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Prairie Flower Recreation Area in Iowa
Easy to Book

Prairie Flower Recreation Area

Saylorville Lake, Iowa

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As of October 2026, Prairie Flower Recreation Area is a campground in Iowa with 157 campsites. Prairie Flower Recreation Area is booked through Recreation.gov.

  • PermitSnag checks Prairie Flower Recreation Area for availability and tells alert holders when a site opens up.
  • Prairie Flower Recreation Area is located at 41.7483° N, 93.6875° W.
people allowed on 146 of 157 sites
6
people allowed on each of the 3 largest sites
84

Prairie Flower Recreation Area reservations and next available dates

October 2026

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

Next Available Dates

Oct 1 (75 sites)Oct 2 (17 sites)

75 sites open on Oct 1 at Prairie Flower Recreation Area. Book one now, or pick your dates above and get an alert when a site opens.

As of 30 September 2026, 04:24 UTC.

Stay and booking rules

  • Mid-stay changes allowed
  • Group bookings open: 6 Months
  • Maximum stay: 14 nights
  • Military discount available

Published by Recreation.gov for Prairie Flower Recreation Area, read on September 29, 2026.

Campsites at Prairie Flower Recreation Area

  • Standard 147
  • Group 10
  • Accessible 1
  • Hookups 157

What an RV fits

  • 25–29 ft1 site
  • 30–34 ft4 sites
  • 35–39 ft4 sites
  • 40–44 ft6 sites
  • 45–49 ft6 sites
  • 50–54 ft9 sites
  • 55–59 ft16 sites
  • 60–64 ft37 sites
  • 65–69 ft28 sites
  • 70–74 ft32 sites
  • 75–79 ft7 sites
  • 80–84 ft3 sites
  • 85–89 ft4 sites

