Campgrounds and RV parks near West Des Moines, IA

Walnut Woods State Park covers 260 acres of wooded bottomland along the Raccoon River, with roughly two and a half miles of trails, fishing and canoe access from a boat ramp on the west end, and a restored 1930s CCC-era stone lodge. The Great Western Trail, a paved 16.5-mile multi-use path linking Des Moines and Martensdale, has a trailhead about three miles from the park. Birding is strong along the river, with more than 90 species recorded in the park, and a purple martin colony at the nearby Purple Martin Water Resource Area. In August, the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines draws heavy camping demand across the metro. Families also use West Des Moines as a base for Adventureland, Blank Park Zoo, the Science Center of Iowa, Living History Farms, and Jordan Creek Town Center.

Central Iowa has a humid continental climate with sharp seasonal swings. Winters are cold and snowy and also the driest part of the year, while summers are warm, humid, and prone to thunderstorms. Spring brings the strongest rainfall increase and occasional severe weather, including tornado risk. At most Iowa state parks, campsites are walk-in only from November 1 through March 31 because of unpredictable winter weather. Walnut Woods is a documented exception and accepts reservations year-round. Modern conveniences such as water, flush toilets, and dump stations are generally available from around May 1 through mid-October, with no guarantee outside that window. Summer weekends, holiday weekends, and the Iowa State Fair in August fill sites quickly across the metro. Shoulder-season trips in May and September usually offer easier availability, mild temperatures, and lower mosquito pressure along the Raccoon River.

Walnut Woods State Park campsites are shaded, have concrete pads, and offer standard electric on all sites plus full water, sewer, and electric hookups on eight sites, with modern restrooms and a dump station but no showers on site. Sites are close together, so expect limited privacy, and low-lying areas near the river can be affected after heavy rain. Stay limits at Walnut Woods cap camping at 14 nights within any 30-day period. Mosquitos can be intense near the river in midsummer, so bring repellent, and expect thunderstorms to move through quickly on hot afternoons. Firewood is sold on site seasonally by the campground host, and Iowa DNR advises against transporting firewood across state lines due to emerald ash borer. Private parks in the area typically add showers, laundry, pools, and longer-stay options that the state park does not provide.