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Picnic Shelters

Sandpiper Super Shelter

Saylorville Lake operates seven day use areas with over twenty picnic shelters available for reservation.  Shelters may be reserved by calling (515) 270-6173, Monday and Wednesday only between 9 am and 3:30 pm, January through October.  A non-refundable special facility use fee is required to reserve a shelter.   Use fees, area open dates, amenities and other site information for each shelter is listed in the chart below.

Picnic Shelter Areas Use Fee Shelter # Capacity Parking Spaces Other Information

Bob Shetler

Open May 1 - Sep 30

(Bike trail, river & pond fishing access, near camping)
$50*
1
100
40
 Near river
2
100
40
 Near pond, sand volleyball w/net, play area & restroom across road

Cherry Glen

Open Mar 31 - Oct 31

 (Bike trail access, near boat ramp & camping)  
$50*
1
 100
37
 No play area within view of shelter
2 75 31 Near baseball diamond
3 50 20
4 100 34 No play area, limited open space
5 125 50 View of lake
6 200 76

Cottonwood

Open Mar 31 - Oct 31

(bike trail access, fishier pier, volleyball with net available at each shelter)
$50*
        
1
 75 25 No close playground
2 100 34 No close playground, limited open space
3 100 34
4 250 104 Near river, lots of open space
5 100 37 Across road from pond, lots of open space
6 100 37
7 100 35 Secluded, lots of open space
8 100 35 Lots of open space
9 75 31 Near river

Oak Grove

Open May 26 - Sep 3

(Bike trail access)
$50*
1
 50 17 Wooded area, limited open space, beach 1/4 mile
2 50 21

Walnut Ridge

Open Mar 31 - Oct 31

(18 hole disc golf, hiking trail to Acorn Valley)
$50*
1
 125 50 Near hiking trail
2 250 105 View of lake
3 75 30 Wooded, no fireplace nor play area, portable toilet

Sandpiper

Open May 1 - Sep 30

(beach & boat ramp 1/2 mile, trail access)
$110*
1
 500 123 "L" shaped, patio, sand volleyball w/net & baseball diamond

Lakeview

Open Mar - Nov
Free, Non-Reservable
1
 100 40 First-come first-serve. view of lake, adjacent to boat ramp

                                                   

All picnic areas have; restrooms, water & playgrounds.  Each shelter has (unless otherwise noted); volleyball uprights (no net), a fireplace, group grill, lighting, 4 electric outlets (20 amp) and 10 picnic tables (Sandpiper has 35 tables and 10 electric outlets).  All shelters are available on a first come basis for free, when not reserved.

Guidelines for Saylorville Lake Picnic Areas

Special Event Applications

Mail special event applications to:  Saylorville Lake, 5600 NW 78th Ave, Johnston, IA  50131 or email them to Saylorvillelake@usace.army.mil.

*Special Event Permits are required under unusual circumstances involving such things as listed below. Permit requirement for some activities is waived if the event/activity is held at a reserved picnic shelter. Please ask our staff for details when making your shelter reservation.

  • Events/Activities open to the public that involve DJ services, bands coming into a recreation area, fireworks, carnival type facilities (inflatable bouncies, dunk tanks, train rides etc.)
  • Special services like ranger presence, blocking of road ways, additional facilities (trash cans, extra tables, etc.)
  • Events/Activities where fees are charged to participate in an activity.
  • Events that are open to the general public to participate in (boat races, car races/driving courses, large fishing contest (Catch Big Jake), radio station promotions, running events, biking events.
  • Any event than requires a fee to participate, the Government has the right to 2% of the gross revenue, as well as audit of records.

NOTE:  Permit fee is $50 and non-refundable.  Events/Activities that are open to the general public and not restricted to a club or organization are required a minimum $1,000,000.00 (that is $1 million) comprehensive liability insurance coverage as well as insurance for bodily injury for each person and property damage for each occurrence. Typically $1,000,000.00 coverage is what organizations purchase.

*In some instances, described below, permits may still be issued, but fees waived.  In these cases, the permit serves as the "approval" from this office that their event or activity can take place in a recreation area or below the spillway. This permit also serves as proof that ranger staff is aware of the function, in the event a ranger or law enforcement officer questions their activity.

  • The event or activity is of short duration or special permission is granted.
  • Driving courses/training set up by local law enforcement agencies.
  • Training exercises conducted by local EMS agencies, search and rescue organizations.
  • Weddings at the butterfly garden or VC overlook: less than 20 people total and of short duration (20-30 minutes).
  • Grade school/high school/college organized or sponsored activities.
  • Organizations who qualify as a non-profit group for IRS 501(c)(3) guidelines, organization must show proof of their non-profit status.

    • Special Events Application

    Mail special event applications to:  Saylorville Lake, 5600 NW 78th Ave, Johnston, IA  50131 or email them to Saylorvillelake@usace.army.mil.