Oak Grove Picnic Area
Overview
Oak Grove Picnic 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.Recreation
Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing 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.
Facilities
Visitors come to Saylorville Lake for its great boating, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing 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.
Natural Features
Oak Grove lies among a heavily wooded forest of stately oak trees on the east side of the lake. A large beach is within walking distance.Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.
Activities
- Hiking
- Swimming Site
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Camping
- Biking
Media
![Oak Grove Picnic Area](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2021/11/15/15/16/234698_8c6ae961-6d77-41be-9bd5-da9201e5df2e_1440.jpg)
![Oak Grove Picnic Area](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/2021/11/15/15/18/234698_1eab9c1b-c603-4890-b9ab-00448b0d9d4f_1440.jpg)
![Oak Grove Picnic Area](https://cdn.recreation.gov/public/images/84301.jpg)