OutReserve

Prairie Flower Recreation Area

Saylorville Lake Administration Office, 5600 Nw 78 Th Avenue, Johnston, Iowa, United States

PRAIRIE FLOWER RECREATION AREA 1
PRAIRIE FLOWER RECREATION AREA 3
PRAIRIE FLOWER RECREATION AREA Playground

Featured amenities

Playground
View all amenities

About Prairie Flower Recreation Area

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.

Number of accommodations: 153

Seasonal information

2026 (Current year)

2026 Season availability

Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - May 1 to Oct 24

Campground Amenities

Most popular amenities

Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups

RV Utilities and Hookups

  • Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene

Water and Hygiene

  • Potable Water
On Site Services

On Site Services

  • Playground
Water Access

Water Access

  • Beach Access
Missing information?

Rates, Sites & Availability

Select check-in and check-out dates to see real-time availability for each site.

153 Sites Available

Site
Price
🚐 A01, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A02, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A03, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A05, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A06, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A07, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A08, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Water & Electric
Price not available
🚐 A09, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A10, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A11, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A12, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A13, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A14, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A15, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A16, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A17, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A18, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A19, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A20, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A21, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A22, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A23, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A24, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A25, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A26, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A27, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A28, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A29, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A30, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 A31, Loop: ASTE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B32, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B38, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B39, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B40, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B41, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B42, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B43, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B44, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B45, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B46, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B47, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B48, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B49, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B50, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B51, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B52, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B53, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B54, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B55, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B56, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B57, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B58, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B59, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B60, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B61, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B62, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B63, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B64, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B65, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B66, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B67, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B68, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 B69, Loop: BLAZ
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C100, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C101, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C102, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C103, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C104, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C105, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C106, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C107, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C108, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C109, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C110, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C111, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C112, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C70, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C71, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C72, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C73, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C74, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C75, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C76, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C77, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C78, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C79, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C80, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C81, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C82, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C83, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C84, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C85, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C86, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C87, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C88, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C89, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C90, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C91, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C92, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C93, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C94, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C95, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C96, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C97, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C98, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 C99, Loop: CONE
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D113, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D114 & D115, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D116, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D117, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D118, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D119, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D120, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D121, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D122, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D123, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D124, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D125, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D126, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D127, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D128, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D129, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D130, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D131, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D132, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D133, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D135, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D137, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 D138, Loop: DOGB
50 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 E149, Loop: ELDE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 F153, Loop: FLEA
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H173, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H174, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H175, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H176, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H177, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H178, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H179, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H180, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H181, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H182, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H183, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H184, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H185, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H186, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H187, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H188, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H189, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 H190, Loop: HONE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 J205, Loop: JUNE
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 K213, Loop: KNAP
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 M231, Loop: MAYW
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available
🚐 O251, Loop: OX-E
30 Amp · Electric Only
Price not available

Reviews (618)

Verified Only

What Guests Are Saying

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is a well-maintained campground featuring spacious, clean sites with large concrete pads and excellent facilities, including spotless restrooms and friendly staff. Many visitors appreciate the quiet atmosphere and proximity to recreational activities in nearby Ames, Ankeny, and Des Moines. Some suggestions for improvement include adding more paved sites and addressing overgrown grass and weeds, but overall, guests express a strong desire to return for future visits.

Review Summary

4.6
618 reviews
5
73.8%
456
4
17.0%
105
3
5.7%
35
2
1.8%
11
1
1.8%
11

Dan O

Verified

June 6, 2025 • Stayed at: C87, Loop: CONE

4

R

James N

Verified

June 3, 2025 • Stayed at: B69, Loop: BLAZ

5

Clean, peaceful, quiet

Roger J C

Verified

May 31, 2025 • Stayed at: D121, Loop: DOGB

5

The improvements that they have completed make this a top-notch campground. However, we are already seeing the beginnings of issues in care that the loss of funding and staffing will create. The grass should have been mowed before Memorial Day weekend and other than a once-per-day drive through by the Ranger and the host staff at the entry building a couple hours each day, there was no presence in the park. We'll be there later in August and I'm hoping that conditions can be maintained.

Larry J

Verified

May 29, 2025 • Stayed at: C76, Loop: CONE

4

Very nice, clean, would have been 5 stars, but, the shower temperature in shower house #3 was a best luke warm. On cooler days, we drove down to shower house #4 where the temperature was somewhat better.

Timothy L

Verified

May 27, 2025 • Stayed at: C74, Loop: CONE

5

Beautiful campground, well maintained with spacious sites. Located in an upscale area conveniently close to restaurants and shops. Wonderful for all types of outdoor activities.
Water for showers is barely warm enough but is too warm for the sinks.
Otherwise very nice bath house kept clean and in good condition.

Sherie D

Verified

May 27, 2025 • Stayed at: H177, Loop: HONE

5

Beautiful sites, well maintained.

Mikel R

Verified

May 27, 2025 • Stayed at: D117, Loop: DOGB

5

very nice site and clean facilities.

Tom M

Verified

May 27, 2025 • Stayed at: C91, Loop: CONE

4

Prairie Flower campgrounds are excellent. The web site to change reservations could be improved in my opinion.

Russell C

Verified

May 27, 2025 • Stayed at: C93, Loop: CONE

5

My wife and I always enjoy staying at Prairie Flower Conservation campgrounds.

Craig K

Verified

May 26, 2025 • Stayed at: C75, Loop: CONE

5

Sites are clean ready, bathrooms also.

Location Prairie Flower Recreation Area

Address:
Saylorville Lake Administration Office, 5600 Nw 78 Th Avenue
Johnston, IA, 50131-1941
United States

Highway access

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is accessible via Iowa State Highway 415, which is approximately 5 miles to the east. Interstate 80 is about 20 miles to the north.

Latitude & Longitude: 41.7483 / -93.6875

Elevation: 286 feet

Map of Prairie Flower Recreation Area location at Johnston, IA, United States
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Policies & Rules

Arrival & departure

Check in time

2PM

Check out time

12PM

General

  • Click here for more information
  • Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area.
  • 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.

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Oak Grove Picnic Area

Oak Grove Picnic Area

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Oak Grove Picnic Area is a day-use facility at Saylorville Lake, spanning 26,000 acres along the Des Moines River Valley. It offers various recreational activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, and hunting. The area is designed for o...

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Cherry Glen Picnic
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Cherry Glen Picnic

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Cherry Glen Picnic Area is a day-use facility within the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project along the Des Moines River Valley. It offers various recreational activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, and hunting. The area spans over...

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Sandpiper Recreation Area

Sandpiper Recreation Area

Johnston, IA

Sandpiper Recreation Area is a day-use facility within the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project along the Des Moines River Valley. It offers diverse recreational activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, and hunting. The area spans ov...

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Nearby destinations

Ankeny
Johnston
Alleman

Last updated: June 3, 2026

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Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers