Ames, Iowa sits where I-35 meets US-30, which in practical terms means it sits where the Great Plains start to feel like they go on forever. It's a land-grant college town — Iowa State University anchors everything — and on fall Saturdays, Jack Trice Stadium fills with 61,500 fans in cardinal and gold. The rest of the year, Ames is quieter: farmers markets, botanical gardens, and the kind of Midwestern friendliness that isn't an act.
Fifteen miles west, Ledges State Park hides some of the most dramatic scenery in Iowa — sandstone cliffs rising from the Des Moines River valley that feel more Appalachian than Great Plains. The 8 dump stations in the area, affordable state and county park camping, and easy I-35 access make Ames a natural stop between Des Moines and Minneapolis.
Dump Stations
The Ames area has 8 dump stations, mainly at the state and county park campgrounds and a few commercial spots along I-35. Ledges State Park has a dump station on-site. For I-35 through-travelers, there are options at the truck stops near the interstate exits.
Browse all Ames area dump stations
Where to Camp
Ledges State Park — The Standout
Fifteen miles west of Ames near Boone, and one of the best state parks in Iowa. Forty sites with electric and water, forty without, and twelve hike-in sites. Dump station on-site. Sites run $11-$19/night — Iowa state park camping is a genuine bargain. About half the sites are first-come, first-served. Pull-throughs are available for larger rigs. Flat gravel pads with picnic tables, fire pits, flush restrooms, and showers.
The scenery is the draw. Sandstone ledges rise along Pease Creek and the Des Moines River, creating a rugged landscape that looks nothing like the corn fields you drove through to get here. The hiking trails wind through the ledges and along the creek. It's not the Rockies, but it's the most interesting geology between the Missouri River and the Driftless Area.
Hickory Grove Park (Story County)
About 15 miles east of Ames near Colo. Breezy Bay campground and primitive areas. Season runs April 1 through October 31 with a 14-day stay limit. Reserve at mycountyparks.com. A good alternative when Ledges fills up on summer weekends.
RV Village at Jack Trice Stadium — Game Day Only
If you're here for Iowa State football, the university operates an RV Village with 55 stalls at Jack Trice Stadium. 20/30/50 amp electrical hookups. Opens Friday at 8 AM, RVs must depart Sunday morning. Catch: it requires a Cyclone Club annual donation to reserve a spot. No water or dump station at the stadium — handle that at a campground before or after. But the tailgating is outstanding.
Football Weekends
Iowa State plays 7 home games, typically September through November. Here's what to expect:
- Traffic: Ames normally has about 66,000 people. On a home game Saturday, add 60,000+. Expect significant congestion on I-35, US-30, and all main arteries into town.
- Lodging: Hotels book months in advance for popular games. RV Village fills up early in the season for the best matchups.
- CyHawk game (Iowa State vs. Iowa) is the biggest weekend of the year. If it's a home game, plan everything extra early.
- VEISHEA was ISU's famous spring festival but was discontinued. The campus still gets busy during graduation weekends in May and December.
When to Visit
| Season | Highs | Lows | What to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Apr-May) | 62°F | 38°F | Thawing and greening. Campgrounds open April 1. Tornado season begins — peak risk April through June. |
| Summer (Jun-Aug) | 84°F | 62°F | Warm and humid. Corn is chest-high by July. Ames farmers market Saturday mornings downtown (May-October). |
| Fall (Sep-Oct) | 68°F | 44°F | Best season. Comfortable temps, football, fall foliage in the Des Moines River valley. Lower humidity. |
| Winter (Nov-Mar) | 32°F | 14°F | Real winter. Blizzards can shut down I-35. Wind chill advisories common Dec-Feb. Most campgrounds closed Nov-Mar. |
Weather Warnings
Tornadoes: Iowa tornado season runs April through June. Ames and Story County are in the corridor. If you're camping during spring, know where the nearest shelter is (park restrooms, typically) and keep a NOAA weather radio in your RV.
Blizzards: Winter blizzards can close I-35 with zero visibility. If you're traveling through Iowa December through February, check road conditions before departing. The Iowa DOT road condition map is your friend.
Firewood: Story County prohibits importing firewood from outside the county to protect against emerald ash borer. Buy locally at the campground or in town.
Things to Do
- Iowa State University Campus — Home to one of the largest campus public art collections in the nation. The Farmhouse Museum (ISU's first building), Brunnier Art Museum, and Reiman Gardens are all on campus.
- Reiman Gardens — 17-acre botanical garden with outdoor gardens, an indoor tropical conservatory, and the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing. Open year-round.
- Ada Hayden Heritage Park — An 83-acre lake with paved trails circling the water. Great for morning walks, biking, or birdwatching. North Ames.
- Ledges State Park — Already covered above, but the hiking alone is worth a day trip even if you're not camping there.
- Big Creek State Park (20 miles south) — Centered on Big Creek Lake with the largest beach in the Iowa state park system. Good for a day trip from Ames.
- Ames Farmers Market — Saturday mornings, May through October, downtown. Local produce, baked goods, crafts.
RV Services
- Fuel: Gas and diesel at I-35 exits. South Duff Avenue (US-69) is the main commercial corridor for all services.
- Groceries: Hy-Vee, Fareway, and Walmart along South Duff (US-69). Stock up here before heading to campgrounds.
- Propane & RV Repair: Available in Ames. For major RV service, Des Moines (35 miles south on I-35) has a full range of dealers.
Plan Your Ames Stop
Ames works as an overnight on I-35 between Des Moines and Minneapolis, a weekend at Ledges State Park, or a fall football base. The camping is affordable, the scenery at Ledges is genuinely surprising, and if you hit a Saturday farmers market morning, you'll wonder why more people don't talk about Iowa.
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