Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Saylorville Lake Administration Office, Johnston, Iowa, United States
Check Availability
Main Dam Outlet
BOB SHETLER RECREATION AREA 1
Bob Shetler Archery Range
Bob Shetler Entrance

Featured amenities

Pet Friendly Pet Friendly
River Access River Access
View all amenities

About Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Bob Shetler Recreation Area is located in the tailwater area below the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 mi up the Des Moines River Valley. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.

Available sites

60 total sites
RV Sites 60 sites Check Availability

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently closed

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Pet friendly Pet friendly
River Access River Access
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
Water Access

Water Access

  • River Access
Pets and Policies

Pets and Policies

  • Pet friendly
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

60 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 02, Loop: BSHW RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 30 amp
🚐 04, Loop: BSHW RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 30 amp
🚐 05, Loop: BSHW RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 30 amp
🚐 06, Loop: BSHW RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 30 amp
🚐 07, Loop: BSHW RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 30 amp
🚐 08, Loop: BSHW RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 30 amp
🚐 09, Loop: BSHW RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 30 amp
🚐 10, Loop: BSHW RV
Pet Friendly · Full hookups · 30 amp
🚐 12, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Gravel
🚐 13, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 14, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 15, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 16, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 17, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 18, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 19, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 20, Loop: BSHE RV
Pet Friendly · 50 amp · Paved
🚐 27, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 28, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 29, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 30, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Paved
🚐 31, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 32, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 33, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 34, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 35, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 36, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 37, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 38, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 39, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 40, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 41, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 42, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 43, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 44, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 45, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 46, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 47, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 48, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 49, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 50, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 51, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 52, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 53, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 54, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 55, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 56, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 57, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 58, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 59, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 60, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 61, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 62, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 63, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 64, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 65, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 66, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 67, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 68, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel
🚐 69, Loop: BSHM RV
Pet Friendly · 30 amp · Gravel

Reviews

792 reviews

Summary

AI generated

Bob Shetler Recreation Area is praised for its clean facilities, friendly staff, and spacious campsites, making it a great choice for campers seeking a peaceful retreat. The campground offers easy access to outdoor activities like biking and fishing, and the location near the dam adds to its charm. However, some visitors noted noise from nearby traffic and the need for updates in certain facilities, particularly the shower house.

Based on guest feedback

4.2

Overall rating

Based on 792 reviews

Write a review
5 stars 51.9% (411)
4 stars 27.5% (218)
3 stars 10.9% (86)
2 stars 6.7% (53)
1 star 3.0% (24)

Showing 792 reviews

Verified Only
Sort by: Newest First
Newest First Oldest First

Brooke S

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 54, Loop: BSHM

Good place to camp

Helpful

melissa p

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 12, Loop: BSHE

My only complaint is they do not enforce park closing hours. Influx of loud visitors/vehicles racing through park until well after midnight ruins the experience.

Helpful

Nancy C

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 13, Loop: BSHE

Our overall stay was great.
We were told by staff that we couldn’t use the water spigot that was next to our campsite, which we found very offsetting.

Helpful

Sara H

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 62, Loop: BSHM

Just stayed for one night - we were hiking through the area. The camp host showed us to our site, and we had everything we needed. Spots were spaced just far enough apart that we didn't feel crowded in by other campers. It was a nice experience overall. Thanks!

Helpful

Brooke S

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 55, Loop: BSHM

We love camping here! Its close by the dam ans little ponds to fish at.

Helpful

Brooke S

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 54, Loop: BSHM

Great place to camp close to many places to do things hiking boating and fishing

Helpful

Brooke S

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 54, Loop: BSHM

Good place to camp

Helpful

melissa p

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 12, Loop: BSHE

My only complaint is they do not enforce park closing hours. Influx of loud visitors/vehicles racing through park until well after midnight ruins the experience.

Helpful

Nancy C

Verified

October 12, 2025 Stayed at: 13, Loop: BSHE

Our overall stay was great.
We were told by staff that we couldn’t use the water spigot that was next to our campsite, which we found very offsetting.

Helpful

Erika V

Verified

October 10, 2025 Stayed at: 60, Loop: BSHM

Very nice campground

Helpful

Location & Directions for Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Saylorville Lake Administration Office, Johnston, IA 50131-1941 United States

Elevation: 247 ft

Getting There

From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny/Oralabor Road and go west for 4.8 mi. 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.

Nearest town

Johnston, IA - 3.8 mi

About 8 min to downtown

Highway access

The campground is accessible from I-35 via exit 90, approximately 4.8 miles to the west on Highway 415.

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

Bob Shetler Picnic Area
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Bob Shetler Picnic Area

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Bob Shetler Picnic Area is a day-use facility situated below Saylorville Dam, favored by shoreline fishermen. The surrounding Saylorville Lake Project spans 26,000 acres along the Des Moines River Valley. It offers diverse recreational activities ...

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Cottonwood Recreation Area
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Cottonwood Recreation Area

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Cottonwood Recreation Area is a day-use facility situated below Saylorville Dam, part of the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project. It offers diverse recreational activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, and hunting. The area spans ov...

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Cherry Glen Campground
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Campground / RV park

Cherry Glen Campground

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Cherry Glen Campground is situated on the expansive Saylorville Lake Project, covering 26,000 acres along the Des Moines River Valley. It offers diverse recreational activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, and hunting.

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82 Tent Sites
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Nearby destinations

Explore destination

Johnston

2 mi away

City
Explore destination

Ankeny

5 mi away

Ankeny, Iowa makes a handy base for camping trips, with campgrounds and RV parks near town and easy access to the are...

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Grimes

6 mi away

City

Last updated: October 23, 2026

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Explore Johnston, IA

Population: 24,384

Nearby city: Ankeny, IA

Approx. 5 mi away (straight-line distance)

Elevation: 833 ft

Learn more about Johnston

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