Where can you camp near Ankeny, Iowa?

The closest camping is the ring of campgrounds around Saylorville Lake, just north of Ankeny - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds like Prairie Flower, Cherry Glen, Bob Shelter and Acorn Valley, most reservable through Recreation.gov. For cabins and glamping, Jester County Park on the north end of the reservoir offers year-round sites, RV hookups and cabins.

Can you camp at Big Creek State Park?

No. Big Creek State Park is a day-use park - great for the beach, swimming, picnicking, trails and boating, but it does not have a campground. For overnight camping nearby, use the Saylorville Lake campgrounds or Jester County Park just to the south and west.

Are there cabins to rent near Ankeny?

Yes. Jester County Park, on the north end of Saylorville Reservoir, offers cabins and glamping accommodations along with tent sites and RV hookups, open year-round. Some Saylorville-area campgrounds also list cabin or glamping options seasonally.

How far is camping from Ankeny?

The Saylorville Lake campgrounds are roughly a 15-30 minute drive from Ankeny, just north and west of town. Big Creek State Park (day-use) is about 20 miles away. So you can be set up at a lakeside site within half an hour of home.

Camping Near Ankeny, Iowa - Campgrounds, Cabins & Where to Go

You don't have to drive far to sleep under the stars - there's a whole ring of lakeside campgrounds just north of Ankeny at Saylorville. One catch trips people up: the obvious-looking Big Creek State Park is day-use only, no campground. Here's where to actually camp, where to rent a cabin, and how close it all is.

The short answer

Camp at the Saylorville Lake campgrounds just north of town - Corps of Engineers sites like Prairie Flower, Cherry Glen, Bob Shelter and Acorn Valley (book on Recreation.gov). Want a cabin or glamping? Jester County Park on the reservoir's north end has them year-round. Big Creek State Park is day-use only - no camping. It's all a ~15-30 min drive.

The main option

Saylorville Lake campgrounds

Prairie Flower Recreation Area · Corps of Engineerstent / RV

Cherry Glen · Corps of Engineerstent / RV

Bob Shelter Recreation Areatent / RV

Acorn Valleytent / RV

Saylorville Lake sits right on Ankeny's doorstep, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers runs several campgrounds around it with tent sites and RV hookups. Most are reservable through Recreation.gov - book ahead for summer weekends and holidays, which fill fast. You're camping on a big reservoir with boating, fishing and trails, yet you're still 20-30 minutes from home if you forget something.

Cabins & glamping

Jester County Park

Where

N. Saylorville

Polk County park

Stay types

Tent · RV · cabin

plus glamping

Season

Year-round

camping

On the north end of the reservoir, Jester County Park (Polk County Conservation) is the best bet if you want walls and a roof: tent sites, RV hookups, cabins and glamping, open year-round. It's the easy "camping-but-not-really" option for a first family trip or a cold-weather weekend.

Don't get caught: Big Creek is day-use

Big Creek State Park is a fantastic day trip - a swimming beach, picnic areas, trails, and boat/kayak/paddleboard rentals at the marina - but it has no campground. Plan Big Creek for the day and sleep at Saylorville or Jester.

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Quick answers

Camping near Ankeny: FAQ

What's the closest place to camp?

The Saylorville Lake campgrounds just north of Ankeny - Corps of Engineers sites like Prairie Flower and Cherry Glen, roughly 15-30 minutes away.

Can I rent a cabin instead of tenting?

Yes - Jester County Park on the north end of Saylorville has cabins and glamping plus regular sites, open year-round.

Why can't I camp at Big Creek?

Big Creek State Park is designated day-use only - beach, trails and boating, but no overnight campground. Use Saylorville or Jester for camping.

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Sources: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Recreation.gov (Saylorville Lake campgrounds); Polk County Conservation (Jester County Park); Iowa DNR (Big Creek State Park, day-use). Campground availability, amenities and reservation windows change - confirm on Recreation.gov and the managing agency before you book.