Cherry Glen Campground
Open for the 2026 season through mid-October. Reservations are required and available through Recreation.gov. Check-in is 2:00 PM; check-out is noon. Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights per 30-day period.
Flood Warning issued October 4 at 8:45PM CDT until October 5 at 10:36PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in Iowa... Iowa River near Tama Hwy E49 affecting Tama and Poweshiek Counties. Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr affecting Polk County. ...The Flood Warning is cancelled for the following rivers in Iowa... South Skunk River at Colfax affecting Polk, Jasper and Marion Counties. * WHAT...Minor flooding is occurring and minor flooding is forecast. * WHERE...Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr, or from Walnut Creek to the Des Moines River. * WHEN...Until Monday evening. * IMPACTS...At 13.3 feet, SW 30th St is closed from George Flagg Parkway to Bell Ave. George Flagg Parkway is closed from SW 30th St to SW 28th St. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 8:32 PM CDT Sunday the stage was 13.2 feet, and falling. - Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage tomorrow afternoon and continue falling. - Flood stage is 12.0 feet.
About
Cherry Glen is the oldest and most popular campground on Saylorville Lake, nestled on a wooded 13-acre ridge above the Des Moines River Valley. The 26,000-acre Army Corps of Engineers reservoir offers excellent fishing for walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and northern pike, along with boating, sailing, water skiing, and swimming. All 125 family sites are Standard Electric with 50-amp service and gravel back-in driveways accommodating RVs and trailers up to 40 feet. Each site allows up to 8 occupants with either 3 tents or 1 RV plus 2 tents. Campfires are permitted and gathering fallen deadwood is allowed. The campground has flush restrooms, hot showers, potable water, a dump station, playgrounds, group shelters, and a boat ramp. The paved 24-mile Neal Smith Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail, connects Cherry Glen to Big Creek State Park and downtown Des Moines, ideal for biking, jogging, and inline skating. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, and waterfowl are commonly spotted throughout the project lands.
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.
Nearby Campgrounds
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | Yes |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Electric Hookups | Yes |
| Water Hookups | No |
| Sewer Hookups | No |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $26 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | 93ft |
| Max Trailer Length | 93ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (515) 964-8792 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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