Established Camping
Yellow Banks County Park
About
County
Location
Yellow Banks County Park is located in Iowa
Directions
From jct US 65 & Vandalia Rd: Go 3 mi E on Vandalia Rd, then turn S on SE 68th St. Follow signs.
Coordinates
41.55100039 N
93.47200027 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonGood
- AT&TGood
- T-MobileFair
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Great camp close to town
Very clean campground with friendly host. Showers were warm and sites were either paved or good gravel. Road in could easily allow motorcycle access
Huge sites!
Large spacious sites with a fire ring and picnic table. Cost per night is low. Firewood available and camp host was a wonderful older gentleman. Close proximity to the state fair without being to close. Great stay! Our site had an open field behind it definitely recommend.
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Very nice, clean, spacious campground
Lots of shade, fairly level sites, clean bathrooms, right off river with boat access. No WiFi or cable. Other campers warned us not to leave anything out at night because teenagers come through sometimes looking for stuff to steal. Overall a very nice place to stay.
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Ever changing
I camped here in 2021 and I enjoyed it but the first night I was there I ran my vehicle down the second night I was there I took a tour on the campgrounds and got verbally accosted but another camper for walking near their campground and then I mistakenly left some food out and my dog and I were woken up by wild dogs.
In 2022 I came out again and it was a much better adventure the campgrounds are beautiful they have two
different electric sights and they have a newly furnished tent site.
Yellow Bank
I am here in November. Not many people here. The water has been turned off but the camping pads the spacing between the campsites is amazing and I will try to be back next summer
They found the owner of the cows
Last time I camped here cows got loose and came into the campground with hilarious consequences. This time I didn't see any cows. The regular tent sight was under construction so we got a spot in the hike and camp. It was the only spots left bc of all the activities going on in DesMoines that weekend. I was a little concerned about hiking to the campsite with the cooler but the nice gentleman that delivers the firewood on a gator offered me a ride with the cooler. Good fishing.
Best of the 4 Polk County Iowa Parks
Wonderful trails, lots of space. Access to DM River, has nice pond, playgrounds, just a beautiful area. Fishing not the greatest, Pond is silted to about 9ft deep, have caught few small bass, bluegill. Never tried the river here, but is known for big cats. Camp sites are best around, large flat white rock cinder size area with picnic table, fire ring. Sites are well spaced. Shaded. Double lane dump station. Close to home, can usually get site without reservation, IF you roll in on Wed. By Thurs night, it's full. Few reservables, 90% i'd say are first come. The way it should be in my opinion.
Great trails!
So with covid I couldn’t primitive camp but this place is huge and has lots to offer.
It’s got access to trails and to the Des Moines river. It’s a great little escape. There is a fishing pond that’s got plenty of bluegill and largemouth bass. There is a couple of docks and boat ramps. The boat ramp to the river though didn’t look in great shape. But if you kayak it’s probably fine.
It has lots of electrical sites as well. Baseball fields, lots of bathrooms (not open during covid) and some really nice group sites. For this review I’m just going to post stuff for the primitive camping.
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The Banks
The banks are amazing! River access and a pond to fish! Camped here my whole life. Boy scouts and with friends. Check out the burial grounds. Just wish there was more camping riverside. ( groups available)
Great park!
Lots or good fishing spots and great views! Reccomend going mid summer or fall to see everything
Quiet camp close to town
I camped here a lot growing up and many times since then. We visit the park often. Nice quiet campground with the Des Moines river close by for fishing or kayaking. Most of the spots are shaded and well maintained. The backpacking area is very nice as well.
Tenting at Yellow Banks
There are two RV sites with shower houses, and about 10 tentsites on a large rectangular area in the back surrounded by trees. Unfortunately the parking was only at one end, so many people were hauling their stuff quite a ways. I had a spot next to the parking and pit latrine which was great, but the weekend was crowded and noisy. There are a couple of short trails near the campground but a longer pond trail on the southeast area of the park which was deserted when I hiked it. The park also has a playground for kids, baseball fields, and primitive camping.
Small family friendly park
Campgrounds here are near the front of the park with more to explore if you hike/drive farther in. Playground is good-sized. Easy hiking trails nearby. Very quiet, not a lot of traffic.
Great camping
Great little campground. Theres a hiking trail that will take you to indian burial mounds. There is also fishing and boating. They have a fun playground also. There are a couple of backpacking sites as well.