Established Camping
Prairie Flower Recreation Area
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 2 Alerts are In Effect
There are 2 alerts for this campground. Camp safely!
Due to construction delays, Prairie Flower Campground may open later than regularly scheduled. To reduce impacts to our visitors, we are currently not accepting reservations between May 1, 2024 and May 24, 2024.
Attention Campers! Beginning 2024, the Saylorville Lake Project's new Check-out time will be 12 pm. The new Check-in time will be 2 pm.
About
US Army Corps of Engineers
Saylorville Lake
Overview
Prairie Flower Recreation Area 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
Prairie Flower is a large, open campground covering more than 60 acres. It offers 153 family sites and 10 group sites, all with electric hookups. Many of the family sites in the south end offer a pleasant view of the 6000-acre lake. The north end is made up of mostly group sites in a circle-the-wagon design. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. The campground also provides educational programs, group shelters, playgrounds and a swimming beach. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail, volleyball courts and a disc golf course. Boat ramps and a fishing dock are also close by.
Natural Features
Iowa's prairie heritage is celebrated in more than 40 acres of prairie plantings throughout the campground. The wide variety of grass and flowers provides vivid colors from mid-summer to fall. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
Much nicer than I expected
Campground with level pads, easy access and super friendly hosts. Spaces are large and open with nice balance of trees for shade.
Large campground
This is a very large campground with lots of sites and large group camping areas. The bathrooms and shower house are nice and clean.
Favorite campground!
We went to Prairie Flower for the first time last week and this is by far our favorite campground so far!
The whole campsite was paved and our site (#81) had a beautiful lake view. The whole park was the cleanest we have seen anywhere else. We will absolutely be back!
Location
Prairie Flower Recreation Area is located in Iowa
Directions
From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny/Oralabor Road and go west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415, continue and follow signs to the campground.
Address
SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
5600 NW 78TH AVENUE
Johnston, IA 50131-1941
Coordinates
41.7483333 N
93.6875 W