The Johnston Brief
Saylorville Lake is Johnston's big backyard on the water. The dam, the Corps project office and the visitor center all sit within Johnston at the lake's south end, and from there the reservoir stretches north up the Des Moines River valley. For a lot of the metro it's the default summer day trip: a beach in the morning, a boat in the afternoon, a campsite for the night. Here's the local guide, from the swimming beaches and the marina to the campgrounds and the trail.
Saylorville Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Des Moines River, with its dam and visitor center in Johnston. The whole project covers about 26,000 acres and stretches more than 50 miles up the river valley. It has two swimming beaches, a marina with boat rentals, several boat ramps ($5 per launch or $40 a year), 11 campgrounds, the paved Neal Smith Trail, and a visitor center at the dam.
About as close as it gets. The Saylorville dam, the Corps project office and the lake's visitor center are all inside Johnston, at 5600 NW 78th Avenue, so the south end of the lake is a few minutes from most of town. From there the beaches, marina and campgrounds are a short drive up the east and west shores. You can also reach the lake without a car: the Neal Smith Trail has a Johnston trailhead and runs right up to the water.
Saylorville has two public swimming beaches: Oak Grove on the east side and Sandpiper on the west, both with sand, roped-off swim areas, and nearby parking and restrooms. Oak Grove charges a beach fee of about $5 per vehicle in season and runs from late May through early September. There are no lifeguards, so it's swim-at-your-own-risk, and the sand fills up by midday on hot July weekends. Bring your own shade.
The lake is a popular spot for powerboats, pontoons, sailing, kayaks, and paddleboards. There are several public boat ramps around the lake, including Corps-run ramps and a Polk County access, with a fee of $5 per launch or $40 for an annual pass. If you don't own a boat, the Saylorville Lake Marina rents pontoons, including a party pontoon with a water slide, so you can get on the water without a trailer. On summer weekends, reserve rentals ahead.
Saylorville has 11 campgrounds ranging from full-amenity sites with electric hookups and modern restrooms to quieter, more rustic spots. The bigger Corps campgrounds (like Cherry Glen and Prairie Flower) book up on summer weekends and holidays, and most reservations run through Recreation.gov. For the full rundown of what's nearby and what's primitive versus full-hookup, see our campground finder. Just north, Big Creek State Park adds a calmer, no-wake lake and more day-use space.
The paved Neal Smith Trail, about 26 miles long, wraps along the lake and the Des Moines River, used for biking, running, walking, and inline skating. With a Johnston trailhead, you can ride from town straight to the water on protected paths, and continue north to Big Creek or south toward downtown Des Moines. See our Johnston trails guide and the trail finder for routes and trailheads.
Saylorville is one of central Iowa's better big-water fisheries, with walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish, and more. You'll need a valid Iowa fishing license. For species, ramps, and the smaller stocked lakes closer to town like Terra Lake, see the fish finder and our Terra Park guide.
The Saylorville Lake Visitor Center, near the dam in Johnston, is a good first stop, with the history of the lake and dam, an interactive map of the reservoir, an overlook, and a gift shop. It's also where you'll find current conditions and any closures, which matter here because Saylorville is a flood-control lake and water levels can swing a lot from spring to late summer.
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On the Des Moines River just north of Johnston. The dam, the Corps project office, and the lake's visitor center are in Johnston at 5600 NW 78th Avenue, so the lake sits right on Johnston's doorstep.
Yes, two public swimming beaches: Oak Grove (east side) and Sandpiper (west side). Oak Grove charges about $5 per vehicle in season. They're unguarded, so swim at your own risk, and expect crowds by midday on hot weekends.
Launch fees are $5 per launch or $40 for an annual pass. No boat? The marina rents pontoons, including a party boat with a water slide.
Yes, 11 campgrounds, from full-hookup to rustic. The bigger ones (Cherry Glen, Prairie Flower) fill on summer weekends and holidays; most reserve through Recreation.gov. See our campground finder.
Yes, the paved Neal Smith Trail (about 26 miles) runs along the lake with a Johnston trailhead, connecting north to Big Creek and south toward Des Moines. See the trails guide.