Best Hipcamps in Iowa
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2025.
Emma is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
RV details
Travel trailers, Pop-up campers, Class B RVs, Class C RVs, and Campervans allowed
Vehicles under 30 feet allowed
Pull-in site
Accommodates slideouts
Surface type: Grass or field
Surface levelness: Flat
No Fifth wheels, Toy haulers, Class A RVs, and Cars
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
No sewage hookup
No TV hookup
Generators not allowed
What to expect
Vehicle site
5 guests max per site
Campfires allowed
Toilet available
Pets allowed
No potable water
No showers
Pack it out
Cooking equipment absent
Picnic table absent
No wifi
Laundry absent
Hot Tub absent
No playground
Things to know
Getting there
Check in: After 2:00 PM
Early or late check-in may be availableCheck out: Before 12:00 PM
On arrival: Head straight to site
Cancellation policy: Flexible
Minimum nights: 1 night
Accepts bookings: 6 months out
Park at listing
No wheelchair access
Max 2 vehicles
2WD accessible
During your trip
Leave it better
Inclusion policyWe have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp. We are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper communities be inclusive.
Reviews
99% Recommend45 ratings · 35 reviews
The Waypoint offers a serene and picturesque camping experience with its beautiful pond, open spaces, and friendly animals, making it an ideal spot for families and nature lovers. The hosts, Emma and Jason, are praised for their welcoming and accommodating nature, ensuring a pleasant stay for all guests. While most reviews are overwhelmingly positive, a few mentioned the need for clearer signage between camping and hiking paths. Overall, it's a convenient and peaceful getaway just minutes off the highway.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
Mixed feelings
· June 2025
16 ft travel trailer · With pets
A lovely property with a large fishing pond. Overall the setting is beautiful but could use some more visual clues for camping spot lanes versus hiking paths.! The fire pit (tires rims) we had was quite small but we managed to make it work. The port a potty was super clean. The pond was beautiful offering a canoe and fishing poles for use. A nice place to camp if you’re self contained with kids.
A
Ausra A.
4 reviews
Recommends
· June 2025
Magnificent
9 ft campervan · Group trip
Amazing is all I have to say. A nice “in the cut” spot to get away but not too far away from the city. The hosts were very clear and helpful with whatever you may request.
D
Daniel B.
2 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2025
Maiden Voyage
23 ft travel trailer
We spent the weekend at The Waypoint in Iowa for our maiden voyage with our new Airstream, and it couldn’t have been a better choice. The site is peaceful and remote, yet easy to find and conveniently close to the interstate. The setting is beautiful—quiet, open, and surrounded by nature, making it a perfect place to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. On the drive to the camping spot, we passed by the hosts’ friendly animals, including llamas, chickens, and their two beautiful white Pyrenees dogs, which added a charming, pastoral touch to the experience. The hosts were friendly and welcoming, and the site itself was well-maintained and thoughtfully set up. We left feeling refreshed and are already looking forward to returning. Highly recommend The Waypoint for anyone looking for a serene and comfortable camping experience.
M
Mia C.
3 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· March 2025
Highly recommended!!
16 ft Class C
Great quiet place to stay, nice camping spots! Fire rings are nice to have and there are plenty of spots to chose from
C
Chris H.
3 reviews
Recommends
· March 2025
15 ft campervan
Beautiful, private, safe, and spacious!
So lovely to have this kind of place to explore with the dogs. Thank you for having us !
M
Meagan J.
4 reviews
Recommends
· February 2025
16 ft campervan
Perfect spot to get us tucked up, and out of the wind. Beautiful spread! 10/10 will be back
J
Jordan J.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· November 2024
20 ft campervan
Nice and quiet place, great hosts! Was my second time there and will be going back
C
Chris H.
3 reviews
Recommends
· October 2024
16 ft pop-up camper
A nice tucked away spot, good for a road trip over night.
J
Jessyca M.
10 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2024
Autumn camper
18 ft travel trailer
We recently camped at Waypoint and had a wonderful relaxing weekend. Perfect place for a really chill time not too far from the highway, but far enough to feel like you're nowhere. The hosts are warm and kind and care about your stay and that you truly do enjoy your time. I pulled a camper to a spot that overlooked a valley to the west. The autumn sunset along with the fall leaves makes for some wonderful campfire sit and sips. Emma's written directions are easy to interpret. I will definitely stay again, maybe to do some fishing in their beautiful pond. Thanks guys!
D
Dave R.
9 months on Hipcamp
Recommends
· October 2024
Perfect place!
15 ft campervan
It was great! Ended up leaving early cause of a friends medical emergency but it is definitely a hidden gem
C
Chris H.
3 reviews
Recommends
· October 2024
18 ft campervan
Emma’s place was easy to locate, Quiet and a short distance off the interstate. We were travelling and just stopped for the evening. The washroom was very clean and stocked. Thanks
T
Tracy S.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· September 2024
4 ft campervan · With pets
We loved tent camping on the land. We’re used to dispersed camping and this was it. Great Lake and views! Easy to find as near the interstate. And loved meeting the animals. Emma is very knowledgeable and passionate about what she does.
Jayme M.
2 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
15 ft campervan
Beautiful spot. Nice and quiet.