Amenities

  • restrooms
  • showers
  • potable water
  • dump station

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

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

All sites at Prairie Flower Recreation Area, as listed by Recreation.gov

SiteLoopTypeSleepsMax RVHookupsAccess
A01ASTEStandard660 ftElectric-
A02ASTEStandard666 ftElectric-
A03ASTEStandard665 ftElectric-
A05ASTEStandard664 ftElectric-
A06ASTEStandard668 ftElectric-
A07ASTEStandard670 ftElectric-
A08ASTEStandard668 ftElectric, WaterAccessible
A09ASTEStandard666 ftElectric-
A10ASTEStandard662 ftElectric-
A11ASTEStandard652 ftElectric-
A12ASTEStandard664 ftElectric-
A13ASTEStandard662 ftElectric-
A14ASTEStandard650 ftElectric-
A15ASTEStandard667 ftElectric-
A16ASTEStandard642 ftElectric-
A17ASTEStandard660 ftElectric-
A18ASTEStandard661 ftElectric-
A19ASTEStandard660 ftElectric-
A20ASTEStandard672 ftElectric-
A21ASTEStandard664 ftElectric-
A22ASTEStandard650 ftElectric-
A23ASTEStandard672 ftElectric-
A24ASTEStandard660 ftElectric-
A25ASTEStandard660 ftElectric-
A26ASTEStandard672 ftElectric-
A27ASTEStandard672 ftElectric-
A28ASTEStandard666 ftElectric-
A29ASTEStandard646 ftElectric-
A30ASTEStandard666 ftElectric-
A31ASTEStandard636 ftElectric-
B32BLAZStandard658 ftElectric-
B38BLAZStandard660 ftElectric-
B39BLAZStandard661 ftElectric-
B40BLAZStandard660 ftElectric-
B41BLAZStandard660 ftElectric-
B42BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B43BLAZStandard656 ftElectric-
B44BLAZStandard644 ftElectric-
B45BLAZStandard660 ftElectric-
B46BLAZStandard665 ftElectric-
B47BLAZStandard665 ftElectric-
B48BLAZStandard668 ftElectric-
B49BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B50BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B51BLAZStandard660 ftElectric-
B52BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B53BLAZStandard668 ftElectric-
B54BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B55BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B56BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B57BLAZStandard675 ftElectric-
B58BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B59BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B60BLAZStandard668 ftElectric-
B61BLAZStandard667 ftElectric-
B62BLAZStandard660 ftElectric-
B63BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B64BLAZStandard660 ftElectric-
B65BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B66BLAZStandard668 ftElectric-
B67BLAZStandard670 ftElectric-
B68BLAZStandard680 ftElectric-
B69BLAZStandard658 ftElectric-
C70CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C71CONEStandard680 ftElectric-
C72CONEStandard660 ftElectric-
C73CONEStandard660 ftElectric-
C74CONEStandard665 ftElectric-
C75CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C76CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C77CONEStandard665 ftElectric-
C78CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C79CONEStandard665 ftElectric-
C80CONEStandard685 ftElectric-
C81CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C82CONEStandard668 ftElectric-
C83CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C84CONEStandard665 ftElectric-
C85CONEStandard660 ftElectric-
C86CONEStandard685 ftElectric-
C87CONEStandard665 ftElectric-
C88CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C89CONEStandard660 ftElectric-
C90CONEStandard665 ftElectric-
C91CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C92CONEStandard660 ftElectric-
C93CONEStandard678 ftElectric-
C94CONEStandard675 ftElectric-
C95CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C96CONEStandard655 ftElectric-
C97CONEStandard678 ftElectric-
C98CONEStandard668 ftElectric-
C99CONEStandard675 ftElectric-
C100CONEStandard668 ftElectric-
C101CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C102CONEStandard665 ftElectric-
C103CONEStandard670 ftElectric-
C104CONEStandard656 ftElectric-
C105CONEStandard665 ftElectric-
C106CONEStandard675 ftElectric-
C107CONEStandard660 ftElectric-
C108CONEStandard685 ftElectric-
C109CONEStandard675 ftElectric-
C110CONEStandard662 ftElectric-
C111CONEStandard680 ftElectric-
C112CONEStandard672 ftElectric-
D113DOGBStandard630 ftElectric-
D114 & D115DOGBStandard1260 ftElectric-
D116DOGBStandard631 ftElectric-
D117DOGBStandard638 ftElectric-
D118DOGBStandard648 ftElectric-
D119DOGBStandard640 ftElectric-
D120DOGBStandard640 ftElectric-
D121DOGBStandard648 ftElectric-
D122DOGBStandard655 ftElectric-
D123DOGBStandard670 ftElectric-
D124DOGBStandard654 ftElectric-
D125DOGBStandard652 ftElectric-
D126DOGBStandard670 ftElectric-
D127DOGBStandard660 ftElectric-
D128DOGBStandard670 ftElectric-
D129DOGBStandard650 ftElectric-
D130DOGBStandard660 ftElectric-
D131DOGBStandard660 ftElectric-
D132DOGBStandard666 ftElectric-
D133DOGBStandard638 ftElectric-
D135DOGBStandard635 ftElectric-
D137DOGBStandard630 ftElectric-
D138DOGBStandard628 ftElectric-
E149ELDEGroup2452 ftElectric-
F153FLEAGroup3655 ftElectric-
G159GOLDGroup8458 ftElectric-
H173HONEStandard663 ftElectric-
H174HONEStandard649 ftElectric-
H175HONEStandard662 ftElectric-
H176HONEStandard654 ftElectric-
H177HONEStandard667 ftElectric-
H178HONEStandard656 ftElectric-
H179HONEStandard656 ftElectric-
H180HONEStandard656 ftElectric-
H181HONEStandard640 ftElectric-
H182HONEStandard632 ftElectric-
H183HONEStandard653 ftElectric-
H184HONEStandard649 ftElectric-
H185HONEStandard662 ftElectric-
H186HONEStandard649 ftElectric-
H187HONEStandard685 ftElectric-
H188HONEStandard660 ftElectric-
H189HONEStandard642 ftElectric-
H190HONEStandard663 ftElectric-
I191IRONGroup8460 ftElectric-
J205JUNEGroup4855 ftElectric-
K213KNAPGroup2460 ftElectric-
L217LEADGroup8458 ftElectric-
M231MAYWGroup4856 ftElectric-
N239NIPPGroup7255 ftElectric-
O251OX-EGroup6055 ftElectric-

About Prairie Flower Recreation Area

Overview

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 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 enjoy Saylorville Lake for its excellent boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find 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

Prairie Flower is a large, open campground covering more than 60 acres. It offers 153 family sites and 10 group sites, all with electric hookups. Many of the family sites in the south end offer a pleasant view of the 6000-acre lake. The north end is made up of mostly group sites in a circle-the-wagon design.

Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. The campground also provides educational programs, group shelters, playgrounds and a swimming beach.

Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail, volleyball courts and a disc golf course. Boat ramps and a fishing dock are also close by.

Natural Features

Iowa's prairie heritage is celebrated in more than 40 acres of prairie plantings throughout the campground. The wide variety of grass and flowers provides vivid colors from mid-summer to fall.

