Can you reserve a site at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?

Yes, Bob Shetler Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?

62 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.

Are pets allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area.

Are campfires allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?

Campfires are allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Bob Shetler Recreation Area, Iowa — 67 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Bob Shetler Recreation Area is located in the tailwater area below 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

The campground offers 67 camping sites, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail, volleyball courts and a disc golf course. Boat ramps and an accessible fishing dock are also close by.

Natural Features

Large shade trees dot the open grassy areas of the campground, which offers excellent views of the Des Moines River. Most campsites are within easy walking distance of the shore. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

The facts

67 bookable sites
1 accessible site
Vehicles up to 62 ft
Up to 6 people per site
Loops: BSHE, BSHM, BSHW

Site types

67 Standard Electric

Amenities

Electric hookups
Water hookups
Sewer hookups
Campfires allowed
Fire pits
Picnic tables
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

67 campsites at Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 12:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
12	BSHE	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
13	BSHE	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Paved	—	6	🐾
14	BSHE	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	60 ft	6	🐾
15	BSHE	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	6	🐾
16	BSHE	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Paved	—	6	🐾
17	BSHE	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	6	🐾
18	BSHE	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	6	🐾
19	BSHE	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Paved	—	6	🐾
20	BSHE	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	—	6	🐾
22	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	6	🐾
23	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	55 ft	6	🐾
24	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	6	🐾
25	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	45 ft	6	🐾
26	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	35 ft	6	🐾
27	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
28	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
29	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
30	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Paved	50 ft	6	♿ 🐾
31	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
32	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
33	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
34	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	6	🐾
35	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
36	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
37	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
38	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
39	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
40	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
41	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
42	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
43	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
44	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
45	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
46	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
47	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
48	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
49	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
50	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	6	🐾
51	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
52	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
53	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
54	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
55	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
56	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	62 ft	6	🐾
57	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
58	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
59	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
60	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
61	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
62	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
63	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
64	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
65	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
66	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
67	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
68	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	50 ft	6	🐾
69	BSHM	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
02	BSHW	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	6	🐾
03	BSHW	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
04	BSHW	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	6	🐾
05	BSHW	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
06	BSHW	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	6	🐾
07	BSHW	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
08	BSHW	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	6	🐾
09	BSHW	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	—	6	🐾
10	BSHW	Standard Electric	Pull Through	Gravel	—	6	🐾
11	BSHW	Standard Electric	Back In	Gravel	25 ft	6	🐾

Getting there

From I-35, take exit 90 to Ankeny/Oralabor Road and go west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415. Turn left onto 37th Street, then turn right onto Horseshoe Road. Turn right and drive across the Saylorville Lake Dam to the campground.

41.70167, -93.68528 · 41°42'6.0"N 93°41'7.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 86°F in Jul, down to 30°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	30	34	47	61	72	82	86	84	77	64	48	35
Low °F	12	16	27	38	50	61	65	62	53	41	29	18
Precip in	1.0	1.0	2.0	4.0	5.3	5.4	4.2	4.7	3.6	2.7	1.9	1.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 2.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Can you reserve a site at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?: Yes, Bob Shetler Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Bob Shetler Recreation Area have?: 67 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?: 62 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?: Yes, pets are allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area.
Does Bob Shetler Recreation Area have hookups?: Electric, Water, Sewer.
Are campfires allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?: Campfires are allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Camping near Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Bob Shetler Picnic Area 0.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cottonwood Recreation Area 0.9 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) 1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cherry Glen Campground 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cherry Glen Picnic 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Oak Grove Picnic Area 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Walnut Ridge Recreation Area 2.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Acorn Valley 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Prairie Flower Recreation Area 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Sandpiper Recreation Area 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fifield (Ia) 39.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Whitebreast Point Shelter (Ia) 39.6 mi · Campground · we watch it

Contact

Phone 515-276-0873
Book Recreation.gov

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Bob Shetler Recreation Area