Saylorville Lake Corps Backcountry Trail
Des Moines River bottomland discovery
The Army Corps built these maintenance roads to service Saylorville Lake’s remote reaches, creating an accidental overland route through Iowa’s reconstructed tallgrass prairie and oak savanna. The main track follows the Des Moines River’s original channel, now flooded, connecting Cherry Glen and Cottonwood boat ramps via high bluffs and hidden coves where bald eagles nest above the water.
Easy to moderate difficulty suitable for any high-clearance vehicle, though spring flooding can close sections and create muddy conditions that persist into summer. The route offers excellent fishing access and primitive camping at designated sites, with the best wildflower displays in late spring. No permits required, just the daily use fee. You’ll trade dramatic scenery for quiet solitude and some of central Iowa’s best wildlife viewing — a surprising escape minutes from downtown Des Moines.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Easy |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 920 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Ankeny, Iowa |
| Land manager | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Good |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | mvr.usace.army.mil |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this trail without any mods?
Yes. The trail is rated easy and designed for stock high-clearance vehicles. A bone-stock Tacoma, 4Runner, or similar SUV will have no issues on the dirt and gravel surface.
When does the trail typically close, and is it accessible after heavy rain?
Best season is May through October. Being Des Moines River bottomland, the trail is prone to standing water and soft ground after heavy rain — check conditions before you go, especially in spring when the lake levels fluctuate.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp here?
The trail is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. No permit is required to drive the trail, but dispersed camping within Corps land may require a free or low-cost camping registration — confirm current rules at mvr.usace.army.mil or call the Saylorville Lake project office before your trip.
How serious are the water crossings on this trail?
The crossings are low-water bottomland passages, not technical rock fords. In normal conditions they're shallow and manageable for any high-clearance vehicle, but after rain or high lake levels they can deepen fast — turn around if it looks sketchy.
How far is the nearest gas station, and is there cell service on the trail?
Ankeny is the nearest town and has multiple gas stations within a few miles of the trailhead — fuel up there. Cell service is listed as good along the route, so navigation and communication shouldn't be a problem.
Trail track
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