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4.9
13 votes

Cherry Glen Campground

4338 Nw 94th Ave, Polk City, Iowa 50226-2045 USA

  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Pet Friendly
  • Not Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
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“located on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project”

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.

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Reviews of Cherry Glen Campground

12 people have reviewed this location

Ratings Summary

5.0 Access
5.0 Location
5.0 Cleanliness
4.7 Site Quality
4.7 Noise

Cell Coverage

Verizon 4G/5G

Confirmed by 6 users | Last reported on June 19, 2024

AT&T 4G

Confirmed by 4 users | Last reported on July 15, 2022

T-Mobile 4G

Confirmed by 1 users | Last reported on May 02, 2022

Reviews

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Reviewed by
Campendium

June 22, 2016
Rated

Reviews depend on what a person is looking for when they camp. Dave and I like large spaces with access to amenities and we don't care if they cost us the laundry or cable access that RV resorts provide (though we have stayed many times at resorts). This park was a dream for us. We had wonderful campground hosts, gorgeous tree shaded lots, 50 Amp electrical service (needed for a/c during heat of day), fire pits, quiet, proximity to fishing, wading Sayorville lake and, best of all, miles and miles of bike trails. I had, with cellular boost, verizon access so that I could work and we could grab what TV we wanted with over the air digital antenna. There were lots of places to walk. Only 5 miles to the grocery store (with Starbucks) and, a bike trail to town if you preferred. We liked the place well enough to move the bus 3 times to be able to stay longer. The recreation area is fantastic. One of the bike trails has an information center where they provide a bike tire repair station. This place was a bicycle dream!

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $10.00

Days Stayed: 10

Site Number: various

RV Type: Tent

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

  • 195 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
November 06, 2017
Rated

This is a COE campground and I loved it. Wasn't too busy since it was the end of September and midweek but the weather was excellent and not every space was filled. Q went swimming and there is a paved but hilly bike path that can also be used for rollerblading. Disc golf course can be found not too far away. Some sites don't have much vegetation between sites but most sites are spaced very well. Overall, a very good campground. Didn't have much interaction with campground host except with check-in but they were very nice and let me know which sites were open for 2 nights and let me drive around looking at sites available. If you have a Senior Access Pass, the price will be half.

Didn't go into Des Moines, IA but would be something I would do if more time. Nice grocery store is fairly close.

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roadtripper997879 would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 2

Site Number: 27

RV Length: 27 ft

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

  • 8 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
May 27, 2019
Rated

After staying at Bob Shelter campground the last two times we were in the Des Moines area, we tried the Cherry Glen campground as it was the first one to open in April. This will definitely be our go to place from now on. The campground has lots of lovely trees for shade, though due to the Green Ash Bores, lots of Ash trees were being taken out while we were here for the two weeks. Our understanding is that there will be new trees, other than ash, planted in place during the spring/summer.
The one thing we have notice with both the Bob Shelter and the Cherry Glen campgrounds, are the sites are definitely not level, so you will need lots of blocks to level your RVs. The hot water is minimal in the showers, which was a minus as well.
Due to the closeness to the Des Moines area, this campground is packed during the weekends, but plenty of camp sites during the week. Hence the noise level varies.
It should also be noted we paid a lower price for our spot as we have the Golden Age Pass.

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Nightly Rate: $12.00

Days Stayed: 14

Site Number: 17

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
3 Site Quality
3 Noise
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Reviewed by
Campendium

July 13, 2019
Rated

We stopped for one night on our way to South Dakota. Easy access clean and well maintained. We walked the park a bit but didn’t have time to check out the
Lake or bike trails. We have it on our list to get back for a longer stay

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Nightly Rate: $22.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 4

RV Length: 30 ft

RV Type: Travel Trailer

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

August 06, 2019
Rated

I almost hate to review this army corps park because it already fills up fast. We stayed here a couple of nights last year and loved it so planned for a longer stay this year. The lake is beautiful, most sites fairly roomy, 50 amp electric service, no water or sewer but dump station in park. The trails are great for walking or biking. Bath houses were fine although we usually use our own. Our rate is half because of the lifetime senior pass available at 62. Park about half full during the week (August) and full on weekends.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $11.00

Days Stayed: 8

Site Number: 21

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
4 Noise
  • 40 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
August 26, 2020
Rated

We enjoyed three nights this past week. This is our third or fourth time in this campground while visiting family in the area. The campground receives a lot of use, though it is well maintained. All sites were full when we visited. Most appeared to be occupied by family groups.

