RVezyRV rental marketplace
List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Carlisle, IA
28 campgrounds and RV Parks near Carlisle, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
28 campgrounds
2094 campsites
12 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Best campgrounds near Carlisle, IA
River Oaks RV Park
Hartford, IA (7 miles away)
Adventureland Campground
Altoona, IA (10 miles away)
$$$$$
(110 sites)
+4
Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground
Altoona, IA (11 miles away)
$$$$$
(142 sites)
Walnut Woods State Park
West Des Moines, IA (13 miles away)
$$$$$
(23 sites)
+4
Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club
Grimes, IA (17 miles away)
$$$$$
(448 sites)
+8
Timberline Campground
Waukee, IA (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(112 sites)
+7
Timberline RV Campground
Waukee, IA (20 miles away)
Main - Elk Rock State Park
Knoxville, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
+7
Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey
Newton, IA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(70 sites)
+14
Dallas County Fairgrounds Campground
Adel, IA (28 miles away)
Des Moines West KOA Holiday
Adel, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(67 sites)
+8
Shady Brook Camping and RV Adventures, LLC
Earlham, IA (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(13 sites)
+8
Most common amenities
Pet friendly Toilets Showers Tables Dump station Playground Grills Internet Hiking Trails
Camping near Carlisle, Iowa
Carlisle sits at the southeastern edge of the Des Moines metro area in Warren County, near the confluence of the Middle and North Rivers with the Des Moines River. RV travelers use the town as a low-traffic base for the capital region, with Iowa Highway 5, U.S. 65, and Interstate 35 all within a short drive. The area draws a mix of families visiting Adventureland and the Iowa State Fairgrounds, casino guests at Prairie Meadows, and travelers passing through on I-80.
The closest RV park to town is River Oaks RV Park. Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground and Adventureland Campground sit about twenty minutes northeast in the Altoona area. Walnut Woods State Park anchors the public-land option on the metro's south side, offering wooded riverfront sites along the Raccoon River. Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club, a private member-owned resort in Grimes, is farther northwest and open to members and their guests.
Together these campgrounds cover most trip styles: quick highway stopovers, full-hookup resort stays, and state-park camping with hiking and river access.
Things to do near Carlisle
Amusement-park families base at or near Adventureland Campground, which sits adjacent to Adventureland Theme Park and its water park, with a bridge on the west side of the campground leading directly to the front gate. Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino is next door, and the Outlets of Des Moines are a short drive away.
At Walnut Woods State Park, visitors can hike more than two miles of shaded trails along the Raccoon River, fish or launch a canoe from the boat ramp on the west end of the park when river levels allow, and pick up the paved 16.5-mile Great Western Trail linking Des Moines and Martensdale from a trailhead three miles away.
In Des Moines proper, the State Capitol, Blank Park Zoo, science center, and Iowa State Fairgrounds sit within roughly twenty minutes of most sites.
Camping spots and RV parks near Carlisle, IA
When to visit Carlisle
- spring
March - May
61° / 39°F 90 mmWet and thawing; river levels can affect low-lying sites
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 110 mmPeak season; State Fair weekends fill sites well in advance
- fall
September - November
61° / 39°F 65 mmCool and drier; easier weekend availability at metro parks
- winter
December - February
32° / 16°F 25 mmCold and snowy; most private parks closed, water shut off
The core RV season around Carlisle runs from May through October, matching the peak season at Walnut Woods State Park and the operating calendars of the private campgrounds. Adventureland Campground is open to the public from May through the end of October, aligned with the amusement park schedule. Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club operates seasonally rather than year-round.
Summer is the busiest window. Weekends around the Iowa State Fair in August fill Adventureland Campground and Griff's Valley View well in advance, and Walnut Woods, one of the few campgrounds close to Des Moines with a designated campground, sees heavy weekend demand. Late spring and early fall bring milder temperatures, thinner mosquito pressure near the Raccoon River, and easier weekend availability.
Winter camping is limited. Walnut Woods accepts reservations year-round, but most private parks close for the season, and severe cold, ice, and snow can shut down water service at any Iowa site.
Top Hosts near Carlisle, IA
Heather13 trips - Joined May 2023
Absolutely great experience
Adam W. - Jul 2026
We had a great time camping. Heather was great and very quick to respond with any questions I had. Camper was great and everything that was included with our trip. I would definitely be renting from them again.
Scott E. - Aug 2025
Travis12 trips - Joined Aug 2022
Great experience with Travis. RV was awesome and delivered as promised. Would utilize again for sure.
Benson H. - Sep 2025
Very spacious camper that had all the essentials already equipped. Travis was quick to communicate and very helpful to deliver to our campsite.
