Campgrounds and RV parks near Mitchellville, IA

Mitchellville sits in Polk County just east of Des Moines along Interstate 80, putting RV travelers within a short drive of both metro amenities and rural campgrounds. The town itself is small, but its position on the east side of the Des Moines metro makes it a practical launch point for families visiting central Iowa attractions or moving between Chicago and points west. The closest full-service option is Adventureland Campground in Altoona, which sits next to the Adventureland amusement park and offers full hookups and big-rig pull-throughs. Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground and River Oaks RV Park round out the private options in the immediate area, while the Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey provides a familiar chain experience roughly a half-hour east along I-80. For a state-park stay, Main - Elk Rock State Park sits on Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest body of water, about an hour southeast, and offers both electric and non-electric sites in a modern campground and a separate equestrian campground.

Reservations at Elk Rock State Park can be made through Iowa State Parks or ReserveAmerica, and the park is managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. The campground is 100 percent reservable and a reservation is required, so book online before arrival. Both the modern and equestrian campgrounds offer electric and non-electric sites. Private parks including Adventureland Campground, Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground, River Oaks RV Park, and the Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey take reservations directly through their own websites or phone lines, and KOA bookings can also be made through the KOA app. For summer weekends and Iowa State Fair dates, book several months out to secure full hookups and pull-throughs suited to larger rigs.