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Cottonwood Recreation Area

Saylorville Lake, Iowa

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As of October 2026, Cottonwood Recreation Area is a campground in Iowa with 9 campsites. Cottonwood Recreation Area is booked through Recreation.gov.

PermitSnag checks Cottonwood Recreation Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
Cottonwood Recreation Area is located at 41.6906° N, 93.6747° W.

people allowed on 6 of 9 sites: 100
people allowed on the largest site: 250

Cottonwood Recreation Area reservations and next available dates

October 2026

November 2026

open, tap to book on Recreation.govsold outin your alert

Stay and booking rules

Group bookings open: 6 Months
Maximum stay: 14 nights
Military discount available

Published by Recreation.gov for Cottonwood Recreation Area, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Cottonwood Recreation Area

123456789

Group 9

Amenities

restrooms
potable water

At a glance: Setting: Valley · Access: Paved road.

Things to do: fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, wildlife.

All sites at Cottonwood Recreation Area, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA loop.

Site	Type	Sleeps
001	Group	75
002	Group	100
003	Group	100
004	Group	250
005	Group	100
006	Group	100
007	Group	100
008	Group	100
009	Group	75

About Cottonwood Recreation Area

Overview

Cottonwood Recreation Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam. The 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project 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

The day-use area offers nine group picnic areas with water and electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, a volleyball court, playground and hiking trails.

Natural Features

Cottonwood covers a large open and flat lowland area bordering the east side of the Des Moines River.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

Rules and notices at Cottonwood Recreation Area

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Cottonwood Recreation Area 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

Recreation.gov permit and campground cancellations →

Cottonwood Recreation Area FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Cottonwood Recreation Area?

Cottonwood Recreation Area 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 Cottonwood Recreation Area?

Cancellations happen frequently at Cottonwood Recreation Area, 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 Cottonwood Recreation Area have?

Cottonwood Recreation Area has 9 campsites.

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