4.1979 reviewsPrice
$11 - $25/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
Price
$11 - $25/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
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Learn more about alerts →Walnut Woods State Park
3155 SE Walnut Woods Drive, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50265, United States
We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.
Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans
256,000+ sites monitored · Email alerts to start; SMS and in-app with an account
Learn more about alerts →RV campers who want a shaded, level concrete pad with full hookups near a city will find this genuinely hard to beat at $25/night. Fall is the sweet spot: color peaks mid-October, bugs drop off, and the walnut canopy goes golden. Book through Reserve America early, sites go fast.
No showers on-site, full stop. If a hot shower is non-negotiable, this doesn't work. Summer visits mean real mosquito pressure, multiple reviewers called it an infestation, not a nuisance. Some sites also drain poorly after rain, so ask about conditions before confirming a specif
Camper Report Card
Rated higher than 16% of graded campgrounds
Graded on what 31 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.
Strengths
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Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.
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Fall delivers the most dramatic experience. Peak color hits mid-October, with daytime highs around 50-70°F and nights dipping to 30-50°F. The walnut canopy turns golden, insects drop off, and trails stay comfortable under heavy shade. The river typically settles after summer runoff. Expect moderate weekend crowds on sunny days, but far lighter traffic than peak summer. Summer brings lush greenery and fireflies, though reviews consistently mention mosquito problems. Pack repellent if you're visiting in warm months. Winter limits water access and some restroom facilities during freezing weather.
Fall is described as the most dramatic season with peak color and reduced insects.
Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.
Walnut Woods State Park provides a variety of amenities catering to campers and day visitors. The campground offers shaded picnic areas with fire grills and tables, a limestone and timber lodge available for rent, and modern restrooms with flush toilets, but no showers. Campsites offer concrete pads with electrical and full hook-ups. Seasonal amenities include firewood sales from May to September and a bird observation station. Vault toilets are available outside the restroom operating season.
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