Bob Shetler Picnic Area
Saylorville Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: JOHNSTON, IA, IA
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 3.6 out of 5 (5 reviews)
Season: May through October
Bob Shetler Picnic Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam, and is a popular destination for shoreline fishermen. The 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project 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.The day-use area offers two large group picnic areas with water and electric hookups.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): strong signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: T-Mobile. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 100%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Electric Hookups, Fishing
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bob-shetler-picnic-area to be notified when sites open up.
Bob Shetler Picnic Area is a popular destination for shoreline fishermen in the tailwater area below Saylorsville Dam, with access to a 26,000-acre lake offering boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking.
Wildlife alert: Great Horned Owl, Barn Swallow, Pileated Woodpecker, Fish Crow, Fox Squirrel, and Eastern Mole documented in the area.
Insider tips for Bob Shetler Picnic Area: Book early - this is a federal campground with limited availability Only select sites have electric hookups; most sites have no hookups Popular spot for shoreline fishing in the tailwater below the dam
Skip Bob Shetler Picnic Area if: You need water or sewer hookups - not available at most sites. You're visiting outside May through October - seasonal closure. You need more than 2 tent sites available.
Best time to visit Bob Shetler Picnic Area: May-October — Facility operates seasonally May through October only.
Nearby campgrounds: Bob Shetler Recreation Area (JOHNSTON, IA), Cottonwood Recreation Area (JOHNSTON, IA), Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) (Johnston, IA), Cherry Glen Campground (JOHNSTON, IA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bob Shetler Picnic Area
Cell signal at Bob Shetler Picnic Area (JOHNSTON, IA): strong overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage · Verizon 5G: 100%
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- T-Mobile 4G LTE: 100% coverage · T-Mobile 5G: 100%
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Bob Shetler Picnic Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam, and is a popular destination for shoreline fishermen. The 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project 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.The day-use area offers two large group picnic areas with water and electric hookups.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early - this is a federal campground with limited availability
Only select sites have electric hookups; most sites have no hookups
Popular spot for shoreline fishing in the tailwater below the dam
Facility operates seasonally May through October only
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: T-Mobile.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
Getting there →
From I-35, take the Ankeny Exit #90 (Oralabor Road) and go west 4.8 miles; the road turns into HWY 415. Turn left (west) onto NW 37th Street and go 0.3 mile, then turn right onto NW Horseshoe Rd. Turn right and drive across the Saylorville Lake Dam to the campground. From I-80, take Exit #135 (2nd Avenue/Highway 415) exit and go north 3.5 miles. Turn left (west) onto Oralabor Road (Highway 415) and go 2.6 miles. Turn left (west) onto NW 37th Street and go 0.3 mile, then turn right onto NW Horses
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Saylorville Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Saylorville Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bob Shetler Picnic Area cost per night?+
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●Data sources on this page
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