Openings · last 7 days
0
01 · Detected Opening History · the openings record · file CS-233412
When Acorn Valley reopens
Acorn Valley's openings record: every site-date Campsite Sniper detected turning available, logged and time-stamped. Refreshed hourly.
Openings · last 30 days
9
Openings · last 90 days
94
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dThursday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected. 29 of 94 openings detected in the last 90 days occurred on a Thursday (30.9%), with Monday (14) and Saturday (13) next in line.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 00:00 and 01:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 27 of 94 detected openings (28.7%). Hours show when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, in Central Time, not when the change was made upstream.
Lead-time profile
Days before stay date · percentilesHalf of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 3 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 1–6 days out. Set an alert if you want Campsite Sniper to monitor future openings.
Highest-churn sites
Most openings · 90d| Site | Openings | Share of all openings |
|---|---|---|
| 019 | 11 | 11.7% |
| 024 | 9 | 9.6% |
| 006 | 7 | 7.4% |
| 021 | 7 | 7.4% |
| 009 | 4 | 4.3% |
Site 019 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 11. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · May 1 – May 3, 2027 · of 85 monitored sites
Of the 249 tracked site-nights (May 1 – May 3, 2027): 249 open for online reservation.
Where the open windows are
0% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 249 of 249 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
May 1 – May 3, 2027Not open online0%
Open site-nights249 / 249
Reserved (of online inventory)0 / 249
Weekday openings83
Weekend openings166
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 83 fall on weekdays and 166 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
May 2027 – May 2027May holds the most room. 249 of 249 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 83 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memorial Day | FRI May 28 | 0 | None open |
| SAT May 29 | 0 | None open | |
| SUN May 30 | 0 | None open | |
| MON May 31 | 0 | None open |
Memorial Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 001 | 3 |
| 002 | 3 |
| 003 | 3 |
| 004 | 3 |
| 005 | 3 |
The 5 sites with the most open site-nights in the current snapshot. Pair a bookable date with a free alert to cover everything else.
Tracked window
CoverageCampsite Sniper's data for this facility starts May 1, 2027. That is about 180 days after the current snapshot was taken, so dates before May 1, 2027 are not covered by what Campsite Sniper tracks here — they are not known to be unavailable. The site-nights shown on this page describe May 1, 2027 onwards only. Check Recreation.gov for earlier dates.
Stays and site detail
249 open site-nights across 83 sites at Acorn Valley, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 83 2-night, 83 3-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest May 1, 2027 at site 001.
RV length. Longest recorded site here is 82 ft. 26 sites take 25 ft, 23 sites take 35 ft, 19 sites take 40 ft. 55 sites of 83 have no recorded maximum and are not counted.
Showing 60 of 83 sites with current availability
| Site | Max RV | Hookups | Open site-nights | Longest run | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | 72 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 002 | 64 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 003 | 54 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 004 | 45 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 005 | 32 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 006 | 82 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 007 | 22 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 008 | 30 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 009 | 41 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 010 | 51 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 011 | 57 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 012 | 67 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 013 | 36 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 014 | 55 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 015 | 39 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 016 | 39 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 017 | 41 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 018 | 41 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 019 | 55 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 020 | 53 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 021 | 53 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 022 | 59 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 023 | 20 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 024 | 66 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 025 | 51 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 026 | 37 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 027 | 56 ft | Yes | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 035 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 036 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 037 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 038 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 039 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 040 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 041 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 042 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 043 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 044 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 045 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 046 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 047 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 048 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 049 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 050 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 051 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 052 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 053 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 054 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 055 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 056 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 057 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 058 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 059 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 060 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 061 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 075 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 076 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 077 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 078 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 079 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
| 080 | Not recorded | None | 3 | 3 nights | May 1, 2027, May 2, 2027, May 3, 2027 |
About Acorn Valley
Overview
Acorn Valley Campground is 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 camping, bicycling, boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and hunting.
Recreation
Anglers enjoy the lake for its abundance of 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
The campground offers 29 family sites with electric hookups and 54 primitive walk-to tent sites. The campground also features 2 group tent camping areas; a youth group camping area with special restrictions to organized youth as well as a standard group area open to all visitors. Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water and a dump station. Nearby facilities include picnic areas with group shelters, boat ramps, a marina and a fishing dock.
Natural Features
The mature Bur Oaks at the entrance to Acorn Valley beckon visitors to explore its 26 acres on the fringe of an upland timber stand. Wildlife is abundant throughout the area. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.
85 monitored sitesRVs up to 82 ft28 with hookups75 shadedWaterfrontLakefrontPets OKFire pitsMax party 30
Getting there
From I-35/80 north of Des Moines, Iowa, take exit 131 toward Johnston/Saylorville Lake. Turn north on Merle Hay Road and continue for 2.8 miles. At the four-way stop, turn left on Northwest Beaver Drive and continue for 3.7 miles. Turn right onto Northwest Coryden Drive and follow signs into the campground.
Saylorville Lake Administration Office, Johnston, IA 50131-1941515-276-0429
BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingInterpretive ProgramsSwimming SiteWater SportsWildlife Viewing
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗
03 · Field Photos · roll CS-233412 · facility + sites
Photo gallery
Roll CS-233412 · Acorn Valley · Johnston IA12 frames · facility + sites
FAQ
How do I get a reservation at Acorn Valley?
Reservations for Acorn Valley are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 249 of 249 tracked site-nights are open (100%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 94 site openings here in the last 90 days, so further dates may appear. Pick a site on the map to see its calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
Does Campsite Sniper book this campground for me?
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
How current is this availability data?
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Nov 2, 2026 16:20 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
How often do new openings appear at Acorn Valley?
Campsite Sniper detected 94 site-date openings here over the last 90 days, none in the last 7. A free alert watches around the clock and pings you the moment one appears.
Which day of the week had the most detected openings at Acorn Valley?
Thursday accounted for the largest share of the openings Campsite Sniper detected in the last 90 days: 29 of 94 (30.9%). Days reflect when Campsite Sniper first detected each opening, not when the change occurred upstream.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Acorn Valley?
83 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts May 1, 2027 at site 001. Confirm and book on Recreation.gov.
Which sites at Acorn Valley fit a 35-foot RV?
23 of the 83 sites that support RV analysis have a recorded maximum of 35 ft or more; the longest recorded is 82 ft. 28 of those 83 sites have a recorded maximum length and 55 do not; they are not counted as fitting.
Which month has the most availability at Acorn Valley?
May 2027, with 249 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 249.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Acorn Valley?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 3 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 1-6 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
When is the next open date at Acorn Valley?
Campsite Sniper cannot answer that from the current snapshot. The availability data held for Acorn Valley begins May 1, 2027 — about 180 days after this snapshot was taken, so any earlier dates are outside what Campsite Sniper is tracking here rather than known to be unavailable. Check Recreation.gov for dates before May 1, 2027.
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