Cherry Glen Picnic Campground
Saylorville Lake, Iowa
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As of October 2026, Cherry Glen Picnic Campground is a campground in Iowa with 6 campsites. Cherry Glen Picnic Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.
- PermitSnag checks Cherry Glen Picnic Campground for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
- Cherry Glen Picnic Campground is located at 41.7319° N, 93.6803° W.
- people allowed on 2 of 6 sites
- 100
- people allowed on the largest site
- 200
Cherry Glen Picnic Campground reservations and next available dates
October 2026
Stay and booking rules
- Group bookings open: 6 Months
- Maximum stay: 14 nights
- Military discount available
Published by Recreation.gov for Cherry Glen Picnic Campground, read on September 30, 2026.
Campsites at Cherry Glen Picnic Campground
- Group 6
- Accessible 6
- Hookups 6
Amenities
- restrooms
- potable water
At a glance: Setting: Valley · Access: Paved road.
Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife.
All sites at Cherry Glen Picnic Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov
Every site is in the CHERRY GLEN PICNIC loop.
| Site | Type | Sleeps | Hookups | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Group | 100 | Electric, Water | Accessible |
| 2 | Group | 75 | Electric, Water | Accessible |
| 3 | Group | 50 | Electric, Water | Accessible |
| 4 | Group | 100 | Electric, Water | Accessible |
| 5 | Group | 125 | Electric, Water | Accessible |
| 6 | Group | 200 | Electric, Water | Accessible |
About Cherry Glen Picnic Campground
Overview
Cherry Glen Picnic Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.
Recreation
Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers fish for walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike.
The paved Neal Smith Trail winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake. It is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating.
Facilities
This day-use area offers six group picnic shelters, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground and hiking trails. Cherry Glen Campground is adjacent as well as Cherry Glen Boat Ramp.
Natural Features
Cherry Glen is nestled on a compact 13-acre wooded ridge. Visiting with family and friends while relaxing in the shade of one of the area's many trees is a popular pastime.
Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Cherry Glen Campground and Cherry Glen Boat Ramp.
Rules and notices at Cherry Glen Picnic Campground
Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 30, 2026. Check Cherry Glen Picnic Campground on Recreation.gov
Notices from Recreation.gov
Special Event Permits are required for inflatable bounce houses and water features. Special Event Permits may be required for events that may impact nearby shelters, are open to the public, wedding events, company picnics etc. Please contact the Saylorville Lake Administration Office at 515-276-4656 to inquire.
Shelters may be reserved up to 4 days in advance. If shelters are not reserved, they are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis.
Playgrounds and restrooms near shelters are open to the public. Reservations apply only to picnic shelters not other amenities.
Click here for more information
Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area.
GUIDELINES FOR SAYLORVILLE LAKE PICNIC AREAS
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to Saylorville Lake. Our goal is to make your visit a safe and enjoyable experience. A complete list of rules, Title 36 “Rules and Regulations” and other helpful maps and brochures are available from the Visitor Center, Park Rangers, Park Attendants or Hosts. Please contact any member of our staff if you have questions or need assistance. Please help maintain and protect park facilities and natural resources by following these guidelines when picnicking at Saylorville Lake.
PICNIC AREA HOURS:
Month of April 7am to 8pm.
May through Labor Day 7am to 9pm .
The day after Labor Day through October 7am to 8pm.
Rules:
1) Clean up is the responsibility of the picnic users. Please clean up all spills and dispose of litter. If you have more trash than the garbage cans hold, please use area dumpsters. Leave the area in the condition you would like to find it.
2) The Possession of Fireworks, explosives, firearms, ammunition, bows or other projectile firing devices is prohibited.
3) The operation and parking of vehicles off roadways is prohibited.
4) Only street legal vehicles are allowed.
5) Amplified sound systems are not allowed without a Special Event Permit.
6) Yard games such as water balloons and egg toss are prohibited.
7) Trailer Roasters are allowed only in parking areas. Do not place hot roasters, grills, skillets or grease pan directly on picnic tables.
8) Pets must be confined or on a leash less than 6 feet long. Pets are not allowed in the restrooms. Please pick up and properly dispose of all pet waste.
To contact a Park Ranger during normal business hours Monday—Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm, call (515) 276-4656.
To contact a Park Ranger after normal business hours, call the Polk County Dispatch at (515) 286-3334
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION
Cherry Glen Picnic Campground FAQ
How hard is it to get a campsite at Cherry Glen Picnic Campground?
Cherry Glen Picnic Campground is rated "Hard to Book" based on historical demand. This campground is popular and often books out weeks in advance. Your best strategy is to monitor cancellations.
How do I find last-minute availability at Cherry Glen Picnic Campground?
Cancellations happen frequently at Cherry Glen Picnic Campground, especially 1-2 weeks before check-in dates. PermitSnag monitors availability 24/7 and sends instant alerts when sites open up due to cancellations. This is often the best way to snag popular campsites.
How many campsites does Cherry Glen Picnic Campground have?
Cherry Glen Picnic Campground has 6 campsites.
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