Camping near Ames with showers

Discover and reserve the best campgrounds, cabins, RV parks, and more.

98% (392 reviews)

United States
—
Iowa
—
Ames

98% (392 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Ames

Community favorites near Ames

Public campgrounds near Ames

100%

(5)

Cherry Glen Campground

125 sites · RVs, Tents In Saylorville Lake

100%

(4)

Ledges Campground

94 sites · RVs, Tents In Ledges State Park

Prairie Flower Recreation Area and Campground

100%

(3)

Prairie Flower Recreation Area and Campground

159 sites · RVs, Tents In Saylorville Lake

100%

(1)

Acorn Valley Campground

95 sites · RVs, Tents In Saylorville Lake

A cabin, in the woods, by the river, on a snowy morning. The warmth inside from the fireplace. Life is quiet, and good.

100%

(1)

Pine Lake Campground

127 sites · RVs, Tents In Pine Lake State Park

Bob Shetler Recreation Area and Campground

67 sites · RVs, Tents In Saylorville Lake

Beach Campground

252 sites · RVs, Tents In Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Dolliver Campground

24 sites · RVs, Tents In Dolliver Memorial State Park

Rock Creek Campground

193 sites · RVs, Tents In Rock Creek State Park

Springbrook Campground

111 sites · RVs, Tents In Springbrook State Park

Union Grove Campground

22 sites · RVs, Tents In Union Grove State Park

Stories from the community

Kalin

1 week ago

With kids

2 nights at Saylor Creek Hideaway

Super cute and private. It has all the comforts of home with all the beauty of the outdoors. I loved all the thoughtful touches like the earplugs, s'mores supplies, and the espresso maker with all the fixings you can think of. I highly recommend this place if hotels just aren't your thing. I will definitely recommend this to friends and family.

1 night at Bend River Farms

We camped in the RV slip in front of the house. We enjoyed the bench and tables and flower garden for our morning breakfast. Inside bathroom and shower area were perfect for our needs. We were greeted on our arrival by Dave and a flock of friendly free-range chickens!

1 night at Bend River Farms

Amy was waiting for us when we arrived. She & her husband were very welcoming & kind. We had planned to use the site with power but decided our small dog would mix well with the chickens. Amy was very accommodating & let us down further onto the property onto the group site. We had the whole field & fire pit to ourselves & walking distance to bathrooms and a hot tub. There are wide trails plowed on the land & it's an inviting space. I would definitely go back if in the area.

Weekend Trip to Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

Dave and his wife/partner are wonderful hosts and the grounds are well-maintained and clean! We will definitely be back again (this was our second stay already) and we recommend them to everyone we know.

Weekend Trip to Bend River Farms

It's our first time to try hipcamp and we had a great experience at Bend River Farm. It's a very relaxing space. Amy is very nice and accommodating!

1 night at Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

The hookups were very convenient and the showers on the campground was very nice. It's a good place to spend a night in a RV

Colleen

May 2025

2 nights at Luxury in Nature Near Des Moines

The most beautifully crafted and well thought out space. Off the beaten path a bit so it’s nice and quiet with dark skies at night and a lovely view of the sunrise from your bed as you wake. Everything you might need is provided for a quick weekend getaway. Only a short really pleasant backroad drive into nearby Des Moines. Hosts are attentive to guests needs checking in with anything you may need but providing you with plenty of privacy. Stay here you won’t regret it.

1 night at Spruce Tiny Cabin

The good: At night you'll have crickets and frogs singing for you, and in the morning birds will take over. Waking up to a sun rising over the lake is wonderful. The host was friendly, and they provide pretty much everything you'll need. There is a great truck stop just a few minutes away, too. The bad: There were dead bugs everywhere. The bed wasn't the most comfortable. The road is in terrible condition, and I worried about getting out if it rained. If I'd been on the motorcycle it would have been impossible to do.

Weekend Trip to Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

I did not want to leave. I had a little spot by the stream and I saw an amazing variety of birds. Really - warblers, and a kingfisher and so on. It was totally delightful. The host was super nice and friendly. I felt safe, this place is clean and welcoming. You can for sure hear the highway, it didn’t bother me though.

Weekend Trip to Bend River Farms

This was everything it said and more. It was so fun, the back yard was a huge bonus with the hot tub and shower. It rained most of the weekend but still had a great time..

