About Prairie Flower Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 153
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Potable Water
On Site Services
- Playground
Water Access
- Beach Access
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Rates, Sites & Availability
153 Sites Available
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Site Details
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153 Sites Available
No available sites
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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.
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
jill s
VerifiedOctober 3, 2024 • Stayed at: D122, Loop: DOGB
Terrible camp hosts
jill s
VerifiedOctober 3, 2024 • Stayed at: D121, Loop: DOGB
Camp hosts were rude and uncooperative I had to change dates and the end date of reservation got changed somehow.
Told me I had to leave right now knowing full well I had to call someone to pull it out of there. Obviously wasn’t gonna happen with my Prius. And to top it off no one pulled into that spot that night. I had a friend staying in the next spot over. makes me think they were lying. Won’t go back there that is for sure and I paid 8 days between 2 spots
Erika V
VerifiedSeptember 27, 2024 • Stayed at: A29, Loop: ASTE
Nice campground would recommend staying here. My only complaint was my neighbors were loud after 10 and gave me non settling vibes, but you can’t control who buys the site next to you.
Scott N
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2024 • Stayed at: C98, Loop: CONE
Restrooms and showers were very clean. The concrete pads at the sites made setup quick. Lots of biketrails and the beach was a short 5 minute walk away.
Susan K
VerifiedSeptember 25, 2024 • Stayed at: C90, Loop: CONE
Paid should be checked between visitors. Nothing like showing up to a concrete pad either cover in kids chalk or an unknown powder. I don’t want that in my camper or on my dogs. Is a white substance toxic?
I go camping to watch the stars and enjoy the sounds of nature. Not seeing Christmas lights all over the place and music playing outside your camper all day so loud you might as be at a festival.
I would really like to sit around the campfire looking at the stars and listening to the coyotes. If I want loud music, bright lights I would stay home. Don’t seem liked the bathrooms are as clean as 2 yrs ago and the hosts aren’t as friendly.
Evi K
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2024 • Stayed at: D137, Loop: DOGB
The campground was excessively crowded. There were so many kids roaming around unattended.
The campsites were so close together, there was no privacy
Cell service is nonexistent.
John C
VerifiedSeptember 18, 2024 • Stayed at: D135, Loop: DOGB
Most campsites are quite spacious, and many have paved campsite pads.
Sharon J
VerifiedSeptember 15, 2024 • Stayed at: D121, Loop: DOGB
love camping at Prairie Flower
Beckty I
VerifiedSeptember 13, 2024 • Stayed at: B48, Loop: BLAZ
Very nice cement slabs to park our 5th wheel on. Beautiful and well kept park. Close to the High Trussle Bridge and Boone to ride the rails our the dinner train.
Camp hosts Mike and Renee were awesome very helpful.
We will definitely be back!
Thomas H
VerifiedSeptember 11, 2024 • Stayed at: C85, Loop: CONE
Beautiful campground. Nicely mowed green grass. Natural grasses left in place. Lots of trees. Spacious sites. Level concrete pads with fire pits and picnic tables. Several different loops to choose from. C85 gave us lake views and spectacular sunsets. Electric only.
Location Prairie Flower Recreation Area
Address:
Saylorville Lake Administration Office, 5600 Nw 78 Th Avenue
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, continue and follow signs to the campground.
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
Last updated: June 3, 2026
