About Bob Shetler Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 60
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
River Access
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Water Access
- River Access
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
60 Sites Available
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Site Details
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60 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (717)
What Guests Are Saying
Bob Shetler Recreation Area offers a well-maintained and spacious campground with clean facilities, friendly staff, and convenient amenities like water and sewer hookups. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and biking. While some experienced noise disturbances from nearby road activities and motorcycles, the overall experience is generally positive, with many campers expressing their desire to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Bob Shetler Recreation Area offers a well-maintained and spacious campground with clean facilities, friendly staff, and convenient amenities like water and sewer hookups. Many visitors appreciate the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful scenery, and opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and biking. While some experienced noise disturbances from nearby road activities and motorcycles, the overall experience is generally positive, with many campers expressing their desire to return.
Review Summary
Chuck S
VerifiedJuly 22, 2025 • Stayed at: 57, Loop: BSHM
Fairly level gravel site. Well maintained campsite.
Tom V
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BSHW
Small campground area that is close to the dam and spillway. It was nice to have water spigots at each site. We didn't use the sewer to dump. Campsites kept clean. Rangers made their rounds regularly.
Camping in the spring and summer months the mulberry tree on the site drops the berries constantly and is very messy.
Tom V
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 09, Loop: BSHW
Small campground area that is close to the dam and spillway. It was nice to have water spigots at each site. We didn't use the sewer to dump. Campsites kept clean. Rangers made their rounds regularly.
Camping in the spring and summer months the mulberry tree on the site drops the berries constantly and is very messy.
Melissa J
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 60, Loop: BSHM
Nice rv spots with power - some shifty campers who were up all nights and riding loud motorcycles past 1am.
Melissa J
VerifiedJuly 20, 2025 • Stayed at: 60, Loop: BSHM
Nice rv spots with power - some shifty campers who were up all nights and riding loud motorcycles past 1am.
Kevin C
VerifiedJuly 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 59, Loop: BSHM
We just purchased a used unit. It was our first camping experience with a travel trailer. Campsite was level, clean, and quiet. Facilities where clean. On-site host where very helpful. Can't want to go back closer to spillway.
Kevin C
VerifiedJuly 19, 2025 • Stayed at: 59, Loop: BSHM
We just purchased a used unit. It was our first camping experience with a travel trailer. Campsite was level, clean, and quiet. Facilities where clean. On-site host where very helpful. Can't want to go back closer to spillway.
Bradley P
VerifiedJuly 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: BSHM
It’s okay. Not the best if you want peace and quiet but there is good fishing nearby and it’s a nice park.
Bradley P
VerifiedJuly 11, 2025 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: BSHM
It’s okay. Not the best if you want peace and quiet but there is good fishing nearby and it’s a nice park.
Brett W
VerifiedJuly 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BSHM
Nice campsites with plenty of space.
Location Bob Shetler Recreation Area
Address:
Saylorville Lake Administration Office
Johnston, IA, 50131-1941
United States
From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny/Oralabor Road and go west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415. Turn left onto 37th Street, then turn right onto Horseshoe Road. Turn right and drive across the Saylorville Lake Dam to the campground.
The campground is accessible from I-35 via exit 90, approximately 4.8 miles to the west on Highway 415.
Latitude & Longitude: 41.7017 / -93.6853
Elevation: 247 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
2PM
Check out time
12PM
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
General
- Click here for more information
- Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area.
Safety & rules
- Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and only registered campers are allowed during this time.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 3, 2026
