Goldenrod Loop

For those of us in Iowa looking for a convenient and family-friendly camping experience, Goldenrod Loop, nestled within the expansive Prairie Flower Recreation Area at Saylorville Lake in Polk City, consistently comes highly recommended. This campground is celebrated by local visitors for its cleanliness, well-maintained facilities, and welcoming atmosphere, making it a truly ideal spot for a relaxing and enjoyable outdoor getaway. As one happy camper noted, after a visit with in-laws, "The site was clean and so were the facilities. The park ranger that came by was nice and took the time to stop to talk with us. Hope to visit more often." This speaks volumes about the quality of the experience at Goldenrod Loop.

Saylorville Lake, a vast 26,000-acre project that stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley, is a significant natural and recreational hub in central Iowa. Goldenrod Loop is one of the well-appointed camping loops within the Prairie Flower Recreation Area, providing campers with direct access to the lake's abundant recreational opportunities while offering the comfort and peace of a well-managed campground. Whether you're planning a weekend escape or a longer family vacation, Goldenrod Loop offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, outdoor activities, and essential amenities.

The Prairie Flower Recreation Area, encompassing over 60 acres, is known for its spacious and thoughtful layout, ensuring that campers have plenty of room to unwind and enjoy their surroundings. Goldenrod Loop particularly stands out for its family-friendly features, including a "very large and new playground for the kids." This, combined with clean bathrooms that are "close and clean," makes it a top choice for families with children. At around $20 a night, as another reviewer mentioned, it offers excellent value for a quality camping experience right here in Iowa.

Goldenrod Loop is ideally located within the Prairie Flower Recreation Area in Polk City, Iowa. While the provided address is simply "Polk City, IA 50226, USA," it's understood to be part of this larger, well-known recreational complex on the east side of Saylorville Lake. Its strategic location makes it incredibly accessible for residents across central Iowa, including those from the greater Des Moines area, allowing for convenient and quick travel to your camping destination.

To reach Goldenrod Loop by car, visitors typically take I-35 and exit onto Ankeny/Oralabor Road (Exit 90). From there, proceed west for approximately 4.8 miles. This road transitions into Highway 415, and clear signage will then guide you directly to the Prairie Flower Recreation Area. Once inside Prairie Flower, the loops are clearly marked, leading you to Goldenrod Loop. The internal roads are well-maintained, ensuring smooth access for all vehicle types, from passenger cars to large RVs.

Beyond vehicle access, Goldenrod Loop also benefits from its close proximity to the paved Neal Smith Trail. This impressive 24-mile National Recreation Trail winds from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the various campgrounds on the east side of Saylorville Lake. This offers an excellent opportunity for campers to enjoy biking, hiking, jogging, or in-line skating directly from their campsite, providing a fantastic way to explore the area's natural beauty and connectivity.

• Electric Hookups: Most, if not all, family sites within Prairie Flower Recreation Area, including those in Goldenrod Loop, are equipped with electric hookups (typically 20/30/50 amp). This provides essential power for RVs and other electrical needs, enhancing comfort.
• Flush Toilets: The campground provides modern, clean flush toilet facilities that are consistently maintained, as highlighted by visitor reviews ("Bathrooms are close and clean"), ensuring a comfortable and hygienic experience.
• Showers: Well-maintained shower houses with hot water are available, allowing campers to refresh after a day of outdoor activities on the lake or trails. The cleanliness of these facilities is a recurring positive comment from visitors.
• Drinking Water: Potable water sources are readily available throughout the campground, ensuring campers have access to a reliable and safe supply for drinking and cooking. While individual site water hookups might not be universal, communal access is assured.
• Dump Station: For RV campers, a convenient dump station is available within the Prairie Flower Recreation Area, making waste management easy and efficient.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite typically includes a sturdy picnic table and a fire ring with a grill grate, perfect for outdoor meals and evening campfires.
• Playgrounds: A significant highlight, as noted by a reviewer, is the "very large and new playground for the kids," providing a dedicated and engaging space for children to play and burn energy.
• Swimming Beach: A designated swimming beach at Saylorville Lake is easily accessible from the campground, offering a refreshing way to cool off and enjoy the water during warmer months.
• Educational Programs: The Saylorville Lake Administration occasionally offers educational programs, providing opportunities to learn more about the local environment and wildlife.
• Group Shelters: For larger gatherings or day use, group shelters are available for reservation within the broader recreation area, offering shaded areas with picnic tables.
• Friendly Park Rangers/Staff: As one review noted, the "park ranger that came by was nice and took the time to stop to talk with us," indicating a friendly and helpful staff presence that enhances the overall camping experience.

