Iowa / Polk County

Prairie Flower Recreation Area

Closed — Closed for the season. Typically operates from spring through fall. Reservations available through Recreation.gov.

About

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is a premier camping destination on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The campground covers more than 60 acres and offers 153 family sites and 10 group sites, all equipped with 30-amp electric hookups. Many sites on the south end provide pleasant views of the 6,000-acre lake, while the north end features group sites in a circle-the-wagon design. The campground celebrates Iowa's prairie heritage with over 40 acres of native prairie plantings throughout the area. The diverse grasses and wildflowers create vivid colors from mid-summer through fall, including species like blazingstar, coneflower, goldenrod, and lead plant. Wildlife is abundant, with white-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl, and other small game commonly seen. Facilities include modern flush toilets, hot showers, drinking water, and a dump station. The campground features a swimming beach, playgrounds, group shelters, and educational programs. The paved Neal Smith Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail, winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects campgrounds on the lake's east side. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, volleyball courts, disc golf course, boat ramps, and fishing docks. Saylorville Lake offers excellent opportunities for boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, swimming, and fishing for walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and northern pike.

Directions

From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny/Oralabor Road and go west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415, continue and follow signs to the campground.

Nearby Campgrounds