravel roads. Situated among the trees, it makes for a secluded getaway, and it’s also an outdoor wedding venue.
The campground has 10+ electric sites and 15+ non-electric tent 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.
Cutty’s Camping Club Resort
2500 SE 37th St
Grimes, IA 50111
We’re including Cutty’s on here but want to let readers know it is a members-only camping club—and a non-profit organization. Members pay an initial buy-in and annual maintenance fees. If you’re local or want to camp in the Des Moines area for a few weeks each year, it could be something to consider.
Cutty’s sits on 80-acres, with over 500 campsites. They offer group activities and theme weekends, and have lots of on-site amenities. Two outdoor pools, a fishing lake, paddle boats, mini-golf, and tennis courts, are a few of the many available.
Other Campgrounds Near Des Moines
Below is a list of campgrounds that are a bit more than 30 minutes away from Des Moines. Most of them are within about a 45-minute drive, so if you don’t mind a little extra distance, they’re worth checking into.
- Ledges State Park, Madrid
- Lake Red Rock, Pella & Knoxville area
- Elk Rock State Park, Knoxville
- Swede Point Park, Madrid
- Winterset City Campground and RV Park, Winterset
- Nation’s Bridge, Stuart
- Kuehn Conservation (tent only), Earlham
- Whistlin Donkey, Woodward
- Newton/Des Moines East KOA, Newton
- Kellogg RV Park, Kellogg
- Whispering Oaks Campground, Story City
- Twin Anchors Campground and RV Sales, Colo
- Hickory Grove Park, Colo
While you’re here…
While you’re camping in Des Moines, check out all the excellent outdoor activities the area has to offer. There’s no shortage of fishing, paddling, and hiking. And if biking is your thing, we’ve definitely got you covered. Hundreds of miles of connected paved trails get you anywhere in the Des Moines metro and beyond.
If you’re looking for even more things to do, check out a local concert, museum, or festival. And in the summer, don’t miss the weekly Farmer’s Market and legendary Iowa State Fair.
Did we miss something? If you have a campground to add, or if we missed important information, please let us know, and we’ll get the list updated! 🙂
