About Prairie Flower Recreation Area
Number of accommodations: 153
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
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
Timothy K
VerifiedAugust 13, 2024 • Stayed at: H182, Loop: HONE
The campsite was clean and welcoming, and our camping neighbors honored quiet honors, which was important to us, as we were traveling through.
Greg J
VerifiedAugust 12, 2024 • Stayed at: A13, Loop: ASTE
The park is very clean and beautiful. I really like the multiple lanes at the dump station. No waiting 🙂
David C
VerifiedAugust 8, 2024 • Stayed at: A08, Loop: ASTE
Helpful volunteer hosts.
Leslie J
VerifiedAugust 5, 2024 • Stayed at: B61, Loop: BLAZ
Very nice.
CONNIE G
VerifiedAugust 2, 2024 • Stayed at: B58, Loop: BLAZ
Enjoyed our 4 days at Saylorville Lake. The shower house was not as clean as usual. We have camped here many times and never been disappointed in the cleanliness until this time
James W
VerifiedAugust 2, 2024 • Stayed at: C112, Loop: CONE
Nice level spot
Susan K
VerifiedAugust 1, 2024 • Stayed at: C92, Loop: CONE
A couple yrs ago we showed up and the pad was covered in children’s chalk. We had to wait a bit but the park ranger came around with a gator with a water tank and and power washed it off. We have 2 Shibas so we would have had chalk all over. Was very appreciative. This time we showed up and there were several piles of granulated white powder thrown across the deck. Still have Shibas. This was not chalk. Called the host who called the ranger who showed up much later and said it was laundry detergent and swept part of it off. There was no way to look at it to say it was laundry detergent. I grew up with a pool and it easily been been chlorine that I had seen spilled on the ground. Regardless I don’t want an unknown powder getting on my feet and my dogs feet. Then have my dogs like their feet lick their feet and get sick. If we have to be out by noon why can’t they check out the spots to see if they are ready for the next. I am not asking for a mint on my pillow but how about cleaning up an unknown substance that may or may not kill our pets. Luckily about 1/2 later Mother Nature came through with a severe thunderstorm and power washed the concrete til nothing left. BTW there was no suds for it being laundry detergent. This isn’t the same place I came too 2 yrs ago. They gave the option of moving spots but in 2 days we had to move spots anyway because this one was reserved and we had already set up thinking they could fix the mess. We knew it was going to rain. I wasn’t going to break down in the rain and move to another spot and the move yet to another spot 2 days later. Yet we did move 2 days later as we were suppose to between storms and the original spot never had anyone camping there after we moved and still was empty when we left the park. Did the host know we were moving around for no reason. That is the most empty I have seen that park in 5 yrs except for last year of course. But yet we were moving around spots?
Linda H
VerifiedJuly 30, 2024 • Stayed at: B60, Loop: BLAZ
Prairie Flower is our “go to”place for camping. Sites are spread out. Views of the lake. Clean bath houses.
Steve M
VerifiedJuly 29, 2024 • Stayed at: D118, Loop: DOGB
Prairieflower is a wonderful campground. Clean, spacious camp sites. Bathrooms are kept very clean.
Mike K
VerifiedJuly 27, 2024 • Stayed at: H182, Loop: HONE
Just needed a place to pop up the camper and sleep. Barely 12 hours onsite. Only complaint was noise. Barking dogs and highway traffic was relentless. Clean restrooms, working electrical box, and mostly level site
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