Prairie Flower Rec Area, Johnston, IA

Prairie Flower Rec Area in Polk county is located just 11 min west of Ankeny, IA with an elevation of 937 feet. There are a total of 252 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of October. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 28 and 85 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Each site includes a picnic table and fire ring. 2 sites have electric and water hookups. 250 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $20.00 to $308.00. Some amenities include shower, dump station, playground, swimming, marina, flush toilets. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.

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41.74935, -93.68952
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(515) 984-6925 (Information)
(877) 444-6777 (Reservations)
$20 - $308

Campsite Reviews (332)

4.2 out of 5

5 star		59%
4 star		15%
3 star		5%
2 star		16%
1 star		2%

@LindaC3432477 · Camped on Oct 19, 2024 at Campsite #D114

Bike trail is fantastic. And hiking trail around campground was nice too

@SteveK1630665 · Camped on Oct 17, 2024 at Campsite #C78

Beautiful campground. Level site with concrete pad and fire pit. We used our Solo Stove, less smoke and more efficient. We were there mid-week and as we were leaving, the park was filling up for the weekend. Easy to navigate our 44' toy hauler through the campground roads and into our site, then out of the campground when we left. Bathrooms/showers nearby and well maintained although we used our own.

@DebbieP1359591 · Camped on Oct 15, 2024 at Campsite #H185

Very nice place. Only complaint is my campsite was too close to the highway and the traffic noise kept up all night. Plenty of options if I had realized the highway was so close I would have chosen a different site.

@PaulZ6405888 · Camped on Oct 14, 2024 at Campsite #C96

Easy In Easy Out, nice campsites.

@MatthewL946768 · Camped on Oct 11, 2024 at Campsite #D137

Please pave the sites in A loop

@BeckyD6F83DB91 · Camped on Oct 9, 2024 at Campsite #H183

Nice campsites. Was disappointed at how much noise from the highway there was.

@DavidG5648223 · Camped on Oct 7, 2024 at Campsite #D118

This was or first stay in Iowa and I had to make a new account to make the reservation. Apparently, I didn't do everything required and although I thought I had a reservation, the reality was that it had not gone through. The local park ranger came checking on us next morning and discovered we were there without a reservation. He was so professional and understanding. He helped me figure out the reservation system and get the site paid for. We very much appreciate the park employees we have met at this and all other COE and US Forest campgrounds.

@LizW9666061 · Camped on Oct 4, 2024 at Campsite #H181

They have the cleanest campground bathrooms I had ever seen. The campground was easy to find. The person who directed us to the campground at the entrance was kind and explained the directions well. The campsite was beautiful. The only issues were some of the other campers who were loud, and someone who sprayed weed killer everywhere and someone who left his hose to the RV hooked up to the water almost the entire time.

@DarenL55B593C5 · Camped on Oct 4, 2024 at Campsite #C96

Great campground, only wish that you could stay longer than noon on your last day

@ScottR9542386 · Camped on Oct 3, 2024 at Campsite #D132

The 110 outlet at site 127 is out. Every other site I have used at Prairie Flower has been excellent. Shower facilities are always spotless. Looking forward to 2025!Would also love information on how to use the first come first served sites. Website is very vague

@RobertB6182770 · Camped on Oct 2, 2024 at Campsite #C84

We love to go camping. The cement pads to level the camper are so easy. Way better than gravel pads. We love to bike and walk around and see what other people have for campers.We cant wait for the 2025 camp season.

@DavidR6871281 · Camped on Sep 30, 2024 at Campsite #B62

First, let me say Prairie Flower has always been our favorite place to camp. It is very sad to see how it has become so overgrown with weeds, especially around the entrance road and so close to campsites. The weeds are 4-6 feet tall and very close to the road edge. I nearly missed colliding with a biker pulling out from B entrance due to the tall weeds and the fact it is very difficult to see them. We're hoping they will cut all those weeds down before next year. The weeds also made it difficult for my husband's allergies.We appreciate the change of the check-out time to 12:00.

