Newton / Des Moines East KOA Journey Blog
Only 30 min E of Des Moines, IA, Newton KOA is the perfect overnight stop after a long day's drive
KOA Journey campgrounds are the perfect oases after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.
KOA Journey campgrounds are the perfect oases after a day on the road. Whether it’s along the way or a quick getaway, they’ve got you covered. Located near the highways and byways of North America with long Pull-thru RV Sites, they deliver convenience to the traveling camper. Pull in, ease back and take a load off.
From I-80: Turn north at Exit 168 onto Iowa Speedway Dr. Travel about 3/4 mile and look for the "KOA" sign on left. Take a hard left in front of the lighted Newton KOA sign between Barney's towing and a church. Go 1/4 mile down our lane into our KOA.
Check in at the office and you will be assigned a site.
Relax and enjoy!
Do not rely on GPS. You may be routed needlessly through Newton. GPS: N41.684937, W93.013722
Get Google Directions
Reposted from the KOA blog:
Over the years, we’ve enjoyed lots of family camping trips in our home state of Florida. When my eldest daughter, Chloe, moved to California after graduating from high school, she invited my sister on a glamping trip to a KOA campground in Monterrey, California for her birthday.
They had a blast. And like most of our family camping trips to KOA, the accommodations made it easy since they stayed in a beautiful Deluxe Cabin at a campground that’s a one-stop shop for all your camping needs.
At 19, Chloe has quickly become quite the world traveler. Unfortunately, like many of us, she had to cancel her scheduled trips abroad this summer. A couple of months ago, she convinced a friend to join her on a 10-day road trip across California, Nevada and Utah. Chloe mapped out the itinerary, and made a list of campgrounds they would stay at, including the Seligman / Route 66 KOA Journey.
She told me she had it all figured out. She reserved her tent site online, packed her gear and enough food. The reality, however, was a little different.
She’d only looked at the daytime temperatures, which were over 100 degrees, and neither her nor her friend considered the weather once the sun set. She was not prepared for the cold nighttime temperatures in the desert and wound up purchasing warm blankets at a not-so-nearby convenience store. Those blankets probably would have cost less had she bought them in advance.
Of course, this wasn’t the only mishap from Chole’s first camping trip. Here’s a list of rookie mistakes others can hopefully avoid.
No matter where you go, but especially if you´re camping in the desert or at high altitudes, make sure that you’re aware of the forecasted weather conditions day and night and prepare accordingly. A down sleeping bag is a great option as it can accommodate both warmer and cooler temperatures and you can purchase one with different heating levels. It also helps to layer your clothes so that you can adjust with the temperature changes.
If you’re camping in a tent and do not have access to a refrigerator, it’s likely a lot of your food will spoil. Chloe now carries canned food and a portable stove, but also purchases dehydrated food, nuts, and protein bars to enjoy a greater variety. She also uses water purification tablets now to avoid carrying too much water.
It’s important to study the area you’re headed to and plan accordingly. When Chloe and her friend arrived at one of the campgrounds, it was so windy they couldn’t pitch their tent. They also couldn’t start a fire to keep warm at night on account of the wind and risk of brush fires in the area. They wound up having to find indoor lodging. Now, she knows a Camping Cabin or Deluxe Cabin would have been the way to go that time of year.
When it comes to camping in a tent, there’s no such thing as overpacking. It’s better to be overprepared. Invest in hiking poles if you’re doing a lot of walking so that you can carry a solid tent that fits everyone in the group, or ensure everyone has their own individual tent they can carry themselves. A sleeping pad or inflatable mattress is also ideal for a good night’s sleep.
This camping checklist is a helpful guide – especially if it’s your first camping trip!
On paper, Chloe´s plan of spending each day at a different place sounded great. But she quickly realized that pitching a tent and preparing meals each night after an 8 to 9-hour drive, was draining. In the end, she wound up skipping a couple planned stops to bake in some additional time to rest. It helps to build that down time into your itinerary to account for that rest. Often, spending more time in fewer places allows you to enjoy them that much more.
Chloe most recently hiked the Tahoe Rim Trail and made sure she was well-equipped for any situation! She certainly learned from her experience – and so did I!
That doesn't mean this area has to always be empty. When you start reviewing camping options, your history will display here to help compare sites and find the best stay. You will be able to share your stay information with friends or family and save it for a later time if you have a KOA Account.
Make checkout easy by booking all your reservations at once. Add your sites from different campgrounds into your shopping cart* and then choose checkout.
