Searching for the best camping near Saylorville Lake, IA? Saylorville Lake is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Saylorville Lake, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$20 - $25 / night
"The view at campsite 4 was great overlooking Saylorville Lake. Great for families."
"The County has invested a lot of resources into this park making it a great place to stay when enjoying the fun at Saylorville Lake."
$20 - $336 / night
"The Prarie Flower campground at Saylorville Lake is an open, flat grassy campground near wooded trails around the US Army Corps of Engineers land."
"It is clean and well maintained with lots to do at Saylorville Lake. There are several Recreation areas nearby that don't allow camping, making Prairie Flower a perfect place to stay."
$22 - $26 / night
"Near Saylorville lake for all that stuff. Dump station and water fill in the back."
"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."
$24 - $26 / night
"Above average overall for central Iowa. Views of Saylorville Lake. Plenty of shade. Clean restrooms. It’s a large park and some sites are close together, but generally spacious. Good cell service."
"Lots of RV sites around. The whole area around Saylorville Lake has camping. Lush green plots of land everywhere. I forget how pretty it is in the Midwest when I'm gone for so long."
$14 - $84 / night
"Great find on our way through Iowa. Clean and spacious. Very quiet, just listen to the frogs at night."
"Booked an outer ring site surrounded by trees (and some pretty bold raccoons around bonfire time ;) )."
$35 - $90 / night
"Has a cute pond and is adjacent to a bike and running trail. The main lodge has very clean restrooms and showers with hot water! Recommended"
"There is also a very nice bike trail right outside the park."
$12 - $25 / night
"One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there."
"One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."
$23 - $25 / night
"There's a boat camp, a bird watching area, a playground, plany of park space with picnic tables and BBQ pits, hiking and biking trails, and even a lodge that I assume can be rented for events."
"Walnut Woods is conveniently located 25 minutes outside of downtown Des Moines. Sites are paved and mostly level, although we did have to throw a couple of blocks under one side of our TT tires."
$35 - $80 / night
"If you’re traveling through Des Moines, Iowa area; this is the place you will want to camp at!"
"The site we were on is sorta blacktop but the sides have crumbled and it has a slight tilt to it so stepping down out of the camper was tricky as your feet tend to slide in the loose rocks."
"We camped here to be close to the Iowa High Trestle Trail for bicycling and it's very handy for that. Nothing fancy, but has plenty of sites, flush toilets and showers available."
"Nice little camp ground with easy access to the high trestle bike trail"
TravelerQuaint campground situated alongside a dam. Fishing is legal and there were quite a few around while I was there. Besides me, there was one other camper. Three tent sites, the rest are for RVs.
Each site had a picnic table and fire ring. There was a swing set, shelter, modern bathroom (big enough to fit your bike in), water hydrant, and a few access points to the water.
Two blocks down, you'll find a historic village. Tickets are only $2 per adult. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to browse because they didn't open until 10.
Self-check in is well marked with the gigantic yellow tube. They promised WiFi but I was able to attend a meeting in my tent without it (T-Mobile).
If you wander into town, the market has firewood for $5/bundle, as well as other essentials you can cart back to the site with you.
GuideAfter some confusion with booking (office hours are until 7pm, confirmation email said 9pm) we were able to get ahold of the operations manager at the park who helped us. Pull through paved 50 amp sites, with water and sewage. Picnic table for use. Within view of Adventureland so it was cool to see the rides lit up at night as we parked. Clean park. Will definitely stop by again when we aren’t just passing through!
ScoutThis is a really nice campground. It’s run by friendly, helpful people. It’s well maintained, the bathrooms are clean, you’re not packed together like sardines, there’s a nice bike/walking trail around the park and (at least when we’ve visited) bald eagles, blue herons and pelicans line the river. It’s just a little over an hour from us so it’s easy to get to.
We’re trying parks all over Iowa and Howell has been one of our favorites.
LegendFollowing up on my review from over a year ago, I’m adding a bunch of additional photos as well as an abbreviated post pointing out the HIGHS and LOWS of this roadside pit stop of a campground in very rural Iowa.
