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
Gary G
VerifiedAugust 25, 2022 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: BSHM
Well maintained campground
Mark S
VerifiedAugust 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BSHW
Our stay at Site#: 10
Saturday 13AUG2022 - Tuesday 16AUG2022
30amp electric, no water, no sewer
level gravel pad, very easy pull through
Mark S
VerifiedAugust 24, 2022 • Stayed at: 10, Loop: BSHW
Our stay at Site#: 10
Saturday 13AUG2022 - Tuesday 16AUG2022
30amp electric, no water, no sewer
level gravel pad, very easy pull through
Richard W
VerifiedAugust 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BSHW
Fix the bathroom or at least let people know the bathroom is closed. The next bathroom was a mile away and filthy
Richard W
VerifiedAugust 17, 2022 • Stayed at: 05, Loop: BSHW
Fix the bathroom or at least let people know the bathroom is closed. The next bathroom was a mile away and filthy
Michael D
VerifiedAugust 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 68, Loop: BSHM
Great spot when passing through to ride motorcyles out west. Bring your own wood because both times we stayed here there was nobody to check you in.
Michael D
VerifiedAugust 15, 2022 • Stayed at: 68, Loop: BSHM
Great spot when passing through to ride motorcyles out west. Bring your own wood because both times we stayed here there was nobody to check you in.
Sheila C
VerifiedAugust 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 54, Loop: BSHM
We're retired and both have health issues, so cannot always make don't like to make reservations that we might not be able to keep. Hate to arrive at a campground where all the sites are reserved but very few are actually occupied.
Sheila C
VerifiedAugust 14, 2022 • Stayed at: 54, Loop: BSHM
We're retired and both have health issues, so cannot always make don't like to make reservations that we might not be able to keep. Hate to arrive at a campground where all the sites are reserved but very few are actually occupied.
Robert B
VerifiedAugust 12, 2022 • Stayed at: 32, Loop: BSHM
There are three separate areas within the campground. Two are smaller and less desirable imo due since they’re right next to parking lots and/or a seem a little run down. The bigger section is great but could use a few more trees. Signal strength for both Verizon and T-Mobile was great. The trails and the COE visitors center were great. Fishing by the dam outlet is crowded but seemed well worth it. They were catching Catfish, White Bass and bait fish everyday we were there. The place is close enough to town if needed but beautifully secluded if not. Lots of bike paths
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
