Can you reserve a site at Oak Grove Picnic Area?

Yes, Oak Grove Picnic Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Oak Grove Picnic Area?

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

Are pets allowed at Oak Grove Picnic Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Oak Grove Picnic Area.

Oak Grove Picnic Area, Iowa — 2 sites, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Oak Grove Picnic 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 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 offers two group picnic shelters with electric and water hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground, volleyball court and hiking trails.

Natural Features

Oak Grove lies among a heavily wooded forest of stately oak trees on the east side of the lake. A large beach is within walking distance.

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

The facts

2 bookable sites
2 sites for day use only
2 accessible sites
Vehicles up to 20 ft
Up to 50 people per site
Loops: OAK GROVE PICNIC AREA

Site types

2 Group Picnic Area

Amenities

Water hookups
Picnic tables
Grills
Shade
Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits.

Book on Recreation.gov

2 campsites at Oak Grove Picnic Area

Check-in 7:00 AM · Check-out 9:00 PM

Accessible only

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
001	OAK GROVE PICNIC AREA	Group Picnic Area	—	Paved	20 ft	50	♿ 🐾
002	OAK GROVE PICNIC AREA	Group Picnic Area	—	Paved	20 ft	50	♿ 🐾

Getting there

Physical Address: 4801 NW 98th Ave, Polk City, IA 50226

From Ankeny, travel 3.4 miles west on 1st Street. Turn right onto HWY 415 for 0.9 miles, then left onto NW 44th street, which turns slightly right and becomes NW 98th Ave. Picnic area is on the right.

41.73889, -93.68472 · 41°44'20.0"N 93°41'5.0"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, 1.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Oak Grove Picnic Area

Can you reserve a site at Oak Grove Picnic Area?: Yes, Oak Grove Picnic Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Oak Grove Picnic Area have?: 2 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Oak Grove Picnic Area?: 20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Oak Grove Picnic Area?: Yes, pets are allowed at Oak Grove Picnic Area.
Does Oak Grove Picnic Area have hookups?: Water.

Camping near Oak Grove Picnic Area

Cherry Glen Picnic 0.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cherry Glen Campground 0.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Prairie Flower Recreation Area 0.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Sandpiper Recreation Area 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Walnut Ridge Recreation Area 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Acorn Valley 2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) 2.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bob Shetler Recreation Area 2.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bob Shetler Picnic Area 3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cottonwood Recreation Area 3.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fifield (Ia) 40.5 mi · Campground · we watch it
Whitebreast Point Shelter (Ia) 41 mi · Campground · we watch it

Contact

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

Oak Grove Picnic Area