Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville)

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Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville)

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Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville)
No fees available
Campsite Fees
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00
Total Campsite Fees$0.00

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What Campers Say

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Limited Reviews

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Most mentioned

peacefullake

"Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Lake View Recreation Area at Saylorville, describing it as a beautiful, peaceful place to relax, boat, and fish. Visitors praise the well‑maintained facilities, ample parking and ramp space, and the overall care from the Army Corps of Engineers. A few reviews note limitations like steep ramps, lack of bathrooms, and restricted spots to sit and watch boat activity."

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About Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville)

Perched on a scenic ridge above Saylorville Lake's western shore, Lake View Recreation Area serves as your gateway to 26,000 acres of outdoor adventure. This well-appointed day-use facility welcomes visitors with modern amenities including a sheltered picnic area, boat ramp, and restrooms, making it the perfect basecamp for a full day of boating, fishing, swimming, or exploring the surrounding trails.
Day-use recreation area focused on picnicking, boating and trail-based recreation; no overnight camping facilities described. A picnic shelter can accommodate up to 50 people.
Natural Features and SceneryThe recreation area commands sweeping views of Saylorville Lake from its elevated ridgetop position, where the landscape transitions from open recreational spaces to dense stands of mature timber that cloak the surrounding hillsides. While the site itself offers limited shade, the nearby forests provide habitat for an impressive array of wildlife—keep your eyes open for white-tailed deer browsing at dawn and dusk, wild turkeys strutting through clearings, and seasonal migrations of waterfowl skimming across the lake's surface. The diverse ecosystem also supports pheasants and numerous small game species, making this a year-round destination for nature enthusiasts and hunters alike.
Geological RegionDes Moines River Valley (Saylorville Lake Project)
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Campsite details

Total Campsitesnull campsites
Recommended CampsitesPicnic shelter accommodates up to 50 people; attached restroom is available to the general public. Shade within the site is limited despite surrounding timber.

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Reserving a campsite

Groups
Picnic shelter available that can accommodate up to 50 people (day-use).
Tents
Tents are not allowed
RV vehicles
RV vehicles are not allowed
Primitive
Primitive are not allowed
Reservable
Reservations are not allowed

Site layoutDay-use picnic area with a shelter (up to 50 people), water and electricity hookups at the shelter, attached public restroom with flushing toilets, and a nearby boat ramp and trail access.

Amenities available

Potable water
Flush toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Saylorville Lake offers a wide variety of water-based and land-based recreational activities including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking and wildlife viewing. Trails and a boat ramp provide access to these uses.
Hiking
The paved Neal Smith Trail on the east side of the lake winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects campgrounds; it is designated a National Recreation Trail and is used for hiking, jogging and walking.
Fishing
Anglers fish for walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike in Saylorville Lake.
Swimming
The lake provides swimming opportunities as part of its recreational uses.
Biking
The Neal Smith Trail is used for biking and connects recreation areas along the east side of the lake.
Boating
Boating is a primary activity with a boat ramp on site and the lake supporting boating, sailing, water skiing and windsurfing.
Wildlife viewing
Wildlife is abundant; white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl and other small game occur around the lake.
Water Sports
Sailing, water skiing, windsurfing
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Campground rules

  • Pets are not allowed

Hazards

General hazardsLimited shade within the site. Wildlife is abundant in the area (white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl and small game).

Weather at Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville)

18
°F
Dec 11
Thursday
Overcast
Precipitation: 0%
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 8.1 mph
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Good to know

Proximity to water featuresLocated on Saylorville Lake with on-site boat ramp and direct lake access; overlooks the west side of the lake.

Campground Map

Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville)
Driving directionsFrom 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.
Accessible via I-35 (Ankeny Exit #90/Oralabor Road) and I-80 (Exit #131/Merle Hay Rd); directions involve HWY 415, NW 37th St, NW Horseshoe Rd, crossing the Main Dam, and NW Beaver Dr.

Reviews from booking and map sources

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0 reviews
Limited Reviews
Limited Reviews
Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews
Reviewers are overwhelmingly positive about Lake View Recreation Area at Saylorville, describing it as a beautiful, peaceful place to relax, boat, and fish. Visitors praise the well‑maintained facilities, ample parking and ramp space, and the overall care from the Army Corps of Engineers. A few reviews note limitations like steep ramps, lack of bathrooms, and restricted spots to sit and watch boat activity.
Review Summaries

What Campers Love

Users frequently highlight the beauty and peacefulness of the lake and surrounding area, calling it a nice place to relax and even a “hidden gem” in central Iowa. They appreciate the great fishing,...
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Common Concerns

A small number of reviewers mention that the boat launch ramp is very long and steep, which could be challenging for some visitors. Others note the absence of bathrooms at the launch and the...
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Pro Tips & Recommendations

Be prepared for a steep, lengthy ramp if you’re launching kayaks or boats, and plan extra time and care when using it. Since some areas lack restrooms, visitors may want to use facilities before...
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Camper Quotes

"Had a great time on the lake! The ramps were busy but everything was well maintained." "We have used to launch our kayaks. Very long and very steep launch ramp.no bathrooms." "Saylorville lake is...
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Accessibility Features

One reviewer notes that the launch ramp is "very long and very steep," which may pose challenges for people with mobility issues or those moving small craft like kayaks. Another mentions that you...
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Last updated December 10, 2025
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