Cottonwood Recreation Area in IA -- Campground & RV Camping

Cottonwood Recreation Area is a flat, open lowland day-use facility bordering the east bank of the Des Moines River, directly below Saylorville Dam. The park features nine group picnic shelters equipped with water and electric hookups. Facilities on site include flush toilets, a playground, a volleyball court, and hiking paths. The 24-mile paved Neal Smith Trail runs through the property.

Getting there: Utilize address 7400 NW 37th Street Ankeny IA 50023 (Not a valid mailing address). From I-35, take Exit 90 in Ankeny and head approxmately 3.5 miles west to NW 84th Ave. Turn Left on 84th Ave and head south apprximately 1.5 miles to Cottonwood Recreation Area on the right.

• Limited separation from through roads or other sites here, with the nearest through road 0.4 miles off.
• Sits on broad, near-level ground.
• Estimated night sky: Bortle 6, a suburban sky.
• Open country, with nothing named rising within 30 miles.