Iowa / Polk County

Cherry Glen Campground

Closed — Closed for the winter season. Typically operates from May through September or October. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

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. As the oldest and most popular campground on the lake, Cherry Glen sits on a compact 13-acre wooded ridge along the eastern shore, offering a mature, shaded camping environment. The campground features 125 family campsites, all with electric hookups. Modern amenities include flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station. On-site facilities include educational programs, group shelters, playgrounds, and a boat ramp. Nearby attractions include a visitor center, hiking trails, and a disc golf course. Saylorville Lake provides excellent recreational opportunities including boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, and swimming. Anglers can target walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and northern pike. The paved Neal Smith Trail, designated as a National Recreation Trail, connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake and is popular for biking, hiking, jogging, walking, and in-line skating. Wildlife is abundant throughout the area, with white-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl, and other small game commonly seen.

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.

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