June 25, 2026
By: Greater Des Moines Partnership
Relaxing Weekend Getaways in Greater Des Moines (DSM)
You don’t have to travel far to feel like you’ve truly gotten away. Across Greater Des Moines (DSM), you’ll find cozy campgrounds, boutique hotels, charming cabins and relaxing stays perfect for slowing down and recharging.
Whether your perfect escape includes campfires, luxe accommodations, bookstore browsing, scenic drives or slow mornings with coffee and pastries, DSM offers plenty of ways to relax close to home. Check out these places to catch some R&R, along with recommendations for adding in an activity or two. While you’re soaking in your getaway, you’ll also find plenty to explore nearby, from local restaurants, coffee shops and wineries to boutiques, bookstores, trails and main streets worth wandering.
Cozy Campgrounds and Easy Outdoor Escapes in Des Moines
![boats and dock at Lake Ahquabi]()
Lake Ahquabi State Park in Indianola
Lake Ahquabi State Park
Indianola If your ideal getaway includes hiking trails, lake views and campfire evenings, Lake Ahquabi State Park delivers an easy outdoor retreat close to Indianola. Start your morning with coffee at
Savor The Rise, browse
downtown shops like
Roots or
Adorn and end the evening with dinner at
The Local Vine before heading back to your campsite.
LEARN MOREDes Moines West KOA
Adel Located just outside Adel, Des Moines West KOA offers a relaxing camping getaway close to scenic trails and small-town charm. Start the morning with breakfast and coffee at
Patrick’s Restaurant before exploring the nearby
Raccoon River Valley Trail. Spend the afternoon browsing shops in Adel’s historic downtown square or making the short drive to
Azalea Lane Boutique before winding down back at your campsite for a quiet evening.
LEARN MORERock N Ranch Campground
Menlo Near Stuart, Rock N Ranch Campground offers a quiet escape perfect for unplugging. Pair your stay with a stop at
El Cascabelia for flavorful Mexican dishes, margaritas and a relaxed small-town atmosphere, or spend the afternoon browsing small-town shops and scenic backroads throughout western DSM communities.
LEARN MORE Crows Nest RV Resort
Indianola For campers looking for a comfortable and easygoing weekend escape, Crows Nest RV Resort offers a relaxing stay just outside Indianola. Spend the afternoon browsing local shops like
The Little Shed on Salem or
Pageturners Bookstore, enjoying a craft brew at
West Hill Brewing Co. or catching live entertainment at
Des Moines Metro Opera during the summer season. End the evening with casual drinks and dinner at
Brickhouse Tavern before spending the night at your campsite.
LEARN MORE Griff’s Valley View RV Park
Altoona Griff’s Valley View RV Park offers a comfortable camping escape close to shopping, entertainment and dining in Altoona. Spend the day exploring
Outlets of Des Moines, grabbing coffee from
Best Day Coffee or enjoying dinner and drinks at
The Big Steer. For even more relaxation, spend an afternoon at
Prairie Meadows before heading back to camp.
LEARN MORE River Oak RV Park
Hartford For a slower-paced weekend surrounded by quiet countryside, River Oak RV Park offers a peaceful pace. Spend the day exploring nearby communities with coffee and a pastry from
Morning Glory Coffee in nearby Carlisle, a lunch taco at
Fiss’, followed by a BBQ Chicken Pizza at
Johnny & Mike’s Pizza before settling back in for a quiet evening outdoors.
LEARN MORE Boutique Hotels and Relaxing Stays in Des Moines
![exterior of Hotel Pattee]()
Hotel Pattee in Perry
Hotel Pattee
Perry Hotel Pattee blends historic charm with cozy comfort, making it one of the most distinct stays in DSM. This boutique hotel includes unique room décor, a cozy lobby fireplace, board games to borrow during your stay, a two-lane bowling alley, a relaxing sauna and spa and in-house eateries, all under one roof. Spend the day exploring downtown Perry with drink from
Sips on 2nd, shopping at
Backwards Boutique or
The Scottish Fox and dinner at
Tin Pig Tavern before settling in for the evening.
LEARN MOREHotel Grinnell
Grinnell You’ll love to unwind here with luxe bedding and massages available on-site, by appointment. Located inside a restored historic school building, Hotel Grinnell combines boutique style with a relaxed atmosphere perfect for a quiet weekend away. Grab coffee from
Saints Rest Coffee House, browse local shops downtown and enjoy dinner at
Prairie Canary before heading back to the hotel for a cozy evening.
