Overview

Lake View Recreation Area is a day-use facility located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which 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.

Facilities

This day-use area contains a picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 50 people. Amenities include water and electricity, public bathroom with flushing toilets, boat ramp and access to hiking and biking trails. The attached restroom is available for the general public.

Natural Features

Lakeview View Shelter is situated on a ridge overlooking the West side of the lake. Dense timber stands surround the recreation area, but shade is limited within the site.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

Recreation

Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers fish for walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike. 

The paved Neal Smith Trail (East side of the lake) winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park and connects the campgrounds on the east side of the lake. It is designated as a National Recreation Trail and is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating.

Important Notices

• Lake View Recreation Area Shelter Opens at Sunrise and Closes at Sunset.

• Special Event Permits are required for inflatable bounce houses. Special Event Permits may be required for events that may impact nearby shelters, are open to the public, wedding events, company picnics etc. Please contact the Saylorville Lake Administration Office at 515-276-4656 to inquire.

• Shelters may be reserved up to 4 days in advance. If shelters are not reserved, they are available free of charge on a first come, first served basis.

• Reservations include parking and restrooms at or near shelter. They are open to the public.

• Click here for a vi rtual tour of the Saylorville Lake area.

• GUIDELINES FOR SAYLORVILLE LAKE PICNIC AREAS

  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers welcomes you to Saylorville Lake. Our goal is to make your visit a safe and enjoyable experience. A complete list of rules, Title 36 “Rules and Regulations” and other helpful maps and brochures are available from the Visitor Center, Park Rangers, Park Attendants or Hosts. Please contact any member of our staff if you have questions or need assistance. Please help maintain and protect park facilities and natural resources by following these guidelines when picnicking at Saylorville Lake.

  PICNIC AREA HOURS:

  Month of April 7am to 8pm.

  May through Labor Day 7am to 9pm .

  The day after Labor Day through October 7am to 8pm.

  Rules:

  1)      Clean up is the responsibility of the picnic users. Please clean up all spills and dispose of litter. If you have more trash than the garbage cans hold, please use area dumpsters. Leave the area in the condition you would like to find it.

  2)      The Possession of Fireworks, explosives, firearms, ammunition, bows or other projectile firing devices is prohibited.

  3)      The operation and parking of vehicles off roadways is prohibited.

  4)      Only street legal vehicles are allowed.

  5)      Amplified sound systems are not allowed without a Special Event Permit.

  6)      Yard games such as water balloons and egg toss are prohibited.

  7)      Trailer Roasters are allowed only in parking areas. Do not place hot roasters, grills, skillets or grease pan directly on picnic tables.

  8)      Pets must be confined or on a leash less than 6 feet long. Pets are not allowed in the restrooms. Please pick up and properly dispose of all pet waste.

  To contact a Park Ranger during normal business hours Monday—Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm, call (515) 276-4656.

  To contact a Park Ranger after normal business hours, call the Polk County Dispatch at (515) 286-3334

  THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION

Available Activities

• Boating - Boating
• Fishing - Fishing
• Wildlife Viewing - Wildlife Viewing
• Hiking - Hiking

Directions

<p>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. Continue past the Saylorville Lake Visitor Center and take a right to cross the Main Dam for 2.6 miles until you reach NW Beaver Dr. Turn right and drive North for 0.5 miles. Turn right into Lake View Recreation Area and follow road until your destination at Lake View Recreation Area Shelter. </p> <p>From I-80, take Exit #131 (Merle Hay Rd) exit and go north 2.7 miles. Turn left (West/North) onto NW Beaver Dr and go 1.6 miles. Turn right into Lake View Recreation Area and follow road until your destination at Lake View Recreation Area Shelter.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 515-276-4656

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip