Tent camping near DM metro

[psychlone99]

Any recommendations for good tent camping spots not far from the metro? Hoping to get out a few times this summer with my older kiddos.

Hoping for a spot that:
1) Is within 30-45 minute drive
2) Not sketchy
3) Allows campfires
4) Offers a relatively unspoiled night sky

 

[CloneGuy8]

Never been for camping, but I know people that enjoy Ledges.

 

[3GenClone]

Jester Park? I’ve never gone camping out there, but in the summertime my boss will take his kids up there and stay the night on a weekday, come in the office for a few hours the next day (leaves his wife with the kids), and then group back up with them to stay another night.

 

[chuckd4735]

Dankins Lake up by Zearing expanded a few years back and is pretty nice now.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

Never been but plan on taking the RV to White Rock in Coon Rapids this summer as have heard good things. Check out there website but pretty sure u can pitch a tent anywhere on the property.

 

[cyclone1975]

I have gone to Chichaqua bottoms for a quick camp. There is a main area next to bathrooms and showers (I think), but we choose to go to some of the some primitive sites that are also in the area. The ones we stayed in were also drivable. No need to hike. There wasn't really any light pollution and you could hear coyotes.

https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/polk/Park/Chichaqua-Bottoms-Greenbelt/Activity/Camping.aspx

 

[khardbored]

Yellow Banks (except for the night sky thing)

 

[JP4CY]

Never been but plan on taking the RV to White Rock in Coon Rapids this summer as have heard good things. Check out there website but pretty sure u can pitch a tent anywhere on the property.

White rock is phenomenal trail wise.

 

[FerShizzle]

Any recommendations for good tent camping spots not far from the metro? Hoping to get out a few times this summer with my older kiddos.

Hoping for a spot that:
1) Is within 30-45 minute drive
2) Not sketchy
3) Allows campfires
4) Offers a relatively unspoiled night sky

Saylorville is family friendly and has all the qualities you listed. Red Rock is about an hour drive depending on which side of town you are leaving from, and also has great camping. You will get a better night sky at Red Rock.

 

[mj4cy]

Super easy/basic: We've done the Timberline Campground in Waukee. Has playground, bathrooms, fire accommodations, and electricity if you want.

 

[8bitnes]

https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/parks-trails/

 

[psychlone99]

I've had more than one person tell me that Chichaqua Bottoms is thick with snakes. Any reason to believe that this location would have any more snakes than somewhere else?

 

[IceCyIce]

Not a big tenter but there are usually 10-12 tents right next to the fire station downtown Des Moines.

 

[2020cy]

There were a lot by the governor’s mansion. I think they made them leave.

 

[urb1]

Never been for camping, but I know people that enjoy Ledges.

Unfortunately, Ledges is closed for camping this year as they do some modernization. When they open again, it is a great place to camp, a beautiful place for hiking, and is a short drive to Boone if you need anything. They also have about a dozen walk-in sites that are very secluded and quiet. We tent camped at Ledges every year with the kids and my wife and I still camp there.

 

[capitalcityguy]

Not a big tenter but there are usually 10-12 tents right next to the fire station downtown Des Moines.

FWIW, the city has cleared them all out now.

 

[capitalcityguy]

Never been but plan on taking the RV to White Rock in Coon Rapids this summer as have heard good things. Check out there website but pretty sure u can pitch a tent anywhere on the property.

This is a great option. They have some remote "tent only" sites. Definitely put White Rock on your short list. http://whiterockconservancy.org/

 

[chuckd4735]

FWIW, the city has cleared them all out now.

Meaning they just forced them to move to another location.

 

[capitalcityguy]

Meaning they just forced them to move to another location.

As always, they were offered opportunities to go to local shelters. Many aren't interested as it forces them to follow certain rules.

Bottomline: there was no way they could stay there. You have millions of dollars in downtown investment both north and south of this location.

 

[VTXCyRyD]

If you go further north than your time limit there are a couple of good free campsites that will have very few, if any other people at them.

https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Marshall/Park/Grammer-Grove-Wildlife-Area.aspx
https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Hardin/Park/David-Bates-Memorial-Park.aspx
https://www.mycountyparks.com/count...ock-St-Presrve-Fallen-Rock-Wildlife-Area.aspx (I've seen people camping along the river bank here although it is not stated on the website)

Many more are to be found as well. https://www.mycountyparks.com/county/Default.aspx

Unless regulations have changed, any meandered river is free game for camping. I'm too lazy to find the regulations of which rivers are considered meandered (islands and banks up to the high water marks), but I'm sure the Des Moines river is.