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Army Corps of Engineers · Saylorville Lake

Acorn Valley

Acorn Valley Campground is 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 camping, bicycling, boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting. Anglers enjoy the lake for its abundance of 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.

Reservable91 sitesAccessibility info
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Acorn Valley Youth Camping Area
USACE Saylorville Lake Staff

Campsites

Walk-in54
Standard with electric29
Host/management6
group walk to1
Group tent areas1
Total91

Amenities & rules

✓ Electric hookups✓ Water hookups✓ Pets allowed✓ Campfires allowedMax vehicle length 82 ftRVs & trailersTents

Compiled from site-level records; individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Getting there

From I-35/80 north of Des Moines, Iowa, take exit 131 toward Johnston/Saylorville Lake. Turn north on Merle Hay Road and continue for 2.8 miles. At the four-way stop, turn left on Northwest Beaver Drive and continue for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Northwest Coryden Drive and follow signs into the campground.

Campgrounds nearby

Data source: Recreation.gov RIDB, retrieved August 30, 2026. The Campsite Atlas is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Recreation.gov or any federal agency. Always confirm critical details on the official Recreation.gov page before you travel.