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Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground

Saylorville Lake, Iowa

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As of October 2026, Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground is a campground in Iowa with 1 campsite. Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground is booked through Recreation.gov.

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Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground is located at 41.7085° N, 93.7024° W.

people allowed on each site: 100

Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground 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

Published by Recreation.gov for Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground, read on September 28, 2026.

Campsites at Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground

Group 1

Amenities

restrooms
potable water
boat ramp

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

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

All sites at Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground, as listed by Recreation.gov

Every site is in the Lake View Recreation Area loop.

Site	Type	Sleeps
1	Group	100

About Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground

Overview

Lake View Recreation 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 (East side of the lake) 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 contains a picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 50 people. Amenities include water and electricity, public bathroom with flushing toilets, boat ramp and access to hiking and biking trails. The attached restroom is available for the general public.

Natural Features

Lakeview View Shelter is situated on a ridge overlooking the West side of the lake. Dense timber stands surround the recreation area, but shade is limited within the site.

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 Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 28, 2026. Check Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Lake View Recreation Area Shelter Opens at Sunrise and Closes at Sunset.

Special Event Permits are required for inflatable bounce houses. 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.

Reservations include parking and restrooms at or near shelter. They are open to the public.

Click here for a vi rtual 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 →

Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground FAQ

How hard is it to get a campsite at Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground?

Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) 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 Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground?

Cancellations happen frequently at Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) 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 Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground have?

Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) Campground has 1 campsites.

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