Central Iowans flock to Saylorville Lake for its fishing, camping and other outdoor recreational opportunities. The visitor center, on the southeast corner of the man-made reservoir just north of Des Moines, offers educational displays and activities celebrating the array of wildlife and natural features present in the area.
Parking and public transportation to Saylorville Lake Visitor Center
From Interstate Highway 35, take the Ankeny exit for Oralabor Road. Follow Oralabor Road west; it will merge with Iowa Highway 415. Continue west until Hwy. 415 begins to bend to the north, then go west on Northwest 84th Avenue, following the signs to the visitor center. No public transportation routes service the site. Free parking is available in a surface lot next to the building.
Best times to go to Saylorville Lake Visitor Center
Stop by on a day that includes one of the center's special activities, ranging from story times to programs on certain animals and organized walks in the butterfly garden. While the visitor center is busiest during the summer, fall offers a great opportunity to enjoy the changing colors in the surrounding woods.
Admission to Saylorville Lake Visitor Center
The visitor center is open daily from April through the end of October. It is closed November through February, with weekend hours added starting in March. Admission is free.
Must see/do at Saylorville Lake Visitor Center
Films about the creation of the Saylorville Lake reservoir are screened in a 30-seat theater. Displays teach visitors about the many species of fish that live in the lake, as well as the variety of animals that call the woods around the reservoir home. Allow time to walk or bike the trails that run near the visitor center. Keep an eye out for deer and other local wildlife, including bald eagles. The majestic birds are making a comeback in Iowa and Saylorville Lake is a popular nesting spot.
Other places to visit near Saylorville Lake Visitor Center
Living History Farms in nearby Urbandale offers a hands-on look at Iowa's agricultural past. Jester Park, on the northwest side of Saylorville Lake, offers more recreational opportunities.
Insider tip for visitors to Saylorville Lake Visitor Center
Just west of the visitor center, a massive dam controls the ouflow from Saylorville Lake into the Des Moines River. Flooding over the years has eroded land just below the dam to create an area known as the Saylorville Gorge, which now shows the colorful layers of bedrock that are found under this part of the state.
Author's bio: Melanie Lageschulte is a freelance writer and editor. She is an Iowa native and has lived in Des Moines for 15 years.