Iowa State Fairgrounds
The Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa is home to the Iowa State Fair and to 160 acres of campgrounds with 2,300 water and electric sites. Leashed pets are welcome outside Fair time but never during the Fair, and outside food and drink are not allowed into the Fair. Enter at E 36th when driving in.
Before you go
- Capacity
- Campgrounds 2,300 water and electric sites on 160 acres
- Indoor or outdoor
- Both: exhibition buildings and an outdoor arena at Elwell Family Park
- Official site
- iowastatefairgrounds.org
- Next festival here
- Iowa State Fair, Aug 12 to 22, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- Pets on leashes are fine outside Fair time, but not allowed during the Fair; service animals are allowed in buildings.
- Food and beverages are not allowed into the Fair, and several buildings that are rented out also ban food.
- A left turn into the grounds at E 33rd may not be allowed at certain times, so enter the Fair parking lot at E 36th.
- At the Iowa State Fair, chairs and professional cameras are not permitted in the Grandstand or Elwell Family Park.
- Camping fees are paid in advance, there are no refunds, and quiet hours run 10pm to 7am.
Festivals here
Venue basics: 2,300 water and electric camp sites · Park-and-ride shuttle at the Fair · Outside food not allowed at the Fair.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want to camp on site with water and electric hookups.
- You want a big food-on-a-stick fair day.
- You need to bring a service animal.
Think twice if
- You want to bring your own food or drinks into the Fair.
- You are bringing a pet to the Fair.
- You want to bring your own chair or a professional camera to the Grandstand.
Getting there and parking
From I-80 take Exit 141 (Hwy. 65 Bypass), go south on Hwy. 65 to Exit 79, then head west on Hwy. 163 (E University Avenue) for about three miles to the Fairgrounds. Enter the Fair parking lot at E 36th, since a left-hand turn into the grounds at E 33rd may not be allowed at certain times.
Festival-specific · Iowa State FairYou can park in the Fairgrounds parking lots or take a park-and-ride shuttle to the Fair.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The venue's own pages are the place to check: iowastatefairgrounds.org.
Camping
Outside the Fair, the campgrounds are open mid-April to mid-July and September to mid-October. There are 2,300 sites with water and electrical hookups and 734 with sewers, three large bathhouses with showers, toilets and sinks, and five dumping stations.
Sites cost $32 per night or $650 a month, paid in advance with no refunds, and you register with the campground attendant on arrival. Checkout is at 5pm, quiet hours are 10pm to 7am with no visitors after 10pm, and tent camping is allowed while you stay for an event.
The Iowa State Fair Campgrounds cover 160 acres of century-old trees, woodland flora and small wildlife. Thousands of Fairgoers camp every August.
Food, water and what you can bring
Food and beverages are not allowed into the Fair. Rented facilities set their own catering policies, and food is not allowed in the Jacobson Exhibition Center, Varied Industries Building, Elwell Family Food Center, 4-H Exhibits Building or Pioneer Livestock Pavilion.
Festival-specific · Iowa State FairMore than 200 food vendors serve traditional corn dogs and funnel cakes and creative new bites on a stick, with over 50 foods on a stick. Chairs, folding chairs, camp chairs and stools are not permitted in the Grandstand or Elwell Family Park.
Sound and sensory
Festival-specific · Iowa State FairProfessional cameras and audio and video recording equipment are not permitted in the Grandstand or Elwell Family Park. Elwell Family Park is an outdoor arena with bleachers and covered seating, restrooms and concessions.
Recently at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
2026 Horse Barn Tour
From the venue · Sep 30, 2026
2026 Pre-Fair
From the venue · Aug 9, 2026
Fair Spirit - Celebrating America250 at the 2026 Fair
From the venue · Aug 5, 2026
2026 Iowa State Fair Commercial :30
Iowa State Fair
Quick answers
How do I drive to the Iowa State Fairgrounds from I-80?
Take Exit 141 (Hwy. 65 Bypass), go south on Hwy. 65 to Exit 79, then west on Hwy. 163 (E University Avenue) for about three miles. Enter the Fair parking lot at E 36th.
Can I camp at the Iowa State Fairgrounds?
Yes. Non-Fair camping runs mid-April to mid-July and September to mid-October at $32 per night, and thousands camp during the Iowa State Fair in August.
Are pets allowed at the Iowa State Fairgrounds?
Partly. Leashed pets are allowed outside Fair time only, never during the Fair. Service animals are allowed in buildings.
Can I bring my own food into the Iowa State Fair?
No. Food and beverages are not allowed into the Fair.
Can I bring a chair to the Iowa State Fair Grandstand?
No. Chairs, folding chairs, camp chairs and stools are not permitted in the Grandstand or Elwell Family Park.
Is there a shuttle to the Iowa State Fair?
Yes. Besides parking in the Fairgrounds lots, you can take a park-and-ride shuttle to the Fair.