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
Report Incorrect Information
Help us improve by reporting any incorrect amenity information for Prairie Flower Recreation Area.
Rates, Sites & Availability
153 Sites Available
No sites found matching your criteria.
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.
Site Details
Select a site to view details
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
RuthAnn T
VerifiedOctober 8, 2021 • Stayed at: D114 & D115, Loop: DOGB
The wait for the dumpis ridiculously long. Please consider adding another dump station and more water hydrants. Also would like the season to go to end of October. Miss such good Fall camping weather when closing so early. And then opening on May 1st but not the whole weekend is so silly.
paulette m
VerifiedOctober 7, 2021 • Stayed at: D130, Loop: DOGB
We love camping at Prairie Flower. Easy access to many attractions around the metro. We expecially love the large sites and paved pads. It makes us feel as if we are Glamping!!!
RON S
VerifiedOctober 7, 2021 • Stayed at: C107, Loop: CONE
Museum at Camp Dodge is free and a must see
Museum in downtown Des Moines just west of the capital
Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
High Trestle trail bridge
David H
VerifiedOctober 7, 2021 • Stayed at: D118, Loop: DOGB
Beautiful quite place to camp
Robert B
VerifiedOctober 5, 2021 • Stayed at: C108, Loop: CONE
It was awesome, we even ran into friends we haven't seen for 40 years
Loyal D
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: D132, Loop: DOGB
our area was very clean and we love it when the trees are starting to turn. the bathroom/showers were cleaned daily!
Vivian L
VerifiedOctober 4, 2021 • Stayed at: B49, Loop: BLAZ
Beautiful place to camp! Facilities are always very clean. Nice space between campsites.
Merle E
VerifiedOctober 3, 2021 • Stayed at: B59, Loop: BLAZ
Very nice
Jon L
VerifiedOctober 3, 2021 • Stayed at: B44, Loop: BLAZ
Love ace camping
Todd S
VerifiedOctober 3, 2021 • Stayed at: C92, Loop: CONE
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