Des Moines

Pets

Electricity Hookup

Toilets

Campfires

Potable water

Sewage Hookup

Picnic table

Walnut Woods Campground

Looking to gather around the campfire with the whole fan-damily, and perfect the art of marshmallow roasting? Give the shady campsites at Walnut Woods campground a shot

Showers

Bob Shetler Recreation Area and Campground

Pitch your tent (or park that RV) and get ready for some riverside livin’

Cherry Glen Campground

Hoo boy, this is one huge campground on Saylorville Lake

Prairie Flower Recreation Area and Campground

Acorn Valley Campground

Step into Acorn Valley Campground and you just might swoon at how perfectly picturesque this little spot is

Lake Ahquabi Campground

Get some R&amp;R lakeside style at Lake Ahquabi State Park, which means “resting place” in Sauk and Fox native language

Elk Rock Campground

Livin large in luxury in the great outdoors

Equestrian Campground

Why settle for rustic equestrian camping when you can have modern electric hookup sites with a modern shower building and even a horse washing station for your best mate

Ledges Campground

Make your next camping trip extraordinary with a visit to Ledges State Park

Whitebreast Campground

Perched right on Lake Red Rock, Whitebreast Campground is a gorgeous spot to spend a day (or two or three!)

Wallashuck Campground

Picturesque camping less than an hour from Des Moines? Count us in

North Overlook Campground

Who knew you could camp in the dense forest while also having quick access to the beach? At North Overlook Campground on Lake Red Rock, your dreams will finally come true

Camp outside the capital city of Iowa to explore the bounty of state parks and unique urban attractions.

Find & reserve the best campsites near Des Moines, Iowa with pets. Tent, cabin & RV camp on private & State Parks, on local farms, vineyards & nature preserves.

The best dog-friendly campgrounds near Des Moines, Iowa

Best tent camping near me

Best RV camping near me

Best glamping near me

Okoboji

Omaha

Iowa City

Storm Lake

Wisconsin Dells

Sioux Falls

Kansas City

Lake Geneva

Louisville State Recreation Area

Waubonsie State Park

Myre - Big Island State Park

Geode State Park

Brunet Island State Park

Governor Dodge State Park

Hartman Creek State Park

Mirror Lake State Park

RV parks

Cabins

Camping with wildlife watching

Camping with a private bathroom

Dog-friendly RV parks

Camping with hiking

Farm camping

Cooking equipment

The Point at Lake Red Rock

Our 32 acres is a unique property on Iowa’s largest lake, Lake Red Rock. It features 17 acres of woods and 15 acres of native pollinator flowers and plants. Enjoy fishing, kayaking, hiking, bird watching and much more! Gorgeous sunsets and quiet surroundings will give you a memorable get away!

Water Hookup

Hot Tub

Wifi

Bend River Farms

Bend River Farms is just a short drive from Interstate 80/35. The farm is nestled in the gently rolling hills of central Iowa. Little Camp Creek flows through the property and continues on towards the mighty Des Moines river. Cool woodland meadows provide a comforting back drop to your tent site or glamping experience.

 All our sites come with complimentary firewood, we offer reduced prices during the summer and a 15% discount on weekday bookings. 

Our property offers private restrooms, showers, complimentary towels and firewood, 24/7 laundry room, Wi-Fi, a dish washing station, play area with jungle gym, hiking trails, hands on farm animal activities, a communal outdoor dinning area and a saltwater hot tub await your arrival! 

Bend River Farms was a former junk yard that has now been transformed into a cottage core dream. The farm is operated much like family farms of the 1920's. The focus is on small scale, multi system agriculture, we have fresh eggs, produce and honey for sale.

Bend River Farms is not a resort or public camp ground. It is a place to enjoy wild spaces and recharge. Agri-tourism at it's best. Learn about native prairie restoration, regenerative agriculture and sustainable ranching from owners, Amy Buckendahl and Dave Breese. 

Please understand that our property is a working farm, and our staff are often busy working on projects and have full careers, outside of farming. We do not have the same amenities as a public campground or "all inclusive" camp resort. Instead, we offer your wandering heart a place to rest. 

All travel to the farm is on paved roads, with no confusing dirt roads to navigate. The property is located near the small community of Runnells, Iowa in rural Camp Township. Enjoy a cold beer or hot food at one of the two local taverns, or check out the local ice cream shop or our local farmer's market on Tuesday evenings during the summer. Don't worry if you forget something! We have a nearby gas station and a general store.

Don't forget, we have smores kits, farm fresh honey and eggs available for purchase, check out the EXTRAS option during checkout! 

Amy, our own resident biologist, will give you an opportunity to learn about livestock husbandry and the local wildlife. The farms orchard boasts several wild bird feeding stations, with edible landscaping!

A stay on our farm will provide you with an opportunity to learn about Land Management in an agricultural setting. Learn about carpentry and welding from a master fabricator, or book an adventure to learn about gardening, poultry care, horsemanship, beekeeping and even falconry! These are also available in the EXTRAS option during checkout.  

