US lakes & pondsUS lakes & pondsCampground · Army Corps lake in Polk County, Iowa.
| Managed by | US Army Corps of Engineers (Saylorville Lake) |
|---|---|
| Campsites | 9 |
| Site types | 9 group picnic area |
| Dogs allowed | Yes |
| Phone | (515) 276-4656 |
| Reservations | Recreation.gov |
We only list amenities a source records. A missing item doesn't mean the campground lacks it, so check with Cottonwood Recreation Area before you go.
Cottonwood Recreation Area is a day-use facility located in the tailwater area below Saylorville Dam. The 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project 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.
Description: Recreation.gov (U.S. federal government, public domain), shortened.
Lakes and ponds on LakeRipple within 10 miles, closest first (straight-line distance to the shoreline). Each page has boat launches, beaches, fishing and today's weather.
Cottonwood Recreation Area is in Polk County.
Sources: Recreation.gov (RIDB). Pulled Oct 12, 2026. Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Seasons, rates and rules change; confirm with the campground.