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List your RVCampgrounds and RV parks near St. Charles, IA
30 campgrounds and RV Parks near St. Charles, IA. Compare campsite amenities, photos, and site types to find the perfect stop for your rig on your route.
30 campgrounds
2287 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 St. Charles, IA
Lakeside Casino Resort RV Park
Osceola, IA (17 miles away)
$$$$$
(47 sites)
+7
Walnut Woods State Park
West Des Moines, IA (18 miles away)
$$$$$
(23 sites)
+4
Timberline Campground
Waukee, IA (20 miles away)
$$$$$
(112 sites)
+7
Timberline RV Campground
Waukee, IA (20 miles away)
Shady Brook Camping and RV Adventures, LLC
Earlham, IA (22 miles away)
$$$$$
(13 sites)
+8
Des Moines West KOA Holiday
Adel, IA (23 miles away)
$$$$$
(67 sites)
+8
Cutty's Des Moines Camping Club
Grimes, IA (25 miles away)
$$$$$
(448 sites)
+8
Whitebreast Equestrian - Stephens Forest
Iowa (26 miles away)
$$$$$
(40 sites)
Dallas County Fairgrounds Campground
Adel, IA (26 miles away)
River Oaks RV Park
Hartford, IA (26 miles away)
Adventureland Campground
Altoona, IA (30 miles away)
$$$$$
(110 sites)
+4
Griff's Valley View RV Park and Campground
Altoona, IA (31 miles away)
$$$$$
(142 sites)
Most common amenities
Pet friendly Tables Showers Dump station Playground Toilets Grills Hiking Trails Internet
Campgrounds near St. Charles, Iowa
St. Charles sits in Madison County in south-central Iowa, about halfway between Des Moines and Osceola along the Interstate 35 corridor. The location puts RV travelers within an easy drive of both a state park campground on the south side of the Des Moines metro and a resort-style RV park at Lakeside Casino to the south.
Options in the area cover a wide range of styles. Lakeside Casino Resort RV Park pairs full-service sites with on-site dining and entertainment near West Lake in Osceola. Timberline Campground and Timberline RV Campground offer wooded, family-oriented sites in the Waukee area west of Des Moines, and Shady Brook Camping and RV Adventures, LLC provides a smaller private-park option nearby.
Walnut Woods is one of the only parks close to Des Moines with a designated campground, and its close proximity to Interstate 35 and the State Highway 5 Bypass make it a convenient place for visitors to meet friends and relatives or attend special events around the metro area.
Things to do near St. Charles
The Raccoon River corridor at Walnut Woods anchors most outdoor recreation on the metro side. Visitors can hike more than two miles of trails meandering through wooded bottomland along the Raccoon River, fish from the riverbank, or launch a boat from the ramp located on the west end of the park. Three miles from the park, the Great Western multi-use trailhead links Des Moines and Martensdale along a paved 16.5 mile path.
Bird activity is a draw for families with kids. Birdwatching at the bird blind observation station in Walnut Woods and at the Purple Martin Water Resource Area is especially popular during summer and fall months, with flycatchers, warblers, hawks, owls and songbirds regularly spotted.
South of St. Charles, day trips run to the covered bridges of Madison County near Winterset and to West Lake at Osceola for boating, fishing, and the casino resort.
Camping spots and RV parks near St. Charles, IA
When to visit St. Charles
- spring
March - May
63° / 41°F 95 mmWet with severe storm and flood risk
- summer
June - August
84° / 64°F 115 mmHot and humid; peak bookings, thunderstorms common
- fall
September - November
63° / 43°F 65 mmCool nights, stable weather, strong fall color
- winter
December - February
34° / 16°F 28 mmCold and snowy; most private parks closed
The main camping season in central Iowa runs from spring through mid-fall. Walnut Woods is 100 percent reservable and accepts reservations year round until 10:00 pm CST the day of arrival. Summer weekends fill quickly, especially around the Iowa State Fair in August and holiday weekends, and Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends require a three-night stay under Iowa state park rules.
Spring brings green-up along the Raccoon River but also the highest risk of flooding. Since the park elevation is not much higher than the normal river level, the water level is constantly changing. Late spring and early summer bring frequent severe thunderstorms, and late summer heat and humidity are common.
Fall delivers the most stable weather for RV travel, with cooler nights, lower humidity, and strong color in the hardwood bottomlands. Cross-country skiing is a popular activity in the winter at Walnut Woods when snow cover is sufficient.
Top Hosts near St. Charles, 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 St. Charles
Iowa state park sites are booked online. The campground operates year-round with 100 percent of sites reservable through ReserveAmerica, and modern flush restrooms and a dump station are available, though there are no showers. Reservations are usually made 3 months in advance.
Private parks near St. Charles, including Lakeside Casino Resort RV Park, Timberline Campground, Timberline RV Campground, and Shady Brook Camping and RV Adventures, LLC, take bookings directly through their own websites or by phone. For summer weekends and holidays, reserving several weeks ahead is recommended.
Campers may stay up to 14 consecutive nights in a state park or recreation area, and after 14 days must leave the park and remove their camping unit for at least 3 nights. Walnut Woods enforces a 14-night maximum stay within any 30-day period.
What to expect at St. Charles campgrounds
Hookup availability varies by park. At Walnut Woods, all campsites include electric hookups, with eight sites featuring full water, sewer, and electric connections for RV campers. The shady campsites have concrete pads and all campsites are available by reservation only. Private parks in the area generally offer a higher share of full-hookup pull-through sites suited to larger rigs.
Shade is a strong feature of the state-park campground. The campground sits within a mature hardwood forest that offers excellent shade during summer months. Cell service across the metro fringe is generally reliable, and grocery, fuel, and RV supply stops are easy to reach in West Des Moines, Winterset, and Osceola.
Emerald ash borer has been confirmed across Iowa, so it is best to buy firewood locally near the park and burn it all during the stay.
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 St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, IA?
Campsite prices near St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, IA?
Free camping near St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, IA?
Camping near St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, IA?
There are {campgroundCount()} RV campgrounds within {campgroundDistanceRadius()} of St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, IA?
Dump stations near St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, IA?
Renting a RV in St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, IA?
RV rentals in St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, 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 St. Charles, IA?
In most cases, yes. A lot of U.S. hosts offer to drop off the RV near St. Charles, 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
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