There has been a lot of work clearing underbrush around the campground since we last visited. The campground is adjacent to one of the boat ramps for accessing Saylorville Lake. There is also a large day use picnic area with 6 group shelters and bathrooms.

The Neal Smith Trail can be accessed from the campground. This trail is a 26 mile paved biking and walking trail that extends from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park. You can easily reach the Corp of Engineers visitor center and a nearby butterfly garden from the campground via this trail.

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roadtripper5957092 would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 96

RV Length: 21 ft

RV Type: Class B

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
4 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

  • 53 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
October 14, 2020
Rated

We came here for one night to visit family in the area. We were very pleased with our choice. Campground is clean and orderly. Several campsites fronting the water but those were all taken. We got a great spot off to the side with some view of the reservoir. Each site has a metal fire ring and a nice big steel picnic table. Spacious sites and miles of hiking/biking trails. Glorious fall foliage in the large forests surrounding the reservoir. Saw a few deer as we went walking before dinner. After dinner we had a persistent raccoon continue to visit us until we put everything away.

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roadtripper6549181 would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 42

RV Length: 23 ft

RV Type: Class B

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

Photo of Campendium

Reviewed by
Campendium

July 07, 2021
Rated

Highly recommend! Clean bathrooms/shower. Large sites with some shade. Lots of trees and near the lake. Very well cared for park.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $22.00

Days Stayed: 1

Site Number: 74

RV Length: 25 ft

RV Type: Class B Plus

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

Verizon 4G

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Reviewed by
Campendium

September 12, 2021
Rated

This is a beautiful campgrounds, I stay here when ever I'm in the area and can get in. I had trouble with the on-line check-in, but I think with a little practice it would become easier. The sites are large, but mine this time was a little unlevel, dropped a lot in the front. Site are gravel and interior roads are paved. Most lots are wooded with shade.

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This reviewer would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $20.00

Days Stayed: 8

Site Number: -

RV Length: 34 ft

RV Type: Travel Trailer

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Reviewed by
jenkampf

  • 26 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
May 02, 2022
Rated

Great stay at Cherry Glen COE campground in Polk County, Iowa.
Very nice campground! Well maintained and clean. We had site 39, electric only. Potable water and dump station available. $22/night, we did not have any discounts.
Our camper is 36' and fit nicely on the site with the dually. Definitely pay attention to site sizes if you are big as their sites vary in size.
There are 3 other COE's in the area that we would definitely like to visit. The town of Ankeny is a few miles away with the basics for stores, fuel and restaurants

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jenkampf would stay here again

Nightly Rate: $22.00

Days Stayed: 3

Site Number: 39

RV Length: 36 ft

RV Type: Fifth Wheel

5 Access
5 Location
5 Cleanliness
5 Site Quality
5 Noise

Cell Coverage Rating

AT&T 4G

T-Mobile 4G

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Cherry Glen Campground

4338 Nw 94th Ave
Polk City, Iowa
50226-2045 USA
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  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Check
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unavailable
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check
    Credit Cards Accepted
Max Stay
14
Sites Count
125
Last Nightly Rate
36.0
Lowest Nightly Rate
10.0
Back In RV Sites Count
20
Longest Vehicle Length Reported
36 ft
  • Check
    Sites
  • Unavailable
    Laundry
  • Unavailable
    Propane
  • Check
    Showers
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    Big Rigs
  • Unavailable
    Boondock
  • Unavailable
    Firewood
  • Check
    Fifty Amp
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    Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Cabin Sites
  • Unavailable
    Full Hookup
  • Unavailable
    Paved Sites
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    Dump Station
  • Unavailable
    Mobile Homes
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    Public Water
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through
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    Reservations
  • Unavailable
    Sewer Hookup
  • Check
    Water Hookup
  • Check
    Potable Water
  • Unavailable
    Age Restricted
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    Rec Facilities
  • Unavailable
    Dispersed Sites
  • Unavailable
    Open Seasonally
  • Unavailable
    Permit Required
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    Back In RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Group Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Fulltime Residents
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    Standard Tent Sites
  • Unavailable
    Pull Through RV Sites
  • Unavailable
    Vehicle Wash Permitted
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