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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Bob Shetler Recreation Area.
Rates, Sites & Availability
60 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
john f
VerifiedJune 13, 2023 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: BSHM
..
David P
VerifiedJune 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
Nice pull through and level gravel site, quiet , some temporary construction but not a bad issue, water and dump station were good, for the price it's a great deal, quick and easy access to the bike trails, we are coming back in July on the east side by the dam
David P
VerifiedJune 8, 2023 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
Nice pull through and level gravel site, quiet , some temporary construction but not a bad issue, water and dump station were good, for the price it's a great deal, quick and easy access to the bike trails, we are coming back in July on the east side by the dam
Teresa C
June 5, 2023
This was our first time camping at Bob Shetler West campground and it was very enjoyable. Very quiet and relaxing.
Teresa C
June 5, 2023
This was our first time camping at Bob Shetler West campground and it was very enjoyable. Very quiet and relaxing.
Robert or Kathy K
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BSHE
This is a great, level, paved spot. You’ll want to bring a canopy to help with the afternoon sun because you’ll lose your shade as the day progresses. One other minor thing is the parking lot light across the river from this site shines bright (which is good) and if they could tip it just a little bit more downward, it would not be quite so blinding to everyone across the way. Shower house is clean, bring something to step on or wear swim socks so you don’t slip on the wet concrete. Plenty of hot water and good pressure no matter the time of day we used the showers. Several close by fishing options either from the bank or from a boat. Location of the park itself is excellent to get any needed supplies from Johnston or Ankeny. For rainy evenings where you can’t cook outside, there are some great restaurants close by also. Located close to Camp Dodge, so there is the military museum, great roadside stop area for an overview and for little and big kids alike to see a tank and plane up close.
Robert or Kathy K
VerifiedJune 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 17, Loop: BSHE
This is a great, level, paved spot. You’ll want to bring a canopy to help with the afternoon sun because you’ll lose your shade as the day progresses. One other minor thing is the parking lot light across the river from this site shines bright (which is good) and if they could tip it just a little bit more downward, it would not be quite so blinding to everyone across the way. Shower house is clean, bring something to step on or wear swim socks so you don’t slip on the wet concrete. Plenty of hot water and good pressure no matter the time of day we used the showers. Several close by fishing options either from the bank or from a boat. Location of the park itself is excellent to get any needed supplies from Johnston or Ankeny. For rainy evenings where you can’t cook outside, there are some great restaurants close by also. Located close to Camp Dodge, so there is the military museum, great roadside stop area for an overview and for little and big kids alike to see a tank and plane up close.
Robert E
VerifiedJune 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: BSHM
Quiet location. Friendly attendants. Close to great ebiking trails and fishing.
Robert E
VerifiedJune 2, 2023 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: BSHM
Quiet location. Friendly attendants. Close to great ebiking trails and fishing.
Sandra W
VerifiedMay 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 45, Loop: BSHM
Never had camped here before but due to the closure of Prairie Flower, Cherry Glen & Howell Station camping is very limited!! Don’t know why they closed all at same time!!
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
