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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near Madrid, IA
30 campgrounds and RV Parks near Madrid, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
30 campgrounds
2310 campsites
11 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Madrid, IA
Ledges State Park
Madrid, IA (8 miles away)
$$$$$
(94 sites)
+5
Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club
Grimes, IA (15 miles away)
$$$$$
(448 sites)
+8
Dallas County Fairgrounds Campground
Adel, IA (20 miles away)
Timberline RV Campground
Waukee, IA (21 miles away)
Timberline Campground
Waukee, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(112 sites)
+7
Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground
Altoona, IA (21 miles away)
$$$$$
(142 sites)
Adventureland Campground
Altoona, IA (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(110 sites)
+4
Walnut Woods State Park
West Des Moines, IA (24 miles away)
$$$$$
(23 sites)
+4
Des Moines West KOA Holiday
Adel, IA (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(67 sites)
+8
Shady Brook Camping and RV Adventures, LLC
Earlham, IA (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(13 sites)
+8
Springbrook State Park
Guthrie Center, IA (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+6
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - South Equestrian
Iowa (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(92 sites)
+2
Most common amenities
Showers Tables Toilets Dump station Playground Pet friendly Grills Hiking Trails Firewood
Camping near Madrid, Iowa
Madrid sits in central Iowa between Ames and the Des Moines metro, giving RV travelers access to state park camping, private resorts, and fairground overflow within a short drive. The town serves as a convenient base for exploring Boone, Dallas, and Polk counties, and it anchors the south end of the High Trestle Trail.
Madrid is eleven miles south of Ledges State Park, the closest and best known campground in the area. Ledges is a state park in Boone County, located approximately four miles south of the city of Boone, and contains a sandstone gorge carved by Pea's Creek, a tributary of the Des Moines River, with the gorge reaching 100 feet deep in places. Private options such as Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club, Timberline RV Campground, and Timberline Campground fill out the region, along with Dallas County Fairgrounds Campground to the southwest.
Most visitors combine a stay with hiking, cycling, and river access. Sites range from full-hookup RV pads at private parks to electric and non-electric sites at the state park, so trip planning depends heavily on the type of hookups needed.
Things to do near Madrid
The main attraction at Ledges is the canyon drive, a winding one-way road along Pea's Creek that offers motorists views of the canyon and Des Moines River Valley, where sandstone ledges rise nearly 100 feet above the floor of the stream bed. After the construction of the Saylorville Dam downriver, Ledges is prone to flooding, and Canyon Road can close when water is high, so check conditions before driving in.
Hiking trails climb from the creek bottoms to overlooks such as Inspiration Point and Table Rock. A four-mile trail system winds through steep slopes and scenic overviews, with sandstone ledges towering 100 feet above the Des Moines River. Cyclists use the High Trestle Trail, which crosses a lighted bridge north of Madrid, and the Raccoon River Valley Trail connects near Adel.
Families staying at private parks find pools, mini-golf, fishing ponds, and playgrounds on site, which helps on rainy or extreme-heat days when outdoor activity in the state park is uncomfortable.
Camping spots and RV parks near Madrid, IA
When to visit Madrid
- spring
March - May
61° / 39°F 88 mmWet and stormy; May is the wettest month with flood risk.
- summer
June - August
84° / 64°F 120 mmPeak bookings; humid with frequent thunderstorms.
- fall
September - November
61° / 43°F 66 mmBest RV window; cool nights and fall color through October.
- winter
December - February
30° / 18°F 26 mmState park campground closed; only private sites operate.
Central Iowa has four distinct seasons with a short shoulder on either side of a hot, wet summer. The Ledges Campground is closed January 1 through February 28/29, off-peak March 1 through April 30, peak May 1 through October 15, off-peak October 16 through November 30, and closed December 1 through December 31. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 months in advance, and peak summer weekends fill quickly.
Spring brings wildflowers and greening trees but also mud and periodic flooding along Pea's Creek and the Des Moines River. May precipitation reaches its peak, with an average of 143 mm. Summer is warm and humid with frequent thunderstorms, and severe weather is a real planning factor.
Fall is the most comfortable window for RV travel, with cooler nights, drier weather, and canopy color through October. Park staff generally try to have the water on and shower buildings and dump stations open by May 1, and start closing them around mid-October depending upon the weather, so shoulder-season RVers should confirm hookup availability before arrival.
Top Hosts near Madrid, 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
IO
Isa5 trips - Joined Jun 2025
Isa was great to work with on our leaf peeping and Niagra Falls trip. She was very responsive to questions we had while on the road. She even helped us jump start our vehicle when it wouldn't start after our return. The rig was easy to drive even in Chicago construction zones and Boston rush-hour traffic.
Michael B. - Oct 2025
Van was great! Isa is awesome! Had a wonderful trip!
michael N. - Oct 2025
How to book
State park sites are booked online through the Iowa DNR system. Advanced reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Ledges State Park, and 100% of the campsites are reservable and a reservation is required. Reservations must be made 4 days ahead of arrival and can be made up to 12 months in advance.
Private parks handle their own bookings. Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club is a private campground and requires membership or being a guest of a member to stay. Timberline RV Campground and Timberline Campground book through their own websites, and holiday weekends and Iowa State Fair dates sell out well in advance.
Dallas County Fairgrounds Campground takes reservations directly through the fairgrounds. Fair-week and race-event dates can close the campground to general reservations, so verify against the event calendar before booking.
What to expect on site
Ledges offers full hook-up, electric and non-electric campsites, several hike-in sites and one youth group campsite, plus modern restrooms, showers, a dump station and a playground in the campground. Sites are set in mature hardwoods, and cell service may be limited, so plan accordingly and inform someone of your itinerary.
Timberline Campground in Waukee offers full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections, with a mix of level gravel pull-through sites and forested sites deeper on the property. Cutty's offers disc golf, mini golf, two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, a fishing lake, and much more for member and guest use.
Expect raccoons and other wildlife around food at any Iowa campground. Secure coolers overnight, pack rain gear, and bring insect repellent from late spring through early fall.
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 Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA?
Campsite prices near Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA?
Free camping near Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA?
Camping near Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA?
Dump stations near Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA?
Renting a RV in Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA?
RV rentals in Madrid, 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 Madrid, 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 Madrid, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Madrid, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.