Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates60 total sites
RV Sites
60 sites
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
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 (767)
What Guests Are Saying
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.
What Guests Are Saying
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.
Review Summary
Sheri B
VerifiedJuly 29, 2026 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
Beautiful location and well kept grounds. A shame visiting fishers leave so much litter on the rocks and back areas. Restrooms and showers clean and well maintained. Level sites. Only drawback was check in absent or scattered which causes worry wort spouse consternation.
KatherineMarie C
VerifiedJuly 28, 2026 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
Friendly camp staff. Beautiful location. It was the perfect place for us to shelter for a storm on our trip across country. Clean bathrooms and good water temperature and pressure in the showers.
Patrick H
VerifiedJuly 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
It was easy access and a clean park area. We did enjoy the quietness of the park. We would stay again if in the area.
Brooke S
VerifiedJuly 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 56, Loop: BSHM
Great experience
Janet S
VerifiedJuly 11, 2026 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BSHE
I hardly ever grow out when I’m camping. I always take TV dinners but this time it was my birthday weekend and I thought I would grill out well your girl would not come over the fire. It was stuck. It would’ve been nice if I could grilled out.
Crystal N
VerifiedJuly 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: BSHM
Nice campground. It's below and next to Saylorville dam. This site requires only minor leveling. Roads are paved and decent. Campground is easy to navigate. Restrooms are maintained and kept clean. Water pressure in the shower was strong.
JIM L
VerifiedJuly 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 19, Loop: BSHE
Great place to camp you can go kayaking close to bike trails and fishing
Tim L
VerifiedJuly 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: BSHM
Nice site's
Clean and quiet
Dennis R
VerifiedJune 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 31, Loop: BSHM
It was a quiet campground. Access to the DM area was quick and easy. Lots were nice sized.
Dana H
VerifiedJune 30, 2026 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BSHM
Great place to unwind. Invited friends for a cookout. Love the dam.
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.
Elevation: 247 feet
3.8 mi drive to downtown Johnston (about 8 min)
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: September 8, 2026
