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Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville)
USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers — Johnston · Iowa · Saylorville Lake
| Agency | USACEU.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Area | Saylorville Lake |
| Location | Johnston · Iowa · Saylorville Lake · 41.70853, -93.70241 · Map |
| Sites | 1 public sites counted from the federal listing — 1 group shelter electric |
| Getting a site | Reservable — the federal listing marks this campground as taking reservations. Some sites or seasons may still be first-come; the listing’s own words are below. |
| Hookups | Electric at 0 of 1 sites Water hookups at 0 of 1 sites Sewer hookups at 0 of 1 sites Full hookups (all three at one site) at 0 of 1 sites Counted site by site from affirmative reports in the federal record. A site with no report is not counted either way. |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
| Check-in / out | In 7:00 AM · Out 9:00 PM (most common in the listing) |
| Pets | Allowed at 1 sites, as reported |
| Amenities, as reported | Drinking waterFlush toilets |
| Phone | 515-276-4656 |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-03-11.
From the official listing
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.
Directions, from the listing
From I-35, take the Ankeny Exit #90 (Oralabor Road) and go west 4.8 miles; the road turns into HWY 415. Turn left (west) onto NW 37th Street and go 0.3 mile, then turn right onto NW Horseshoe Rd. Continue past the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center and take a right to cross the Main Dam for 2.6 miles until you reach NW Beaver Dr. Turn right and drive North for 0.5 miles. Turn right into Lake View Recreation Area and follow road until your destination at Lake View Recreation Area Shelter.
From I-80, take Exit #131 (Merle Hay Rd) exit and go north 2.7 miles. Turn left (West/North) onto NW Beaver Dr and go 1.6 miles. Turn right into Lake View Recreation Area and follow road until your destination at Lake View Recreation Area Shelter.
Nearest federal campgrounds
1 mi straight-line · JOHNSTON IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersBob Shetler Picnic Area
1 mi straight-line · JOHNSTON IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersWalnut Ridge Recreation Area
2 mi straight-line · Johnston IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersCottonwood Recreation Area
2 mi straight-line · JOHNSTON IowaUSACEU.S. Army Corps of EngineersCherry Glen Campground
2 mi straight-line · JOHNSTON Iowa
Trip Card — Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville)
Johnston · Iowa · Saylorville Lake
| Agency | USACE · U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
|---|---|
| Location | Johnston · Iowa · Saylorville Lake |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | Reservable |
| Hookups | None reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | 1 sites |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10274250 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.