Jill P. - Jul 2023
How to book near Carlisle
Iowa state park sites at Walnut Woods are 100 percent reservable through the Iowa State Parks reservation system on ReserveAmerica, with a booking window of up to three months in advance. Walnut Woods accepts reservations year-round and has a same-day cutoff of 9:00 pm Central. Stays are capped at 14 nights within any 30-day period at Walnut Woods, a rule specific to this park and Lake Manawa.
Adventureland Campground takes reservations directly through its resort website or by calling the campground reservations line. Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground and River Oaks RV Park book direct through their own offices and websites.
Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club is a private members-only resort. Non-members can stay only as a registered guest of a member or, in some cases, through reciprocal-camping programs, which typically restrict prime dates and holidays.
What to expect near Carlisle
Most Carlisle-area RV parks offer full or partial hookups on level pads. Walnut Woods has 21 shaded campsites with concrete pads and electric service, and 8 of those sites add full water and sewer hookups. The park has modern restrooms and a sanitary dump station but no showers. Adventureland offers water, electric, and sewer at every RV site, with pools, laundry, and a dog run on property.
Sites at the private resorts can sit close together, and long-term seasonal campers occupy a share of the spots at Adventureland. Cell coverage is reliable across the metro; on-park Wi-Fi is inconsistent.
Mosquitoes can be intense along the Raccoon River after wet stretches, and low-lying sites at Walnut Woods can be affected when the river runs high. Firewood should be bought locally, as emerald ash borer has been confirmed statewide.
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
List your motorhome or travel trailer for free on RVezy.
Frequently asked questions about campgrounds near Carlisle, IA
How do I choose the right campsite for my RV?
Start with the practical stuff: site length, the hookups you need, and whether it's a back-in or pull-through. Camping conditions in the U.S. vary by region and elevation, so check the local season, road access, and reservation requirements before you book. Federal campgrounds use Recreation.gov and state parks each have their own systems. Learn more.
How much are RV campsites near Carlisle, IA?
Campsite prices near Carlisle, IA depend on the type of campground. State park sites typically run $20-$45 with hookups. Private RV parks in town often run $40-$100, with tourist-hub locations charging more. Nearby Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management sites are usually $10-$25, often without hookups.
Is there any free camping near Carlisle, IA?
Free camping near Carlisle, IA depends on what federal public land is in driving distance. Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service land usually allows up to 14 days of dispersed camping at one spot. Check fire restrictions before you head out. Learn more about free camping.
Can I book a campsite through RVezy?
Not directly. RVezy doesn't handle campsite reservations, but each campground listing links to the operator's website or booking page when one's available.
What's the best time to go camping near Carlisle, IA?
Camping near Carlisle, IA works best in the shoulder seasons, with spring and fall hitting the sweet spot in most of the country. Summer is peak in northern climates; winter is peak in the southern and desert states. Local weather and elevation drive the specifics.
How far are RV campgrounds from Carlisle, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Carlisle, IA. The closest are: {closestCampgroundsWithDistance(3)}. Most U.S. cities have a state park or private RV park within an hour's drive.
Where are dump stations near Carlisle, IA?
Dump stations near Carlisle, IA are usually at private RV parks and state park campgrounds, sometimes for a fee if you're not staying overnight. RVDumpsites.net maps the nearest options.
What's the best time of year to rent a RV in Carlisle, IA?
Renting a RV in Carlisle, IA works best in the shoulder seasons (April-May and September-October) across most of the U.S. Peak rental demand runs June through August nationwide, while the snowbird stretch from December through March drives winter demand in the southern states and southwest deserts.
What's the best time of year to rent an RV in Carlisle, IA?
RV rentals in Carlisle, IA peak from June through August when school is out. Shoulder months (April, May, September, October) usually have better availability and lower rates. Winter is high season for snowbird destinations in Florida, Arizona, Texas, and southern California.
Can I have an RV delivered to my home or campground in Carlisle, IA?
Yes. Many RVezy hosts in the U.S. deliver and set up at your home, a campground, or a destination. It's especially useful for first-time renters and for trips into remote areas where backing in a big rig isn't fun.
Can the RV be delivered near Carlisle, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Carlisle, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
Nearby cities with campgrounds
Des Moines, IACedar Rapids, IAOmaha, NEAlbia, IAKearney, MOSigourney, IAHiawatha, IAHarlan, IAJohnston, IALeavenworth, KSVan Meter, IAPleasant Hill, IASmithville, MOAvoca, IAFairfax, IANewton, IAWaterloo, IAColfax, IAWest Des Moines, IAWilliamsburg, IAState Center, IAEpworth, IACouncil Bluffs, IAElkader, IA