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30 campgrounds and RV Parks near Roland, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
30 campgrounds
2326 campsites
13 RVs available for delivery
From $15/night
Own an RV? Earn up to $24,738/year.
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Best campgrounds near Roland, IA
Ledges State Park
Madrid, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(94 sites)
+5
Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing
Eldora, IA (25 miles away)
$$$$$
+4
Pine Lake State Park Campground
Eldora, IA (27 miles away)
$$$$$
(120 sites)
+4
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - South Equestrian
Iowa (28 miles away)
$$$$$
(92 sites)
+2
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - Beach
Iowa (29 miles away)
$$$$$
(47 sites)
+2
Brushy Creek State Recreation Area - North Equestrian
Iowa (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(125 sites)
+2
Dolliver Memorial State Park
Iowa (33 miles away)
$$$$$
(33 sites)
+4
Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground
Altoona, IA (34 miles away)
$$$$$
(142 sites)
Shady Oaks RV Campground
Marshalltown, IA (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(30 sites)
Adventureland Campground
Altoona, IA (35 miles away)
$$$$$
(110 sites)
+4
Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club
Grimes, IA (38 miles away)
$$$$$
(448 sites)
+8
Union Grove State Park
Gladbrook, IA (40 miles away)
$$$$$
(26 sites)
+4
Most common amenities
Showers Toilets Dump station Tables Playground Pet friendly Grills Hiking Trails Firewood
Campgrounds near Roland, Iowa
Roland sits in Story County in central Iowa, about fifteen minutes north of Ames and roughly an hour north of Des Moines. The surrounding area is farmland and river valley, and most RV camping options are clustered along the Des Moines River corridor to the west and the Iowa River corridor to the east, with additional private and resort campgrounds concentrated near the Des Moines metro.
Ledges State Park, one of the closest state-park campgrounds to Roland, sits on a bend of the Des Moines River near Madrid and is known for sandstone cliffs and Civilian Conservation Corps stonework. Pine Lake State Park Campground, northeast near Eldora, offers a wooded setting on the Iowa River with two connected lakes.
Closer to the metro, Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground and Adventureland Campground in Altoona give RV travelers full-hookup sites near I-80, Prairie Meadows, and Adventureland theme park. For a day trip on the water, Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing runs floats on the Iowa River during the warm months.
Things to do near Roland
Hiking, paddling, and river days anchor most trips in this part of Iowa. Ledges State Park has a winding one-way canyon drive along Pea's Creek, sandstone ledges rising nearly 100 feet above the streambed, four miles of hiking trails, and historic stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Rock-n-Row Adventures Iowa River Tubing offers a relaxed float option for warmer days.
Pine Lake State Park adds fishing on Upper and Lower Pine Lake, a swimming beach on Lower Pine Lake, and several miles of trails winding through woodlands and along the Iowa River. Only electric trolling motors are permitted on the lakes.
Families staying near Altoona can walk from Adventureland Campground to Adventureland theme park by way of a bridge on the west side of the campground, and the Iowa State Fairgrounds sit a short drive southwest in Des Moines.
Camping spots and RV parks near Roland, IA
When to visit
- spring
March - May
59° / 37°F 95 mmWettest season; severe storms and flooding possible
- summer
June - August
82° / 63°F 115 mmPeak bookings; humid with afternoon thunderstorms
- fall
September - November
59° / 39°F 65 mmMild days, cool nights, peak foliage in October
- winter
December - February
30° / 14°F 33 mmCold and snowy; most public campgrounds closed
The prime RV season in central Iowa runs from late spring through early fall. Ledges State Park accepts reservations March through November and is closed December through February, with peak season running May through mid-October and off-peak shoulders in early spring and late fall. Adventureland Campground operates from May through the end of October, and Pine Lake State Park's campground is closed each year from November through March, though its stone cabins remain available year-round.
Summer is the busiest window. Sites fill quickly around the Iowa State Fair in mid-August, at Adventureland on weekends, and at Ledges around Memorial Day and Labor Day. A Friends of the Ledges concession typically runs on Friday and Saturday evenings from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Spring and fall bring milder temperatures, thinner crowds, and good foliage, though rain is common in May and severe thunderstorms and localized flooding can close low-lying park roads, including the Canyon Road at Ledges.
How to book a site
Iowa state park campgrounds, including Ledges State Park and Pine Lake State Park Campground, are booked through the Iowa DNR online reservation system. Ledges is one hundred percent reservable and a reservation is required. Iowa DNR accepts reservations up to three months in advance of the arrival date. Pine Lake is also fully reservable, with about a quarter of sites held for first-come, first-served walk-ups.
Private and resort campgrounds book through their own websites or by phone. Adventureland Campground handles reservations directly through the resort, and a valid credit or debit card is required at check-in because the property is cashless. Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground takes reservations directly for its Altoona sites.
For peak summer weekends and Iowa State Fair dates, book as far ahead as the window allows and consider mid-week arrivals for better availability.
What to expect on the ground
Expect a mix of wooded state-park campgrounds and open, full-service private parks. State-park loops at Ledges and Pine Lake offer electric and non-electric options, modern restrooms with showers, and a trailer dump station. Pine Lake sites carry 50-amp service, and Ledges has a mix of full-hookup and electric-only sites. Cell service can be spotty inside Ledges, so download maps before arriving.
Private parks around Altoona lean toward full hookups with 30 and 50 amp service, pull-through sites, laundry, and pools. Adventureland Campground and Griff's Valley View accommodate larger rigs, though site levelness varies.
Bring bug spray for summer evenings, secure food from raccoons at Ledges, and purchase firewood locally, as bringing firewood in from out of state is discouraged to slow invasive-species spread. Watch park alerts for high-water closures on canyon roads after heavy rain.
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 Roland, 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 Roland, IA?
Campsite prices near Roland, 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 Roland, IA?
Free camping near Roland, 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 Roland, IA?
Camping near Roland, 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 Roland, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of Roland, 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 Roland, IA?
Dump stations near Roland, 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 Roland, IA?
Renting a RV in Roland, 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 Roland, IA?
RV rentals in Roland, 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 Roland, 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 Roland, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near Roland, IA at your driveway, a campground, or wherever you're starting your trip. It saves you the drive and the setup.
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