Des Moines West KOA

Located in Adel Iowa – Just West of Des Moines

2 hour 15 minutes from Council Bluffs, Iowa

To make reservations and to get additional information about the campground/park please click here:

No Park Permit Required

Camping Fee: $81 for Pull Through/Full Hook Ups, 50 Amps with Patio,  $61 for Pull Through/Full Hook Ups, 50 Amps, $42 for Tent site

Reservation Fee:  $0 per stay

Additional Fees:  $6.00 extra person charge for 3+ person

Last Stayed:  7/2019

Camping Spot:  5– Full Hook Ups, 50 Amps – No Patio

DES MOINES WEST KOA

Just off Interstate 80 at Exit 106 then about 1.5 miles and you will find this Full Service KOA Campground.

This is not your average KOA.  The sites here are extremely well maintained and have plenty of room in between sites.  Other KOA’s we have been to – sites are very close to each other, but this KOA has nice “yards” so you don’t feel you are right on top of your neighbor.    Most sites have Full Hooks Ups, there is a pool with a dunk tank, tons of activities for the kids with a very nice playground, bouncing pillow, cabins and full service convenience store.

If you are traveling to the Des Moines area, this campground is close to the West Des Moines area, or even a great place to stay if you are looking to explore the Bridges of Madison County!

OFFICE

The campground has a nice office/store located at the front of the campground.  They offer Ice, Firewood, and general camping supplies treats, Hand Dipped Ice Cream and Hunt Brothers Pizza delivered right to your site!  This is also where you can purchase the bag of Rocks/Sand for the Mining Adventure – located by the playground.

PAVILLION

The large Pavilion is completely enclosed and looks to be newer, is where you can find lots of the planned activities.  The Pavilion has several picnic style tables, and has a section for games that can be played, and even a large Connect 4 type of game.

POOL

This is a huge plus, especially on those hot summer days!  The pool is very nice and they even have a dunk tank!  My daughter loved this feature and had fun playing with the other kids trying to dunk each other.

BEAUTIFUL SETTING/POND

The entire campground does have some shade, especially where the tents can camp.  The setting is very park like with the main campground in the middle of the location, and another area that might be a little newer on the other side of the tenting area.

The stocked fishing pond is a huge plus for this campground!  We saw many people fishing and even renting some of the paddle boats.

ACTIVITIES

In other KOA campgrounds, they might offer 1-2 activities on a Saturday but this campground is truly focused on the family, and offered the most activities we have ever seen at a KOA.  We were there on their Christmas In July Weekend, and they offered everything from making stockings to hang (and even the next morning they were filled with a treat!) To seeing Santa Claus, Making a Stuffed Friend, painting ceramics, train rides, a huge Slip and Slide and even a Wine Tasting for Adults!

The Slip and Slide was on the side of the campground with a slight hill and the kids absolutely loved this activity!

The Teddy Bear Mountain – Very Similar to Build A Bear was a fun addition to offer at a campground.  What kiddo doesn’t like making their own stuffed friend!  The activity was very well organized and cost much less than the Mall version.

I was truly impress with all the activities they offered, and even booked another trip in late September when they have their Halloween Events, and can’t wait to see what will be offered!  Stay tuned for an update!!

CAMPGROUND

Like most other KOAs we have been to, there are some very nice spots with Patios and more space between campers.  These spots are a premium and do cost more, but the other spots that don’t have a patio, and are pull through do have ample space for a picnic table and fire ring, like I said earlier the spots are extremely spacious compared to other KOAs.

The main campground Spots 2-70 has nice spacious sites, and even include some buddy type sites, where you and your friends can pull in opposite ways and be able to camp next to each other.

The second campground Spots 101-130 is equally as nice with nice spacious sites.  This section, just doesn’t have some of the patio sites.

SPOTS WE LIKE

We stayed in Spot 5, which was very easy to get into, and close to all the amenities.  The spot was also close to the playground and across from the Dog Park, with was perfect for us, and our Dog!  This spot was a Full Hook Up, 50 Amp Pull Through Site.  There are several spots that are premium and offer larger spots.

I truly didn’t see any spots that would not work for larger rigs.

The sites with the patio option are very nice with cement patios and furniture.

SHOWER HOUSES

The shower house located at the Pavilion is very clean and spacious.

LAUNDRY FACILITIES

A very nice laundry room with newer washers and dryers is located near the office.

PLAYGROUND

There is a nice playground and Gaga Ball Pit located near sites 2-4.  The playground is newer and even included a nice large sand box.

Located closer to the office you will find the bouncy pillow, the basket ball court and Jump Shot.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Mining

The campground offers a mining experience.  My daughter spent a lot of time, just playing in the water coming out of the “Water Tower” and looking for rocks/crystals that might have fallen to the ground.  She absolutely loves rocks/crystals and this was a huge plus for us.

We decided to purchase the medium bag of rocks/sand/Fossils at the office.  She was able to “pan” for her treasures and got some really good gemstones, fossils and rocks.

Water Wars

This fun Water Balloon station complete with a filling station for the water balloons.

Dog Park

For your four-legged fur babies, there is a nice fenced in dog park.  The park was also stocked with doggie bags and a trash can.

CABINS

There are a few different size cabins offered along the side of the campground.

There are also 2 cabins that have nice decks and over look the pond.

Please check website for pricing on the cabins.

GLAMPING TENTS

Located near the Pavilion and Tenting area are 2 large Glamping Tents!

We did not have the opportunity to look inside -but what a fun way to enjoy this fun campground.

Check Website for pricing.

SUMMARY

This Step Above KOA has very spacious sites with tons of activities for not only the kids, but the entire family as well.

Located in a very nice park like setting with a fishing pond, pool, jumping pillow and lots of activities and themed weekends, this campground is perfect for the tent camper to the people with the largest of Rigs out there.

I highly recommend if you are heading towards the Des Moines/Madison County area, that you check out this KOA.

What is your favorite KOA you have been to?