Prairie Flower Recreation Area

For Iowans seeking a truly exceptional outdoor experience that blends comfortable amenities with abundant natural beauty, Prairie Flower Recreation Area stands out as a premier destination. Located in Johnston, Iowa, as a vital part of the expansive Saylorville Lake Project, this campground offers an inviting and well-maintained environment perfect for both seasoned RV enthusiasts and traditional tent campers. It's a place where the tranquility of nature meets the convenience of modern facilities, providing a fantastic escape right here in central Iowa.

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is highly regarded for its thoughtfully designed layout, featuring numerous spacious campsites. Many of these sites boast large concrete pads, offering a level and stable foundation for campers, and are spaced generously apart, ensuring a sense of privacy and peace. This commitment to comfort and space contributes significantly to the campground's reputation as a quiet and peaceful retreat, even with its popularity.

Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Prairie Flower Recreation Area benefits from professional oversight and a dedication to high standards of upkeep. This ensures that visitors can enjoy clean facilities, well-maintained grounds, and a reliable infrastructure for their stay. Whether you're drawn by the promise of stunning sunsets over Saylorville Lake, the allure of fishing, or the extensive network of trails, Prairie Flower offers an ideal base for all your outdoor adventures. Its convenient location also means you're never too far from necessary services, striking that perfect balance between nature immersion and accessibility.

This comprehensive article will guide you through all the essential details about Prairie Flower Recreation Area. We will cover its exact location and how easily accessible it is for Iowans, list the extensive services and features available, highlight its unique attractions, and ultimately, explain why this campground is perfectly suited for local residents looking for their next memorable outdoor escape. Prepare to discover the many reasons why Prairie Flower Recreation Area is a gem on Saylorville Lake.

Location and Accessibility

Prairie Flower Recreation Area is conveniently located at 5600 NW 78th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131, USA. This address places it on the east side of Saylorville Lake, just a short drive from the Des Moines metropolitan area. Its strategic location offers exceptional accessibility for residents throughout central Iowa, making it an ideal choice for both short getaways and longer vacations without the need for extensive travel.

Accessing Prairie Flower Recreation Area is straightforward. From I-35, you can take Exit 90 to Ankeny/Oralabor Road and head west for approximately 4.8 miles (which turns into Highway 415), then follow signs to the campground. From I-80, you can take Exit 135 (2nd Avenue/Highway 415) and head north for about 3.5 miles, then turn left (west) onto Oralabor Road (Highway 415) for 2.6 miles, continuing to follow signs. The internal roads within the recreation area are well-maintained, ensuring easy navigation for vehicles of all sizes, including large RVs and trailers.

The campground's proximity to communities like Johnston and Ankeny is a significant advantage for local Iowans. It means campers have easy access to a wide variety of shopping, restaurants, and other essential services that might be needed during their stay. This balance of a peaceful natural setting and convenient access to urban amenities makes Prairie Flower Recreation Area an attractive choice for those who want to feel "away from it all" without being truly isolated. It allows for more time enjoying the camping experience and less time worrying about logistics.

Services Offered

• Electric Hookups: Prairie Flower Recreation Area offers 153 family campsites and 10 group sites, all equipped with electric hookups (20, 30, and 50 amp services), accommodating a wide range of RVs and trailers.
• Spacious Concrete Pads: Many campsites feature large, level concrete pads, providing a stable and convenient setup for RVs and a clean area for tent campers. This is a frequently praised amenity by visitors.
• Modern Flush Toilets and Showers: Clean, accessible, and well-maintained modern bathhouses with flush toilets and showers are available throughout the campground, ensuring comfort for all campers.
• Potable Drinking Water: Access to safe, potable drinking water is available via multiple hydrants located strategically throughout the campground.
• Dump Station: A well-kept and easily accessible dump station is provided for RV and trailer campers to dispose of wastewater.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite typically includes a picnic table and a fire ring, perfect for outdoor meals, campfires, and evening relaxation.
• Reservable Sites: Campsites are available for reservation online through Recreation.gov up to six months in advance, allowing campers to plan their trips and secure their preferred spot, especially during peak seasons.
• Youth Camping Area: A dedicated area for youth groups is available, usually by reservation, catering to organized outdoor programs.
• Recycling Containers: Recycling facilities are often available in campgrounds to encourage environmentally responsible waste disposal.
• Pet-Friendly: Pets are generally welcome, provided they are kept on a leash and owners adhere to cleanup rules, allowing furry companions to join the adventure.

