Grant Nature Park Campground

What a great spot! Free and awesome! We needed a spot in this area for a night as we drove across Iowa and using Campendium, thought this would be good. It was better than good. Interesting to find - kind of down a farm road. Single track road going right or left as you come in to the CG - we went left and I got out and walked ahead of the truck / trailer to find out site. All the sites have a picnic table and concrete pad around the firepit. We walked both of the trails right off of the campground. Really enjoyed our time here! Including a video if you wish to see more of this great campground!

This is absolutely a hidden gem! We tent camped here for one night when we visited the darling town of Pella and Lake Red Rock. Every spot has a cement pad, picnic table, and fire ring. We heard cows mooing through the night, but otherwise quiet and respectful neighbors. The spaces are well spread out. Show up early though, as there only about 10 spaces! We were lucky and got the last spot around 8 pm. A little bit of trash was left around the sites from previous campers.

The camp sites are very nice. Private and spaced a nice distance apart. Because it's a first come first serve I made a point of arriving early in the afternoon on the Friday before Labor Day weekend. I got one of the last two sites. Many people came afterward looking for an available site.

It was a little noisy with children at the two sites closest to mine. But that's be expected given its a holiday weekend. But everything quieted down after dark.

It had rained that morning and the gravel road leading into the cwiamp ground was muddy and slippery but not a problem for my Honda Odyssey. Just had to take it slow and easy.

I don’t even want to review this because I want it to stay a little kept secret. It’s so peaceful and quiet and often not many campers, i love staying here when I come to Des Moines around this time of year. It’s about a 25-30 ish minute drive into downtown, but I love the seclusion. Perfect car camping spot for a quick overnight or bit longer stay.

Pretty easy to find with the pictures that are provide already. Nice large open sites, fire pit with picnic tables at each site. Sites are spread out well for privacy, there are 10 total spots I believe. Vaulted toilets on site are very clean. No designated “pads” for parking so just park close to you fire pit and get to enjoying your vacation! Most spots were pretty level but we did require a little leveling (site 3). We arrived on a Sunday evening around 4pm and there were 4 of 10 spots open.

This place is great! There are 10 beautiful campsites, all with new picnic tables, fire ring and cement pad so you’re chairs are actually level! The fire ring even has a grill you and flip over the fire to cook. There is a vault toilet up on the hill where the campsites are. FYI - the women’s side did not have a lock. The sites were very spacious, some massive and very spread out. You could see neighbors but you aren’t on top on them. And it’s free! You can stay for up to 14 days. They do have registration cards up on the board to complete and post on your site. I had 2-3 bars of LTE via AT&T. The closest gas station is about 7 minutes away and a grocery store about 10 minutes away.

Let’s talk ticks!! I travel with my dog and during the 3 nights I stayed, I was constantly removing them from him, myself and within the inside of my van. They always got on his feet every time he used the restroom and made their way inside. If you travel with a pet, check them constantly and make sure they are on a tick med!

We stayed here 10/2 and 10/3/20. One of the best boondocking sites we have been to. There are ten designated sites here and you must register at the kiosk at the entrance of the campground (this is towards the end of the road, you will go past a pavilion and up a hill before you reach the campground). The sites have picnic tables and fire pits that are inlaid in a cement patio. There are bathrooms at the entrance to the campground. And, the kiosk at the entrance has a map of the park which shows some hiking trails that can be accessed from the campground.

I arrived a half hour before dark. The drive in showed a wealthy rural population. It's hilly and the ride to the top of the oak ridge was adventuresome in my F-150 towing a 24 foot travel trailer. I did make it but the tires slipped twice. I would have put it in 4wd had I known the hill is steep, pot holed gravel. There are several sites at the top of the oak ridge with a firepit)grill within a stamped concrete 12x12 pad, picnic table too. I wish I had more time to explore this natural beauty, .My neighbor seemed a little off, but I enjoyed a peaceful and restful night.