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
Rebecca B
VerifiedJuly 9, 2021 • Stayed at: A28, Loop: ASTE
Prairie Flower has some of the largest most beautiful camp sites of anywhere in the United States. Registration is very simple and straight forward and the abundance of flowers, trees and trails makes it a wonder place for people of all ages to camp. Highly recommend.
Nancy H
VerifiedJuly 9, 2021 • Stayed at: O251, Loop: OX-E
Loved the circle group campsites for our large group. Bath shower houses were very nice and well maintained. Nice shade trees. Only complaint would be the abundance of ticks around the campsite. We wondered if it was ever treated.
asa h
VerifiedJuly 8, 2021 • Stayed at: B65, Loop: BLAZ
Was quite and clean
Laura T
VerifiedJuly 8, 2021 • Stayed at: A01, Loop: ASTE
Site was spacious and easy to access. Clean campgrounds and bathroom facilities.
Kathy L
VerifiedJuly 6, 2021 • Stayed at: A03, Loop: ASTE
The campground is very clean and quiet. The sites are very spacious so you aren't close to the neighbor's site (at least in Aster Loop)
Bob B
VerifiedJuly 5, 2021 • Stayed at: A27, Loop: ASTE
N/A
Tim F
VerifiedJuly 4, 2021 • Stayed at: D118, Loop: DOGB
Very clean facility.. nice sites.. mostly paved minus a few sites that are still gravel.. very quiet and family oriented loop.. we were in the Dogbane loop
Ron P
VerifiedJuly 2, 2021 • Stayed at: B45, Loop: BLAZ
Great campground with very clean well kept facilities.
Scott R
VerifiedJuly 2, 2021 • Stayed at: C101, Loop: CONE
M
Ray F
VerifiedJune 30, 2021 • Stayed at: D138, Loop: DOGB
Nice quiet place ! Very clean
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