Featured amenities
About Acorn Valley
Number of accommodations: 83
Campground Amenities
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Showers
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Playground
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
83 Sites Available
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Site Details
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83 Sites Available
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Reviews (245)
What Guests Are Saying
Acorn Valley Campground is praised for its beautiful, clean, and well-maintained sites, providing a peaceful and quiet atmosphere for campers. Many visitors appreciate the spaciousness of the sites and the friendly, attentive staff. However, some noted minor drawbacks, such as limited access to nearby water and occasional noise from incoming vehicles. Overall, it is regarded as a lovely spot for camping, especially for families.
What Guests Are Saying
Acorn Valley Campground is praised for its beautiful, clean, and well-maintained sites, providing a peaceful and quiet atmosphere for campers. Many visitors appreciate the spaciousness of the sites and the friendly, attentive staff. However, some noted minor drawbacks, such as limited access to nearby water and occasional noise from incoming vehicles. Overall, it is regarded as a lovely spot for camping, especially for families.
Review Summary
Noel S
VerifiedOctober 12, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Very nice location to hibernate in the Motorhome. Got all setup and found very poor internet service. Wanted to hold up and binge watch some tv programs, but kept losing connection. Neighbors were quiet and did not disturb us at all. Gate keepers were hidden well and only came by to let us know that the water would be off for most of one day, so we couldn’t use the bath house that one day. I’d probably go to a different site if we ever were in the area again.
Diane H
VerifiedOctober 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 011, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Nicely spaced sites
Krista P
VerifiedOctober 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 016, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Site 16 stated tent and RV camping. It was not appropriate for a tent as the entire site was gravel. There was no privacy either.
Nichole K
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
The camp is good. Unfortunately recreation gov is a joke. Sticking to camps that don’t need them and the fees they never give the parks
Consuelo S
VerifiedSeptember 16, 2025 • Stayed at: 003, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Very peaceful and beautiful family camping sites.
Jeff D
VerifiedSeptember 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 008, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Small campground but quiet. Very nice that it's alcohol free. Site #8 was a little small for our 26 ft. camper but lots of mature trees around. Our great nieces loved the playground. First time camping here and looking forward to camping there again. Very nice little get-away!
Paul K
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2025 • Stayed at: 024, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Great park very well maintained the sites were big and long spaced very well between sites. My site was very level easy to get it setup not all sites are level as we walked the park. The showers were nice no water on the sites but easy to fill with fresh water the dump station was very nice and clean.
Mike L
VerifiedSeptember 3, 2025 • Stayed at: 012, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
No complaints
Joe G
VerifiedSeptember 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 020, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Fabulous camp hosts. Nice private sites. Beautiful grounds.
Katy F
VerifiedAugust 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 006, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
This campground is lovely and well cared for. We stayed in site 6 which is pretty sunny for tent camping, it got very hot. But it was the perfect distance from the bathrooms and playground. The restrooms were nearly perfect. We explored other sites and the mosquitoes were bad at night but so many sites are shady and well maintained.
Location Acorn Valley
Address:
Saylorville Lake Administration Office
Johnston, IA, 50131-1941
United States
From I-35/80 north of Des Moines, Iowa, take exit 131 toward Johnston/Saylorville Lake. Turn north on Merle Hay Road and continue for 2.8 miles. At the four-way stop, turn left on Northwest Beaver Drive and continue for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Northwest Coryden Drive and follow signs into the campground.
Latitude & Longitude: 41.7378 / -93.7236
Elevation: 290 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Click here for more information about Saylorville Lake. |
| General |
Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area. |
| General |
Saylorville Lake Campground RulesCamping: Allowed only at designated campsites. Reservations must be made in advance before setting up camping equipment.Campsite Registration: Campsites may only be registered to individuals 18 years or older, who must occupy the site for the full duration. Each campsite accommodates 1 family unit (up to 8 people) and allows either 3 tents OR 1 RV and 2 tents.Check-out time: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Check-in time: 2:00 p.m.Vacating & Registration: Campsites must be vacated or registration renewed by 12:00 p.m. on the due date. Camping is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period.Parking: Reserving campsites by parking vehicles or leaving items is prohibited. All vehicles (including boats/trailers) must be parked at your campsite or in designated areas. No parking on grass, roadsides, or vacant sites. Please ensure your visitors follow parking rules.Vehicle Operation: All vehicles (including mopeds and bicycles) must comply with Federal, State, and local laws. Stay on designated roads and use vehicles only for entering or exiting sites. UTVs, ATVs, and golf carts are not allowed in campgrounds or parks.Quiet Hours: From 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Campgrounds are restricted to registered campers during these hours. Visitors must leave by 10:00 p.m. Gates remain open 24/7.Trash Disposal: Use designated dumpsters only. Do not leave trash in fire rings, grills, or shower building cans. Remove all personal items and litter before departure. Recycling containers are available. Dumpsters are for trash generated on USACE property only.Grey Water Disposal: Grey water (from dishes, baths, soap, grease, etc.) must be collected and disposed of properly. Do not drain it on campsites or use it to water vegetation. Improper disposal creates odors, health issues, and attracts animals.Pets: Must be confined or leashed (6 feet or shorter) at all times. E-collars are not sufficient. Pets may not be left unattended and are not allowed in bathrooms or shower buildings. Pick up and dispose of waste properly.Firewood: Not available for purchase on-site. You may gather only fallen deadwood. Do not cut or damage trees, vegetation, or natural features. Firewood may be brought from home or purchased from off-site vendors.Pools & Water Games: Pools of any size or slip-n-slides and sprinklers are prohibited. Water tables are allowed.Prohibited Items: Fireworks, explosives, loaded firearms, ammunition, bows, and other projectile devices are not allowed.Smoking: Not allowed inside restrooms or shower buildings.Grills & Picnic Tables: Do not place grills or hot materials on picnic tables—use attached grill guards. Site holders are responsible for any damage or replacements.Yard Games: Games such as water balloons or egg toss are prohibited due to litter. Balloon pieces are non-biodegradable and harmful to pets and wildlife.Pet Leashes & Hammocks: Do not tie leashes, ropes, or chains to trees or shrubs. Hammocks may be used only on trees 6 inches or more in diameter to avoid damage.Alcoholic Beverages: Permitted for those 21 and older at all campgrounds.Hangtags: Registered campers may receive hangtags for access to beach and boat ramp day-use areas. Hangtags must be properly displayed.Golden Age/Access Passports: These and America the Beautiful Senior/Access Passes provide a 50% discount on recreation fees. The cardholder must present the card and ID during registration and be present for the stay. Fraudulent use is prohibited.Washing Equipment: Washing of RVs, trailers, vehicles, or equipment is not allowed at campgrounds or day-use areas. Use local wash facilities instead.Deliveries: Personal package deliveries (Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc.) should be sent to your home, business, or a local postal facility. Saylorville Lake campgrounds, the Administration Building, and Visitor Center do not accept or hold deliveries.Equipment & Vehicle Storage: Reserving extra campsites solely to store equipment or vehicles is not allowed. Use designated overflow or additional parking during your stay.Water Spigots: Water spigots are for temporary use only to fill freshwater tanks. Do not use continuous hoses, Y-splitters, or attachments. Continuous hookups are only allowed at campsites with water service. |