Cherry Glen Campground

Saylorville Lake

Cherry Glen Campground 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.

This large campground offers 125 family sites, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. Educational programs, group shelters, playgrounds, and a boat ramp all provide additional recreation opportunities for guests. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail and a disc golf course.

Need to Know

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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

Cherry Glen, the oldest and most popular campground on the lake, is nestled on a compact 13-acre wooded ridge. 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

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 515-964-8792

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny Industrial Parkway. Continue onto Highway 160 west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415. Continue for another 4 miles and follow signs into the campground.

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

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