Silver Lake City Park
Overnight stay
Keep your expectations low. Full hookups. Only $25 a night. Needed a place to stay close to Arnolds Park. Spots are close to each other.
76 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Sutherland, Iowa is surrounded by several county and state park campgrounds offering both tent and RV accommodations. Dog Creek County Park sits directly in Sutherland, while Mill Creek State Park in Paullina and Tjossem County Park in Primghar provide additional options within 15 miles. These established campgrounds predominantly feature electric hookups, with several offering water connections. Mill Creek State Park stands out with modern cabins alongside traditional camping areas, while Martin Area County Park includes both primitive sites and glamping options for those seeking varying comfort levels.
Campground accessibility in the region remains seasonal, with Mill Creek State Park typically operating from early May through late September. Many sites feature gravel pads suitable for both tent and RV camping, though few accommodate large rigs. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, drinking water, and toilets, with shower facilities available at several locations including Buena Vista County Park and Silver Sioux Recreation Area. Reservation policies vary by location, with some sites available first-come, first-served while others require advance booking. "The campground is hard to get a spot at and is far away from the lake. The lake and grounds are well maintained. The showers are decent but take quarters to use them," notes one visitor about Mill Creek State Park.
Local county parks receive consistently positive reviews for their quiet settings and maintenance standards. Campers particularly appreciate Buena Vista County Park for its privacy between sites and well-maintained trails. Several campgrounds offer fishing opportunities in small lakes or ponds, with Tjossem County Park featuring what one camper describes as "perfect for young fishermen with little patience." The region's campgrounds generally provide clean facilities, with multiple reviewers highlighting shower quality as a significant factor in their experience. While campsite spacing varies considerably between parks, with some described as "close together" at Tjossem County Park, most offer enough room for comfortable setup. Rural settings provide peaceful environments away from traffic noise, with wildlife viewing opportunities on hiking trails at several locations.
"The trails are very well maintained! Shower facilites are super clean! 10/10"
"Trails are nice. Everything is well maintained. Showers & bathrooms are awesome! We almost always see wildlife when hiking😁"
from $12 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Small lake where boating is permitted but no gas motors. Also nice for canoeing, kayaking or fishing. Nice paths for hiking or biking. Only half mile to town where you can get anything you need"
from $17 - $20 / night
Check Availability"The camping sites are a little close to each other. 10 sites with full hookups."
from $12 - $210 / night
Check Availability"Tent camping is just a field with a few picnic tables in it and has a bit of a walk from the parking lot with your equipment. The shower house was nice and clean."
from $15 / night
Check AvailabilityKeep your expectations low. Full hookups. Only $25 a night. Needed a place to stay close to Arnolds Park. Spots are close to each other.
Needed a cheap place to stay for one night. Very pretty park, but the campground does not have camper pads. Set up for tent camping but some electric.
First time camping and it has been fantastic! It's a nice quiet ground that is well maintained. The hosts were very helpful when we got here with the questions we had.
We stayed at Bicentennial for three nights. Inexpensive but we got some weird smells in the area at night. Full hookups. No shower house or bathroom. This could be a very nice place if it was given a little more TLC.
What a great campground in a very pretty park. Staying for a few days with FULL hookups. Great price. And I was able to make reservations. Sara from Parks & Rec was very helpful with questions we had. I will be back.
We camped here in our rv for one night, on our way to WY. Check in was super easy, just go to the site. Our site was not good for our rv, said the space was 37ft, but the site was so un-level that we had trouble with the rv being wobbly. The site overlooked the water, well it would have if the brush was cut down a bit. Our sons found some sturdy steps leading to the water directly behind our campsite, but beware of poison ivy! The lake views are gorgeous as depicted in the photos. There is a swimming area, but we did not go to it. Site 63, in my opinion, would be the best view. No camp store or store nearby, which was slightly inconvenient. Restrooms/ bathhouse was clean and centrally located. Dump station conveniently located just before leaving, if you didn't have full hook ups.
Had the entire campground to myself on a holiday weekend. Chose an 30$ site for the shade but the electric was for 50 amp RV with no 110 plug. Very clean and quite
Nice area close to shops. Laundry room Locked maybe due to early in season. Bathrooms clean. Showers push button mist was cold. Reasonable price <$40
We just spent the night passing through, looking for something more than the Walmart parking lot. $23 for a non-electric site, basically a tent spot. Bathrooms were clean and had showers but we didn’t use them. We had a rainy night but had potential for a nice walk next to the lake. A bit of traffic nearby but didn’t disturb us at all in our van. Midweek in Mid- October and there were probably a half dozen other campers. Definitely recommend it!
Established campgrounds surround Sutherland, Iowa, with multiple county parks providing both RV and tent camping facilities. Dog Creek County Park sits directly in Sutherland, while Mill Creek State Park in Paullina offers more amenities including cabins and a range of recreational activities. The area features several small, rural campgrounds managed primarily by county conservation boards, with most sites offering basic electric hookups and minimal facilities. Silver Sioux Recreation Area and Martin Area County Park also provide cabin and glamping options within a short drive of Sutherland.
Access to campgrounds in this region remains relatively straightforward with most sites accessible via paved or maintained gravel roads. The camping season typically runs from early May through late September, though some parks like Emerson Bay State Recreation Area stay open until December. Winter camping options are limited due to Iowa's cold weather and seasonal closures. Most campgrounds offer water and electric hookups with varying levels of amenities—some featuring full RV connections while others provide only basic facilities. According to a visitor, "Small parks in this area are peaceful, with river access for canoe/kayak, though they may have limited designated campsites."
Campers consistently rate Martin Area County Park and Buena Vista County Park highly, with reviewers noting spacious sites and well-maintained facilities. Mill Creek State Park features modern amenities including a beach area, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails, though reviews indicate the campground fills quickly during summer months. Smaller county parks like Tjossem offer more seclusion but fewer amenities. Several visitors mentioned the quality of shower facilities as a significant factor in their camping experience, with Buena Vista County Park receiving praise for clean bathrooms. One camper noted, "The sites aren't crunched together, so you have privacy. Trails are nice and everything is well maintained." Many campgrounds in the region provide fishing access, with small lakes and ponds offering opportunities for bluegill and crappie fishing that families particularly appreciate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Sutherland, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sutherland, IA is Buena Vista Co Park with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.
Keep Exploring