Cottonwood Recreation Area
Cottonwood Recreation Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam. The 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project stretches over 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 day-use area offers nine group picnic areas with water and electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, a volleyball court, playground and hiking trails.
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.
Natural Features
Cottonwood covers a large open and flat lowland area bordering the east side of the Des Moines River.
Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.
Recreation
Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing 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.
Contact Information
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SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE 5600 NW 78TH AVENUE JOHNSTON IA 50131
Phone Number
For campground inquiries, please call: 515-276-4656
Rental Options
Learn more about gear rental options for your trip
Driving Directions
Utilize address 7400 NW 37th Street Ankeny IA 50023 (Not a valid mailing address). From I-35, take Exit 90 in Ankeny and head approxmately 3.5 miles west to NW 84th Ave. Turn Left on 84th Ave and head south apprximately 1.5 miles to Cottonwood Recreation Area on the right.
Available Campsites
- Site 003, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 002, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 004, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 008, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 001, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 005, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 006, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 007, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 009, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
