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
john w
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2021 • Stayed at: J205, Loop: JUNE
some one that camped before us let there dog dig holes everywhere
Judy T
VerifiedFebruary 3, 2021 • Stayed at: D135, Loop: DOGB
Very clean restrooms, love the bike trails, and the campground is quiet and restful.
stephen f
VerifiedFebruary 2, 2021 • Stayed at: A07, Loop: ASTE
I really like the cleanliness ! I like the way it is ran. Restroom is cleaned daily by people who care! No unlawful activities. Rules are enforced,no parking all over grass,no loud cars or motorcycles. The ONE BAD THING, pump out station is too small for that many campsites !! They need big improvements there !
Mary F
VerifiedDecember 13, 2020 • Stayed at: B63, Loop: BLAZ
Really nice CG with a variety of landscape choices from heavily treed to relatively open and sunny. Surprised at how many very nice sites have no water. If this is a concern, fill up on the way in. Convenient to Des Moines and all it has to offer. Will stay here again. Very good AT&T, Verizon and OTA signals.
Vicki V
VerifiedOctober 27, 2020 • Stayed at: H189, Loop: HONE
Everything was fine.
Rick H
VerifiedOctober 26, 2020 • Stayed at: A17, Loop: ASTE
Check in was quick. Staff was awesome.
Britt O
VerifiedOctober 26, 2020 • Stayed at: H190, Loop: HONE
Very nice campground. Bathrooms are clean and there is plenty of playgrounds for the kids.
Donna W
VerifiedOctober 24, 2020 • Stayed at: D132, Loop: DOGB
NA
Bruce K
VerifiedOctober 22, 2020 • Stayed at: D133, Loop: DOGB
Sites are clean and plenty of space
Many activities include bike trails hiking swiming fishing
Just need to make sure dogs do not bark continually.
Dennis S
VerifiedOctober 22, 2020 • Stayed at: D125, Loop: DOGB
would be nice if site were paved. Please continue to clear the brush from the beautiful woods
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