Cottonwood Recreation Area at
Saylorville Lake is located below Saylorville Dam. The area has four playgrounds and nine picnic shelters. The Neal Smith Trail, which winds 24 miles from Des Moines to Big Creek State Park, runs along the east side of the park.
Please note that the entrance gate is closed in the winter, but you can park along the road and walk around the gate to enter the park. The
recreation status list will advise as to when it's closed.
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| Shelter #8 Playground |
My boys enjoyed the playground near Shelter #8. This one is so far back in the park that we didn't see anyone else in the area (unlike the other playgrounds). There are restrooms nearby.
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| Shelter #8 Playground |
Next, we headed to the Shelter #7 area, but the playground there is very small, so we kept driving. The playground near Shelter #6 is the largest playground, and has a separate toddler play structure. There are restrooms nearby.
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| Shelter #6 Playground |
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Shelter #6 Playground
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Finally, we made our way to the Shelter #2 area to check out the last playground. My boys liked the rock wall and monkey bars at this one. There are restrooms a short walk away from this playground.
