Walnut Ridge Recreation Area
WALNUT RIDGE RECREATION AREA
Part of Saylorville Lake
Overview
Walnut Ridge 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 offers three group picnic shelters with water and electricity. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground, and hiking trails.Natural Features
The area is situated on a wooded ridgeland on the west side of Saylorville Lake. Large shade trees cover the area.Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.
Recreation
The 18-hole Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course runs throughout the recreation area. The beautifully manicured course contains both open and wooded fairways with blind pins and tunnel shots.Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing and swimming opportunities. Anglers fish for walleye, wiper, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and northern pike.
The paved Neal Smith Trail 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
Special Event Permits are required for inflatable bounce houses and water features. 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.
- Playgrounds and restrooms near shelters are open to the public. Reservations apply only to picnic shelters not other amenities.
Click here for more information.
Click here for a virtual 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
- WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
- HIKING - Hiking
- FISHING - Fishing
- CAMPING - Camping
- BIKING - Biking
Directions
Use address 9125 NW Beave Drive, Johnston IA 50131. From I-35/80 north of Des Moines, take Johnston/Saylorville Lake Exit (131). Go north on Merle Hay Rd for 2.7 miles, then turn left onto NW Beaver Drive for 3.1 miles. Recreation area is 0.3 miles ahead on the right.
Contact Information
Phone: 515-276-4656
SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE5600 NW 78TH AVE
Johnston, IA 50131
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 01, Loop WALNUT RIDGE RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 02, Loop WALNUT RIDGE RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 03, Loop WALNUT RIDGE RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