• Family-Friendly Environment: Goldenrod Loop is particularly well-suited for families, primarily due to its "very large and new playground for the kids," making it a popular choice for those with children.
• Exceptional Cleanliness: Visitors consistently praise the campground for its "clean site" and "clean facilities," including restrooms and showers, ensuring a comfortable and pleasant stay.
• Spacious Sites: Campsites within Prairie Flower Recreation Area, including Goldenrod Loop, are generally spacious and often level, suitable for both tent and RV camping, providing ample room for your setup and personal space.
• Value for Money: At around $20 a night (as mentioned by a reviewer), Goldenrod Loop offers excellent value for the quality of amenities and the overall experience, making it an affordable option for many Iowans.
• Direct Lake Access: Campers enjoy direct and easy access to the vast 6,000-acre Saylorville Lake, renowned for its extensive recreational opportunities including boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, and swimming. Boat ramps and fishing docks are conveniently close by.
• Excellent Fishing: Anglers will find a variety of fish in Saylorville Lake, including walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, and northern pike, providing ample opportunities for a successful catch.
• Neal Smith Trail Connectivity: The paved Neal Smith Trail, a 24-mile National Recreation Trail, is easily accessible and perfect for biking, hiking, jogging, walking, and in-line skating, connecting the campground to other areas around the lake and even to Des Moines.
• Native Prairie and Wildlife: The surrounding Prairie Flower Recreation Area features over 40 acres of native prairie plantings, enhancing the natural beauty with vivid colors from mid-summer to fall and providing habitat for abundant wildlife, including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and waterfowl.
• Friendly and Attentive Staff: The positive interaction with park rangers, as described in a review, indicates a commitment to visitor satisfaction and a welcoming environment.

While Goldenrod Loop is a specific area within Prairie Flower Recreation Area, direct contact for campground inquiries and reservations typically goes through the Saylorville Lake Administration Office or the Recreation.gov booking system.

Address: Polk City, IA 50226, USA (This is the general address for Prairie Flower Recreation Area, which includes Goldenrod Loop).

For campground inquiries and general information regarding Prairie Flower Recreation Area (which includes Goldenrod Loop), you can contact the Saylorville Lake Administration Office:

Phone Number: 515-984-6925 (for campground inquiries)

For reservations, it is highly recommended to use the national reservation system:

Reservations: 877-444-6777 or visit www.recreation.gov

For those of us living in Iowa, Goldenrod Loop at Prairie Flower Recreation Area offers an outstanding local camping option that combines convenience, exceptional amenities, and a truly welcoming environment. Its prime location in Polk City, easily accessible from across central Iowa, means that a rejuvenating outdoor escape is always within reach, allowing us to maximize our leisure time without the burden of long travel.

The feedback from fellow Iowans speaks volumes: the "clean site" and "clean facilities," including bathrooms, highlight the high standards of maintenance that ensure a comfortable stay. The presence of a "very large and new playground for the kids" makes it an absolute win for families, providing engaging activities for younger campers right at their doorstep. This focus on family-friendly features, combined with the affordability (around $20 a night), makes Goldenrod Loop an accessible and appealing choice for all types of Iowan households.

Beyond the campground itself, the immediate access to Saylorville Lake is a major draw. Whether you're eager to get out on the water for boating, enjoy a day of fishing for various species, or simply relax by the swimming beach, the lake offers endless recreational possibilities. The direct connection to the paved Neal Smith Trail also provides ample opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying Iowa's scenic landscapes directly from your campsite.

The friendly and helpful park staff, as noted by visitors, adds a personal touch that enhances the overall experience, fostering a sense of community and care. Goldenrod Loop isn't just a place to set up camp; it's a vibrant hub for outdoor adventure and relaxation, allowing Iowans to create cherished memories, explore our state's natural beauty, and enjoy quality time with loved ones in a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. We highly recommend making reservations in advance, especially during peak seasons, to secure your spot at this wonderful local gem.

Goldenrod Loop

Polk City, IA 50226, USA