Campsite for booking · Polk City

Acorn Valley

via Recreation.gov Johnston, IA, Polk City, Iowa, United States

Overview

Pitches
85
Pitch types
campervan, caravan, motorhome, tent
Season
Not stated: check on Recreation.gov
Check-in / out
14:00 / 12:00

Facilities

  • Dogs allowedListed by Recreation.gov
  • Drinking waterListed by Recreation.gov
  • Electric hook-upListed by Recreation.gov
  • Hardstanding pitchesListed by Recreation.gov
  • Wheelchair accessibleListed by Recreation.gov

Policies

PetsYes
SmokingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
Instant bookingNot stated: check on Recreation.gov
CancellationNot stated: check on Recreation.gov

About this campsite

Overview

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.

Recreation

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. Facilities

The campground offers 29 family sites with electric hookups and 54 primitive walk-to tent sites. The campground also features 2 group tent camping areas; a youth group camping area with special restrictions to organized youth as well as a standard group area open to all visitors. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station.

Nearby facilities include picnic areas with group shelters, boat ramps, a marina and a fishing dock. Natural Features

The mature Bur Oaks at the entrance to Acorn Valley beckon visitors to explore its 26 acres on the fringe of an upland timber stand.

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

Managed by a US federal agency. Data source: ridb.recreation.gov.

Description supplied by Recreation.gov.

Where you can stay nearby

Campsites, aires and parking within 30 km, from OpenStreetMap.

  1. Acorn Valley Campground
    Campground · Polk City, Iowa
    360 m from the pick-up area
  2. Cherry Glen Campground
    Campground · Ankeny, Iowa
    3.7 km from the pick-up area
  3. Bob Shetler
    Campground · Johnston, IowaWastePower
    5.2 km from the pick-up area
  4. Bob Shetler
    Campground · Johnston, IowaWastePower
    5.2 km from the pick-up area
  5. Camping Area #3
    Campground · Polk City, Iowa
    6.3 km from the pick-up area

Nearest dump station and water

  1. Service point near Polk City
    RV dump station · Polk City, IowaWaste
    140 m from the pick-up area
  2. Water point near Granger
    Water fill station · Granger, IowaWater
    7.1 km from the pick-up area
Pick-up10 kmPlot of OpenStreetMap data
Map of 6 places to stay near Acorn Valley. CampsiteFull map

Similar campsites nearby

Prairie Flower Recreation Area

Johnston, IA, Iowa · 3.2 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Electric hook-up
  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Cherry Glen Campground

Johnston, IA, Iowa · 3.7 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Electric hook-up
  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Bob Shetler Recreation Area

Johnston, IA, Iowa · 5.1 km away

Campsite · via Recreation.gov

  • Electric hook-up
  • Hardstanding pitches
  • Dogs allowed
Price on partner site

Data: Recreation.gov (RIDB), from ridb.recreation.gov, last updated 13 October 2026. Federal agencies provide this data and are responsible for it; it may be incomplete. Not endorsed by Recreation.gov or the U.S. Government. About this data. Places data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Run a campsite? List yours free and get bookings direct. List yours

Price on Recreation.gov's site
Check availability on Recreation.gov (opens in a new tab)