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WALNUT RIDGE RECREATION AREA

Johnston, Iowa · US Army Corps of Engineers

Lake/waterNo pets
WALNUT RIDGE RECREATION AREA — official Recreation.gov photo

Photo: Recreation.gov

About

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.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.This day-use area offers three group picnic shelters with water and electricity. Amenities include flush toilets, a playground, and hiking trails.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.

Directions

Use address 9125 NW Beave Drive, Johnston IA 50131. From I-35/80 north of Des Moines, take Johnston/Saylorville Lake Exit (131). Go north on Merle Hay Rd for 2.7 miles, then turn left onto NW Beaver Drive for 3.1 miles. Recreation area is 0.3 miles ahead on the right.

Location

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap.

Details

State
Iowa
City / area
Johnston
Agency
US Army Corps of Engineers
Parent area
Saylorville Lake
Campsites
3
Reservable
Yes
Typical price
$50 / day
Rating
4.67 / 5 (3 reviews on Recreation.gov)
Equipment
See Recreation.gov

Reserve on Recreation.gov

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