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
Ken J
VerifiedMay 20, 2021 • Stayed at: C106, Loop: CONE
Very nice campgrounds. Some sites with beautiful views of Saylorville Lake. I feel that the Army Corps of Engineers does a super job of keeping everything mowed, shower facilities clean, trash removed. Have been using the Corp campgrounds for years. Keep up the good work!
Bruce V
VerifiedMay 19, 2021 • Stayed at: B48, Loop: BLAZ
Beautiful campground with spacious, clean sites. Playground on every loop. On the Neal Smith bike trail.
Patricia R
VerifiedMay 18, 2021 • Stayed at: C89, Loop: CONE
We had an excellent time. We had not known there are no water or sewer connections. We were able to put water in our trailer but we usually do not do that because of the additional weight.
Brian H
VerifiedMay 17, 2021 • Stayed at: E149, Loop: ELDE
Overall good experience. However we showed up on Thursday to our group site and it had not been mowed. We watched the rest of the group sites get mowed as we set up but never came by to mow ours.
James M
VerifiedMay 17, 2021 • Stayed at: C94, Loop: CONE
Clean and quiet campground.
Gregory C
VerifiedMay 17, 2021 • Stayed at: C90, Loop: CONE
Beautiful area, great concrete pads with space between other campers, nice and attentive staff with regular DNR Officer drive byes
Pam H
VerifiedMay 16, 2021 • Stayed at: A17, Loop: ASTE
Great site and very clean
Mark L
VerifiedMay 14, 2021 • Stayed at: C81, Loop: CONE
rotten weather but we enjoyed the views and relaxing at Prairie Flower. Never have a bad time when we camp there!
Christopher M
VerifiedMay 12, 2021 • Stayed at: C82, Loop: CONE
Love love love! These folks that run it are superior...clean, quiet, fun
Stephen M
VerifiedMay 9, 2021 • Stayed at: C70, Loop: CONE
We stayed in the C loop. This loop has very roomy sites with great views of the lake. Our site was all concrete and very level. Great stay!
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