1 night at Bend River Farms

Amy and Dave were kind and thorough. More amenities than I expected for the price

Weekend Trip to Bend River Farms

Amy's land was beautiful. She had animals too. She had an RV spot that is available for full hookup (water and electric). We opted to take a more primitive, remote site in the woods. It was very peaceful. There was firewood, a fire ring and chairs available. Near the house, she had a salt water hot tub, laundry, a shower and bathroom available for guests. We would stay here again and highly recommend Amy's land!

You have to try feeding them by hand! It’s a really cool experience and Amy is very knowledgeable!

Jake

October 2024

2 nights at Bend River Farms

The camp was beautiful and both Dave and Amy were very helpful and knowledgeable. Our favorite part was feeding the chickens, and going for a mid day hot tub. If you want to get closer to nature while also having an educational experience, this is the place for you!

3 top campgrounds near Ames with showers

100%

(153)

Bend River Farms

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents50 acres · Runnells, IA

Bend River Farms is just a short drive from Interstate 80/35. The farm is nestled in the gently rolling hills of central Iowa. Little Camp Creek flows through the property and continues on towards the mighty Des Moines river. Cool woodland meadows provide a comforting back drop to your tent site or glamping experience. All our sites come with complimentary firewood, we offer reduced prices during the summer and a 15% discount on weekday bookings. Our property offers private restrooms, showers, complimentary towels and firewood, 24/7 laundry room, Wi-Fi, a dish washing station, play area with jungle gym, hiking trails, hands on farm animal activities, a communal outdoor dinning area and a saltwater hot tub await your arrival! Bend River Farms was a former junk yard that has now been transformed into a cottage core dream. The farm is operated much like family farms of the 1920's. The focus is on small scale, multi system agriculture, we have fresh eggs, produce and honey for sale. Bend River Farms is not a resort or public camp ground. It is a place to enjoy wild spaces and recharge. Agri-tourism at it's best. Learn about native prairie restoration, regenerative agriculture and sustainable ranching from owners, Amy Buckendahl and Dave Breese. Please understand that our property is a working farm, and our staff are often busy working on projects and have full careers, outside of farming. We do not have the same amenities as a public campground or "all inclusive" camp resort. Instead, we offer your wandering heart a place to rest. All travel to the farm is on paved roads, with no confusing dirt roads to navigate. The property is located near the small community of Runnells, Iowa in rural Camp Township. Enjoy a cold beer or hot food at one of the two local taverns, or check out the local ice cream shop or our local farmer's market on Tuesday evenings during the summer. Don't worry if you forget something! We have a nearby gas station and a general store. Don't forget, we have smores kits, farm fresh honey and eggs available for purchase, check out the EXTRAS option during checkout! Amy, our own resident biologist, will give you an opportunity to learn about livestock husbandry and the local wildlife. The farms orchard boasts several wild bird feeding stations, with edible landscaping! A stay on our farm will provide you with an opportunity to learn about Land Management in an agricultural setting. Learn about carpentry and welding from a master fabricator, or book an adventure to learn about gardening, poultry care, horsemanship, beekeeping and even falconry! These are also available in the EXTRAS option during checkout. Fancy a fireside meal or homestyle dinner? Dave is a trained chef and loves to cook for our guests. Select a meal during checkout. Off-site, but nearby opportunities: miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, kayaking and fishing. The Iowa State Fair Grounds and Adventureland Waterpark is only 20 minutes away, along with big city fine dining, music and art museums are all less than a thirty miles drive; when you need a break from camping and nature. Fee based transportation is available for guests flying in or needing a break from driving, or whenever you need a quick trip into town. Our philosophy: "Here at Bend River Farms we are passionate about regenerative agriculture. We strive to push ourselves and our partners to think of the future and the longevity of our agricultural practices. " Regenerative Agriculture is an agricultural philosophy that both acknowledges the degenerative impact of poor land stewardship, and the positive use of agricultural practices that foster restoration and productivity." Local conditions determine which practices are most appropriate. A well managed food system should improve the long-term health and function of the agricultural system and the communities that depend upon them, physically, culturally, spiritually, and economically. Regeneratively managed businesses protect and improve the natural function of our water, nutrient, and carbon cycles by taking steps to increase biodiversity in the agricultural system, and works to minimize reliance on external inputs, and avoid the use of synthetic chemicals whenever possible.”

96%

(471)

Shadybrook Camping and RV Adventure

61 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents30 acres · Earlham, IA

This property has a year round running creek called Bear Creek. They also mined the stone off the property for the State Capital in Des Moines, Iowa. Abundant wildlife and mature beautiful trees. Hiking trails, playground equipment, dog park, shelterhouse, showerhouse/restrooms, community fire pit, all sites have fire pits and picnic tables, laundry area, rec room, and welcoming staff!

