Bob Shetler Recreation Area

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

Overview

Bob Shetler Recreation Area is located in the tailwater area below 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

The campground offers 67 camping sites, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail, volleyball courts and a disc golf course. Boat ramps and an accessible fishing dock are also close by.

Natural Features

Large shade trees dot the open grassy areas of the campground, which offers excellent views of the Des Moines River. Most campsites are within easy walking distance of the shore. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

Camp site features

Across 67 camp sites:

Electric hookups: all 67 sites
Water hookups: 9 of 67 sites
Sewer hookups: 10 of 67 sites
Fire pit: all 67 sites
Picnic table: all 67 sites
Pets allowed: all 67 sites
ADA accessible: 1 of 67 sites
Longest RV: 62 ft
Largest party: 6 people
Power up to 50 amps
Equipment: RV, Tent, Trailer

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.

Stay Limit

Check in from 2 PM, check out by 12 PM.

Reviews

441 reviews

5 stars

229

4 stars

122

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Sean R

Loop:Bshm

Site:

Reviewed 18 days ago

Noise from the parked vehicles at the top of the dam.

frank w

Loop:Bshm

Site:

Reviewed 23 days ago

We enjoyed the campground. It was spacious and the dam was fun to see. Wish we had a way to borrow fishing poles and purchase bait to try fishing there.

Thongphet C

Loop:Bshe

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Very nice place to camp. Right next to the spillway and good for fishing. Wish it had more than one dump stations.

Lois T

Loop:Bshm

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

We know there had been a lot of rain there during the summer so expected some water on the ground. Soggy conditions were not the fault of the staff. Bathrooms were clean. We have camped there many years and always enjoyed the space of sites and friendly staffl

Patricia G

Loop:Bshm

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Grounds keepers are very friendly and trustworthy. They went above and beyond for my daughter and I. I will definitely be returning at some point! Bathrooms are spacious and we'll kept. All around very good memories were made.

Michael M

Loop:Bshm

Site:

Reviewed a month ago

Given the time of year we stayed, it was okay. The ground was really wet and it did rain quite a bit while we were there. We were able to let our grandchildren play on the playground, but had to walk around the grassy area. Drainage appeared to be the problem and we were able to get our walks in.

Availability

See the Camp Sites section below to find detailed booking availability.

Reserve