Walnut Ridge Recreation Area

About

Walnut Ridge Recreation Area is a day-use facility located on a wooded ridgeland on the west side of the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project in Johnston, Iowa. The area features three group picnic shelters equipped with water and electricity, accommodating groups up to 125 people with parking for up to 45 vehicles. Shelters can be reserved up to 4 days in advance; unreserved shelters are available free on a first-come, first-served basis. The recreation area is best known for its 18-hole Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course, which offers both open and wooded fairways with blind pins and tunnel shots. The paved Neal Smith Trail, a designated National Recreation Trail, passes through the area and connects to campgrounds on the east side of the lake, spanning 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park. While Walnut Ridge itself does not offer overnight camping, Saylorville Lake has multiple developed campgrounds nearby. Wildlife including white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, and waterfowl can be observed throughout the project area.

Directions

From I-35/80 north of Des Moines, take Johnston/Saylorville Lake Exit 131. Go north on Merle Hay Road for 2.7 miles, then turn left onto NW Beaver Drive for 3.1 miles. Recreation area is 0.3 miles ahead on the right. Address: 9125 NW Beaver Drive, Johnston, IA 50131.