LEARN MOREHotel Pommier
Indianola For a modern boutique-style stay, Hotel Pommier offers a relaxing weekend close to Indianola’s restaurants and shops. Pair your stay with breakfast at
The Groggy Dog, drinks at
The Zoo and dinner at
Fireside Bistro.
LEARN MORESurety Hotel
Des Moines Surety Hotel makes an ideal Downtown DSM staycation with stylish rooms and plenty to do nearby. Spend your weekend browsing
Storyhouse Bookpub, shopping in the
Historic East Village and lingering over dinner and cocktails at
Mulberry Street Tavern.
LEARN MOREHotel Fort Des Moines
Des Moines Historic elegance meets modern comfort at Hotel Fort Des Moines. And the best part? You don’t have to leave the hotel site to indulge. Have coffee and a leisurely breakfast at Hobnob, located on the ground floor. Spend time reading or doing a crossword puzzle in the cavernous lobby. After taking a nap in your room, enjoy dinner at
Proudfoot & Bird and cap the evening off with a stop at the onsite speakeasy, In Confidence.
LEARN MOREWildwood Lodge
Clive Wildwood Lodge’s cozy, cabin-inspired atmosphere creates a relaxing getaway feel close to home. Enjoy onsite amenities like an indoor fireplace, outdoor firepits, board games and a pool. If you want to get out and about, pair your stay with brunch at
Early Bird, shopping in
Valley Junction and coffee from
Barista’s Bouquet.
LEARN MOREStoney Creek Hotel
Johnston With lodge-inspired décor and cozy common spaces, Stoney Creek Hotel offers a relaxing stay close to trails, restaurants and outdoor recreation. Spend the day at
Big Creek State Park before grabbing dinner at
Trostel’s Greenbriar. Wrap up your night with a glass of wine at
The Cork 50131.
LEARN MOREBed & Breakfasts and Unique Stays in Des Moines
Grandma Helen’s House Airbnb
Perry This charming Airbnb offers all the comfort of a cozy small-town weekend getaway. Spend the day enjoying coffee from
Courtyard Cafe, located inside Hotel Pattee, browsing downtown Perry shops and grabbing dinner at
Mandarin Cafe before settling in for a quiet evening.
LEARN MORECovered Bridge House
Winterset Located near Winterset’s famous covered bridges, this stay pairs perfectly with scenic drives and slower-paced weekends. Stop by
The Bakery Unlimited for pastries and coffee, browse downtown boutiques and wineries like
Covered Bridges Winery and enjoy a relaxing afternoon exploring
Madison County.
LEARN MOREFitch House Bed & Breakfast
St. Charles For a peaceful small-town retreat, Fitch House Bed & Breakfast offers a relaxing stay near downtown Pella. Spend your weekend shopping downtown, grabbing pastries from
Jaarsma Bakery or
Vander Ploeg Bakery and sipping coffee from
The Brew Coffee House.
LEARN MORECabins and Nature Retreats in Des Moines
![exterior of Jester Park Nature Center]()
Jester Park Nature Center in Granger
Jester Park Cabins
Granger (Polk County)
Jester Park combines outdoor adventure with surprisingly cozy accommodations, making it one of the easiest nature escapes near DSM. Spend the day hiking trails, visiting the nature center or taking in views near Saylorville Lake before grabbing dinner nearby at Magee’s Irish Pub & Eatery or coffee from Main Street Café & Bakery on your way back to the cabin.
LEARN MORE
Pammel Park Yurt Cabins
Winterset (Madison County)
For travelers who want a nature-focused getaway with a few extra comforts, the Pammel Park Yurt Cabins offer a cozy retreat surrounded by scenic countryside. Spend the day exploring Winterset with stops at Petite Cafe and The Drift before heading back for a quiet evening under the stars.
LEARN MORE
Looking for More Weekend Getaway Ideas in Des Moines?
From lakeside camping and boutique hotels to cozy cabins and charming small towns, DSM offers plenty of ways to recharge without traveling far from home. Whether your perfect weekend includes bookstores and brunch, campfires and hiking trails or simply a quiet place to unwind, there’s a relaxing getaway waiting nearby.
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