Sites & Rates
Average nightly rates60 total sites
RV Sites
60 sites
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
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60 Sites Available
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Reviews (767)
What Guests Are Saying
Bob Shetler Recreation Area is praised for its clean facilities, friendly staff, and spacious campsites, making it a great choice for campers seeking a peaceful retreat. The campground offers easy access to outdoor activities like biking and fishing, and the location near the dam adds to its charm. However, some visitors noted noise from nearby traffic and the need for updates in certain facilities, particularly the shower house.
What Guests Are Saying
Bob Shetler Recreation Area is praised for its clean facilities, friendly staff, and spacious campsites, making it a great choice for campers seeking a peaceful retreat. The campground offers easy access to outdoor activities like biking and fishing, and the location near the dam adds to its charm. However, some visitors noted noise from nearby traffic and the need for updates in certain facilities, particularly the shower house.
Review Summary
Rick G
VerifiedJune 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 63, Loop: BSHM
Very clean campgrounds with wide sites. Only wish they had water and sewer hookup. Really enjoyed the soggy frog marina restaurant and bar. Bathrooms were exceptionally clean.
gordy f
VerifiedJune 19, 2026 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BSHE
Parking lot next to camping area , becomes overly NOISY, Loud vehicles, late nights.
Camping there is great time, just dealing with stuff late ,very late at Night.
Timothy W
VerifiedJune 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 48, Loop: BSHM
Excellent campground with spacious level sites, a few trees, clean bathrooms and showers. Minor point: Access to the nearby hiking trail from the campgound would be nice (and it looks possible) bit instead the trail seems only accessible after a fairly lengthy walk along a road with little or no shoulder.
Louie B
VerifiedJune 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 65, Loop: BSHM
Beautiful setting near dam
David H
VerifiedJune 12, 2026 • Stayed at: 12, Loop: BSHE
The campground is nice but, the noise level was awful on Friday and Saturday night. The parking lot was full of cars, motorcycles, and people making a lot of noise. On Saturday night it was going on till 3 a.m. Hopefully, this will be addressed by the park and get rectified. During the week, it was peaceful and quiet. It really is a nice place as long as they take care of the nuisance in the parking lot. Great place to fish and bike.
Jamie J
VerifiedJune 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 59, Loop: BSHM
JEFF H
VerifiedJune 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 43, Loop: BSHM
This campground has large flat sites. There was very little traffic noise with the exception of kids parked at the top of the dam making some noise on Saturday night. I really liked it there.
Jamie J
VerifiedJune 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 59, Loop: BSHM
DeWayne M
VerifiedJune 9, 2026 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BSHE
NIce clean campground. Friendly staff. Wish there was a way to stop all the traffic at night. On the weekends there are lots of cars by the dam driving through the park. Loud music and squealing tires.
Erika V
VerifiedJune 5, 2026 • Stayed at: 60, Loop: BSHM
Great stay super nice host!
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.
Elevation: 247 feet
3.8 mi drive to downtown Johnston (about 8 min)
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: September 8, 2026
