Camping Area

Wakan campground

Iowa, USA Des Moines watershed 41.952°, -93.905°
Today high
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Tonight low
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Reservations
No
Nearby campsites
6
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Wakan -- Iowa campground
Wakan Iowa · Des Moines watershed
About this campground

Wakan

Wakan State Park in Iowa is a serene camping area nestled in the Loess Hills. The area offers breathtaking views of the Missouri River Valley and the surrounding countryside. There are several nearby points of interest including the Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, the Sioux City Art Center, and the Sergeant Floyd Monument. The campground itself has 35 campsites, with both electric and non-electric options, vault toilets, and showers. Reservations can be made up to three months in advance, but some sites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

An interesting fact about the area is that it was originally established as a state forest in 1933, but was later reclassified as a state park in 1961. Visitors to the park can enjoy hiking, picnicking, and fishing in the nearby Missouri River. The best time of year to visit is in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom and temperatures range from the mid-50s to low 70s.
StateIowa
WatershedDes Moines
Latitude41.9522°
Longitude-93.9046°
Amenities

What's on-site at Wakan

Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.

📅
Reservations
First-come, first-served
🚽
Toilets
Not listed
🚿
Showers
Not listed
🔥
Fire rings
Check rules
Detailed forecast

Plan your trip down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max so trends jump out at a glance.

Time Condition Temp (°F) Snow (in) Rain (in) Humidity (%) Wind (mps) Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.

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Nearby campgrounds

Other campgrounds in the area

Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Wakan, with reservations status.

Campground Reservations Toilets View
Chanotedah
Staff Quarters
Hopi
Zuni
Osage
Live water

Nearby streamflow

USGS streamgauges within reach of Wakan -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.

Snowpack

Nearby snow depths

NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Wakan -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.

SNOTEL station Snowpack 24h Snowfall View
Boone 0.0 in 0.0 in
Ames 2.1 N 0.0 in 0.0 in
Ames 0.9 Ene 0.0 in 0.0 in
Johnston 3.7 Nnw 0.0 in 0.0 in
Des Moines 0.0 in 0.0 in
Blo Squaw Ck On The South Skunk R. 0.0 in 0.0 in

Camping essentials & Leave No Trace

Pack it in, pack it out
Take all trash, food scraps, and gear back with you to keep campsites clean and protect wildlife.
Respect wildlife
Observe animals from a distance, store food securely, and never feed wildlife to maintain natural behavior and safety.
Know before you go
Check weather, fire restrictions, trail conditions, and permit requirements to ensure a safe and well-planned trip.
Minimize campfire impact
Use established fire rings, keep fires small, fully extinguish them, or opt for a camp stove when fires are restricted.
Leave what you find
Preserve natural and cultural features by avoiding removal of plants, rocks, artifacts, or other elements of the environment.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Wakan as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.

FAQ

About Wakan

Can I make reservations at Wakan?

This campground does not appear to accept reservations -- it's typically first-come, first-served. Arrive early on summer weekends.

How fresh is the weather data on this page?

The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from the NOAA / yr.no public feeds. Streamflow data is pulled live from USGS streamgauges and snowpack from the NRCS SNOTEL network.

What's the best time of year to visit?

Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation. For longer trips, the 5-day hourly meteogram shows snow + rain accumulation hour-by-hour.

How do I get to Wakan?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the campground.

Can I get alerts when conditions change?

Yes -- alerts are managed through the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this campground, set a threshold (temperature, snowpack, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.

More camping

Other campgrounds near here

Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Wakan.