Can you reserve a site at Sandpiper Recreation Area?

Yes, Sandpiper Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.

What is the maximum RV length at Sandpiper Recreation Area?

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

Are pets allowed at Sandpiper Recreation Area?

Yes, pets are allowed at Sandpiper Recreation Area.

Sandpiper Recreation Area, Iowa — 1 site, fees and cancellation alerts

Overview

Sandpiper 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 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 one large group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 500 people. Amenities include water and electricity, flush toilets, a playground, overlook, boat ramp and access to hiking and biking trails. A marina is nearby.

Natural Features

Sandpiper is situated in a broad, open area on the northeast 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.

The facts

1 bookable site
1 site for day use only
Vehicles up to 20 ft
Up to 250 people per site
Loops: SANDPIPER RECREATION AREA

Site types

1 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

1 campsite at Sandpiper Recreation Area

Check-in 7:00 AM · Check-out 9:00 PM

Site	Loop	Type	Entry	Surface	Max rig	People
1	SANDPIPER RECREATION AREA	Group Picnic Area	—	Paved	20 ft	250	🐾

Getting there

Physical Address: 7101 NW Polk City Drive Polk City, IA 50226

From I-35, take Exit 92 and go east on First Street approximately 5 miles to HWY 415. Turn right (north) and travel approximately 3 miles to recreation area on the right.

41.75361, -93.70972 · 41°45'13.0"N 93°42'35.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 85°F in Jul, down to 30°F in Jan.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °F	30	35	49	62	72	81	85	83	76	63	48	35
Low °F	13	17	29	40	52	62	66	64	55	43	30	19
Precip in	1.0	1.3	2.1	4.0	4.8	5.3	4.3	4.0	3.4	2.5	1.9	1.5

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.4 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Common questions about Sandpiper Recreation Area

Can you reserve a site at Sandpiper Recreation Area?: Yes, Sandpiper Recreation Area is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Sandpiper Recreation Area have?: 1 site.
What is the maximum RV length at Sandpiper Recreation Area?: 20 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Sandpiper Recreation Area?: Yes, pets are allowed at Sandpiper Recreation Area.
Does Sandpiper Recreation Area have hookups?: Water.

Camping near Sandpiper Recreation Area

Prairie Flower Recreation Area 1.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Acorn Valley 1.3 mi · Campground · we watch it
Oak Grove Picnic Area 1.6 mi · Campground · we watch it
Walnut Ridge Recreation Area 1.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cherry Glen Picnic 2.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cherry Glen Campground 2.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) 3.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bob Shetler Recreation Area 3.8 mi · Campground · we watch it
Bob Shetler Picnic Area 4.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
Cottonwood Recreation Area 4.7 mi · Campground · we watch it
Fifield (Ia) 42.1 mi · Campground · we watch it
Whitebreast Point Shelter (Ia) 42.7 mi · Campground · we watch it

Contact

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

Sandpiper Recreation Area