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
Brett W
VerifiedJuly 10, 2025 • Stayed at: 40, Loop: BSHM
Nice campsites with plenty of space.
Margaret O
VerifiedJuly 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BSHW
Site very level, amenities great. Plenty of room between sites.
Margaret O
VerifiedJuly 8, 2025 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BSHW
Site very level, amenities great. Plenty of room between sites.
Robyn E
VerifiedJuly 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BSHM
Walkable distance to spillway, and very tidy campgrounds - when we started packing up early due to the forecast, the site rep noticed on his rounds and made out a refund since I would be missing out on one of the scheduled nights. Very thoughtful.
Robyn E
VerifiedJuly 7, 2025 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BSHM
Walkable distance to spillway, and very tidy campgrounds - when we started packing up early due to the forecast, the site rep noticed on his rounds and made out a refund since I would be missing out on one of the scheduled nights. Very thoughtful.
Paul B
VerifiedJune 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BSHM
Camp site was fairly level and easy to access. Campground was tidy, bathrooms were clean. Quiet. Not much shade. Easy access to Des Moines. Camp host was friendly.
Paul B
VerifiedJune 26, 2025 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BSHM
Camp site was fairly level and easy to access. Campground was tidy, bathrooms were clean. Quiet. Not much shade. Easy access to Des Moines. Camp host was friendly.
Brock M
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 59, Loop: BSHM
Hosts are great. Very helpful and friendly. Site was level for the most part and area was kept up nicely.
Carl S
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BSHM
We had a great time.
Brad P
VerifiedJune 24, 2025 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BSHE
We have always loved bob shetler but very disappointed in the lack of upgrades that were made during their one year plus shut down.
1.Lack of communication about check in. We called the phone # and recording said no need yo check in but hours later individual in golf cart stopped and made a comment that "we snuck in" on them. Made us wonder what we missed
2.some individual campers using the water hook ups....pretty sure that was not the intent of the new facets
3.same old worn out playground equipment
4. Camping at the bottom of the dam used to be relaxing. Now it's a constant wave of foot traffic. I do realize that comes with the territory. We just won't book those spots
5. Dump station. Same old station. One dump for all of the reservable spots is poor planning. We were really hoping this problem would be solved during the revamp.
6. Dump station. The clean out hose....oh my. That hose is so old and cracked. Someone has tried to fix it with duct tape but it is horrible. It sprays everywhere. It would be better to not have one at all so campers realized they needed their own
In the end we really thought we missed Bob, but I think we will continue at acorn in lieu of Bob
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
