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
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Jill S
VerifiedJune 2, 2025 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BSHM
Womens bathroom was out of toilet paper for a day. Once staff were notified they restocked it. Hand soap dispenser was broken in womens bathroom. Other than the issues with the womens bathroom its a great campground and we enjoyed our stay.
Lauren P
VerifiedJune 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: BSHM
The grass was a little longer than other camo grounds we’ve stayed at. It hit us above our ankles and most sits were barely to the tops of our feet. Also didn’t seem to have wood for sale at the camp ground so had to go into a gas station to get some.
Lauren P
VerifiedJune 1, 2025 • Stayed at: 30, Loop: BSHM
The grass was a little longer than other camo grounds we’ve stayed at. It hit us above our ankles and most sits were barely to the tops of our feet. Also didn’t seem to have wood for sale at the camp ground so had to go into a gas station to get some.
Mary Rita J
VerifiedMay 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BSHM
Nice site, only stayed overnight.
Mary Rita J
VerifiedMay 31, 2025 • Stayed at: 28, Loop: BSHM
Nice site, only stayed overnight.
Shawna H
VerifiedMay 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 66, Loop: BSHM
Bathrooms had no soap. Women's restroom in the east building was locked all weekend so had to drive to the other building. Not ideal.
Shawna H
VerifiedMay 18, 2025 • Stayed at: 66, Loop: BSHM
Bathrooms had no soap. Women's restroom in the east building was locked all weekend so had to drive to the other building. Not ideal.
Pat S
VerifiedOctober 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 47, Loop: BSHM
We booked site 47 that wasn't easy to get in and out of with our 36 foot 5th wheel. The attendant at the gate suggested we drive across an open segment of grass to park in it and then backed out the same way when we departed. There are several more sites like this. They are the ones closest to the dam. There is no way to tell on the website that they are difficult for longer RVs.
Pat S
VerifiedOctober 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 47, Loop: BSHM
We booked site 47 that wasn't easy to get in and out of with our 36 foot 5th wheel. The attendant at the gate suggested we drive across an open segment of grass to park in it and then backed out the same way when we departed. There are several more sites like this. They are the ones closest to the dam. There is no way to tell on the website that they are difficult for longer RVs.
Shar H
VerifiedOctober 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 58, Loop: BSHM
This is a beautiful campsite at the base of the dam. We were wishing to bike the Des Moines area trails and after riding a short distance, we were able to connect to the trails leading to Des Moines. Due to the fact it was a rainy day on one of our visits, the distance to Ankeny was a plus. Everyone at the campground were friendly and helpful. Showers and bathrooms. were clean. We will choose this place to stay again.
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
