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
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
Rusty F
VerifiedAugust 20, 2021 • Stayed at: B61, Loop: BLAZ
Loved the spacious sites & having paved roads & pads at the site is a definite plus!
Russell C
VerifiedAugust 19, 2021 • Stayed at: C101, Loop: CONE
We love the Prairie Flower campground. DW says 4 stars only cause they don't have full hookups and cable (she's a glamper). Campground is very well maintained and managed.
Nancy B
VerifiedAugust 18, 2021 • Stayed at: D121, Loop: DOGB
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Cheryl M
VerifiedAugust 17, 2021 • Stayed at: D133, Loop: DOGB
Bath clean. Nice concrete big sites!
Tiffani W
VerifiedAugust 16, 2021 • Stayed at: A17, Loop: ASTE
This is a wonderful campground. With clean shower houses, widely spaced RV spots, 4 separate playgrounds, access to a lake beach, bike trails, and hiking trails, there is so much to do and enjoy at this superb spot. Prairie Flower is only 15 minutes from 2 towns that will meet any supply/food needs you might have and only 30 minutes from Des Moines. Staying at Prairie Flower, you really can't go wrong!
Marcia H
VerifiedAugust 15, 2021 • Stayed at: B67, Loop: BLAZ
Nice sites with space between, level cement pads, clean modern shower houses.
Keith M
VerifiedAugust 12, 2021 • Stayed at: C71, Loop: CONE
Nice area and large campsite.
Roger T
VerifiedAugust 10, 2021 • Stayed at: H178, Loop: HONE
This was the first time we camped at Prairie Flower. We usually camp at Cherry Glen but because of the open spaces and ease of parking our trailer it will be Prairie Flower from now on. The staff was very helpful. The campground showers were nice and the sites were large.
Norman C
VerifiedAugust 9, 2021 • Stayed at: B56, Loop: BLAZ
Very friendly people and great location.
Gary H
VerifiedAugust 8, 2021 • Stayed at: J205, Loop: JUNE
Beautiful smaller 8-site loop surrounded by woods close at hand. Our favorite group camp at Prairie Flower. More intimate with good access to trails. You must reserve in late winter, however, as reservations for this choice group site fill up fast for summer and fall. We reserved in mid May and only one weekend was available, so we took it. Good luck with your reservations!
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
