Openings · last 7 days
38
Booking reality
Campsite Sniper detected 38 site openings here in the last 7 days
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
56
Openings · last 90 days
56
Weekday pattern
Detected openings by day of week · 90dNo strong weekday pattern is evident in the openings Campsite Sniper has detected: 56 openings spread across the week.
Hour-of-day pattern
First detected by hour · local time · last 90 daysThe largest concentrations of detected openings were first detected during the 03:00 and 07:00 local-time hours. Those hours contained 23 of 56 detected openings (41.1%). 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 6 days before the stay date; the middle 50% land 3–16.2 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 | 12 | 21.4% |
| 021 | 8 | 14.3% |
| 024 | 7 | 12.5% |
| 026 | 5 | 8.9% |
| 006 | 4 | 7.1% |
Site 019 had the most detected openings in the last 90 days: 12. One free watch covers every site here.
02 · Availability Outlook · Sep 18 – Oct 14, 2026 · of 85 monitored sites
Of the 2,241 tracked site-nights (Sep 18 – Oct 14, 2026): 1,843 open for online reservation · 398 reserved.
Where the open windows are
17.8% of tracked site-nights are not currently open for online reservation. 1,843 of 2,241 remain open; here is where they are.
Load status
Sep 18 – Oct 14, 2026Not open online17.8%
Open site-nights1,843 / 2,241
Reserved (of online inventory)398 / 2,241
Weekday openings1,094
Weekend openings749
Of the open site-nights on mapped sites, 1,094 fall on weekdays and 749 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
Open dates by month
Sep 2026 – Oct 2026October holds the most room. 983 of 1,162 site-nights are still open there.
Holiday windows
Sites open per night · of 83 sites| Window | Night | Sites open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked night.
Best-availability sites
Most open site-nights · tracked window| Site | Open site-nights |
|---|---|
| 023 | 27 |
| 036 | 27 |
| 040 | 27 |
| 041 | 27 |
| 042 | 27 |
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.
Next windows
As of Sep 18, 2026 snapshotNext open dateFri · Sep 18
Next open weekendFri · Sep 18
The next bookable night is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
Stays and site detail
1,843 open site-nights across 83 sites at Acorn Valley, from the same hourly snapshot as everything above.
Multi-night stays. 148 2-night, 139 3-night, 87 7-night openings where a single site is free for every night, per Campsite Sniper's current snapshot — soonest Sep 18 at site 023.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 023 | 20 ft | Yes | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 036 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 040 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 041 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 042 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 043 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 044 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 045 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 046 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 047 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 048 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 049 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 058 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 059 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 060 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 061 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 077 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 081 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 082 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 083 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 084 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 085 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 086 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 087 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 088 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 089 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 090 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 092 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 093 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 095 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 096 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 097 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 098 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 099 | Not recorded | None | 27 | 27 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +15 more |
| 050 | Not recorded | None | 26 | 14 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +14 more |
| 051 | Not recorded | None | 26 | 14 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +14 more |
| 076 | Not recorded | None | 26 | 18 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +14 more |
| 078 | Not recorded | None | 26 | 18 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +14 more |
| 091 | Not recorded | None | 26 | 18 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30 +14 more |
| 094 | Not recorded | None | 26 | 14 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +14 more |
| 035 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 14 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +13 more |
| 038 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 18 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +13 more |
| 039 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 18 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +13 more |
| 052 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 18 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +13 more |
| 055 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 14 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +13 more |
| 056 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 14 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +13 more |
| 057 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 14 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +13 more |
| 101 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 21 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +13 more |
| Group 030 | Not recorded | None | 25 | 21 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +13 more |
| 025 | 51 ft | Yes | 24 | 13 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +12 more |
| 053 | Not recorded | None | 24 | 11 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +12 more |
| 054 | Not recorded | None | 24 | 11 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +12 more |
| 080 | Not recorded | None | 24 | 24 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 +12 more |
| 037 | Not recorded | None | 23 | 18 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +11 more |
| 075 | Not recorded | None | 23 | 12 nights | Sep 18, Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29 +11 more |
| 100 | Not recorded | None | 23 | 18 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +11 more |
| Group/Youth Site, 102 | 30 ft | Yes | 22 | 12 nights | Sep 19, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2 +10 more |
| 007 | 22 ft | Yes | 21 | 14 nights | Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 26, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4 +9 more |
| 020 | 53 ft | Yes | 21 | 18 nights | Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3, Oct 4, Oct 5 +9 more |
| 079 | Not recorded | None | 21 | 12 nights | Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1, Oct 2, Oct 3 +9 more |
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: 1,843 of 2,241 tracked site-nights are open (82.2%), though availability can change. Campsite Sniper has also detected 56 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 Sep 18, 2026 16:19 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 38 site-date openings at Acorn Valley in the last 7 days, 56 over 30 days and 56 over the last 90.
Can I get a multi-night stay at Acorn Valley?
139 three-night openings are showing, counting only runs where the SAME site is free for all three nights. The soonest starts Sep 18 at site 023. 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?
October 2026, with 983 open site-nights in the current snapshot of 1,162.
How far ahead of a stay do openings appear at Acorn Valley?
Half of the openings Campsite Sniper detected appeared at least 6 days before the stay date; the middle 50% landed 3-16.2 days out. Campsite Sniper can monitor future changes for dates you select.
When is the next open date at Acorn Valley?
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
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