FAQ
Camping
Can I reserve a campsite?
Yes- select sites at the Big Sioux Rec. Area, Oak Grove/Big Sioux Park, and Sandy Hollow Rec. Area offer online reservations for camping.
Sites that are not available for online reservation are available on a first come first served basis. You may place a camping unit, tent, or vehicle on the site to reserve a sites. Site must be paid for a registered upon placing vehicle, tent, or camping unit on the site for it to be considered taken.
Can both a trailer and fold down occupy the same site?
No- only one camping trailer allowed per site.
Am I allowed more than one tent on a site?
You may have a tent for children under age of 18 to sleep in on the same site of a tent or camper. Or you may place a second tent on the same site; however second tent must be registered and paid for. We only allow one camper trailer per site.
Do my visitors need to leave at 10:30pm even if they are visiting us at our campsite or cabin?
All visitors are asked to leave the park prior to closing time at 10:30 pm
General Questions
What are your park hours?
Oak Grove/Big Sioux Park hours are: 7 am to 10:30 pm
How do we contact a ranger?
If there is an emergency dial 9-1-1; the emergency services dispatch will notify ranger on duty. Otherwise you may contact our main office at 712-552-1047
What is the entrance fee for Oak Grove Big Sioux Park?
There is no entrance fee for the Oak Grove Big Sioux Park or any other parks managed by the Sioux county Conservation Board, with the exception of the Big Sioux Recreation Area and Sandy Hollow Recreation Area.
Do I have to register and pay for a vehicle pass at the Big Sioux Recreation Area?
Yes- All vehicles must register upon entering the Big Sioux Recreation Area either by purchasing a day or annual pass. Annual passes are also valid at Sandy Hollow Recreation Area.
What is the cost for passes at the Big Sioux Recreation Area & Sandy Hollow Recreation Area?
Day passes are $5 per vehicle
Annual passes are $20 per vehicle, an additional vehicle pass may be purchased for $10, however must be purchased at the same time as first pass.
Stickers are good at both Sandy Hollow Recreation Area and the Big Sioux Recreation Area.
What are the hours of the Big Sioux Recreation Area?
The Big Sioux Recreation Area is open daily from 7 am - 10:30 pm.
How do we contact a ranger?
If there is an emergency dial 9-1-1; the emergency services will notify ranger on duty and provide assistance. Or contact our main office at 712-552-1047.
What is the entrance fee for your parks?
There is no entrance fee for any of our parks, except the Big Sioux Recreation Area.
What are your administration office hours?
Our administration office is open 9 am- 4 pm, Monday to Friday.
When do you have your board meetings?
Board meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month. Meeting starts at 6:30 pm and is held at the administration office in Oak Grove Big Sioux Park.
Parking
Can I leave my trailer and vehicle parked at Oak Grove’s boat ramp if fishing overnight?
You may park your vehicle out of the way at the parking are by the boat ramp, however if you plan on being out past 10:30 pm for fishing or river use, you must register your vehicle and trailer. Questions please contact ranger on duty, or the main office at 712-552-1047.
Reserving a Facility
Are pets allowed in the cabins?
We do allow pets to come with you for your stay in our cabins however, all pets must be kept in pet carrier if inside the cabin, or on a leash no longer then 6 foot outdoors with you.
When do you start taking cabin and shelter rentals?
All reservable facilities are available for reservations 2 years from today's date online.
What is check in and out time for the cabins at Oak Grove?
You may check in to your cabin after 3:00pm.
Check out time is noon.
If other arrangements for checking in or out are needed please ask when making reservations or make arrangements with officer on duty, or call the main office at 712-552-1047
What time and where do I get the key for the shelter I rented?
When making your online reservation you will be asked to provide a lock code for your reservation. This code will be added into the lock box located in its designated area. Oak Grove Lodge and Big Sioux Shelter is located near entry door. Sandy Hollow Lodge and Alton Roadside Park box is located near the front door. It is your responsibility to replace key upon leaving the park.
Sioux County Conservation Board is not responsible for anything brought into the shelter or placed outside of shelter. If you need to make special arrangements please contact on duty officer, or call the main office at 712-552-1047.
How far in advance do I have to make cabin reservations?
Reservations for cabins are available up to 2 years from today's date online reservations only.
What are the hours that I may reserve lodges and shelters?
Our shelters and lodges are available from 7 am to 10:30 pm.
No overnight rentals are allowed.
How far in advance do I have to make cabin reservations?
Reservations area available online for cabins. They area available 2 years from today's date.
Rules
Are pets allowed at the campground?
Pets are allowed however must be leashed, not to exceed 6 foot in length. May not be hitched, tied, or attached in any way to trees, shrubs or other natural attraction, or structures provided by the conservation board.
Can I swim in the rivers and ponds managed by the Sioux County Conservation Board?
The only place you are allowed to swim at is at the Big Sioux Recreation Area and Sandy Hollow Recreation Area at the designated swimming beach. All other areas swimming is not allowed.
Am I allowed to ride bridal horses at any Sioux County Conservation Board Parks?
There are no designated equine trails at any of our parks; you may however ride at the Fairview Wildlife Area, and the Fairview Wildlife Complex. Only during non hunting seasons.
Am I allowed to ride my snowmobile in any Sioux County Conservation Board Parks?
Snowmobiles are not allowed on any of our park areas.
Can I ride my ATV in Sioux County Conservation Boards Parks?
ATV's are not allowed on any area unless Sioux County Conservation Board, or its officer has designated it for the use.