Cottonwood Recreation Area
COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA
Part of Saylorville Lake
Overview
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.Facilities
The day-use area offers nine group picnic areas with water and electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, a volleyball court, playground and hiking trails.Natural Features
Cottonwood covers a large open and flat lowland area bordering the east side of the Des Moines River.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 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
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.
Contact Information
Phone: 515-276-4656
SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE5600 NW 78TH AVENUE
JOHNSTON, IA 50131
Rental Options
Available Campsites
- Site 003, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 002, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 005, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 006, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 009, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 004, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 008, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 001, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
- Site 007, Loop COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA, Type Group Picnic Area