HIGHLIGHTS: (1) Fairly EZ access from I-80; (2) Incredibly well-manicured campground that is both very clean and well-organized; (3) Despite being next to the highway where we were concerned with errant late-night visitors who had no business being at this CG, there’s excellent security and a feeling of being safe; (4) Superb Midwestern hospitality from the KOA staff and camping community; (5) RV slots offer very nice FHUs and fairly spacious areas; (6) Picnic tables & fire rings are in pretty good condition; (6) If you need anything, there’s a handful of just OK restaurants like Cratty Shack Diner and grocery stores like Hy-Vee and Walmart Supercenter in nearby Newton; (7) Spectacularly clean bathrooms and shower facilities; and (8) Well-stocked catch & release fishing pond
LOWLIGHTS: (1) You are literally right next to I-80, but the CG sits down below the swooshing traffic, so if you’re not looking, you almost forget that you’re camping next to the busiest highway in Iowa; (2) Lack of privacy between sites as there’s not a ton of trees, bushes or brush on the interior of the CG; (3) Most of the RV slots have no shade, so bring your own awning or shelter; (4) Some sites have very close proximity to their neighbors; (5) Some amenities feel dated and could be replaced and / or refurbished; (6) There’s a fairly nasty industrial park, complete with a junk yard and car mechanic garage with accompanying abandoned cars scattered around the entrance that you’ll have to navigate through before reaching this KOA; (7) This really isn’t a good place for tent camping, unless you can convince the staff to let you set up in the shaded area at the north end of the CG; (8) The pool was shut down for maintenance when we visited
Happy Camping!
TravelerNice quiet spot. New concrete at the campsites. Pretty trails.
GuideThis is a casino campground. There are full hookups but no facilities. No trees, sites very close together. It’s essentially a parking lot with hookups.
It’s adjacent to a truck stop and right off the interstate.
If you are traveling I35 and it’s convenient for an overnight rest, it’s well worth the cost. Otherwise, unless the casino is your destination, find a more traditional campground
TravelerOur first time staying here and we extended twice because we like the area so much. It’s been a peaceful two weeks and we love the town of Winterset. The campground has a variety of FHU and or just W& E, also some shared water.
TravelerDawson is such a cute little park. I rented a primitive tent site for two nights and it was $20. The self-registration was super simple!
They say there’s a live-in park employee. I never met him/her, which was a bummer. Theres two cabins, ten electric sights and five primitive, a shelter, a playground with slides and swings, and a bigger building you can reserve. I clocked four water spouts.
The place was well maintained, people were polite, modern restrooms and showers. Everything was handicap accessible. You can tell the employees put a lot of care into their work. So glad I was able to stay here.
GuideWe stayed here to go to the Iowa State Fair. It was easy to park here and catch a shuttle to the fair.
Camping near Saylorville Lake, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something to offer.
Camping near Saylorville Lake, Iowa, has a lot to offer, from beautiful parks to friendly campgrounds. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, you'll find a spot that suits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp at Saylorville Lake in Iowa?
Camping costs at Saylorville Lake are quite reasonable. At Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground, sites are described as inexpensive and open to everyone. Cherry Glen Campground offers tent sites for approximately $11 with a discount available for National Parks pass holders. As Army Corps of Engineers properties, most campgrounds around Saylorville Lake provide similar pricing structures with discounts for pass holders. RV sites typically cost more than tent sites, but remain affordable compared to private campgrounds. Exact prices may vary by season, site type, and amenities, so checking the official reservation system for current rates is recommended.
What campgrounds are available at Saylorville Lake?
Saylorville Lake offers several well-maintained campgrounds managed primarily by the Army Corps of Engineers. The main options include Cherry Glen Campground and Prairie Flower Recreation Area, both featuring numerous sites with lake views. Additional campgrounds include Bob Shelter Recreation Area behind the dam, Acorn Valley (typically closed after Labor Day), and Jester County Park operated by the county. These campgrounds provide a mix of RV and tent sites, with varying levels of access to lake activities, trails, and facilities. Some areas get particularly busy during weekends and holidays when boaters frequent the lake, so weekday visits may offer a more peaceful experience.
When is the best time of year to camp at Saylorville Lake?
The best time to camp at Saylorville Lake is during weekdays from late spring through early fall. Jester County Park and other campgrounds are particularly pleasant during May-June and September-October when temperatures are moderate and crowds are thinner. Summer weekends tend to be very busy with boaters and recreational visitors. Some campgrounds like Acorn Valley close after Labor Day, so verify operational dates if planning a fall visit. Be aware that during peak summer months, Saylorville Lake can experience blue-green algae blooms from agricultural runoff, potentially limiting water activities. Spring offers beautiful scenery as nature awakens, while fall provides colorful foliage along the trails and lakeshores.
What amenities are offered at Cherry Glen campsite on Saylorville Lake?
Cherry Glen Campground offers a comprehensive set of amenities for campers. The facilities include clean, modern restrooms and plenty of shade throughout the campground. Sites are generally spacious, though some are closer together than others. Many campsites provide views of Saylorville Lake, enhancing the camping experience. The campground is well-managed by the Army Corps of Engineers and known for being clean and well-maintained. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs, with good cell service available throughout the area. For the best experience, consider requesting sites on the back side of the campground for more privacy, especially during weekends when the area becomes busy with boaters.
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