Fancy a fireside meal or homestyle dinner? Dave is a trained chef and loves to cook for our guests. Select a meal during checkout. 

Off-site, but nearby opportunities: miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, kayaking and fishing. The Iowa State Fair Grounds and Adventureland Waterpark is only 20 minutes away, along with big city fine dining, music and art museums are all less than a thirty miles drive; when you need a break from camping and nature. 

Fee based transportation is available for guests flying in or needing a break from driving, or whenever you need a quick trip into town. 

Our philosophy:

"Here at Bend River Farms we are passionate about regenerative agriculture. We strive to push ourselves and our partners to think of the future and the longevity of our agricultural practices. "

Regenerative Agriculture is an agricultural philosophy that both acknowledges the degenerative impact of poor land stewardship, and the positive use of agricultural practices that foster restoration and productivity."

Local conditions determine which practices are most appropriate. A well managed food system should improve the long-term health and function of the agricultural system and the communities that depend upon them, physically, culturally, spiritually, and economically. 

Regeneratively managed businesses protect and improve the natural function of our water, nutrient, and carbon cycles by taking steps to increase biodiversity in the agricultural system, and works to minimize reliance on external inputs, and avoid the use of synthetic chemicals whenever possible.”

Late summer shadows on the guest patio, charcoal grill, fire pit with grill grate and dinning tables and chairs for alfresco dining

Trappers Hideout: Private picnic area with trash receptacle 

RV Slip: Rural water hook up and dedicated power

All wheel or 4x4 drive recommended. Camper's will have complimentary transportation as requested. 

Guest bathroom located in the main house. Complimentary fresh towels for the shower and hot tub. 

Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

This property has a year round running creek called Bear Creek. They also mined the stone off the property for the State Capital in Des Moines, Iowa. Abundant wildlife and
mature beautiful trees. Hiking trails, playground equipment, dog park, shelterhouse, showerhouse/restrooms, community fire pit, all sites have fire pits and picnic tables, laundry area, rec room, and welcoming staff!

RV Spots have electric at the site, water to fill your tanks with and we have a dump station on the way out.  

Cabin rental $150.00 night for the first two people.  $10.00 each person after the first two. 

Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

Threshold Learning Center is 28 acres of prairie, creek, woods, and our barn dormitory.&nbsp; Threshold is first, an outdoor learning center for schools during the school year, and a summer camp offering several day camps, family camps, and trips.&nbsp; As a non-profit, however, we are constantly trying to find a way to&nbsp; offer our programs to everyone regardless of whether they are able to pay our fees while still making enough money to stay open.&nbsp; We started renting TLC to the public 5 years ago for weddings, reunions, or just families who are looking to connect to the world around them.&nbsp; Our motto is "No Child Left Inside" and we want every inner child to enjoy what we have at TLC.&nbsp; We have 7 bedrooms in our dormitory, 5 camp sites, a large camp fire ring, a mini-golf course, and we are always willing to lead your group in an educational experience or take you on a hayrack ride.

Our barn dormitory with 7 bedrooms, a lounge, men's and women's restrooms with showers, and kitchenette on the lower level.  The upper level has a full kitchen, a large dining hall/dance hall, and a stage.

Each room has two bunk beds and can sleep up to 5 people.

Relax, talk, or read a book in our quiet lounge.

Enjoy a camp fire and gaze up at the stars.

Newton KOA Cabins & Glamping, Iowa

Discover the unique charm of our centrally located KOA, where you immerse yourself in the beauty of an open, rolling landscape. We offer spacious cabins and the cutest vintage sleeping campers inspired by characters in the popular series Golden Girls (we are lovingly referred to as the Silver Sisters). 

Take a refreshing dip in our pool, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, or relax by our catch and release fishing pond, full of bluegill, bass, and channel catfish. 

We are close to many Central Iowa attractions and events, including Alta House Wedding and Event Center, the Iowa Speedway, Knoxville Nationals, Pella Tulip Time and downtown Des Moines Farmers Market. Our campground features spacious RV and tent sites too; check out the Newton/Des Moines East Campground listing on Hip Camp for more information.  

It's always a Great Day at Newton/Des Moines East KOA!

Out side the dome portable fire pit. A perfect spot to watch sunsetting.
There is an additional sitting area behind the dome with another fire pit and picnic table. Additional spaces behind the dome for hammocks car parking etc.

Nature Heaven by lake red rock

We open year-round!! The winter camping is on the way! We believe each season has its special nature-beauty, so we open year-round. This secluded, beautiful, pet-friendly 40 acres of fenced camping site is on hilly land and is rare in Iowa, with a view of 3.5 private fishing ponds and a far view of the Red Rock Lake. There are 10 acres nature timber area that keep you away from the other campers and the rest of the world. Each site has a firepit, picnic table, and a solar light.  The drinking water is at the entrance, but no electricity on. There are tons of natural features, you may see deer, rabbits, and other game birds by your campsite. Each camping sites have good distance to keep privacy from each other.

