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
Lori S
VerifiedMay 17, 2023 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BSHM
Very quiet campground and you don’t have people just driving through. Having a paved campsite would have received an excellent rating.
jack s
VerifiedMay 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 49, Loop: BSHM
Campsites were basic but we knew what we were getting. We have stayed many times at Glen Cherry and Prairie Flower which we love.
The problem was that it appeared that the rest rooms were not cleaned for the entire weekend that we were there. This was very disappointing.
Note also
My wife saw that the women's showers had curtains for closure which she did not like.
Also, the showers were constructed so that it was hard not to get everything wet with the shower area.
jack s
VerifiedMay 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 49, Loop: BSHM
Campsites were basic but we knew what we were getting. We have stayed many times at Glen Cherry and Prairie Flower which we love.
The problem was that it appeared that the rest rooms were not cleaned for the entire weekend that we were there. This was very disappointing.
Note also
My wife saw that the women's showers had curtains for closure which she did not like.
Also, the showers were constructed so that it was hard not to get everything wet with the shower area.
Gregory C
VerifiedMay 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 41, Loop: BSHM
Nice RV park, but admit I’m spoiled by Prairie Flower. Paved sites at Bob Shelter would be a huge improvement. Restrooms are decent, but a refresh would be nice. Biggest drawback is only one oddly placed Dump Station. The Attendants are terrific, and the DNR and Sheriff Patrols are comforting.
Gregory C
VerifiedMay 12, 2023 • Stayed at: 41, Loop: BSHM
Nice RV park, but admit I’m spoiled by Prairie Flower. Paved sites at Bob Shelter would be a huge improvement. Restrooms are decent, but a refresh would be nice. Biggest drawback is only one oddly placed Dump Station. The Attendants are terrific, and the DNR and Sheriff Patrols are comforting.
Linda H
VerifiedMay 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BSHE
Clean restrooms and showers. Nice place to fish. Enjoyed our site by the river. Bike path near by.
Linda H
VerifiedMay 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 14, Loop: BSHE
Clean restrooms and showers. Nice place to fish. Enjoyed our site by the river. Bike path near by.
Ross H
VerifiedMay 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BSHE
We were at site 13 near the river. What a beautiful area. We had plumbing problems with our 5th wheel but, luckily, there was a water pump nearby. We’ll be back again next year.
Ross H
VerifiedMay 9, 2023 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BSHE
We were at site 13 near the river. What a beautiful area. We had plumbing problems with our 5th wheel but, luckily, there was a water pump nearby. We’ll be back again next year.
Orion H
VerifiedMay 7, 2023 • Stayed at: 66, Loop: BSHM
Reserve online only is a bit annoying. Then amenities are outdated and could use some modern touches and definitely some wind breaks.
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
