Des Moines revs up for the world's biggest Iowa State Fair, packing the fairgrounds with butter cows and thrill rides every August. Camp at Iowa State Fairgrounds from $30 a night or retreat to Walnut Woods State Park's wooded shores. Base your rig here to chase fair frenzy, downtown sculptures, and river trails without traffic hassles.
2 parks found
Des Moines claims Iowa's capital crown with skyline grit and green lungs. The Iowa State Fairgrounds explodes yearly with midway screams and livestock shows that draw over a million. Pedal the High Trestle Trail bridge glowing at night, hunt street art in the East Village, or paddleboard the Des Moines River past Court Avenue's dive bars and breweries.
Iowa State Fairgrounds RV park plants you amid fair chaos, hooking event junkies with electric, water, and sewer sites steps from gates. Walnut Woods State Park unfurls 1,323 acres of oak woods and a 52-acre lake, suiting families who fish bass or hike 10 miles of trails before a Des Moines Art Center run.
More RV destinations in Iowa
Des Moines shines as Iowa's capital and home to the massive Iowa State Fair. Crowds swarm the fairgrounds for butter sculptures, concerts, and rides in August. Beyond that, the city packs Pappajohn Sculpture Park's modern art, the bustling East Village food scene, and the glowing High Trestle Trail bridge over the Raccoon River.
Iowa State Fairgrounds and Walnut Woods State Park top the list near Des Moines. Iowa State Fairgrounds sits east of downtown with full hookups from $30/night, perfect for fair access. Walnut Woods lies southwest in Polk County, boasting lakefront sites amid 1,300 acres of woods and trails.
Yes, both Iowa State Fairgrounds and Walnut Woods State Park welcome pets. Iowa State Fairgrounds allows dogs on leashes during stays, with grassy areas nearby. Walnut Woods enforces a $5 pet fee per night but offers off-leash trails in its vast 1,300-acre expanse for happy pups.