About Bob Shetler Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 60
Campground Amenities
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Pet Friendly
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Potable Water
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River Access
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Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
60 Sites Available
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Site Details
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60 Sites Available
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Reviews (350)
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
Donald S
VerifiedJune 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 63, Loop: BSHM
Quiet and very peaceful weekend.
Lynne H
VerifiedJune 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 07, Loop: BSHW
Love camping at Bob's Shelter! It's a relaxing environment but busy with visitors driving through or people fishing. Love to hear the Dam flow..
Robert or Kathy K
VerifiedJune 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BSHE
Great place and location. We were at site 12 right on the river below the spillway. Everything was great except the bathroom access for wheelchairs. The facilities closest to the campsite doesn’t provide a big enough stall for wheelchairs and the facilities across the river have a doorway entry that’s too high for a wheelchair to go in or out of safely. Other than that issue, everything was clean, fun and the picnic tables were in great condition. The concrete pads make for easy leveling too. If they could do something about the bathrooms, this would be a 10 out of 10 spot for us. Close to everything too. If you forgot anything, stores are within a few miles. Can even order food from several close by restaurants. We spent 9 nights and wish we’d had made it for a couple more days.
Roger J C
VerifiedJune 7, 2022 • Stayed at: 53, Loop: BSHM
Always a great place to stay and very convenient. Camp hosts were kind, friendly and helpful. Spaces are wide and long and spaced nicely apart. However,the infrastructure could use some upgrading to 50 amp service. The trees have had a tough last couple of years and there could be the addition of a couple hundred trees easily. But this continues to be an easy place to reserve and stay.
LISA B
VerifiedJune 6, 2022 • Stayed at: 27, Loop: BSHM
Peaceful campground, wonderful people at the check in desk!
Gary N
VerifiedJune 3, 2022 • Stayed at: 36, Loop: BSHM
Good location with a disc golf course close by. Check in was easy and the rangers were helpful. It can get pretty noisy late night on top of the dam with cars/bikes. Glad I had my noise cancelling headphones. Lots of activities close by.
Carl S
VerifiedDecember 19, 2021 • Stayed at: 33, Loop: BSHM
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GANG W
VerifiedOctober 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
Nice park. Sites are close together and offer electric service only. Nearby water is the dam outflow of the man made Saylorville lake and is extremely popular with fishermen. Park is easy to get to and traverse.
Peggy E
VerifiedOctober 25, 2021 • Stayed at: 50, Loop: BSHM
Biking the Neil Smith trail was awesome! Staff keeps everything clean and tidy. Love the spacious lots. Hope some day 50 Amp service is provided.
Bill G
VerifiedOctober 24, 2021 • Stayed at: 68, Loop: BSHM
Great place to camp.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 41.7017 / -93.6853
Elevation: 247 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Click here for more information |
| General |
Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area. |
| General |
Saylorville Lake Campground RulesCamping: Allowed only at designated campsites. Reservations must be made in advance before setting up camping equipment.Campsite Registration: Campsites may only be registered to individuals 18 years or older, who must occupy the site for the full duration. Each campsite accommodates 1 family unit (up to 8 people) and allows either 3 tents OR 1 RV and 2 tents.Check-out time: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Check-in time: 2:00 p.m.Vacating & Registration: Campsites must be vacated or registration renewed by 12:00 p.m. on the due date. Camping is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period.Parking: Reserving campsites by parking vehicles or leaving items is prohibited. All vehicles (including boats/trailers) must be parked at your campsite or in designated areas. No parking on grass, roadsides, or vacant sites. Please ensure your visitors follow parking rules.Vehicle Operation: All vehicles (including mopeds and bicycles) must comply with Federal, State, and local laws. Stay on designated roads and use vehicles only for entering or exiting sites. UTVs, ATVs, and golf carts are not allowed in campgrounds or parks.Quiet Hours: From 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Campgrounds are restricted to registered campers during these hours. Visitors must leave by 10:00 p.m. Gates remain open 24/7.Trash Disposal: Use designated dumpsters only. Do not leave trash in fire rings, grills, or shower building cans. Remove all personal items and litter before departure. Recycling containers are available. Dumpsters are for trash generated on USACE property only.Grey Water Disposal: Grey water (from dishes, baths, soap, grease, etc.) must be collected and disposed of properly. Do not drain it on campsites or use it to water vegetation. Improper disposal creates odors, health issues, and attracts animals.Pets: Must be confined or leashed (6 feet or shorter) at all times. E-collars are not sufficient. Pets may not be left unattended and are not allowed in bathrooms or shower buildings. Pick up and dispose of waste properly.Firewood: Not available for purchase on-site. You may gather only fallen deadwood. Do not cut or damage trees, vegetation, or natural features. Firewood may be brought from home or purchased from off-site vendors.Pools & Water Games: Pools of any size or slip-n-slides and sprinklers are prohibited. Water tables are allowed.Prohibited Items: Fireworks, explosives, loaded firearms, ammunition, bows, and other projectile devices are not allowed.Smoking: Not allowed inside restrooms or shower buildings.Grills & Picnic Tables: Do not place grills or hot materials on picnic tables—use attached grill guards. Site holders are responsible for any damage or replacements.Yard Games: Games such as water balloons or egg toss are prohibited due to litter. Balloon pieces are non-biodegradable and harmful to pets and wildlife.Pet Leashes & Hammocks: Do not tie leashes, ropes, or chains to trees or shrubs. Hammocks may be used only on trees 6 inches or more in diameter to avoid damage.Alcoholic Beverages: Permitted for those 21 and older at all campgrounds.Hangtags: Registered campers may receive hangtags for access to beach and boat ramp day-use areas. Hangtags must be properly displayed.Golden Age/Access Passports: These and America the Beautiful Senior/Access Passes provide a 50% discount on recreation fees. The cardholder must present the card and ID during registration and be present for the stay. Fraudulent use is prohibited.Washing Equipment: Washing of RVs, trailers, vehicles, or equipment is not allowed at campgrounds or day-use areas. Use local wash facilities instead.Deliveries: Personal package deliveries (Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc.) should be sent to your home, business, or a local postal facility. Saylorville Lake campgrounds, the Administration Building, and Visitor Center do not accept or hold deliveries.Equipment & Vehicle Storage: Reserving extra campsites solely to store equipment or vehicles is not allowed. Use designated overflow or additional parking during your stay.Water Spigots: Water spigots are for temporary use only to fill freshwater tanks. Do not use continuous hoses, Y-splitters, or attachments. Continuous hookups are only allowed at campsites with water service. |