About Bob Shetler Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 60
Campground Amenities
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Pet Friendly -
Potable Water -
River Access -
Dump Station
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Sites & Availability
60 Sites Available
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Site Details
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60 Sites Available
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Reviews (350)
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
Pat S
VerifiedOctober 24, 2023 • Stayed at: 47, Loop: BSHM
We booked site 47 that wasn't easy to get in and out of with our 36 foot 5th wheel. The attendant at the gate suggested we drive across an open segment of grass to park in it and then backed out the same way when we departed. There are several more sites like this. They are the ones closest to the dam. There is no way to tell on the website that they are difficult for longer RVs.
Shar H
VerifiedOctober 22, 2023 • Stayed at: 58, Loop: BSHM
This is a beautiful campsite at the base of the dam. We were wishing to bike the Des Moines area trails and after riding a short distance, we were able to connect to the trails leading to Des Moines. Due to the fact it was a rainy day on one of our visits, the distance to Ankeny was a plus. Everyone at the campground were friendly and helpful. Showers and bathrooms. were clean. We will choose this place to stay again.
Sandra W
VerifiedOctober 15, 2023 • Stayed at: 15, Loop: BSHE
Great camp hosts! Too bad our Gov closed So many campgrounds this year - construction didn’t need to take all summer! Low bid is not always the best
Rob L
October 15, 2023
They need to crack down on the kids and immature adults with their loud mufflers racing back and forth past the campground. It can be a nice evening and then have to listen to the constant noise pollution from the idiots and their wanna be race cars constantly going back and forth.
Paul H
VerifiedOctober 11, 2023 • Stayed at: 54, Loop: BSHM
Nice area close to town to get supplies. Plenty to do and quiet
Dennis S
October 7, 2023
Dump station is not level
Steve M
VerifiedOctober 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 57, Loop: BSHM
Camping at Bob Shetler was generally a very good experience. Sites are spacious. We hope to come back again. Shower building did not appear to have been cleaned every day, but was clean enough.
Tom S
VerifiedOctober 5, 2023 • Stayed at: 52, Loop: BSHM
Some folks might freak out realizing they are camping at the bottom of a dam with millions of gallons of water, far above your camping level. I was OK with it, I got to sleep OK. The navigation of the park was weird. The dump and fresh water was at the rear of the campground. If you don't have water you should go there first to fill or dump. If you go to your campsite first, the roads are one way, arranged so you'll have to leave the campground and come back in the entrance to access the water/dump site at the rear of the campground. At the end of your stay, to dump you'll have to exit the campground and enter again to get access to the dump in the rear of the campground. It's a weird arrangement, poorly engineered by COE, IMO. Other than that, the park was clean and quite, very quiet. The access streets to get to the park are a bit long and twist from the interstate. The signage isn't good IMO, needs to be improved coming from both directions, west side and east side entrance routes.
Kathy B
VerifiedOctober 4, 2023 • Stayed at: 16, Loop: BSHE
We had a very good stay at Bob Shetler. We stayed in site #16, which has a concrete pad, which is super nice! The only reason we gave it 4 stars instead of 5 stars was because the concrete at the dump station leans slightly away from the drain instead of toward the drain!! Which makes it harder to completely drain your holding tanks!!
Cyndi M
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2023 • Stayed at: 62, Loop: BSHM
Very nice, clean & comfortable.
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.
Latitude & Longitude: 41.7017 / -93.6853
Elevation: 247 feet
Policies & Rules
| Category | About |
|---|---|
| General |
Click here for more information |
| General |
Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area. |
| General |
Saylorville Lake Campground RulesCamping: Allowed only at designated campsites. Reservations must be made in advance before setting up camping equipment.Campsite Registration: Campsites may only be registered to individuals 18 years or older, who must occupy the site for the full duration. Each campsite accommodates 1 family unit (up to 8 people) and allows either 3 tents OR 1 RV and 2 tents.Check-out time: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Check-in time: 2:00 p.m.Vacating & Registration: Campsites must be vacated or registration renewed by 12:00 p.m. on the due date. Camping is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period.Parking: Reserving campsites by parking vehicles or leaving items is prohibited. All vehicles (including boats/trailers) must be parked at your campsite or in designated areas. No parking on grass, roadsides, or vacant sites. Please ensure your visitors follow parking rules.Vehicle Operation: All vehicles (including mopeds and bicycles) must comply with Federal, State, and local laws. Stay on designated roads and use vehicles only for entering or exiting sites. UTVs, ATVs, and golf carts are not allowed in campgrounds or parks.Quiet Hours: From 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Campgrounds are restricted to registered campers during these hours. Visitors must leave by 10:00 p.m. Gates remain open 24/7.Trash Disposal: Use designated dumpsters only. Do not leave trash in fire rings, grills, or shower building cans. Remove all personal items and litter before departure. Recycling containers are available. Dumpsters are for trash generated on USACE property only.Grey Water Disposal: Grey water (from dishes, baths, soap, grease, etc.) must be collected and disposed of properly. Do not drain it on campsites or use it to water vegetation. Improper disposal creates odors, health issues, and attracts animals.Pets: Must be confined or leashed (6 feet or shorter) at all times. E-collars are not sufficient. Pets may not be left unattended and are not allowed in bathrooms or shower buildings. Pick up and dispose of waste properly.Firewood: Not available for purchase on-site. You may gather only fallen deadwood. Do not cut or damage trees, vegetation, or natural features. Firewood may be brought from home or purchased from off-site vendors.Pools & Water Games: Pools of any size or slip-n-slides and sprinklers are prohibited. Water tables are allowed.Prohibited Items: Fireworks, explosives, loaded firearms, ammunition, bows, and other projectile devices are not allowed.Smoking: Not allowed inside restrooms or shower buildings.Grills & Picnic Tables: Do not place grills or hot materials on picnic tables—use attached grill guards. Site holders are responsible for any damage or replacements.Yard Games: Games such as water balloons or egg toss are prohibited due to litter. Balloon pieces are non-biodegradable and harmful to pets and wildlife.Pet Leashes & Hammocks: Do not tie leashes, ropes, or chains to trees or shrubs. Hammocks may be used only on trees 6 inches or more in diameter to avoid damage.Alcoholic Beverages: Permitted for those 21 and older at all campgrounds.Hangtags: Registered campers may receive hangtags for access to beach and boat ramp day-use areas. Hangtags must be properly displayed.Golden Age/Access Passports: These and America the Beautiful Senior/Access Passes provide a 50% discount on recreation fees. The cardholder must present the card and ID during registration and be present for the stay. Fraudulent use is prohibited.Washing Equipment: Washing of RVs, trailers, vehicles, or equipment is not allowed at campgrounds or day-use areas. Use local wash facilities instead.Deliveries: Personal package deliveries (Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc.) should be sent to your home, business, or a local postal facility. Saylorville Lake campgrounds, the Administration Building, and Visitor Center do not accept or hold deliveries.Equipment & Vehicle Storage: Reserving extra campsites solely to store equipment or vehicles is not allowed. Use designated overflow or additional parking during your stay.Water Spigots: Water spigots are for temporary use only to fill freshwater tanks. Do not use continuous hoses, Y-splitters, or attachments. Continuous hookups are only allowed at campsites with water service. |