100%

(37)

Sleep in an Iowa Barn @ TLC

2 sites · Lodging, Tents28 acres · Zearing, IA

Threshold Learning Center is 28 acres of prairie, creek, woods, and our barn dormitory. Threshold is first, an outdoor learning center for schools during the school year, and a summer camp offering several day camps, family camps, and trips. As a non-profit, however, we are constantly trying to find a way to offer our programs to everyone regardless of whether they are able to pay our fees while still making enough money to stay open. We started renting TLC to the public 5 years ago for weddings, reunions, or just families who are looking to connect to the world around them. Our motto is "No Child Left Inside" and we want every inner child to enjoy what we have at TLC. We have 7 bedrooms in our dormitory, 5 camp sites, a large camp fire ring, a mini-golf course, and we are always willing to lead your group in an educational experience or take you on a hayrack ride.

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Lehigh, Iowa

Dolliver Memorial State Park

Lehigh, Iowa

Rock Creek State Park

Oakland Acres, Iowa

Springbrook State Park

Lake Panorama, Iowa

Union Grove State Park

Gladbrook, Iowa

Other options near Ames

Boone County Fairgrounds Campground

51 sites1 acre · Boone, IA

The Boone County Fairgrounds Campground stands out for its modern facilities and pristine environment, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike. Nestled conveniently to the east of the fairgrounds, this well-maintained campground provides a serene escape while still being close to local attractions. Open from April 1 to November 1, the campground welcomes visitors unless unusually cold temperatures arise. Guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the surrounding area, including hiking, fishing, and exploring nearby natural features. With its clean amenities and commitment to providing a comfortable camping experience, the Boone County Fairgrounds Campground is the perfect spot to unwind and connect with nature. Whether you're looking for a weekend getaway or a longer stay, this campground offers a unique blend of convenience and tranquility.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Adventureland Resort Campground

21 sites1 acre · Altoona, IA

Experience the magic of Adventureland Campground, where your family can enjoy a unique blend of outdoor fun and proximity to Adventureland Resort. Nestled just steps away from the excitement of the park, this campground offers an unforgettable experience for kids and adults alike. Spend your days exploring thrilling rides and attractions, and unwind in the evenings around a cozy campfire, gazing up at the twinkling stars. Adventureland Resort Campground is a full-service facility designed to cater to all your camping needs. With amenities such as electric hookups, modern showers, and restrooms, you can enjoy the comforts of home while immersed in nature. The campground also features RV facilities, tent camping options, a refreshing swimming pool, and recreational areas for family fun. Whether you're seeking adventure or relaxation, Adventureland Campground is the perfect base for your family getaway. Don't miss out on creating lasting memories—your ultimate family adventure is just around the corner!

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

92%

(13)

Firefly Creek Ranch

10 sites31 acres · Guthrie Center, IA

Our property was once the County Home until it was closed due to regulatory changes to the mental health industry. The property sat vacant for 2 years as a deficit for the county and its taxpayers. We had a plan to breathe new life into this property by re-opening as a non-profit Art, Community, and Retreat Center. We are in the heart of the rolling hills surrounding Guthrie Center & Lake Panorama. It is simply an amazing place. Please come and see what makes this experience unique. Learn more about this land:Peaceful farm setting in the rolling hills of Guthrie County, Iowa. Outdoor rustic camping and indoor simple Bed & Breakfast rooms. 10 Rustic Campsites or 1 with water and electric hook-ups for additional $5 night. Self contained campers welcome. Ask about our Gathering & Retreat Center with 8 indoor overnight accommodations available. Sleeps 8-15.

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Ames with showers guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp - your ultimate camping resource in the United States! Whether you're a seasoned camper or new to the great outdoors, we've got you covered. With over 210 options near Ames, Iowa that offer shower facilities, you can enjoy a refreshing rinse after a day of adventure. From the serene Windy Goat Acres with 208 reviews, to the picturesque Come Enjoy the Beauty with 160 reviews, and the charming Folk School Farm Stay with 135 reviews, you'll find the perfect spot to pitch your tent or park your RV. With popular amenities like toilets, campfires, and potable water, plus activities ranging from biking and historic site exploration to snow sports, your camping experience will be unforgettable. Average price per night is $65, with options as low as $15. So pack your gear and get ready to immerse yourself in nature!