Arrived just before sunset after a long day of driving. Instructions were spot on and I found a nice spot out of the way.
Stayed the night and left early in the morning. Didn't get any time to really explore, but it was a nice place to rest on a multi day drive.
Robert F.
8 reviews
Recommends
· September 2024
Peaceful reprieve
10 ft campervan
Beautiful land, well maintained. Very relaxing stay!
M
Mia W.
3 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
Highly Recommend
20 ft campervan
Peaceful, remote but easy to access, good views. I plan to return.
D
Derek J.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
Nice get away near Des Moines
12 ft pop-up camper
This was a great one night camping spot just east of Des Moines. Perfect distance for us to take a quick break from the city to get away for an evening. The stars were beautiful!
M
Mackenzie W.
2 reviews
Recommends
· August 2024
4 ft Class C
Nice spot close to I80 but woodsy and quiet. Pretty small quarry pond you can paddle around and you can arrange to see alpacas.
R
Roberto C.
5 reviews
Recommends
· July 2024
A quick stay at the Waypoint
23 ft travel trailer · With pets
We loved our stay at Waypoint Camp. The property is vast, beautiful, and a true hidden gem of Iowa. The pond is unbelievably magical. Emma, the host, is super friendly and warm. She gave us a thorough tour of the farm and animals. We recommend arriving in daylight. It’s challenging to find the right spot to camp in the dark. We’ll be back one day!
S
Scott P.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· July 2024
LOVED the Waypoint!
25 ft Class B
We had such an amazing time at the Waypoint. Jason and Emma are EXCELLENT hosts and being able to see all the animals was extra special. We enjoyed riding our mountain bikes around the property and the sites were excellent. Thank you for having us.
Milton and Michelle
M
Milton I.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· June 2024
20 ft campervan · With pets
Emma was an excellent hostess! The land was beautiful and an easy 5 minutes off the highway (yet still serene). She gave us great information about her animals and gave us a very fun tour!
Laura L.
4 reviews
Recommends
· June 2024
Comfortable and quiet roadtrip stop
16 ft campervan · With pets
Great spot to stop on my cross country Road trip! Emma is very accommodating with me coming in late. The campsites were clean and spaced apart. Would recommend and will be stopping here on my next trip!
E
Emily M.
3 reviews
Recommends
· June 2024
10 ft travel trailer
This was a cute, easy stay on our roadtrip across the country! Great arrival instructions and such a pretty drive to the campsite. We’d be happy to stay here again!
J
Julia F.
4 reviews
Recommends
· June 2024
20 ft campervan
The Waypoint is super convenient to I-80 travelers, literally 5 minutes off the highway, but offers a total shift from the energy and static of highway traveling. The property is wooded, shaded and quiet. The individual campsites are private and well spaced. The pond area is beautiful. Emma kindly introduced us to her collective herd of alpacas, fainting goats and dogs. An I-80 oasis that we highly recommend. And the next exit east has a great little coffee shop named Beans and Beignets.
C
Cricket P.
2 reviews
Recommends
· June 2024
Great One Night Getaway
23 ft campervan · With pets
The host communicated well regarding access. The spots are private and surrounded by trees. A very serene and relaxing spot for a campfire.
Mary V.
3 reviews
Recommends
· June 2024
Kinda magical.
21 ft Class B
Fireflies, bats, deer & turkeys were just a part of the magic! We’d definitely stay here again!
Janella M D.
4 reviews
Recommends
· June 2024
16 ft campervan
Fantastic place to camp. It was very serene, highly recommend.
S
Sarah O.
1 year on Hipcamp
Recommends
· May 2024
Exceeded all expectation.
8 ft travel trailer
Wow! What a piece of land, and how generous to share it! Idyllic pasture scenery, with a quarry pond for good measure. Not a row crop in sight, Iowa how it is meant to be enjoyed. I cannot wait to book again.
M
Matt S.
2 reviews
Recommends
· May 2024
Don’t even bother looking elsewhere
12 ft pop-up camper · With kids
Emma and Jason both go above and beyond. AMAZING hosts, amazing land, incredible experience for my wife and daughters. We camped, we kayaked, we had dinner, smores and breakfast over a fire, and had an absolute blast hanging out with Jason and Emma while they showed us their alpacas and friendly dogs. We are already buzzing and planning our next trip out in a few weeks, I have a feeling we will be frequent flyers out there!
My biggest issue is I fear gloating about how great this place is, that more people will go making it harder for us to get a reservation 🤪🤪. But seriously, if you’re in the DSM metro you’ve GOT to check this place out on a weekend. Tons of free space to setup camp and it isn’t possible to get bored out here.
T
Tyler A.
2 reviews
Recommends
· April 2024
15 ft pop-up camper
Can't speak highly enough about this property and they owners!
C
Collin S.
3 years on Hipcamp
Recommends
· April 2024
Great communication!
12 ft pop-up camper
Emma was wonderfully accommodating—had a later check in than expected, and got lots of good, useful communication that helped us get safely to the property, past the wonderful giant guard dogs, and to not park in the pond. When we awoke we had a blissfully lovely campsite to consider before we got back on the road. Easy access, plenty of trees and a very nice bit of water.
R
Robin S.
5 reviews
Hosted by Emma W.
Joined in May 2022Things to do nearby
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