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
Richard F
VerifiedAugust 8, 2021 • Stayed at: C103, Loop: CONE
Probably one of the nicest camping sites we have been at. Pump out lines can be long. Check in and out times are too late in the afternoon. They could easily be moved a couple hours.
Jack H
VerifiedAugust 8, 2021 • Stayed at: C108, Loop: CONE
We had a great view of the lake. The shower houses were very clean and well kept.
Deanne K
VerifiedAugust 8, 2021 • Stayed at: B69, Loop: BLAZ
Beautiful campground with nicely spaced sites and clean shower rooms. Also great access to bike trails.
Anna A
VerifiedAugust 7, 2021 • Stayed at: H189, Loop: HONE
Totally fine. Would be great for a group camping experience.
Scott R
VerifiedAugust 4, 2021 • Stayed at: B54, Loop: BLAZ
Trash dumpster at loop entrance. Can be a hike if you don’t want trash in your vehicle. Would love full hook-ups. But otherwise a 11 out of 10. Fantastic place to camp. Large area super clean and well kept.
Holly H
VerifiedAugust 3, 2021 • Stayed at: C93, Loop: CONE
We had the perfect spot , great sunset. It was clean the bathroom was nice and clean we r going back soon.
Sarah J
VerifiedAugust 2, 2021 • Stayed at: H187, Loop: HONE
We enjoyed our stay at Prairie Flower. We were on site 187, which is fairly private but close to the highway so if you don't like road noise this is not the spot for you. We did not mind it. The only suggestion I would have is for the camp hosts to get the sites cleaned up. We picked up at least 50 cigarette butts from our site. Disgusting.
Debra B
VerifiedJuly 28, 2021 • Stayed at: D138, Loop: DOGB
We love to camp at Prairie Flower - it’s our top pick! The Dogbane Loop is our favorite area. The sites are mostly paved and level. The Neal Smith trail passes through (we love to bring our bikes and cycle or hike). There’s lots of nice, shady trees and the shower house is clean and well maintained. It’s a short walk to the Coneflower Loop where you can take the trail down to the beach. Couldn’t ask for more!
Dennis S
VerifiedJuly 28, 2021 • Stayed at: B48, Loop: BLAZ
We camped in site B48 for 4 days and other than the hot sticky weather we enjoyed our time there. It would be nice if they would cut back the brush to the west a bit so maybe their would be a view of the water or at least give a more open feel. We like all the work that has been done in Dogbane loop, especially the way they have cleared out alot of the underbrush. Really looks great and feels more airy. We love camping at Prairie Flower,
Gregory C
VerifiedJuly 26, 2021 • Stayed at: C98, Loop: CONE
Great concrete sites with electric and beautiful views. Well maintained with consistent oversight by the friendly staff and Park Rangers.
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
