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
All sites are booked for your selected dates. Try showing all sites to see booked options, create an alert to be notified when something opens up, or adjust your dates.
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
Loyal D
VerifiedJune 27, 2022 • Stayed at: D132, Loop: DOGB
We had another great time at the Prairie Flower Campground, Dogbane 132 is our favorite, but we've stayed in many other spots.
Thomas E
VerifiedJune 27, 2022 • Stayed at: B47, Loop: BLAZ
It needs mowed badly, the new prairie restoration project needs path mowed through it so you can get to the play ground & restrooms with out walking all the way around. You can't get from the playground to the rest room with out walking clear out to the road. The newly installed dump station needs to be asphalted in & the older part needs redone. The trees shoved into the ravines need cleaned up.
Shannon O
VerifiedJune 26, 2022 • Stayed at: A20, Loop: ASTE
Love the shade, large sites and location!
Tammy M
VerifiedJune 26, 2022 • Stayed at: H185, Loop: HONE
Site H185 was horrible. It is right next to the highway and the noise from the traffic was so loud we could not have a conversation. It also kept us awake at night. Only stayed one night instead of two.
PETER B
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: C81, Loop: CONE
We had a wonderful time. I love watching the boats go by. The days were hot but tolerable. We camp here often.
Mark S
VerifiedJune 24, 2022 • Stayed at: B46, Loop: BLAZ
We enjoyed our stay at Prairie Flower Campground. The bathroom/shower facilities were always clean and functioning. We are going back for 9 days next week!
Brenda D
VerifiedJune 23, 2022 • Stayed at: C110, Loop: CONE
Nice place. Clean. Great view
Byron W
VerifiedJune 23, 2022 • Stayed at: A02, Loop: ASTE
Lori S
VerifiedJune 22, 2022 • Stayed at: H180, Loop: HONE
I loved the 'check in' gate. It felt like a very secure campground.
Christi G
VerifiedJune 21, 2022 • Stayed at: D116, Loop: DOGB
D loop site 116 was the perfect amount of shade.
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