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
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 (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
Michael L
VerifiedAugust 22, 2026 • Stayed at: 51, Loop: BSHM
The COE campgrounds seem to always display the best of layout and maintenance. I always look for a COE along any route I travel.
Wendy H
VerifiedAugust 21, 2026 • Stayed at: 59, Loop: BSHM
It is very nice clean friendly and lots are good sized and little traffic
Anthony s
VerifiedAugust 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 20, Loop: BSHE
The restrooms were very clean and people are friendly was nice cpl days out there
Levi L
VerifiedAugust 17, 2026 • Stayed at: 49, Loop: BSHM
It was decent. Had a loose dog run into my campsite and cause some trouble though
Tanner C
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 42, Loop: BSHM
The grounds, facilities and hosting staff were amazing. The only downfall in the 2 weeks i stayed would be all crotchrockets and wanna be fast and furious drivers revving their engines and doing burn outs right above us on the dam and down on the backwoods next to camp all day and night.
Matt H
VerifiedAugust 16, 2026 • Stayed at: 04, Loop: BSHW
I like it
Susan D
VerifiedAugust 15, 2026 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BSHM
Very quiet and peaceful
Susan S
VerifiedAugust 7, 2026 • Stayed at: 68, Loop: BSHM
I really like this campground. The spaces are roomy. There are showers and flush toilets. (The bathroom could use updating). It is easy access to bike trails. There was a lot to do in the area.
The campsites are below the dam. So there is no great vista unless you climb the hill. Sites have electric and there is a good dump station with potable water.
KATHY C
VerifiedAugust 6, 2026 • Stayed at: 34, Loop: BSHM
The campground is run by the Army Corp of Engineers and is at the spillway of the dam. Johnston seems to be a quiet town with quite a bit to do. The campground was easy to find and was super quiet. We were there from Sat-Wed, so there were not many campers after Sunday. We were in the main campground; the sites are larger than other places we have been, mostly level and shade at most sites. There are 2 clean shower houses with free showers and flush toilets. We were at site 34 by the playground and shower house. There is a water spicket to fill your tank if needed, but there is no water at each site. We really enjoyed the quiet and will definitely return to this campground.
HENRY K
VerifiedAugust 4, 2026 • Stayed at: 29, Loop: BSHM
Bob Shetler is a cozy stopover not far from I-80. This was our second stay here. No frills, but nice facilities at very reasonable cost. We were treated to a multiple fireworks displays on July 4, official and otherwise.
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
