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Established Camping

Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground, near Johnston, Iowa, is a charming spot for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors. With its scenic views of the dam and waterway, it’s a lovely place to unwind and soak in nature.

The campground offers spacious sites with electric hookups, making it convenient for RV campers. Visitors have noted the clean, level sites and the friendly staff, which adds to the welcoming vibe of the area. As one camper mentioned, “Clean, level sites, close to fishing,” highlighting the great fishing opportunities nearby.

While there are no showers available, the campground does provide essential amenities like drinking water and a sanitary dump station. Many campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, although some areas can get busy, especially near the playground. If you’re after a quieter experience, consider choosing a site further from the hustle and bustle.

For those who enjoy fishing, the proximity to Saylorville Lake is a big draw. Whether you’re casting a line or just enjoying the view, this campground has a lot to offer for a relaxing getaway.

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Location

Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground is located in Iowa

Detail location of campground

Directions

From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny/Oralabor Road and go west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415. Turn left onto 37th Street, then turn right onto Horseshoe Road. Turn right and drive across the Saylorville Lake Dam to the campground.

Address

SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE 5600 NW 78TH AVENUE
Johnston, IA 50131-1941

Coordinates

41.7016667 N
93.6852778 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BYToyota Trucks
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29 min away

Drive Time

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Connectivity

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  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Reservations


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Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

15 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 23, 2023

Nice campground

This campground is called Bob Shetler not Shelter, but I didn’t know how to change it to correct it; just want to make sure others know this.
We stayed here for two nights while visiting family nearby. It’s a pretty location with the dam and waterway right there. The sites are well spaced. If we ever stay here again we would choose a site closer to the dam. We were close to a playground and there were a lot families camping in that area which for us took away from the peacefulness of the campground. There were electrical hookups, but no water. We didn’t use the bathroom/shower house, but I walked into one to check it out and it was outdated, old and dark, and small. Overall it’s a nice campground. It gets busy with a lot of fishing.

Site65
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Stephanie S., July 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Stephanie S., July 23, 2023
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Stephanie S., July 23, 2023
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2022

Nice campground on the river

Clean, level sites, close to fishing, it was fun watching the water come through the dam. Friendly hosts & Rangers.

Site6
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Corey P., June 24, 2022
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Corey P., June 24, 2022
Reviewed May. 16, 2022

Not great

The campsites are really small and close together. The public parking lot is also just a few feet from a lot of the campsites so it gets loud even though the campground says it’s closed to the public after like 10 pm. We still woke up to people being loud at 2 am in the parking lot. Our dog got ticks either from our site or one of the walking trails (which are paved). It was a drive from our site to the walking path. This campground just doesn’t have much to offer except the staff are super friendly and there is service using Verizon.

Site10
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 14, 2022

basic

It's just an old basic campground, inexpensive, everyone welcome. No one was loud or anything. Near Saylorville lake for all that stuff. Dump station and water fill in the back.

Site40
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Russell T., May 14, 2022
Reviewed Apr. 30, 2022

Hidden gem

I did not know that this campsite existed until I saw it on dyrt and then I had to visit.

  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Whitney S., April 30, 2022
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Whitney S., April 30, 2022
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2020

Lovely spot backing to a river. Great pads with electric only.

This is a lovely spot. We stayed at spot 20 which was extra wide, concrete pad with electric hook up. No water or sewer. Spot 20 is at the end which makes it very private with nice large grassy area adjacent to wooded area. It backs to the river below the spillway from the dam. It was just an over night stay for us but we really enjoyed the location. Highly recommend.

Reviewed Aug. 23, 2020

Bob Shelter Recreation Area COE

Sept 15-26, 2019 Very nice campground. Site 67BSHM had electric. Park had water available to fill fresh tanks, showers, flush toilets and dump station. Sr. Lifetime pass rate $10 per night. Elevation 830 ft. Verizon 4G 3 bars.

Site67BSHM
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Annell N., August 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Annell N., August 23, 2020
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Annell N., August 23, 2020
  • (21) View All
Reviewed Jun. 17, 2020

Quiet campground

The Des Moines area has a fairly large camping population - because of this, reservations are usually necessary. The area does not have a ton of shade - so be weary in the middle of summer. Clean campgrounds - nice staff. Pads are on gravel - one downfall.

  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Elizabeth A., June 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Elizabeth A., June 17, 2020
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Elizabeth A., June 17, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 7, 2019

Nice spot

I would suggest getting reservations. We stopped on a Friday with out one, they were booked. We only wanted one night in a tent. They don’t have designated tent sites but they have one overflow sight and they let us use it for the night. Price is great, $20 per night. Easy to get rvs into the spots and a lot to do for the kids.

