Camping around Ames

[josh777]

Looking to do some family camping this summer. Any recommendations for campsites around Ames? Ledges?

Thanks

[CY9008]

big creek...peterson pits.

[mkcrawford]

Saylorville, Little Wall Lake, Hickory Grove...

[linkshero]

Saylorville, Little Wall Lake, Hickory Grove...

Not to hijack the thread, but related to camping in the area.....

Does anyone know why the state and county parks in the area no longer maintain shorelines? I have not been to PP, or Little Wall recently, but I have noticed in the last 20 years, Hickory Grove and Big Creek for example, no longer maintain accessible shorelines.

I remember back in the day, nearly 100% of HG's shoreline was accessible by foot. Big Creek was pretty close. Today, unless you are on the 'beach', a jetty, or in a boat, the shorelines have become overgrown and inaccessible. Is there a reason for this, or just lack of money?

When I go to those places now, it just seems like a lot of overgrown vegetation swarming with insects, and outdated facilities.

[RandomFan]

Not to hijack the thread, but related to camping in the area.....

Does anyone know why the state and county parks in the area no longer maintain shorelines? I have not been to PP, or Little Wall recently, but I have noticed in the last 20 years, Hickory Grove and Big Creek for example, no longer maintain accessible shorelines.

I remember back in the day, nearly 100% of HG's shoreline was accessible by foot. Big Creek was pretty close. Today, unless you are on the 'beach', a jetty, or in a boat, the shorelines have become overgrown and inaccessible. Is there a reason for this, or just lack of money?

When I go to those places now, it just seems like a lot of overgrown vegetation swarming with insects, and outdated facilities.

I would guess the number 1 reason would be money. Another possibility may be safety, trying to keep people in a couple central locations.

Little Wall is nice for the fact that there is one main (although small) beach with a couple ramps and docks, another ramp across the lake, and 3 other fishing dock areas. So it doesn't seem to get too crowded. Also, you're only about a mile from a Casey's.

[nickp50010]

Spring Lake in Greene County (between Jefferson and Grand Junction) is roughly 35 miles from 30 and University Blvd in Ames.

Twin Anchors Campground in Story County (between Neavda and Colo) is roughly 15.5 miles from 30 and University Blvd in Ames.

Ledges State Park in Boone County (South of Boone) is roughly 16 miles from 30 and University Blvd in Ames.

I don't think Ada Hayden allows camping :(

[CloneIce]

big creek...peterson pits.

No camping at Big Creek, not sure about the Pits.

Ledges, Don Williams, Hickory Grove, Little Wall Lake, Saylorville... there is a beautiful state park an hour or so north named Pine Lake.

[CycloneSupt6]

Don Williams Campground near Ogden was nice. I was there once a few years ago.

[CloneIce]

Not to hijack the thread, but related to camping in the area.....

Does anyone know why the state and county parks in the area no longer maintain shorelines? I have not been to PP, or Little Wall recently, but I have noticed in the last 20 years, Hickory Grove and Big Creek for example, no longer maintain accessible shorelines.

I remember back in the day, nearly 100% of HG's shoreline was accessible by foot. Big Creek was pretty close. Today, unless you are on the 'beach', a jetty, or in a boat, the shorelines have become overgrown and inaccessible. Is there a reason for this, or just lack of money?

When I go to those places now, it just seems like a lot of overgrown vegetation swarming with insects, and outdated facilities.

It is because the DNR (and most state agencies) have relatively less funding nowadays. Lack of money, just like how Iowa State University gets way less assistance now. Also the reason why there are so many less game wardens on patrol, less than one per county now.