Iowa / Polk County / Johnston

Walnut Ridge Recreation Area

Closed — Closed for the season. The area typically operates from April through October, with hours varying by season: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in April and September through October, and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. from May through Labor Day.

About

Walnut Ridge Recreation Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. Situated on a wooded ridgeland on the west side of the lake, the area is covered with large shade trees and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape. The recreation area features three group picnic shelters available for reservation up to 4 days in advance, each equipped with water and electricity. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground, and hiking trails. The 18-hole Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course runs throughout the area, featuring beautifully manicured fairways with both open and wooded terrain, 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, providing 24 miles of scenic route to Big Creek State Park. Wildlife is abundant throughout the area, with white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals commonly spotted. The lake itself provides excellent opportunities for boating, sailing, swimming, and fishing for walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and northern pike.

Directions

Use address 9125 NW Beaver Drive, Johnston, IA 50131. 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.

Nearby Campgrounds