Features / Highlights

• Direct Access to Saylorville Lake: The campground's prime location provides excellent access to the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake, a vast reservoir perfect for water-based recreation.
• Boating and Water Sports: Saylorville Lake is a popular destination for boating, sailing, water skiing, and windsurfing, with nearby boat ramps for easy launching.
• Swimming Beaches: Two sandy swimming beaches are available on Saylorville Lake, providing refreshing options for cooling off during warmer months.
• Excellent Fishing: Anglers will find Saylorville Lake to be a prime spot for fishing, with a variety of species including walleye, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and northern pike.
• Neal Smith Trail Access: The paved Neal Smith Trail, a 24-mile National Recreation Trail, winds directly through or adjacent to the campground. It’s perfect for biking, hiking, jogging, and in-line skating, connecting to other areas around the lake and towards Des Moines.
• Prairie Plantings: Over 40 acres of beautiful prairie plantings within the recreation area showcase Iowa's natural heritage, providing vivid colors from mid-summer to fall and enhancing the scenic beauty.
• Abundant Wildlife: The diverse habitats surrounding the lake and campgrounds are home to white-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl, and various other small game animals, offering excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
• Playgrounds: Multiple playgrounds are available within Prairie Flower Recreation Area, offering ample space and equipment for children to play and burn energy.
• Scenic Sunsets: Many lake-view sites offer stunning sunsets over Saylorville Lake, creating picturesque and memorable evening experiences.
• Quiet and Peaceful Atmosphere: Despite being a large campground, many campers praise Prairie Flower for its quiet and peaceful ambiance, especially with the generous spacing between sites.

Contact Information

Address: 5600 NW 78th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131, USA

Phone: (515) 984-6925

Mobile Phone: +1 515-984-6925

This phone number is primarily for the Prairie Flower Campground Office. For broader inquiries about Saylorville Lake Project management or other recreational areas, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Saylorville Lake Administration Office can be contacted at:

Saylorville Lake Administration Office Phone: 515-276-4656

For online reservations and detailed campsite information, visitors are encouraged to visit Recreation.gov and search for "Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Saylorville Lake."

Conclusion: Why This Place is Suitable for Locals

Prairie Flower Recreation Area stands as an exemplary camping destination, perfectly suited for residents across Iowa. Its inherent suitability for locals is rooted in a powerful combination of convenient accessibility, a wide array of high-quality amenities, and an abundance of recreational activities, all within the breathtaking setting of Saylorville Lake.

For Iowans, the ease of access to Prairie Flower Recreation Area is a significant benefit. Its prime location in Johnston, just a short drive from the Des Moines metropolitan area, means that a tranquil escape into nature is always within reach. This proximity eliminates the need for lengthy travel, allowing more valuable time to be spent enjoying the outdoors, making it ideal for weekend getaways, family vacations, or even spontaneous mid-week breaks. The convenience of being close to urban centers for supplies and services further enhances its appeal, balancing rustic charm with practical accessibility.

Furthermore, the campground's commitment to providing excellent facilities ensures a comfortable and enjoyable stay for all types of campers. The presence of numerous electric hookup sites with spacious concrete pads, modern flush toilets, and clean showers caters to both RV and tent campers seeking a more developed experience. This focus on comfort allows families, in particular, to introduce younger members to camping without sacrificing essential conveniences, fostering a love for the outdoors in a welcoming environment. The generally quiet and peaceful atmosphere, despite its popularity, adds to its allure, providing a genuine sense of relaxation.

Lastly, the extensive range of recreational activities available directly within or adjacent to Prairie Flower Recreation Area makes it an all-encompassing destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The direct access to Saylorville Lake provides endless opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. The popular Neal Smith Trail running through the area offers miles of paved path for biking and hiking, encouraging active exploration of the beautiful prairie landscapes and abundant wildlife. This variety ensures that every visitor, regardless of age or interest, will find something engaging to do, making Prairie Flower a truly versatile and fulfilling local gem.

By choosing Prairie Flower Recreation Area, Iowans are not just selecting a place to camp; they are embracing a high-quality outdoor experience that is convenient, comfortable, and rich with opportunities for recreation and relaxation. It’s a testament to Iowa’s beautiful natural resources and commitment to providing accessible, well-managed spaces for its residents to connect with the great outdoors.

Prairie Flower Recreation Area

5600 NW 78th Ave, Johnston, IA 50131, USA