Day Use

Facilities

This day-use area offers three group picnic shelters with water and electricity. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground, and hiking trails.

Natural Features

The area is situated on a wooded ridgeland on the west side of Saylorville Lake. Large shade trees cover the area.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

Recreation

The 18-hole Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course runs throughout the recreation area. The beautifully manicured course contains both open and wooded fairways with blind pins and tunnel shots.

Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing and swimming opportunities. Anglers fish for 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.

Recreation Sites

  • Group Picnic Area
  • Day

Activities

  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Hiking
  • Fishing
  • Camping
  • Biking

Amenities

  • BBQ
  • Grills/Fire Ring
  • Day Use Area
  • Electricity
  • Fireplace
  • Flush Toilets
  • Grills
  • Parking Area
  • Paved Parking
  • Paved Roads
  • Picnic Area
  • Picnic Shelters
  • Picnic Tables
  • Water Spigot
  • Shade

Getting Here

Latitude
41° 43' 46.9999" N
Longitude
93° 43' 16.0000" W
Use address 9125 NW Beave Drive, Johnston IA 50131. From I-35/80 north of Des Moines, take Johnston/Saylorville Lake Exit (131). Go north on Merle Hay Rd for 2.7 miles, then turn left onto NW Beaver Drive for 3.1 miles. Recreation area is 0.3 miles ahead on the right.

Need to Know

  • Special Event Permits are required for inflatable bounce houses and water features. Special Event Permits may be required for events that may impact nearby shelters, are open to the public, wedding events, company picnics etc. Please contact the Saylorville Lake Administration Office at 515-276-4656 to inquire.

  • Shelters may be reserved up to 4 days in advance. If shelters are not reserved, they are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis.

  • Playgrounds and restrooms near shelters are open to the public. Reservations apply only to picnic shelters not other amenities.

  • 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. 

    • Contact Information

    SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE
    5600 NW 78TH AVE
    Johnston, IA 50131

    For campground inquiries, please call: 515-276-4656

    Additional Information

    Campgrounds Nearby

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