Cottonwood Recreation Area
Saylorville Lake — lakeside, fishing, hiking
Location: JOHNSTON, IA, IA
Price: From $50 per night
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (26 reviews)
Season: May through October
Cottonwood Recreation Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam. 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 nine 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/cottonwood-recreation-area to be notified when sites open up.
Cottonwood Recreation Area is a scenic day-use and camping facility in the tailwater below Saylorsville Dam with extensive walking areas, river access, and free amenities. Google reviewers rate it 4.6/5 stars, calling it a 'hidden Des Moines gem' with beautiful grounds suitable for events and recreation.
Wildlife alert: Great Horned Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Fish Crow, Barn Swallow, Fox Squirrel, and Eastern Mole have been documented in the area.
Insider tips for Cottonwood Recreation Area: Book early as this is a federal campground with only 9 tent sites and high demand. Electric hookups are available on select sites only; most sites have no hookups. Extensive free walking and parking areas available for day-use visitors.
Skip Cottonwood Recreation Area if: You need water or sewer hookups—not available at most sites.. You prefer to camp outside May-October; seasonal operations only.. You're visiting outside peak season as operations close November-April..
Best time to visit Cottonwood Recreation Area: May-October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only..
Nearby campgrounds: Bob Shetler Picnic Area (JOHNSTON, IA), Bob Shetler Recreation Area (JOHNSTON, IA), Lake View Recreation Area (Saylorville) (Johnston, IA), Cherry Glen Campground (JOHNSTON, IA).
Cell Phone Coverage at Cottonwood Recreation Area
Cell signal at Cottonwood Recreation 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.
Cottonwood Recreation Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam. 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 nine 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 as this is a federal campground with only 9 tent sites and high demand.
Electric hookups are available on select sites only; most sites have no hookups.
Extensive free walking and parking areas available for day-use visitors.
Campground operates seasonally during these months 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 →
Utilize address 7400 NW 37th Street Ankeny IA 50023 (Not a valid mailing address). From I-35, take Exit 90 in Ankeny and head approxmately 3.5 miles west to NW 84th Ave. Turn Left on 84th Ave and head south apprximately 1.5 miles to Cottonwood Recreation Area on the right.
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 Cottonwood Recreation Area cost per night?+
What season is Cottonwood Recreation Area open?+
Does Cottonwood Recreation Area have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Cottonwood Recreation Area?+
How do I make reservations at Cottonwood Recreation Area?+
What is the cell service like at Cottonwood Recreation Area?+
What season is Cottonwood Recreation Area open, and what are check-in times?+
●Data sources on this page
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