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

Rules and notices at Prairie Flower Recreation Area

Recreation.gov does not date these notices. We last read them on September 29, 2026. Check Prairie Flower Recreation Area on Recreation.gov

Notices from Recreation.gov

Click here for more information

Click here for a virtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area.

Saylorville Lake Campground Rules

Camping: Allowed only at designated campsites. Reservations must be made in advance before setting up camping equipment.

Campsite Registration: Campsites may only be registered to individuals 18 years or older, who must occupy the site for the full duration. Each campsite accommodates 1 family unit (up to 8 people) and allows either 3 tents OR 1 RV and 2 tents.

Check-out time: 12:00 p.m. (noon) Check-in time: 2:00 p.m.

Vacating & Registration: Campsites must be vacated or registration renewed by 12:00 p.m. on the due date. Camping is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period.

Parking: Reserving campsites by parking vehicles or leaving items is prohibited. All vehicles (including boats/trailers) must be parked at your campsite or in designated areas. No parking on grass, roadsides, or vacant sites. Please ensure your visitors follow parking rules.

Vehicle Operation: All vehicles (including mopeds and bicycles) must comply with Federal, State, and local laws. Stay on designated roads and use vehicles only for entering or exiting sites. UTVs, ATVs, and golf carts are not allowed in campgrounds or parks.

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.

Trash Disposal: Use designated dumpsters only. Do not leave trash in fire rings, grills, or shower building cans. Remove all personal items and litter before departure. Recycling containers are available. Dumpsters are for trash generated on USACE property only.

Grey Water Disposal: Grey water (from dishes, baths, soap, grease, etc.) must be collected and disposed of properly. Do not drain it on campsites or use it to water vegetation. Improper disposal creates odors, health issues, and attracts animals.

Pets: Must be confined or leashed (6 feet or shorter) at all times. E-collars are not sufficient. Pets may not be left unattended and are not allowed in bathrooms or shower buildings. Pick up and dispose of waste properly.

Firewood: Not available for purchase on-site. You may gather only fallen deadwood. Do not cut or damage trees, vegetation, or natural features. Firewood may be brought from home or purchased from off-site vendors.

Pools & Water Games: Pools of any size or slip-n-slides and sprinklers are prohibited. Water tables are allowed.

Prohibited Items: Fireworks, explosives, loaded firearms, ammunition, bows, and other projectile devices are not allowed.

Smoking: Not allowed inside restrooms or shower buildings.

Grills & Picnic Tables: Do not place grills or hot materials on picnic tables—use attached grill guards. Site holders are responsible for any damage or replacements.

Yard Games: Games such as water balloons or egg toss are prohibited due to litter. Balloon pieces are non-biodegradable and harmful to pets and wildlife.

Pet Leashes & Hammocks: Do not tie leashes, ropes, or chains to trees or shrubs. Hammocks may be used only on trees 6 inches or more in diameter to avoid damage.

Alcoholic Beverages: Permitted for those 21 and older at all campgrounds.

Hangtags: Registered campers may receive hangtags for access to beach and boat ramp day-use areas. Hangtags must be properly displayed.

Golden Age/Access Passports: These and America the Beautiful Senior/Access Passes provide a 50% discount on recreation fees. The cardholder must present the card and ID during registration and be present for the stay. Fraudulent use is prohibited.

Washing Equipment: Washing of RVs, trailers, vehicles, or equipment is not allowed at campgrounds or day-use areas. Use local wash facilities instead.

Deliveries: Personal package deliveries (Amazon, FedEx, UPS, etc.) should be sent to your home, business, or a local postal facility. Saylorville Lake campgrounds, the Administration Building, and Visitor Center do not accept or hold deliveries.

Equipment & Vehicle Storage: Reserving extra campsites solely to store equipment or vehicles is not allowed. Use designated overflow or additional parking during your stay.

Water Spigots: Water spigots are for temporary use only to fill freshwater tanks. Do not use continuous hoses, Y-splitters, or attachments. Continuous hookups are only allowed at campsites with water service.

Prairie Flower Recreation Area FAQ

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

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is rated "Easy to Book" based on historical demand. With 157 sites available, you have good chances of finding availability, especially on weekdays.

How do I find last-minute availability at Prairie Flower Recreation Area?

Cancellations happen frequently at Prairie Flower 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 Prairie Flower Recreation Area have?

Prairie Flower Recreation Area has 157 campsites.

Campgrounds

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