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
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 Then amenities are outdated and could use some modern touches and definitely some wind breaks.
chad s
VerifiedDecember 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 46, Loop: BSHM
quiet, lots of places to go with dogs
chad s
VerifiedDecember 5, 2022 • Stayed at: 46, Loop: BSHM
quiet, lots of places to go with dogs
Melisa P
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
We enjoyed our weekend stay. We had a pull through site which was great for our larger 5th wheel. We were close to a walking trail and saw several other visitors fishing along the banks. We plan to come back next year!
Kyle W
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 52, Loop: BSHM
Very pretty place with a super nice staff!
Melisa P
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 02, Loop: BSHW
We enjoyed our weekend stay. We had a pull through site which was great for our larger 5th wheel. We were close to a walking trail and saw several other visitors fishing along the banks. We plan to come back next year!
Bryan C
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: BSHW
This is a great campground and is very close to the north and west sides of metro DSM. I was here in October and only had a few neighbors. Sites only have 30 amp service, but w/o needing a/c that is plenty. Don’t forget, your National Park pass gets you a $10 camp fee! Best bargain ever!!
Bryan C
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 08, Loop: BSHW
This is a great campground and is very close to the north and west sides of metro DSM. I was here in October and only had a few neighbors. Sites only have 30 amp service, but w/o needing a/c that is plenty. Don’t forget, your National Park pass gets you a $10 camp fee! Best bargain ever!!
Kyle W
VerifiedOctober 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 52, Loop: BSHM
Very pretty place with a super nice staff!
Sarah N
VerifiedOctober 16, 2022 • Stayed at: 59, Loop: BSHM
Camp sites were spaced out well. Water and dump station seemed like they were in the wrong spot. The way the dump station is tilted was hard to actually empty the tanks.
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