A recently built 20ft diameter geodesic glamping dome tent is for those who want a more climate-controlled stay while still enjoying the magnificent gifts. 

For surrounding areas, the nearby White Breast Beach is open from May 23 to September 3, 2026, with boating, hunting, and hiking activities in Lake Red Rock.  For our campers' safety, any hunting activities are not allowed within our camping ground. However, in case you come hunting with Iowa hunting tags, a couple of public hunting grounds are near our camping ground.

The recently built glamping geodesic Dome tent is located on top of a hill.  You will have a fantastic sunset view of ponds and a lake view while enjoying the great nature and having a comfortable stay.

The cell phone signals are good from most providers; you may use your cell phone hotspot work remotely at this astonishing Lake Red Rock Oasis ^_^.

Hope you will find joy, peace, and happiness in this wonderful piece of natural land and the Red Rock Lake areas.

A little history of this land:

These 40 acres of land were a surface mining site. The reclamation works done

during the 1970s. But over the years, the soil was seriously eroded. Anna and Peilin, who have Master's and PhD in soil and environmental health backgrounds, bought this land several years ago and started to restore the vegetation. Now the site looks beautiful and ready for the nature lovers and campers to enjoy the fantastic view of the lake, ponds, hills, and tall grass, Butterflys... The site is totally different from what Google Maps shows now.

Site 3. is on a hill top. One part of the site is in the shade and another part is on a limited open spaces.  This site  have beautiful view of pond, hills and lake.  very nice sunset view if weather permit.

A king size bed. The mattress can be electric heated during winter. A standby electric generator provided so an air conditioner or room heater can be used for colder winter weather. 

Site 1 from the road outside the acreage.  Site 2 is to the left of this, and site 3 is up on the little hill above it.  

Pets are allowed in this fantastic geodesic tent. Sit inside the tent, work through cell phone hot spot.   

Rock N Ranch Events & Campground

Our retirement dream is to share our beautiful property with people who love the outdoors.&nbsp; We started with our rustic tent sites and slowly added cabins.&nbsp; We go from primitive to sites with heat and air conditioning.&nbsp; We are not far from the Interstate but sure seems like we are as you travel the 4.6 miles of gravel road to step back in time.

Greenhouse Camping

We love this beautiful land that has been in our family since 1917, and think you will too!

 We are located 1/2 mile off I-35 at the north border of the City of Ankeny.
 Here you'll find the best of both worlds just fifteen minutes away from your quiet campsite - Boating, skiing, jet-skiing, fishing at Saylorville Lake.

 Canoe,

kayak
and paddleboat rental at Big Creek State Park.
 Swimming & waterplay for all ages at the Ankeny Aquatic Center.
 Upscale shopping and dining at the District.
 Or venture out
a bit further to concert venues in Ames & Des Moines, local farmers markets, Des Moines' beautiful riverwalk and exciting nightlife, or
the Iowa State Fair.
 It's the best of country and suburban living!
 End your day with a quiet stroll along the mowed walking path that overlooks one of the most beautiful areas of
Four Mile Creek in Iowa, which circles right back to your cozy campfire.

Learn more about this land:

You'll love this relaxing space&nbsp;to camp and enjoy the Iowa outdoors!&nbsp;&nbsp;Very easy access,&nbsp; we are just&nbsp;1/2 mile off of Interstate-35. &nbsp;Our&nbsp;farm is bordered by nature on three sides and the city of Ankeny on the south.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is a single campsite, private and quiet. Your campsite has an adjoining mowed private&nbsp;walking trail overlooking Four Mile Creek, and is also within walking distance of Ankeny sidewalks for biking, walking, jogging. &nbsp;It’s the best of both worlds - town and country!&nbsp;

We're&nbsp;a&nbsp;15 minute drive&nbsp;from Big Creek and Ledges State Parks,&nbsp;Jester Park and Saylorville Lake&nbsp;where you can enjoy fishing, skiing, boating, horseback riding, hiking, biking, and&nbsp;the&nbsp;beach life.&nbsp; You'll find unique shopping experiences, delicious dining, a good movie, a thriving live music scene just&nbsp;15 minutes away in downtown Des Moines, downtown and campus town&nbsp;Ames, and &nbsp;at The District in Ankeny.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Upon your arrival you'll find the&nbsp;greenhouse mini-fridge is stocked with&nbsp;4 complimentary bottles of water and everything you'll need for making S'mores.&nbsp;&nbsp;

It's the best of both worlds, country and suburban -- we are on the north border of the town of Ankeny, yet surrounded by quiet countryside.  

Lots of morning sun with afternoon shade.

Explore Central Iowa, then cozy up with a campfire in your quiet campsite.  

First class views of  beautiful sunsets right from your campsite.  

The view from your camper, overlooking the beautiful Four Mile Creek valley.

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