@JanetB8225386 · Camped on Sep 29, 2024 at Campsite #C78

Camp ground is exceptionally maintained, quiet and offers a lot of trails and activities. Will most definitely stay again!

@PatriciaO989C5 · Camped on Sep 27, 2024 at Campsite #A2

I had reserved campsites 2 and 3 in the Aster Loop for my husband and myself, one son and family with a pop-up, and another son and family in a tent on our site. We had planned a family picnic with my husband's siblings and cousins, about 30 total. The little parking lot was perfect for the travelers to the picnic. The sites were clean and #2 was shady. We grilled, the playground was nearby for the children, and except for a couple of yellow jacket stings, all had a great time. Prairie Flower is our favorite camping area at Saylorville Lake and we have camped in all the loops except for group camping to the north.

@RuthAnnT16976F · Camped on Sep 27, 2024 at Campsite #C101

The hosts at this campsite are too aggressive, on your tail everything we stop to fill with water wanting to know what site we're in. Why does it matter if we have a reservation?

@JillS9232022 · Camped on Sep 26, 2024 at Campsite #D122

Terrible camp hosts

@MaureenK5651D7 · Camped on Sep 25, 2024 at Campsite #C96

This was our first trip to the Des Moines area. Prairie Flower campground was a great base to visit several bike trails, tour the capital and the Saturday morning farmers market in Des Moines. Plenty of access to shopping, etc. The campground and several others on Saylorville Lake were upgraded in 2023 including 6 new dump stations at Prairie Flower. It was full on the weekends but quiet during the week. We were at site C96 which had a large level concrete pad, with a nice mix of sun and shade and a small view of the lake. The beach was a short walk as was the shower house which was very clean. We would definitely return if in the area!

@RobertB6182770 · Camped on Sep 24, 2024 at Campsite #C108

nice lake

@JohnG7676070 · Camped on Sep 24, 2024 at Campsite #B55

The biting bugs were awful. I don't think they would be so bad if that stuff growing not being mowed would be mowed as it should be It would be quite nice if they had some people come and give talks about animals, plants and so forth at the park

@JillS9232022 · Camped on Sep 22, 2024 at Campsite #D121

Camp hosts were rude and uncooperative I had to change dates and the end date of reservation got changed somehow.Told me I had to leave right now knowing full well I had to call someone to pull it out of there. Obviously wasnt gonna happen with my Prius. And to top it off no one pulled into that spot that night. I had a friend staying in the next spot over. makes me think they were lying. Wont go back there that is for sure and I paid 8 days between 2 spots

@SusanK2706776 · Camped on Sep 22, 2024 at Campsite #C87

Be ready to clean your concrete pad when you arrive. Could be cooking grease or kids chalk. There wont be a water source near by so make sure you have a bucket to carry water to the pad. I think the kids chalk is the worse because that stuff gets tracked all over the place. Maybe a chalk pad by the playground would be better instead the camping pad. I enjoy the Bald eagles playing in the morning. The sounds of wild turkeys that live in the camping area. The beautiful view and sunsets. The sounds of coyotes at night. The sailboat races on Wednesdays. Each year it seams to get more wild and natural. Now if the humans would not make such a mess and leave it for the next camper it would be great.

@ScottN8104786 · Camped on Sep 15, 2024 at Campsite #C98

Restrooms and showers were very clean. The concrete pads at the sites made setup quick. Lots of biketrails and the beach was a short 5 minute walk away.

@ErikaVDE37302D · Camped on Sep 15, 2024 at Campsite #A27

Nice campground would recommend staying here. My only complaint was my neighbors were loud after 10 and gave me non settling vibes, but you cant control who buys the site next to you.

@EviK25B9D0E9C2 · Camped on Sep 13, 2024 at Campsite #D137

The campground was excessively crowded. There were so many kids roaming around unattended.The campsites were so close together, there was no privacyCell service is nonexistent.

@johnc3063297 · Camped on Sep 8, 2024 at Campsite #D135

Most campsites are quite spacious, and many have paved campsite pads.

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