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
Chad R
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2025 β’ Stayed at: B45, Loop: BLAZ
Large sites with concrete pads. Bath houses clean and updated.
Stephanie R
VerifiedSeptember 29, 2025 β’ Stayed at: D125, Loop: DOGB
We always have a great time at this campground.
We booked a site last minute in a loop I wasnβt familiar with and unfortunately arrived to a spot covered in black walnuts. With many still falling (late September). We were in our brand new camper with solar panels on the roof and a one year old who would definitely be kept up by the sound of walnuts hitting the roof, so this wasnβt going to work. They allowed us to move spots with no issues or charges.
Bathrooms are always clean. Great playgrounds for kids. And the Polk City Caseyβs is a short drive away and they make GREAT pizza! This was the last weekend of the season for us but we already have multiple stays planned next summer.
Cara W
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2025 β’ Stayed at: B51, Loop: BLAZ
Perfect spot, only complaint was the sun was brutal for a couple hours in the evening. But there was a tree with shade that we sat under until the sun set more.
Pam M
VerifiedSeptember 28, 2025 β’ Stayed at: A17, Loop: ASTE
Fire pit in this site is so full of ash that without us cleaning it we couldnβt use the grill grates.
The site was also rated for a larger camper and it was difficult for even an experienced individual to back in with the camp site across the road being occupied.
Arthur M
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2025 β’ Stayed at: C83, Loop: CONE
Clean and quiet, one of my favorite places.
Robert R
VerifiedSeptember 26, 2025 β’ Stayed at: C90, Loop: CONE
Nice large concrete pads. Neal Smith Trail was a great ride.
Jody B
VerifiedSeptember 24, 2025 β’ Stayed at: C108, Loop: CONE
Love Prairie Flower!
Terry A
VerifiedSeptember 22, 2025 β’ Stayed at: C106, Loop: CONE
Great site. Bathroom & showers clean. Roger and his crew take good care of camp sites.
Gary J
VerifiedSeptember 21, 2025 β’ Stayed at: D137, Loop: DOGB
Most sites are paved and level. Staff does an excellent job keeping bath/showers spotless. Close to town for needed supplies.
Peter A
VerifiedSeptember 19, 2025 β’ Stayed at: D129, Loop: DOGB
We stayed at campsite D129. Itβs one of the shadiest spots around. Very quite and close to the bike trails.
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
