About Cottonwood Recreation Area
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
Reviews (61)
What Guests Are Saying
The Cottonwood Recreation Area offers fantastic facilities, including clean shelters, ample tables, and nearby playgrounds and volleyball courts, making it ideal for family events. Guests appreciated the shade and space for activities, with many planning to return. However, some faced challenges due to restroom outages during events, which could be improved.
What Guests Are Saying
The Cottonwood Recreation Area offers fantastic facilities, including clean shelters, ample tables, and nearby playgrounds and volleyball courts, making it ideal for family events. Guests appreciated the shade and space for activities, with many planning to return. However, some faced challenges due to restroom outages during events, which could be improved.
Review Summary
Richard B
May 9, 2026
Rented in the past, tables were clean, shelters were clean, fire places cleaned out. This time, tables all covered in Cobb website, fireplace not emptied, no meet and greet like in the past. Restrooms were so so. May want to re-evaluate this year's contractors.
Emma H
May 23, 2026
Very clean, nice, peaceful and no one was using it when we arrived
Amber R
June 8, 2026
Don’t was clean, trash taken out, sand volleyball court raked and ready for new players. Thank you!
Paul H
June 26, 2026
The park is clean and well kept. It is not fancy, but it is very functional. Shelter 7 is relatively remote and excellent for our team building function. There was a large open area we used for a small corn bags game and there is a nice sand volleyball court we did not use. Overall, a very nice place for outdoor functions I am sure we will use it again.
Linda D
June 29, 2026
Cottonwood perfect place to hold our annual family reunion. Our shelter house had a fireplace, grill, shelter, electrical outlets, picnic tables, trash cans, playground and restrooms very close. Volleyball nets set up and wide open places to play other games.
Mary T
July 28, 2026
Clean, trash bags provided. Very hot day and shelter position shielded the sun so stayed relatively cool in the shelter. We also brought fans.
David K
August 16, 2026
Very nice. This year there were many gnats.
MURALI K
August 29, 2026
Great place for a gathering! The Cottonwood Recreational Shelter was clean, well-maintained, and a great place to spend time with family and friends. We had a wonderful time and really enjoyed our stay. Highly recommend it!
Kyle B
September 12, 2026
Great shelter house
Richard G
September 16, 2026
N/a
Location & Directions for Cottonwood Recreation Area
Saylorville Lake Administration Office, Johnston, IA 50131 United States
Elevation: 246 ft
Getting There
Utilize address 7400 NW 37th Street Ankeny IA 50023 (Not a valid mailing address).
From I-35, take Exit 90 in Ankeny and head approxmately 3.5 mi west to NW 84th Ave. Turn Left on 84th Ave and head south apprximately 1.5 mi to Cottonwood Recreati...
Utilize address 7400 NW 37th Street Ankeny IA 50023 (Not a valid mailing address).
From I-35, take Exit 90 in Ankeny and head approxmately 3.5 mi west to NW 84th Ave. Turn Left on 84th Ave and head south apprximately 1.5 mi to Cottonwood Recreation Area on the right.
Highway access
The Cottonwood Recreation Area is accessible from I-35 via Exit 90 in Ankeny, approximately 3.5 miles east of the campground. From there, NW 84th Ave provides direct access south to the campground.
Policies & Rules
General
- Special Event Permits are required for inflatable bounce houses and water features. Special Event Permits may be required for events that may impact nearby shelters, are open to the public, wedding events, company picnics etc. Please contact the Saylorville Lake Administration Office at 515-276-4656 to inquire.
- Shelters may be reserved up to 4 days in advance. If shelters are not reserved, they are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis
- Playgrounds and restrooms near shelters are open to the public. Reservations apply only to picnic shelters not other amenities.
- Click here for more information
- Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area.
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to Saylorville Lake. Our goal is to make your visit a safe and enjoyable experience. A complete list of rules, Title 36 “Rules and Regulations” and other helpful maps and brochures are available from the Visitor Center, Park Rangers, Park Attendants or Hosts. Please contact any member of our staff if you have questions or need assistance. Please help maintain and protect park facilities and natural resources by following these guidelines when picnicking at Saylorville Lake. PICNIC AREA HOURS: Month of April . May through Labor Day . The day after Labor Day through October . Rules: 1) Clean up is the responsibility of the picnic users. Please clean up all spills and dispose of litter. If you have more trash than the garbage cans hold, please use area dumpsters. Leave the area in the condition you would like to find it. 2) The Possession of Fireworks, explosives, firearms, ammunition, bows or other projectile firing devices is prohibited. 3) The operation and parking of vehicles off roadways is prohibited. 4) Only street legal vehicles are allowed. 5) Amplified sound systems are not allowed without a Special Event Permit. 6) Yard games such as water balloons and egg toss are prohibited. 7) Trailer Roasters are allowed only in parking areas. Do not place hot roasters, grills, skillets or grease pan directly on picnic tables. 8) Pets must be confined or on a leash less than 6 feet long. Pets are not allowed in the restrooms. Please pick up and properly dispose of all pet waste. To contact a Park Ranger during normal business hours Monday—Friday, To contact a Park Ranger after normal business hours, call the Polk County Dispatch at .
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: October 7, 2026
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Elevation: 833 ft
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