Saylorville Lake – Prairie Flower Campground

Located in Polk City, Iowa

2 Hour & 15 Minutes from Council Bluffs, Iowa

To make reservations and to get additional information about the campground/park please click here:

No Park Permit Required

Camping Fee: $20.00 for electric site

Reservation Fee:  $0 per stay

Last Stayed:  7/2018

Camping Spot:  H176 (Honeysuckle Loop)

SAYLORVILLE LAKE

Saylorville Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers multi-purpose reservoir on the Des Moines River just north of Des Moines, Iowa.  Camping around Saylorville Lake is comprised of 4 different campgrounds, Acorn Valley (mostly tent camping), Cherry Glen Campground, Prairie Flower and Bob Shetler.  When we last camped in July of 2018 we were in the Prairie Flower campground.  In the past we have also camped in the Cherry Glen Campground.

LAKE

Saylorville Lake is very large at 5,950 acres.  Because the lake controls flooding on the Des Moines River, when we were there in July of 2018, heavy rains occurred in early July and the lake was still up.  Boating was permitted, but beaches and swimming was not recommended.

Because of all the rain in the recent months, they were letting lots of water out of the dam to flow down the Des Moines River.  This was quite a site to see.

When we were driving around, people were catching lots of large Buffalo Carp out of the river below the dam.

BEACH

There are beaches around the lake at most recreation areas.  Unfortunately when we were there in July of 2018, the lake was just coming down from flood stages at the beginning of July, so the beaches were not accessible and under water.

The photos below are from the Prairie Flower campground trail that goes down to the beach.  When we were there in 2017 there was a large parking lot from the end of the trail and then the beach.  As you can see in the pictures- the entire parking lot is covered in water and there is no beach.  Water is going down every day and the beaches will be back once the water recedes and debris is picked up.

BOAT DOCK

There are several boat docks in the recreation areas.  We were able to drive to the Cherry Glen Recreation Area and the boat dock was accessible, even though several other boat docks on the lake were under water, due to the recent flooding.

CAMPGROUND

Saylorville Lake has several campgrounds located around the entire lake.

Acorn Valley is mainly tent camping and has limited electric sites

Bob Shelter Campground is located near the dam and has 69 camping Spots.

Cherry Glen Campground has 127 camping spots

Prairie Flower campground 260 camping spots.

At Prairie Flower there are 10 group camping circles that have anywhere from 3-15 campers.  The majority of the group campgrounds are out in the open and are not very shaded.

We feel that the Prairie Flower campground has larger spots with nice big areas.  There are several areas that have lots of shade.

If you want a lake view, the Coneflower Loop in Prairie Flower does have several spots that overlook the lake.

SPOTS WE LIKE

The last 2 times we camped, we were in the Prairie Flower Campground, in Honeysuckle Loop in spot 176.  We liked this spot because it was nice and big, very shaded and even had a covered shelter behind the spot that can be used by any of the campers in the loop.

SHOWER HOUSES

There are shower houses located in each loop of Prairie Flower campground, as well as other loops in other campgrounds.  Shower houses were well maintained and clean.

PLAYGROUNDS

At Prairie Flower Campground, a brand new and very large playground was just installed in the center of the group camping sites.  There are also other very nice and newer playgrounds throughout the other loops of the campground.  There are also other newer playgrounds in the other campgrounds as well.  All playgrounds were very well maintained and newer structures.

WALKING/BIKING

There are several biking trails located around the entire lake.  There are also biking trails through the Prairie Flower campground.  Prairie Flower campground is mainly flat with a few hills, but very easily managed, even by the most novice biker (that would be me!)

DUMP STATION

Each campground has 1 dump station. With over 200+ camping sites in just Prairie Flower campground, the 2 stall dump station does seem inadequate.   On a busy Sunday check out day, you could wait over an hour at the dump station.  Because we were several hours from home, and taking Interstate 80 back, we choose to utilize the dump station at one of the Rest Areas along the interstate.

SUMMARY

We really enjoy all the views and camping options Saylorville Lake has to offer.  We like the Prairie Flower campground.  Saylorville Lake offers boating, swimming and several campground to choose from.