Des Moines, Iowa Top RV Parks and Campgrounds

Timberline Campground is nestled on the outskirts of Waukee, Iowa, which is located just a few miles west of West Des Moines. It is conveniently situated one and a half miles away from Interstate 80, but your ears won’t be able to tell. From the shady campsites to the immaculate facilities, Timberline Campground continues to delight its guests time and time again. Let your hosts show you how Timberline Campground provides country camping with city convenience!

As the name implies, Sudbury Court Motel & RV Park in Marengo has a campground that’s adjacent to a more traditional lodging area. If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll like this property. The RV park features a stocked fishing pond, and wildflowers are abundant throughout the area during the spring.

Newton/Des Moines East Koa is a medium-sized RV park only 30 minutes east of Des Moines, Iowa. Bring a lawn chair and cast a line in the campground’s fishing pond for bluegill, bass, and channel catfish. You’ll also find that firewood, ice, and groceries are offered at this RV park’s Kamp Store.

Des Moines West KOA Holiday is in Adel, which is just west of Des Moines. This RV park offers common KOA amenities such as a communal kitchen, firewood, and a snack bar. Plus, you can rent a bike or go fishing at this KOA RV park.

This RV park is part of a wide-spanning resort complex. Adventureland itself offers numerous rides, games, and stores. The Adventureland Campground, which is a couple of miles northeast of Des Moines, features spacious sites and well-kept accommodations.

River Oaks RV Park is a family-owned and pet-friendly campground located in Hartford, Iowa, just 20 minutes southeast of Des Moines. The park is full of fun things to do and is one of the premier campgrounds in Iowa.

Griff’s Valley View RV Park & Campground is just northeast of Des Moines in Altoo, Iowa. While this RV park is relatively large and has lots of guests, it features a 10 p.m. “quiet curfew” for those who like a bit of peace and quiet. Visitors also appreciate the Wi-Fi and clean RV sites with full hookups.

Kellogg RV Park is home to a restaurant known as Iowa’s Best Burger Cafe. There is also a convenience store on-site, and you can fill up your tanks at the gas station. While this RV park is quite small, the diner and extra amenities more than make up for it.

Lake Ahquabi State Park covers a beautifully forested area due south of Des Moines. This park covers over 700 acres, and it features a large campground. In addition, the park includes a stone lodge overlooking the lake that can be reserved for groups.

The Iowa State Fair Campground is located slightly to the east of Des Moines. Since this campground is part of the Iowa State Fairgrounds, various events are held on the property throughout the year. The campground fills up quickly in the summer, but you can make reservations online ahead of time.

If you are an angler, then you will love the easy access to Saylorville Lake from the Cherry Glen Campground. Several playgrounds make this a great place to relax with your children. Bring along the bikes for a fun family ride.

When you just need a break, check out Bob Shetler Campground. The scenic views of the Des Moines River will have you relaxing in no time. This campground offers some of the best fishing in the Ames region.

Prairie Flower Campground is in Polk City, which is just outside of Des Moines. Prairie Flower Campground is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This campground is within walking distance of the Saylorville Lake, and there is a boat ramp right down the road

A nature center that opened in 2018 is a great way to introduce your children to the wonders of nature, and they will be amazed by the herds of bison that still roam here. Anglers adore the fishing, and long-term campers are warmly welcomed.

This small campground is a great place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Yet, it is close to all that Ames and the Central Iowa region has to offer. Most campers staying here act like they are part of one big happy family, so pull your RV in and join them.

Splash your way through the low-water crossings near the Ledges State Park campground. Bring your rock climbing and rappelling gear along so that you can explore the cliffs from a different vantage point. This campground often books up months in advance, so make your reservations early.

The sandy beach at Hickory Grove Breezy Bay is a great place to beat the summer’s heat as you play in the cool water. This family-friendly campground also offers a good swimming pool, and lots of family activities are available nearby. When you camp here, you will build memories that last a lifetime.

There are many reasons that you will love Twin Anchors Campground, starting with their level sites that offer plenty of room. The kids will adore the petting zoo that houses a pony, bunnies and other animals. Everyone will want some more of the great homemade ice cream for sale there, too.

Reconnecting with ture is easy when you stay at the Whispering Oaks Campground. Hike on the grassy trails running along the swimmable Skunk River, or enjoy the beautiful scenery of the sun setting over an Iowa cornfield.

Overview Whitebreast Camp is located on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake. It is just 10 minutes from Pella, known for its Dutch heritage, and 15 minutes from Knoxville, the Sprint car capital of the world. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, biking and viewing wildlife. For more information regarding the Army Corps of Engineers and the Lake Red Rock Project, click here:Lake Red Rock Website  Recreation Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, walleye, largemouth and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area Facilities Lake Red Rock offers excellent boating, water skiing and swimming opportunities. Miles of water trails for kayakers and canoeists are designated along the shoreline. Anglers will find crappie, walleye, largemouth and striped bass, channel and flathead catfish, northern pike and bluegill. Several miles of trails for hiking and biking are in the area. The 15 mile paved Volksweg Trail stretches west from Pella to the Des Moines River and to the Cordova Recreation Area Natural Features Lake Red Rock is situated on the Des Moines River. Hardwood forests cover the lake shore at Whitebreast, offering shade and scenic views. Wildlife is abundant around the lake. A wide variety of waterfowl, including the American White Pelican, migrates through the area in spring and fall. Bald eagles can be observed from November through March. White-tailed deer, turkeys and other small animals are commonly viewed around the lake. Nearby Attractions Des Moines, Iowa's capital, is an hour away, with numerous shopping and dining opportunities, museums and the Blank Park Zoo. Charges & Cancellations A $10.00 service fee will apply if you change or cancel your reservation. The $10.00 service fee will be deducted from the refund amount. Cancel or change reservations through recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Late cancellations are subject to additional fees.

Originally constructed when Saylorville Lake was built, Don Williams Campground is the oldest campground in the Ames area. Challenge your friends to a round of golf on its 9-hole golf course before cooling off in the water that is reachable from this campground’s sandy beach

You may not need to pack food into your RV when you head to Dakins Lake Campground as you will want to clean and eat the fish that you catch in their well-stocked lake. Children enjoy riding their bikes here, and you can challenge your family to a game of sand volleyball.