Oak Grove Picnic Area

About this campsite

Overview

Oak Grove Picnic Area is a day-use facility 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 boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.

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.

Facilities

This day-use area offers two group picnic shelters with electric and water hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground, volleyball court and hiking trails.

Natural Features

Oak Grove lies among a heavily wooded forest of stately oak trees on the east side of the lake. A large beach is within walking distance.

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

Location

OAK GROVE PICNIC AREA•IA

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Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

FRI☁️

16° / 7°

💧 2%

SAT☀️

17° / 8°

💧 2%

SUN☀️

19° / 11°

💧 1%

TODAY☀️

19° / 9°

—

TUE☁️

21° / 8°

💧 1%

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

900m away

CHERRY GLEN PICNIC

Overview Cherry Glen Picnic Area is a day-use facility 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 boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting. 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. Facilities This day-use area offers six group picnic shelters, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground and hiking trails. Cherry Glen Campground is adjacent as well as Cherry Glen Boat Ramp. Natural Features Cherry Glen is nestled on a compact 13-acre wooded ridge. Visiting with family and friends while relaxing in the shade of one of the area's many trees is a popular pastime. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake. Nearby Attractions Cherry Glen Campground and Cherry Glen Boat Ramp.

900m away

CHERRY GLEN CAMPGROUND

Overview Cherry Glen Campground is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting. Recreation Visitors enjoy Saylorville Lake for its excellent boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find 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 This large campground offers 125 family sites, all with electric hookups. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. Educational programs, group shelters, playgrounds, and a boat ramp all provide additional recreation opportunities for guests. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail and a disc golf course. Natural Features Cherry Glen, the oldest and most popular campground on the lake, is nestled on a compact 13-acre wooded ridge. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

1.1 km away

PRAIRIE FLOWER RECREATION AREA

Overview Prairie Flower Recreation Area is located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches more than 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. The lake provides a wide variety of recreational activities, including boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting. Recreation Visitors enjoy Saylorville Lake for its excellent boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing and swimming opportunities. Anglers will find 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 Prairie Flower is a large, open campground covering more than 60 acres. It offers 153 family sites and 10 group sites, all with electric hookups. Many of the family sites in the south end offer a pleasant view of the 6000-acre lake. The north end is made up of mostly group sites in a circle-the-wagon design. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. The campground also provides educational programs, group shelters, playgrounds and a swimming beach. Nearby amenities include a visitor center, hiking trail, volleyball courts and a disc golf course. Boat ramps and a fishing dock are also close by. Natural Features Iowa's prairie heritage is celebrated in more than 40 acres of prairie plantings throughout the campground. The wide variety of grass and flowers provides vivid colors from mid-summer to fall. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, waterfowl and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

2.6 km away

SANDPIPER RECREATION AREA

Overview Sandpiper Recreation Area is a day-use facility 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 boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting. 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. Facilities This day-use area contains one large group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 500 people. Amenities include water and electricity, flush toilets, a playground, overlook, boat ramp and access to hiking and biking trails. A marina is nearby. Natural Features Sandpiper is situated in a broad, open area on the northeast side of the lake. Dense timber stands surround the recreation area, but shade is limited within the site. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

3.2 km away

WALNUT RIDGE RECREATION AREA

Overview Walnut Ridge Recreation Area is a day-use facility 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 boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting. Recreation The 18-hole Walnut Ridge Disc Golf Course runs throughout the recreation area. The beautifully manicured course contains both open and wooded fairways with blind pins and tunnel shots. Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing 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. Facilities This day-use area offers three group picnic shelters with water and electricity. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground, and hiking trails. Natural Features The area is situated on a wooded ridgeland on the west side of Saylorville Lake. Large shade trees cover the area. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.