Iowa State Fair 2027
America's most iconic state fair — eleven days, a butter cow, and a campground on the grounds.
Days to go
347days · Aug 12–22, 2027
Where to sleep in Iowa
Iowa campgrounds we keep verified — rig limits, fees and booking windows straight from the operator. Distances to Des Moines (Iowa State Fairgrounds) vary, so check the map before you commit.
- Marching Bear Group Backcountry (Effigy Mounds NM)Nearest town: Harpers Ferry · National Park Service$0/nightTent onlyBooks backcountry permits not issued — use yellow river sf
- Maquoketa Caves State Park CampgroundNearest town: Maquoketa · State Park / State Forest$16–$28/nightRigs to 40 ftBooks 3 months ahead via ia dnr portal
- Backbone State Park CampgroundNearest town: Dundee · State Park / State Forest$16–$30/nightRigs to 50 ftBooks 3 months ahead via ia dnr portal
- Ledges State Park CampgroundNearest town: Madrid · State Park / State Forest$16–$28/nightRigs to 45 ftBooks 3 months ahead via ia dnr portal
Going to Iowa State Fair? Tell us the nights.
Local owners list their own rigs here. You get a single email when one is listed for your window.
What you need to know
The Iowa State Fair is the American state fair of legend — the butter cow sculpture, the food-on-a-stick arms race, national-caliber livestock shows, and grandstand concerts across eleven August days in Des Moines. The 2027 fair runs August 12-22, per the fair's published dates — the traditional eleven days opening the second Thursday of August. For RV travelers it holds a rare card: the fairgrounds operate their own enormous campground directly on the property — thousands of sites where multi-generational Iowa families have camped the same spots for decades. The campground takes reservations through the fair and demand from returning families is intense, so treat it as the first booking of the trip; commercial parks around Des Moines catch the overflow. August is moderate season for Midwest rentals outside the fair itself, so the rig is the easy half — 6-8 weeks of lead from the Des Moines market. Mornings belong to the livestock barns, evenings to the grandstand; midday heat is for the air-conditioned rig.
Official source: iowastatefair.org
Safety + legal
August in Des Moines runs hot and humid — hydrate on the pavement hours, and treat the fair's posted heat guidance seriously with kids and pets. Pets generally aren't allowed on fairgrounds; plan the rig's AC accordingly.
Insider tip
The on-grounds campground means you can walk back to your own kitchen for lunch and return for the evening shows without repaying parking — a fair rhythm no hotel can match.
Plan your trip · Aug 12–22, 2027 · Des Moines (Iowa State Fairgrounds)
Rent an RV near Iowa State Fair
Search runs on your Aug 12–22, 2027 window with a one-day buffer on each side — arrive early, leave late. Whether an RV is listed for those dates depends on what Iowa hosts have posted, so the campsite plan below is worth locking either way.
- Dates
- Aug 12–22, 2027
- Days away
- 347
- Location
- Des Moines (Iowa State Fairgrounds)
- Book ahead
- 10+ weeks
- Planning window
- Plan ahead
Hosting near Des Moines (Iowa State Fairgrounds)? List your rig and put your calendar in front of event travellers.
List your rig →Start early, arrive easy — the whole runway
The honest runway from start-looking to head-home, with a one-day buffer on each end.
Start
~10 weeks out
Give yourself ~10 weeks to line up a rig and a campsite.
Arrive
Aug 11
Roll in a day early and set up camp.
Event
Aug 12–22
Iowa State Fair 2027
Head home
Aug 23
Leave a day late and skip the exodus.
Best rigs for Iowa State Fair
First pick first — each row opens a search for Aug 12-22, already filtered to the class.
Plan it by rig
Each class above has its own planning page for Iowa State Fair — class fit and booking guidance in one place.
Frequently asked about Iowa State Fair
When is Iowa State Fair 2027?
Iowa State Fair 2027 runs Aug 12–22, 2027 in Des Moines (Iowa State Fairgrounds), Iowa.
Where is Iowa State Fair held?
