Reservations are available at Cherry Glen Campground, though walk-ins have found open sites without much trouble, particularly on weekdays. Nightly rates run $24-$26, and campers with an America the Beautiful annual pass receive a discount since this Army Corps of Engineers facility qualifies. The campground sits within camping near Saylorville Recreation Area, a broad recreation zone north of Des Moines centered on Saylorville Lake. Access roads can be rough in spots, so drivers of larger rigs should take note, though the campground accommodates RVs up to 53 feet with full hookups including electric, water, and sewer.
Matt S. calls Cherry Glen "very clean and well managed by the Army Corps of Engineers," a sentiment that comes up repeatedly across reviews. Bathhouses and restrooms draw consistent praise for cleanliness. The campground is large, with multiple loops, and some sites sit closer together than others. Sites 111-116 and 72-78 on the western loops have views of Saylorville Lake, and the latter group is also close to a shower house. Shade is plentiful. Small wildlife is common throughout the wooded grounds.
Fishing and swimming in the lake are the primary draws for most visitors. A paved trail runs through the area and accommodates bikes, walkers, and strollers, though flooding has occasionally shortened its usable length. Cell service is adequate for most carriers, though at least one Verizon user reported only one to two bars at certain sites, and the campground's WiFi gets mixed marks. Campfires are permitted, and fallen wood is reportedly abundant on the ground.
Weekends bring noticeably heavier use, particularly from local boaters. Noise, including dogs, has been a complaint from some campers during busy periods. Weekday visits tend to be quieter and less crowded. Prairie Flower Recreation Area and Prairie Flower are nearby alternatives along the same stretch of lakeshore for campers who want to compare options before booking. Cherry Glen works well for RV campers who want full hookups and lake access, and for tent campers willing to trade some solitude for reliable facilities and a maintained setting.
Description
Overview
Cherry Glen Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.
Recreation
Visitors enjoy Saylorville Lake for its excellent boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike. The paved Neal Smith Trail winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake. It is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating.
Facilities
This large campground offers 125 family sites, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. Educational programs, group shelters, playgrounds, and a boat ramp all provide additional recreation opportunities for guests. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail and a disc golf course.
Natural Features
Cherry Glen, the oldest and most popular campground on the lake, is nestled on a compact 13-acre wooded ridge. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCherry Glen Campground is located in Iowa near Johnston
Directions
From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny Industrial Parkway. Continue onto Highway 160 west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415. Continue for another 4 miles and follow signs into the campground.
Address
SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
5600 NW 78TH AVENUE
Johnston, IA 50131
Coordinates
41.7313889 N
93.68 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 6/28/26
Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 6/28/26- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/20/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 6/28/26
- Verizon5GGood CoverageVerified by 5 usersLast on 6/28/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/20/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- WiFi
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 17 min from Des Moines, IA
- 26 min from Ames, IA
- 1 hr 48 min from Waterloo, IA
- 1 hr 49 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
