Iowa / Polk County

Acorn Valley

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates from spring through fall with reservation-only camping.

About

Acorn Valley Campground is located on the expansive 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley in Polk County, Iowa. The campground sits on 26 acres on the fringe of an upland timber stand, with mature Bur Oak trees marking the entrance to this U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility. The campground provides 29 family campsites with electric hookups and 54 primitive walk-to tent sites, plus two group camping areas including a youth group site and a standard group site. All sites are reservation-only through Recreation.gov. Amenities include flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station. Each campsite accommodates up to 8 people and allows either 3 tents or 1 RV and 2 tents. Saylorville Lake is known for excellent fishing, with abundant walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and northern pike. The paved Neal Smith Trail runs 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park, connecting campgrounds on the east side of the lake and serving as a designated National Recreation Trail for biking, hiking, jogging, and in-line skating. Nearby facilities include picnic areas with group shelters, boat ramps, a marina, fishing docks, and swimming areas. Wildlife is abundant, with white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, and waterfowl throughout the area.

Directions

From I-35/80 north of Des Moines, take exit 131 toward Johnston/Saylorville Lake. Turn north on Merle Hay Road and continue for 2.8 miles. At the four-way stop, turn left on Northwest Beaver Drive and continue for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Northwest Coryden Drive and follow signs into the campground.

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