Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Saylorville Lake

Campsites around Saylorville Lake range in elevation from 830 to 890 feet, with terrain varying from wooded hills to open prairie grasslands. The reservoir spans 5,950 acres when at normal pool level, providing miles of shoreline camping options. Summer temperatures typically reach 86°F during July with nighttime temperatures dropping into the 60s, creating comfortable camping conditions.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Bob Shelter Recreation Area offers excellent fishing access where the Des Moines River flows below the dam. "Love to camp here and watch the spill way," shares Roger O., while another visitor notes it "backs to the Des Moines River below the spillway from the dam."

Wildlife viewing: Jester County Park maintains areas for viewing native animals. "They advertise Elk and Bison which are smart enough to stay far away from humans, as it should be," according to Jim S., who found the "Nature/Conservancy center there is just next level."

Historic exploration: Yellow Banks County Park contains Native American historical sites. "Check out the burial grounds," recommends Steve H., while another reviewer adds "There's a hiking trail that will take you to indian burial mounds."

Water recreation: Prairie Flower Recreation Area offers boating access to Saylorville Lake. One visitor mentioned, "This campground is connected to regional bike trails that will take all the way to Des Moines and suburbs," making it possible to explore beyond the immediate area.

What campers like

Large, well-spaced sites: Prairie Flower earns praise for its spacious campsites. "Sites are large and there is plenty of space between sites. We had a concrete pad with a picnic table and fire pit with grill grate," notes Heather S., who appreciated the privacy between sites.

Clean facilities: Acorn Valley maintains exceptionally clean restrooms. "Bathrooms are immaculate and cleaned every day," according to John F. Another camper confirms, "Facilities are all very clean and well taken care of."

Quiet surroundings: Many dog friendly campgrounds at Saylorville Lake offer peaceful settings. "It was quiet and we loved listening to the wildlife at night," shares Nancy C. about her Acorn Valley experience, while another visitor called it "Beautiful campground! Lots of trees and peaceful area."

Level sites: Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground provides well-maintained, level sites. "Great spot located next to the Des Moines River. Check in was a breeze and conveniently near the fill and dump stations," notes Julian B., highlighting the ease of setup.

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Some Saylorville Lake pet-friendly campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Acorn Valley operates "early jun-late aug" according to its listing information, while a visitor noted: "I tried to stay at Acorn Valley to find out it is closed after Labor Day."

Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "This campground is a hot spot for Des Moines to escape the weekend - with that said, reservations are a must! Most times you need to make them six months out," advises Elizabeth A.

Wildlife encounters: Yellow Banks County Park has active local wildlife. "I mistakenly left some food out and my dog and I were woken up by wild dogs," reports Whitney S., reminding campers to secure food properly.

Limited hook-ups: Not all sites offer full services. "Spacious campsites with cement pads... The only thing holding it back from 5 stars is no water or sewer onsite," explains Ron M. about Prairie Flower's facilities.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Cherry Glen Campground provides play areas for children. "Lots of trees. Playgrounds. Near lake," notes Janet A. Another visitor confirms "Nice playground areas," making it ideal for families with children and dogs.

Short hiking options: Yellow Banks offers trails suitable for children. "There are a couple of short trails near the campground but a longer pond trail on the southeast area of the park," explains May M., giving families options for different ages and abilities.

Fishing spots for beginners: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing opportunities for novice anglers. "It's got access to trails and to the Des Moines river. There is a fishing pond that's got plenty of bluegill and largemouth bass," mentions Willy W. about Yellow Banks.

Check noise levels: Some campgrounds can be louder than others. "It was really busy though... There was a party near our tent that raged for quite some time," reports Anne P., suggesting families with young children might want to research quieter sections.

Tips from RVers

Dump station timing: Plan ahead for departure at busy campgrounds. "There's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity. Trying to leave on Sunday is a good 1 hour wait... that's being generous!" warns Elizabeth A.

Concrete pads: Many Saylorville Lake pet-friendly campgrounds feature concrete parking pads. "Sites do have some space for privacy between them. Now my one complaint - there's one dump station for a campground that is large is size and popularity," shares Elizabeth A. about Prairie Flower.

Fill tanks early: Water access varies between campgrounds. "No water hook ups, so fill up after you get in the campground before you park," suggests Mia L., noting that some loops require planning ahead for water needs.

Shade considerations: Timberline Campground offers varying levels of shade for RVs. "In a grove of trees in a slightly hilly area. Easy access, but sites are gravel. Nice bit of grass with each site, most are at least partially shaded," notes Jo E.