Sandpiper Recreation Area

Sandpiper Recreation Area is a day-use facility on the 26,000-acre Saylorville Lake Project, which stretches over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. This day-use area contains one large group picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 500 people. Amenities include water and electricity, flush toilets, a playground, overlook, boat ramp and access to hiking and biking trails. A marina is nearby. Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, swimming, hiking and hunting. 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; designated a National Recreation Trail, it is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking and in-line skating. Sandpiper sits in a broad, open area on the northeast side of the lake. Dense timber stands surround the recreation area, but shade is limited within the site. Wildlife is abundant throughout the project, with white-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl and other small game roaming the lands around the lake.