Reviewed Sep. 4, 2018

Great Pull Thru next to the Des Moines River

Great spot located next to the Des Moines River. Check in was a breeze and conveniently near the fill and dump stations. Peaceful lot near the river. Great fishing in the river. Near a city so you don't run short on supplies.

Site02
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Julian B., September 4, 2018
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Julian B., September 4, 2018
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Julian B., September 4, 2018
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 13, 2018

Cozy

This campground sits behind a dam. Not many mature trees. Playground is simple. Older shower house.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2017

Bob Shelter Rec Area and Picnic Area are part of the same complex

The recreation area and picnic area at Bob Shelter are part of the same complex and campgrounds. They are all clustered together on the backside of the Dam at Saylorville Lake and are right next to the spillway. These campgrounds and picnic area are run by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The campgrounds are clean and well managed with modern bathrooms and showers. I am not a fisherman but there were a lot of folks casting near the spillway.

A long with the campgrounds there are quite a few picnic areas and shelters with playground equipment and plenty of space to run and play games with your kids. All of the public spaces are well groomed and maintained. There are three campgrounds in this area connected to Bob Shelter and they all pretty much look the same. You can't go wrong with any of the sites.

  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Matt S., July 20, 2017
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Matt S., July 20, 2017
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Matt S., July 20, 2017
  • (19) View All
Reviewed Jul. 20, 2017

Bob Shelter Picnic Area is part of 3 campgrounds

The picnic area and campgrounds at Bob Shelter are all clustered together on the backside of the Dam at Saylorville Lake and are right next to the spillway. These campgrounds and picnic area are run by the Army Corps of Engineers.

The campgrounds are clean and well managed with modern bathrooms and showers. I am not a fisherman but there were a lot of folks casting near the spillway.

A long with the campgrounds there are quite a few picnic areas and shelters with playground equipment and plenty of space to run and play games with your kids. All of the public spaces are well groomed and maintained. There are three campgrounds in this area connected to Bob Shelter and they all pretty much look the same. You can't go wrong with any of the sites.

  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Matt S., July 20, 2017
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Matt S., July 20, 2017
  • Review photo of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground by Matt S., July 20, 2017
  • (10) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What facilities and amenities are available at Bob Shetler Campground?

Bob Shetler Campground offers electric hookups at campsites with gravel pads, though no water or sewer connections at individual sites. The campground features modern bathrooms with flush toilets and shower facilities. Convenient water fill stations and a dump station are available for RVers. The grounds include a simple playground for children and picnic areas. Campsites are $20 per night (with discounts for Senior Lifetime Pass holders), and many sites have concrete pads. The campground is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and provides access to fishing in the Des Moines River below the Saylorville Lake dam.

How do Bob Shetler Campground reviews compare to other Saylorville Lake camping options?

Bob Shetler Campground stands out among Saylorville Lake options for its affordability and riverside location. Campers appreciate the clean, well-managed grounds and the unique experience of camping near the dam spillway. While it lacks some amenities found at premium Saylorville locations (like full hookups), Bob Shetler offers good value with electric sites and basic facilities. The campground receives positive feedback for its peaceful setting, though some note the limited shade and closely spaced sites. The convenient location near Des Moines makes it popular, so reservations are typically necessary during peak seasons.

Where is Bob Shetler Campground located and how can I find a map of the grounds?

Bob Shetler Campground is located on the downstream side of Saylorville Lake dam along the Des Moines River, just north of Des Moines, Iowa. The campground sits at approximately 830 ft elevation and is managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. To find a map of the grounds, check the official Army Corps of Engineers website for Saylorville Lake, contact the campground office directly, or visit recreation.gov where you can view site layouts when making reservations. The campground's proximity to Des Moines makes it convenient for accessing supplies while still enjoying a riverside camping experience.

Are there photos available of Bob Shetler Campground to preview the camping experience?

Yes, photos of Bob Shetler Campground are available through several sources. The Recreation.gov website features images of the campground when browsing reservation options. The Army Corps of Engineers' official Saylorville Lake website may also display photos of the grounds. The campground shows a mix of open sites with some trees, concrete and gravel pads, and views of the dam spillway. Photos typically showcase the Des Moines River setting, camping areas, and bathroom facilities. For the most current visual preview of what to expect, check these official sources before your visit.