Bob Shetler Recreation Area
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.
More like this: electric hookups in Iowa · full hookups in Iowa · reservable in Iowa · big rigs in Iowa · pets allowed in Iowa
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard with electric | 67 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
67 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | BSHE | Back-in | 55 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 13 | BSHE | Pull-through | 38 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 14 | BSHE | Back-in | 57 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 1 | Yes | |
| 15 | BSHE | Back-in | 58 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 16 | BSHE | Pull-through | 43 | Paved | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 17 | BSHE | Back-in | 70 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 18 | BSHE | Back-in | 62 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 19 | BSHE | Pull-through | 52 | Paved | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 20 | BSHE | Back-in | 65 | Paved | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 22 | BSHM | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 30 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 62 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Site 30 is listed accessible |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Weather by month
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.
| Nearest town | Johnston, Iowa |
| Coordinates | 41.7017° N, 93.6853° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 0.3 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hillcrest RV ↗ | 3.7 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 5.2 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Bob Shelter Recreation Area & Campground, IA from Stephanie S.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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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.
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.
Guidebooks for Iowa
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
Sites at Bob Shetler Recreation Area are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Bob Shetler Recreation Area have?
67 sites, including 67 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
The longest site here provides 62 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Bob Shetler Recreation Area have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
Amenities include flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
Yes, pets are allowed at Bob Shetler Recreation Area. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
Site 30 is listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is there cell service at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
Visitors enjoy Saylorville Lake for its excellent boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Bob Shetler Recreation Area?
Johnston, Iowa.
Source: Getting there