Angela H
VerifiedJuly 12, 2020 Stayed at: 013, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
The mosquitos were overbearing. There were dogs off leash and bothersome. The showers weren't clean.
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316 reviews
Acorn Valley is a well-maintained, peaceful campground with clean facilities, friendly staff, and spacious sites, making it an excellent choice for families and those seeking a quiet getaway. Visitors appreciate the cleanliness of the bathrooms and the beautiful natural surroundings, with plenty of room for activities. While some sites may require leveling and noise from nearby activities can be an issue, overall, guests have had enjoyable experiences and are eager to return.
Based on guest feedback
4.5
Based on 316 reviews
Showing 316 reviews
July 12, 2020 Stayed at: 013, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
The mosquitos were overbearing. There were dogs off leash and bothersome. The showers weren't clean.
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July 24, 2020 Stayed at: 018, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Great place to stay!
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August 7, 2020 Stayed at: 012, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
The 2 electric sites we camped in were fairly spacious with both gravel and grass. Most sites are fairly flat. The shower house/restrooms were clean and easily accessible to all electric sites. There is lake access within a fairly short walk. We enjoyed walking our dog along the shoreline. We would stay at Acorn Valley again.
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August 10, 2020 Stayed at: 024, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Nice clean and quiet
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August 10, 2020 Stayed at: 101, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
One night we had noisy neighbors and no ranger ever came by to tell them to quiet down. Otherwise, our stay was very good.
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August 18, 2020 Stayed at: 002, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Nice camp ground, camps are a nice distance apart.
Would like booking a camp site made easier...having to do it by phone is a pain... miss the people connecting.
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August 27, 2020 Stayed at: 010, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Well ran, fairly large campsites with privacy
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August 29, 2020 Stayed at: 019, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Stayed one out of two nights thanks to our neighbors. Greater to 2 barking dogs, a radio and no one around. The dogs obviously used our area as their toilet area because it smelled of dog shit. They had garbage everywhere and obviously helped spread around by the raccoons. They look like they have been living there for a while by the state of their site. They spent most the night moving around and being loud for being right next to our camper, not to mention the random barks from the dogs. Then at 5 am if we weren’t awake we were woken by a pickup feet from our camper revving it’s engine like it was getting ready for a race before they left. We slept more during the day then we got all night.
Spots are way to close together for nrighbors like that. We left our home after the derecho so we could get a cool night sleep in the air conditioning before we started to figure out how we were going to get through the next week and this was the only campgrounds with electricity. We decided borrowing a generator and sleeping in our driveway with the loud machine was better then staying next to the smells and sounds of our neighbors.
Met by the host as we were packing up and they asked why we were leaving early. I pointed to the trash covered site and explained the smells and sounds that went with it. Not sure how it’s an alcohol free campground because there was plenty of discarded containers there. She apologized and said she would have the ranger come take care of it. Too bad our many calls didn’t get the the same response before we decided to leave. Then she stated she would refund our second day. That never happened. I don't think I’ll go back. When I do go without a weather disaster happening I go to relax, not to smell others dog shit, look at their shit and be kept awake all night.
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August 30, 2020 Stayed at: 023, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Had a great time camping with family
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September 13, 2020 Stayed at: 098, Loop: ACORN VALLEY
Nice quiet place with saylorville lake just hundreds of feet away.
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Saylorville Lake Administration Office, Johnston, IA 50131-1941 United States
Elevation: 290 ft
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 mi. At the four-way stop, turn left on Northwest Beaver Drive and continue for 3.7 mi. Turn right onto Northw...
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 mi. At the four-way stop, turn left on Northwest Beaver Drive and continue for 3.7 mi. Turn right onto Northwest Coryden Drive and follow signs into the campground.
Acorn Valley is accessible from I-35/80 via exit 131, approximately 5 miles away. Merle Hay Road provides direct access north from the interstate.
Check in time
2PM
Check out time
12PM
Last updated: October 22, 2026