Water Trail Campsite campground
Water Trail Campsite
The campground features amenities such as fire pits, picnic tables, and a vault toilet, making it an ideal location for primitive camping. The campsites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and are limited to only ten spots. Additionally, campers must pack in and pack out all their supplies, as there are no trash cans on-site.
One quirky fact about the area is that it is the only campground in the state of Iowa where campers can access the Cedar River water trail, making it an ideal spot for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
The best time to visit the Water Trail Campsite is during the summer months, from June to August, when the average temperature ranges from 60 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However, visitors should be aware of potential flooding during heavy rainfall. Overall, the Water Trail Campsite offers a unique and peaceful camping experience for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
What's on-site at Water Trail Campsite
Key facilities Snoflo tracks for this campground. Confirm with the operator before booking -- amenities can change seasonally.
Plan your trip down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks. Hover any point for the full breakdown.
Other campgrounds in the area
Snoflo-tracked campsites within driving distance of Water Trail Campsite, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashton Wildwood Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Cherry Glen Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Acorn Valley Campground | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Mariposa Co Park | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Iowa 4-H Center | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Nearby streamflow
USGS streamgauges within reach of Water Trail Campsite -- pulled live from the National Water Information System.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Indian Creek Near Mingo | 845 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 355 cfs | → |
| South Skunk River At Colfax | 1,460 cfs | → |
| Fourmile Creek At Des Moines | 590 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 3,740 cfs | → |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 5,050 cfs | → |
Nearby snow depths
NRCS SNOTEL stations within reach of Water Trail Campsite -- relevant when planning a shoulder-season or alpine trip.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack | 24h Snowfall | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ankeny 1.5 Nne | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Ankeny | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Blo Squaw Ck On The South Skunk R. | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Des Moines | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Johnston 3.7 Nnw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
| Des Moines 3.7 Nw | 0.0 in | 0.0 in | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, boat launches, and paddle runs so a camping night can grow into a full weekend.
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 Water Trail Campsite as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, snowpack, freezing temperatures), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Water Trail Campsite
Can I make reservations at Water Trail Campsite?
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 Water Trail Campsite?
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.
Other campgrounds near here
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within driving distance of Water Trail Campsite.