Des Moines (Iowa State Fairgrounds), Iowa.
What are the exact 2027 dates?
Aug 12–22, 2027.
What RV should I rent for Iowa State Fair?
Best categories: rv, towable, trucks-vans. The Iowa State Fair is the American state fair of legend — the butter cow sculpture, the food-on-a-stick arms race, national-caliber livestock shows, and grandstand concerts across eleven August days in Des Moines. The 2027 fair runs August 12-22, per the fair's published dates — the traditional eleven days opening the second Thursday of August. For RV travelers it holds a rare card: the fairgrounds operate their own enormous campground directly on the property — thousands of sites where multi-generational Iowa families have camped the same spots for decades. The campground takes reservations through the fair and demand from returning families is intense, so treat it as the first booking of the trip; commercial parks around Des Moines catch the overflow. August is moderate season for Midwest rentals outside the fair itself, so the rig is the easy half — 6-8 weeks of lead from the Des Moines market. Mornings belong to the livestock barns, evenings to the grandstand; midday heat is for the air-conditioned rig.
How early should I book an RV?
Recommended lead time: 10 weeks. Event windows book up early, so search and lock your dates as soon as your plans firm up.
Can you camp at the Iowa State Fair?
Yes — the fairgrounds run one of the largest event campgrounds in the country right on the property. Reservations go through the fair and returning-family demand is heavy, so book the site before anything else.
When is the Iowa State Fair 2027?
August 12-22, 2027 — eleven days from the second Thursday of August, published on the fair's official site.
Is the fair worth building an RV trip around?
It's one of the best RV events in the Midwest: on-grounds camping, eleven days of programming, and Des Moines' food scene ten minutes away. Even two fair days plus an eastern Iowa loop makes a strong week.
What safety and legal guidance applies?
August in Des Moines runs hot and humid — hydrate on the pavement hours, and treat the fair's posted heat guidance seriously with kids and pets. Pets generally aren't allowed on fairgrounds; plan the rig's AC accordingly.
What's an insider tip?
The on-grounds campground means you can walk back to your own kitchen for lunch and return for the evening shows without repaying parking — a fair rhythm no hotel can match.
Ready to roll?
Iowa is waiting.
Complete nightly price on every listing — your exact total itemized before you pay · 48h free cancel. Every rig near you, one checkout.
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PickRV is an independent RV-rental marketplace and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the NFL, FIFA, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the International Olympic Committee, or any event organizer. All event names and marks are the property of their respective owners and are used here only for factual, descriptive reference.
Plan around the event · 2
Hub state · nearest city · nearest park · recommended rig category — one click each.
State rules, safety and legalLicence + towing rules, insurance basics and the non-affiliation notice.
Important: travel + safety + insurance disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. PickRV is not an insurer, legal advisor, or vehicle-safety authority. Trip planning, route selection, rig suitability, weather, and emergency decisions are the renter's responsibility. Always consult the rig manufacturer's owner's manual, your insurance provider, the U.S. National Park Service (nps.gov), NOAA / NWS weather alerts (weather.gov), state and local emergency-management agencies, and current local regulations before and during travel. Cost figures, season windows, road conditions, and fee references on this page are estimates as of May 2026 and vary by season, location, rig, carrier, and operator. Mentions of brand names, state-tourism marks, national-park feature names, or third-party programs are informational only and do not imply affiliation, sponsorship, or endorsement.
Before you rent in Iowa — key local rules
Renters drive motorhomes under 26,001 lbs on a standard license — Iowa DOT
Boater Education required for operators 12-17 — Iowa DNR — Boating Education
Iowa OHV User Permit required for state OHV park use — Iowa DNR — Off-Highway Vehicles
Iowa BAC 0.08%; open container in passenger area prohibited — Iowa Code §321J.2
Editorial summary, not legal advice. Verify with Iowa DOT MVD before relying. Reviewed in the last 3 months (as of 2026-05-24).
Iowa rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 7% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Allowed — disclosure required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-07:00