COTTONWOOD RECREATION AREA

Address SAYLORVILLE LAKE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, 5600 NW 78TH AVENUE, JOHNSTON, IA, 50131
StateIA
Reservable Yes — reservable on recreation.gov
Phone515-276-4656
Emailjonathan.d.wuebker@usace.army.mil

Amenities

📌 FIREPLACE
🚻 FLUSH TOILETS
📌 GRILLS
📌 PARKING AREA
📌 PAVED SITES
📌 PAVED PARKING
📌 PAVED ROADS
🧺 PICNIC AREA
🧺 PICNIC SHELTERS
📌 WATER SPIGOT
🐾 Pets Allowed
🧺 PICNIC TABLES
📌 PLAYGROIUND
🌳 Shade
📌 BBQ
☀️ DAY USE AREA
📌 ELECTRICITY
🔥 Grills/Fire Ring
📌 Quiet Area
🕒 Checkin Time: 7:00 AM
👥 Max Num of People: 75–250
🚶 Site Access: Drive-In
📌 Location Rating: Good
🕒 Checkout Time: 9:00 PM
🚗 Driveway Surface: Paved
🚙 Max Num of Vehicles: 24–100
📌 Proximity to Water: Riverfront
Condition Rating: Good
🚙 Max Vehicle Length: 0
📅 Reservable Sites: 9 of 9
Check current availability and notices on the official recreation.gov page →

Overview

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,

Data updated: 2026-08-23 09:35 (UTC) · Source: RIDB (recreation.gov)