Oak Grove Picnic Area
This is a day-use picnic area only with no overnight camping. Picnic shelters are open seasonally with hours varying: 7am-9pm May through Labor Day. Group shelters are reservable via Recreation.gov.
Heat Advisory issued August 30 at 8:44PM CDT until September 2 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Des Moines IA
* WHAT...Heat index values up to 100-103 degrees. * WHERE...Portions of central and south central Iowa, including the Des Moines metro. * WHEN...From 1 PM Monday to 7 PM CDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...While heat index values may not reach 105 degrees each day, the combination of the longevity of the heat and little or limited relief during the overnight periods with warm lows have prompted the multi-day Heat Advisory.
About
Oak Grove Picnic Area is a day-use recreation site within the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Nestled among stately oak trees on the east side of the lake, this facility offers two reservable group picnic shelters with electric and water hookups, each accommodating up to 50 people. The area provides flush toilets, a playground, volleyball court, and access to hiking trails including the 24-mile paved Neal Smith Trail. A large swimming beach is within walking distance. Saylorville Lake offers boating, water skiing, windsurfing, and fishing for walleye, bass, catfish, crappie, and northern pike. This is a day-use only facility with no overnight camping permitted. Picnic shelters can be reserved through Recreation.gov. Operating hours vary seasonally: 7am-8pm in April, 7am-9pm from May through Labor Day, and 7am-8pm from after Labor Day through October.
Directions
From Ankeny, travel 3.4 miles west on 1st Street. Turn right onto HWY 415 for 0.9 miles, then left onto NW 44th Street, which turns slightly right and becomes NW 98th Ave. Picnic area is on the right.
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | — |
| Pets Allowed | Yes |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | — |
| Price | $50 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | — |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| jonathan.d.wuebker@usace.army.mil | |
| Phone | +1 (515) 276-4656 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | Yes |
| T-Mobile | Yes |
Availability
Photos
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