Lakeview Main A

**Location & Access**
Lakeview Main A is a boat ramp located in Johnston at Lake View Recreation Area on Saylorsville Lake's Big Creek embayment. To reach the site from I-35, take the Ankeny Exit #90 and travel west 4.8 miles on Oralabor Road (which becomes HWY 415), then turn west onto NW 37th Street for 0.3 mile and right onto NW Horseshoe Road. The ramp sits on a ridge overlooking the western shoreline in a wooded setting with abundant wildlife including white-tailed deer, turkeys, and waterfowl.

**Paddling & Boating Conditions**
Big Creek is one of five boat ramps serving the Saylorsville Lake Project, a massive 26,000-acre recreational area stretching over 50 miles up the Des Moines River Valley. The Big Creek embayment is particularly popular for fishing (crappie, walleye, and bluegill hotspots) and offers a sheltered water body ideal for kayaking and canoeing. The lake supports a wide variety of boating activities including sailing, water skiing, and windsurfing. Note that certain areas may have motorized vessel restrictions—contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at 515-276-4656 for current regulations.

**Nearby Amenities**
Lake View Recreation Area offers day-use facilities with picnic areas and access to hiking. Cherry Glen Campground is available nearby for overnight stays, and the Saylorsville Lake Visitor Center is located just past the recreation area entrance.

Overview
Lake View Recreation 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...

Overview
Lake View Recreation 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 (East side of the lake) 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
This day-use area contains a picnic shelter that can accommodate up to 50 people. Amenities include water and electricity, public bathroom with flushing toilets, boat ramp and access to hiking and biking trails. The attached restroom is available for the general public.
Natural Features
Lakeview View Shelter is situated on a ridge overlooking the West side of the lake. Dense timber stands surround the recreation area, but shade is limited within the site.

Wildlife is abundant throughout the project. White-tailed deer, turkeys, pheasants, waterfowl, and other small game animals roam the lands around the lake.

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