Bob Shetler Recreation Area
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.
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.
Need to Know
- Click here for more information
Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES. Remove plants, seeds, animals, and mud from boots, gear, pets, and vehicles. Clean your gear before entering and leaving the recreation site. Stay on designated roads and trails, and follow local guidelines for firewood. CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY boats and any other recreational equipment that contacts water. Dispose of unwanted bait, worms, fish parts, or other organisms into the trash and not into the environment. For more information visit https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/rec.
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.
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.
Contact Information
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SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE 5600 NW 78TH AVENUE JOHNSTON IA 50131-1941
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 515-276-0873
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving 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.
Available Campsites
- Site 16, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 59, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 02, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 28, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 45, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 35, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 11, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 51, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 47, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 26, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 12, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 66, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 25, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 23, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 14, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 36, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 49, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 52, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 17, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 18, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 05, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 10, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 04, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 30, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 03, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 37, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 53, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 44, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 64, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 43, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 34, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 29, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 27, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 67, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 57, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 62, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 39, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 42, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 38, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 61, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 09, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 32, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 69, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 40, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 08, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 24, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 19, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 31, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 48, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 55, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 06, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 56, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 46, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 63, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 68, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 50, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 58, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 20, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 33, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 15, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 41, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 13, Loop BSHE, Type Standard Electric
- Site 65, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 07, Loop BSHW, Type Standard Electric
- Site 54, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 60, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
- Site 22, Loop BSHM, Type Standard Electric
