OutReserve

Prairie Flower Recreation Area

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

Featured amenities

Playground

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)

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

Daren L

Verified

November 6, 2024 Stayed at: C96, Loop: CONE

5

Great campground, only wish that you could stay longer than noon on your last day

Linda C

Verified

October 29, 2024 Stayed at: D114 & D115, Loop: DOGB

5

Bike trail is fantastic. And hiking trail around campground was nice too

Susan K

Verified

October 27, 2024 Stayed at: C87, Loop: CONE

3

Be ready to clean your concrete pad when you arrive. Could be cooking grease or kids chalk. There won’t be a water source near by so make sure you have a bucket to carry water to the pad. I think the kids chalk is the worse because that stuff gets tracked all over the place. Maybe a chalk pad by the playground would be better instead the camping pad. I enjoy the Bald eagles playing in the morning. The sounds of wild turkeys that live in the camping area. The beautiful view and sunsets. The sounds of coyotes at night. The sailboat races on Wednesdays. Each year it seams to get more wild and natural. Now if the humans would not make such a mess and leave it for the next camper it would be great.

Susan K

Verified

October 26, 2024 Stayed at: C92, Loop: CONE

3

Come early to clean the camping area. Fish hooks , chalk and garbage. I thought they added the time between the check out and check in so they can make sure the place is campable. Nope. Covered in kids chalk. Just what I want in my camper that I spent so much money on. Tracking chalk all week in your camper. Make it so you can hose it down from the grill grease and whatever is all over the concrete.

Paul Z

Verified

October 25, 2024 Stayed at: C96, Loop: CONE

5

Easy In Easy Out, nice campsites.

Debbie P

Verified

October 23, 2024 Stayed at: H185, Loop: HONE

4

Very nice place. Only complaint is my campsite was too close to the highway and the traffic noise kept up all night. Plenty of options if I had realized the highway was so close I would have chosen a different site.

Matthew L

Verified

October 22, 2024 Stayed at: D137, Loop: DOGB

5

Please pave the sites in A loop

Becky D

Verified

October 21, 2024 Stayed at: H183, Loop: HONE

4

Nice campsites. Was disappointed at how much noise from the highway there was.

David G

Verified

October 15, 2024 Stayed at: D118, Loop: DOGB

4

This was or first stay in Iowa and I had to make a new account to make the reservation. Apparently, I didn't do everything required and although I thought I had a reservation, the reality was that it had not gone through. The local park ranger came checking on us next morning and discovered we were there without a reservation. He was so professional and understanding. He helped me figure out the reservation system and get the site paid for. We very much appreciate the park employees we have met at this and all other COE and US Forest campgrounds.

Liz W

Verified

October 14, 2024 Stayed at: H181, Loop: HONE

5

They have the cleanest campground bathrooms I had ever seen. The campground was easy to find. The person who directed us to the campground at the entrance was kind and explained the directions well. The campsite was beautiful. The only issues were some of the other campers who were loud, and someone who sprayed weed killer everywhere and someone who left his hose to the RV hooked up to the water almost the entire time.

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

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.

Nearby Campgrounds

Nearby destinations


Last updated: June 3, 2026

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Managed by US Army Corps of Engineers