Map showing campground location near Bondurant, Iowa

Camper submitted image from Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt

The Skunk River oxbows create winding waterways through this 20-site county campground, where campers can launch kayaks and canoes directly from primitive sites positioned along the water's edge. Managed by the Polk County Conservation Board, Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt operates seasonally from April through November and accommodates RVs up to 50 feet with electric hookups available at designated sites. The gravel pads sit level and spacious, while primitive tent areas offer more room to spread out.

Well-marked hiking trails wind through prairie landscapes and wooded areas, providing opportunities for bird watching and wildlife observation. Bass and bluegill populate the river system, though water levels fluctuate seasonally and can affect paddling conditions. Roger notes it's "a great place to camp if you want quiet, relaxing, nature views." The park closes at 10:30 PM, so late arrivals need to plan accordingly.

Modern restrooms with showers serve the campground, along with potable water available at the entrance gate and a small dump station for departing RVers. Sites operate on a first-come basis without reservations required. Campers seeking additional options can explore campgrounds around Bondurant or check Ashton Wildwood Park for a different setting.

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Location

Public Campground

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt is located in Iowa

Directions

From Jct of I-35N & Elkhart exit, E 7.8 mi on 142nd Ave. to NE 72nd, N 1.5 mi (R)

Address

8700 NE 126 Ave.
Maxwell, IA 50161

Coordinates

41.7910002 N
93.4290004 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/3/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 4/3/26
AT&T5G
Excellent Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

22 min from Des Moines, IA
23 min from Ames, IA
1 hr 32 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
1 hr 36 min from Waterloo, IA

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

9 Reviews

Numerous guests pointed out the quiet, well-maintained campground with spacious sites and modern bathroom facilities. Several visitors appreciated the helpful camp hosts and peaceful, shaded environment. Some noted seasonal water level issues affecting kayaking opportunities.

Jay F.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 26, 2025

Quiet and shaded

Nice quiet spot. New concrete at the campsites. Pretty trails.

Site6

Month of VisitSeptember

Katie P.

Scout

Reviewed Sep. 21, 2024

Campground closed

Drove 6 hours to find out the campground is closed (apparently for all of fall and winter) without any awareness of that being the case online. Now I have to figure out somewhere to go at dinner time with my over-tired toddler and two dogs. Frustrated.

Month of VisitSeptember

Roger

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 10, 2023

Great Weekend getaway!

Just a great place to camp if you want quiet, relaxing, nature views! Camp host, Shelly was great and very helpful!! As with everything, the electric sites are $25.00 a night but we’ll worth it. Bathroom/Showers available and potable water at the front gate to load up before setting up camp site…. Also has small dump station at gate for on the way out…

Sitesite 13

Month of VisitSeptember

Whitney S.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 30, 2022

Great trails

This is a nice campground it has great trails and is in between Altoona Ankeny and Bondurant

Megan M.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2021

Nice Little Park!

Hidden gem just outside of Des Moines!

Pros: -Small park (only about 20 spots) but it’s easy to get a spot without reserving ahead -Site 15 for primitive campers is HUGE. Easily the size of 2-3 sites at other campgrounds. -Very shady campground, beautiful trees all around -Nice, well-marked trails -Plenty to do -Easily the best bathrooms I’ve found while camping (modern) -Gravel pads for electric sites are very large and flat

Cons: -The river was very low and muddy, so water sports like kayaking aren’t an option right now -The park closes at 10:30 so make sure you get back in time -The park is generally well maintained but we also found no fewer than a dozen batteries in our firepit and around our site :( -Some trails have weird unmarked forks that should be marked

Site15

Month of VisitAugust

(10) View All

Nathan M.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2021

Quite with few people

The campground was well maintained and very quite. Great place for a quick trip. Unfortunately you can not rent kayaks or canoes at this time due to water levels. Overall a hidden gem I would say!

Site31

Month of VisitJuly

(5) View All

Kelly

Guide

Reviewed Mar. 7, 2021

Quite, best early season

Next to skunk river oxbows, kayak, no swimming, water stagnant, no fish, about 4ft depth everywhere. Great hiking trails, clean, great camp hosts, ranger. All sites first come. Camp there 2-4 times a year.

Willy W.

Ranger

Reviewed May. 30, 2020

Words can’t describe

But I’ll do my best. This place reminds me of a lazy river. There are electrical and primitive campgrounds. There are also primitive campgrounds out of the main area but close to the road. Most of the camping areas have fire pits and some have tables.

There are plenty of trails to hike and some really nice views of the prairies. You can bring a kayak/canoe to go on the water. There is also some pretty good fishing. Lots of bass and bluegill.

There are bathrooms with showers available and porta-potties in some campgrounds.

Make sure to bring bug spray. Overall it’s a nice place and pretty quiet most of the time.

(19) View All

Larissa C.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 4, 2018

Best Canoeing Around

We've taken our canoe here once and really enjoyed the winding, quite, green waterways. This is a relatively obscure place with little amount of crowds on any weekend. We haven't camped here, but have seen that the tent areas are right next to the water. Super serene with great hiking trails and bird watching!

Month of VisitSeptember

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping sites at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt?

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt offers both electrical and primitive camping sites. The main campground area features sites right next to the water, providing serene views. There are approximately 20 spots total, making it a smaller, less crowded camping destination. Some primitive sites are located outside the main area but close to the road. Site 15 is particularly noteworthy for primitive campers as it's exceptionally large—about the size of 2-3 standard campground sites. The campground is well-shaded with beautiful trees throughout, offering a peaceful natural setting. Note that the campground may close during fall and winter seasons, so always verify operational status before planning your trip.

Are there any camping fees or permits required at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt?

Electric sites at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt cost $25 per night. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservation system in place. Both electrical and primitive camping options are available, with different fee structures likely applying to primitive sites, though specific primitive site fees aren't detailed. The campground is considered a good value given its amenities, which include bathroom facilities, showers, and potable water available at the front gate. Contact the campground directly or check with the managing county conservation board for the most current fee information and any permit requirements before your visit.

What activities are available near the Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt campground?

Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt offers numerous outdoor activities for visitors. Hiking is popular with well-marked, clean trails throughout the area. Water activities include canoeing and kayaking along the winding, quiet waterways that resemble a lazy river, though rentals may not always be available depending on water levels. The area features oxbow lakes from the Skunk River, typically about 4ft deep. Nature viewing is excellent in this serene setting with minimal crowds. While fishing is mentioned, the stagnant water conditions may limit success. The peaceful environment makes it ideal for relaxation and enjoying nature views away from busy urban areas.

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