Saylorville Reservoir - Polk County

For more information, see the Saylorville Lake website.

The starting point for Saylorville is the dam, where you will find a couple of pull-outs suitable for scanning the deepest part of the lake.

To get to the dam: From Interstate 80, take the Merle Hay Road exit north through the town of Johnston. North of town you will come to a four way stop. Turn left and follow the road for about two miles to Camp Dodge (big swimming pool on left and water tank on right). Turn right, going past the armory, and continue to the stop sign. (Note the damage from the Flood of '93.) To go below the dam, turn right, continuing down the hill. A left turn here will take you to the tail waters where a number of ponds have been known to produce some interesting birds. To get above the lake, turn left at the stop sign and follow the road across the dam.

Visitors' Center - At the east end of the dam, turn left at the stop sign. The VC will be about a quarter of a mile north on the left. Maps, feeders, heat, and restrooms when it is open.

Hours: Jan-March, Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4 ; April-May, Mon-Fri 10-4, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5; Memorial Day - Labor Day 10-6 Every Day; Sept-October, Mon-Fri 10-4, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5; closed Nov & Dec.   Volunteers usually have a fire going to warm up when birding the area on winter weekends.

Red Feather Prairie - From the VC, turn left out of the parking lot and the road will curve to the east. At the stop sign turn left and again curve to the east. Again turn left onto Highway 415. Watch for a dead end road to your left about a mile north. Take this to the end (through a housing development) and you will reach the prairie.

Cherry Glen RA - Go north of the turnoff to Red Feather Prairie on Hwy. 415 for about a mile. Watch for the sign. Turn left and go to the end of the road. There is a toll booth for use of the boat ramps, but just tell them you're birding, smile at the funny look, and continue on. Scope from the upper boat ramp and park below and walk the lake edge. About a half mile walk gets you to Oak Grove RA, closed during the best birding times and full of swimmers when it's open.

Sandpiper Beach - Return to Highway 415 and turn left. In several miles you will cross a dam near the marina. Note the Polk City Wildlife Area on the right, reachable by a road to the north just east of the dam. Nearly a mile beyond the marina turn left to Sandpiper RA and continue to the end of the road. This area is usually worth walking a bit. Gulls and shorebirds may be along the beach and it is one of the best places to find fall Buff-breasted Sandpipers.

Casey's General Store - OK, so it's not a mention on the RBA, but it's an important stop on any birding trip to the area! Food, gas, and restrooms. Return to Hwy. 415 and turn left. Casey's is on your left about a mile up the road.

Jester Park - This is a Polk County Conservation Park. From Casey's go west across the mile long bridge. At the stop sign turn right. The road will bend to the west and go past a housing development. Watch carefully for a sign to the Jester Park Stables. Turn right here and follow the curving road. A couple of miles beyond the stables you will have two opportunities to turn right into the park. There will be a four-way stop. From here you will want to check out two different areas. The first turn inside the park leads east down to the boat ramp which is a good place to scan the north end of the lake. This road eventually circles back uphill to the wooded camping areas. At the T-intersection, bear right and then right again into Campground 4. This is an excellent place to scan the area. The rest of Jester Park is also worthwhile exploring.

At shorebird migration time, and if water levels are right, leave Jester Park proper and drive around the perimeter to the south and west.  Take the dead-end road past the pine grove and park at the gate.  Following the horse trail towards the lake will bring you to a good point for scanning this shallow water.

Big Creek State Park - Return to Casey's and turn left. The road will wind into Polk City and bring you to a four-way stop. Turn left and follow the road for about three miles to the park entrance on your right. There are numerous vantage points along the park road.

Big Creek Wildlife Area - Return to Hwy. 415 at the park entrance. Turn right. The west entrance road to Big Creek SP is about a mile up the road. Continuing further, drive down 100th and 146th Streets for access to some good birding areas. These are public hunting areas so caution is urged during hunting season.