Cherry Glen Campground
Cherry Glen Campground is located on 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 · reservable in Iowa · big rigs in Iowa · pets allowed in Iowa
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗



Site mix
| Standard with electric | 125 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 93 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
125 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 002 | Back-in | 53 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 004 | Back-in | 45 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 3 | Yes | |
| 005 | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 006 | Back-in | 41 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 007 | Back-in | 54 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 008 | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | ||
| 009 | Back-in | 52 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 010 | Back-in | 47 | Gravel | Partial | 50 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |
| 011 | Back-in | 57 | Gravel | Full | 50 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, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 53 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Accessibility | Sites 015, 016, 017, 066 and 2 more are listed accessible |
This large campground offers 125 family sites, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. Educational programs, group shelters, playgrounds, and a boat ramp all provide additional recreation opportunities for guests. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail and a disc golf course.
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 Industrial Parkway. Continue onto Highway 160 west for 4.8 miles. The road turns into Highway 415. Continue for another 4 miles and follow signs into the campground.
| Nearest town | Johnston, Iowa |
| Coordinates | 41.7314° N, 93.6800° W · Directions ↗ |
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 1.2 mi |
| RV sales & service | Hillcrest RV ↗ | 3.2 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Sportsman's Warehouse ↗ | 5.4 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Video of Cherry Glen Campground, IA from Lisa H.
Other campgrounds nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
Natural features
Cherry Glen, the oldest and most popular campground on the lake, is nestled on a compact 13-acre wooded ridge. 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 Cherry Glen Campground?
Sites at Cherry Glen Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cherry Glen Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Cherry Glen Campground have?
125 sites, including 125 standard sites with power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cherry Glen Campground?
The longest site here provides 53 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 Cherry Glen Campground have hookups?
Yes, electric and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Cherry Glen Campground?
Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cherry Glen Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cherry Glen Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cherry Glen Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there accessible sites at Cherry Glen Campground?
Sites 015, 016, 017, and 066 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 6 sites in all. 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 Cherry Glen Campground?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 4G LTE, 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 Cherry Glen Campground?
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 Cherry Glen Campground?
Johnston, Iowa.
Source: Getting there


