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
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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
Gail Y
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 60, Loop: BSHM
It was nice and peaceful. The camping spot are a good size.
sheila w
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BSHM
The place was nice. However, harleys drive thru the park all hrs of days and night. Also my camp site was full of dog poo from others dogs. So I had to pick up others messes.
Att service was spotty till you get to the top of the dam
sheila w
VerifiedSeptember 23, 2022 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BSHM
The place was nice. However, harleys drive thru the park all hrs of days and night. Also my camp site was full of dog poo from others dogs. So I had to pick up others messes.
Att service was spotty till you get to the top of the dam
Daniel M
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 45, Loop: BSHM
The campground is well set up, especially for folks with RVs or campers. Every site has an electric hook up, fire pit, and picnic table and there are a few water spigots around the campground so some sites will get lucky and be right by one. The dump station and water fill are fairly convenient at the far end of the loop, though you do have to go out the exit and make a loop through to get to them because of the layout. The restrooms were pretty good and they do have private shower stalls, though I didn't try them during my stay. The location right next to the dam makes getting to Saylorville lake quick and convenient and the same goes for the other recreation areas nearby.
Daniel M
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2022 • Stayed at: 45, Loop: BSHM
The campground is well set up, especially for folks with RVs or campers. Every site has an electric hook up, fire pit, and picnic table and there are a few water spigots around the campground so some sites will get lucky and be right by one. The dump station and water fill are fairly convenient at the far end of the loop, though you do have to go out the exit and make a loop through to get to them because of the layout. The restrooms were pretty good and they do have private shower stalls, though I didn't try them during my stay. The location right next to the dam makes getting to Saylorville lake quick and convenient and the same goes for the other recreation areas nearby.
Misty J
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BSHM
It was pleasant other than the rain that affected our day on Saturday which didn't give us a chance to really do much.
Misty J
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2022 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BSHM
It was pleasant other than the rain that affected our day on Saturday which didn't give us a chance to really do much.
Roberta B
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: BSHM
It was nice.
Roberta B
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2022 • Stayed at: 44, Loop: BSHM
It was nice.
Roger O
VerifiedSeptember 9, 2022 • Stayed at: 54, Loop: BSHM
Very nice place. Visit the visitor center.
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
