Acorn Valley
4.10348 reviewsSAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, 5600 NW 78TH AVENUE, JOHNSTON, IA 50131-1941, USA
Quick Facts
945 ftPrice
$14 - $84/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
83 campsites
Season
Open from May 1st to...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
RV FriendlyElectricShowers
Get DirectionsQuick Facts
945 ftPrice
$14 - $84/night
Booking
Reservable
Sites
83 campsites
Season
Open from May 1st to...
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Very Pet Friendly
RV FriendlyElectricShowers
Get DirectionsAcorn Valley
$14.00 - $84.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Fees range from $14 for walk-to tent sites to $84 for group electric sites during peak season. Discounts for organized youth groups are available at...
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Standard Site Fee$24.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$14.00
Group Site Fee$84.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
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Provider515-276-0429
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What Campers Say
4.10
Satisfactory
Based on 348 reviews
125 Google reviews
Most mentioned
cleanspaciouslocationstaff
"User reviews reflect a wide range of sentiments about Acorn Valley Campground. Positive themes include clean facilities, spacious sites, and friendly staff, while negative reviews mention noise issues, raccoons, and proximity concerns."
Campground Map
SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, 5600 NW 78TH AVENUE, JOHNSTON, IA 50131-1941, USA
Acorn Valley
SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, 5600 NW 78TH AVENUE, JOHNSTON, IA 50131-1941, USA
Driving directionsFrom I-35/80 north of Des Moines, Iowa, take exit 131 toward Johnston/Saylorville Lake. Turn north on Merle Hay Road and continue for 2.8 miles. At the four-way stop, turn left on Northwest Beaver Drive and continue for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Northwest Coryden Drive and follow signs into the campground.
Access is straightforward from major paved roads leading to Acorn Valley Campground. The route includes well-maintained highways and streets. However, some reviews mention gravel roads leading into the campground causing dust accumulation. Seasonal weather, such as rain, may impact gravel road conditions.Nearby places
Nearby cities include Des Moines (approximately 10 miles, 20-minute drive) and Ankeny (approximately 7 miles, 15-minute drive). Other notable areas such as Polk City are within close proximity.
Nearby supplies
Supplies are available at nearby grocery stores and fuel stations in Johnston or Ankeny (both within 10 miles). Walmart and other chain stores are accessible in Ankeny.
Best Time to Camp at Acorn Valley
Experience the full glory of Iowa's changing seasons at Acorn Valley, where warm summer days invite you to explore the lake and trails, while crisp autumn evenings paint the surrounding forests in brilliant golds and reds. Summer nights come alive with the sounds of nature, including the rustling of curious raccoons exploring the campground under starlit skies. Each season brings its own magic, from spring wildflowers to the peaceful solitude of late fall camping.
Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.0 / 5
Summer offers full recreation but reviews note mosquitoes, raccoons and crowd/noise issues.
Best
Fall(Sep-Nov)
4.0 / 5
Fall reviews largely positive: quiet, clean facilities, pleasant weather and good foliage.
Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5
Open May 1 so late spring offers trails and lake access; early spring unavailable.
Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended
Campground closed Oct 14 to May 1; winter use not supported.
Planning Tips
- Peak Season: May 1 to October 14.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
- Operating Season: Open from May 1st to October 14th annually.
- Current Alerts: No current alerts.
About Acorn Valley
Nestled within the expansive Saylorville Lake Project, Acorn Valley Campground beckons outdoor enthusiasts with its perfect blend of adventure and comfort. Whether you're casting a line at dawn, exploring wooded trails, or launching your boat for a day on the water, this well-appointed campground serves as your gateway to endless recreation. Choose from electric sites for modern convenience or primitive spots for a more rustic experience, all while enjoying pristine facilities including hot showers, flush toilets, and a convenient dump station that make your stay as comfortable as it is memorable.
Acorn Valley Campground accommodates various camping styles, including tent camping, RV camping, group camping, and primitive camping. Specialized youth group camping sites are available with restrictions.
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Best Campsites
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Reserving a campsite
Check-in
Check-in time begins at 2 PM.
Check-out
Check-out time is by noon.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay of 14 nights within a rolling 30-day period.
Amenities available
Showers
Potable water
Electricity hookups
Flush toilets
Dump station
Fire rings
Activities you can enjoy
Acorn Valley Campground offers a variety of recreational activities suitable for families and individuals alike. Activities include hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, wildlife viewing, and biking. Access to the 24-mile Neal Smith Trail provides opportunities for biking, walking, jogging, and in-line skating.
HikingThe Neal Smith Trail, a 24-mile paved National Recreation Trail, connects campgrounds on the east side of Saylorville Lake and is suitable for biking, hiking, jogging, walking, and in-line skating.
FishingFishing opportunities are abundant at Saylorville Lake with species including walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and northern pike.
SwimmingSwimming is available nearby, though there is no immediate access from the campground. One user stated, 'The closest place to swim was a 13-minute trip by vehicle and they wanted $5 a day to park in the lot.'
BikingThe Neal Smith Trail is highly regarded for biking. Users appreciated its paved surface and the scenic access it provides.
BoatingBoating opportunities are available at Saylorville Lake, with nearby access to boat ramps and a marina.
Wildlife viewingWildlife is abundant, with sightings of white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, barred and great horned owls, and raccoons commonly reported.
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Policies & Safety
Hazards & AlertsWildlife like raccoons may approach campsites. Ensure food is stored securely. Tree limbs may obstruct larger RVs.
Active AlertsNo current alerts.
Weather at Acorn Valley
Reviews
4.1
348 reviews
Acorn Valley is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews reflect a wide range of sentiments about Acorn Valley Campground. Positive themes include clean facilities, spacious sites, and friendly staff, while negative reviews mention noise issues, raccoons, and proximity concerns.
Review Summaries
Based on 348 reviews
What Campers Love
Clean facilities, scenic location, friendly staff, kid-friendly amenities such as a playground, spacious sites, and well-maintained bathrooms.
Based on 348 reviewsCommon Concerns
Raccoons overrunning campsites, noise from neighbors, lack of soap and proper ventilation in bathrooms, proximity of sites leading to privacy issues, and misleading information about lake access.
Based on 348 reviewsPro Tips & Recommendations
Bring earplugs for busy weekends, secure food to avoid raccoons, double-check accessibility to swimming areas, and consider bringing a wagon for walk-to sites.
Based on 348 reviewsSeasonal Insights
Summer months received mixed reviews due to high mosquito activity and raccoons. Fall reviews were largely positive with comments about quiet, clean facilities and pleasant weather.
Based on 348 reviewsCamper Quotes
1. 'Bathrooms were clean and showers were warm not hot of course but worked well.' (User: Steve G) 2. 'We had noisy neighbors and no ranger ever came by to tell them to quiet down.' (User: Deb L) 3....
Based on 348 reviewsShow more
Site-Specific Reviews
Site 025: Shade but grassy areas needed mowing. Site 019: Extremely close proximity to neighboring sites, leading to noise issues. Site 102: Excellent for youth groups with power and water available.
Based on 348 reviewsAccessibility Features
One user appreciated the accessible restroom areas, noting, 'Bathrooms were clean and easily accessible to all electric sites.' No complaints specific to accessibility were noted.
Based on 348 reviewsPet-Friendly Features
Mixed reviews on pet policies. Some users appreciated that dogs were kept quiet, while others reported issues with off-leash dogs.
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Last updated January 13, 2026
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