The Ankeny Brief
Saylorville Lake is the big body of water just northwest of Ankeny, and for a lot of the metro it's the default summer day trip: a beach in the morning, a boat in the afternoon, a campsite for the night. Here's the local guide to what's out there, from the swimming beaches and the marina to the campgrounds and the 25-mile trail.
Saylorville Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Des Moines River, minutes northwest of Ankeny. The whole project covers about 26,000 acres of land and water. It has two swimming beaches, a marina with boat rentals, several boat ramps ($5 per launch or $40 a year), 11 campgrounds, a 25-mile paved trail, and a visitor center at the dam.
Saylorville has two public swimming beaches with sand, roped-off swim areas, and nearby parking and restrooms. They're free to use, first-come on hot weekends, and get busy by midday in July. There are no lifeguards, so it's swim-at-your-own-risk. Bring your own shade; the sand fills up fast on the best days.
The lake is a popular spot for powerboats, pontoons, sailing, kayaks, and paddleboards. There are several public boat ramps around the lake, including Corps-run ramps and a Polk County access, with a fee of $5 per launch or $40 for an annual pass. If you don't own a boat, the Saylorville Lake Marina rents pontoons, including a party pontoon with a water slide, so you can get on the water without a trailer. On summer weekends, reserve rentals ahead.
Saylorville has 11 campgrounds ranging from full-amenity sites with electric hookups and modern restrooms to quieter, more rustic spots. The bigger Corps campgrounds (like Cherry Glen and Prairie Flower) book up on summer weekends and holidays, and most reservations run through Recreation.gov. For the full rundown of what's nearby and what's primitive versus full-hookup, see our campground finder and camping near Ankeny guide. Just across the water, Jester Park adds cabins and campsites, and the calmer Big Creek State Park sits just north.
A paved multipurpose trail of about 25 miles (part of the Neal Smith Trail) wraps along the lake and the Des Moines River, used for biking, running, walking, and inline skating. It connects into the metro trail network, so you can ride from Ankeny toward the lake on protected paths. See our Ankeny trails guide and the trail finder for routes and trailheads.
Saylorville is one of central Iowa's better big-water fisheries, with walleye, white bass, crappie, catfish, and more. You'll need a valid Iowa fishing license. For species, ramps, and the smaller ponds closer to town, see our fishing in Ankeny guide and the fish finder.
The Saylorville Lake Visitor Center, near the dam, is a good first stop, with the history of the lake and dam, an interactive map of the reservoir, an overlook, and a gift shop. It's also where you'll find current conditions and any closures, which matter here because Saylorville is a flood-control lake and water levels can swing a lot from spring to late summer.
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Just northwest of Ankeny and north of Des Moines, on the Des Moines River. It's about a 15-minute drive from central Ankeny.
Yes, two public swimming beaches with sand and roped swim areas. They're free, first-come, and unguarded, so swim at your own risk. Expect crowds by midday on hot weekends.
Launch fees are $5 per launch or $40 for an annual pass. No boat? The marina rents pontoons, including a party boat with a water slide.
Yes, 11 campgrounds, from full-hookup to rustic. The bigger ones fill on summer weekends and holidays; most reserve through Recreation.gov. See our campground finder.
Yes, about 25 miles of paved trail (part of the Neal Smith Trail) along the lake, connecting into the metro network toward Ankeny. See the trails guide.