Public Programs

As many locals are aware, the Big Sioux Rec Area took another hit by the March flood. We were still recovering from the three floods of 2018 when this flood hit us from the east. Camping season is just around the corner and the park needs a lot of caring hands to remove the rubbish hiding her beauty. This volunteer event will put us that much farther ahead and help us get ready for the main visitor season.

We will start around 1:00 pm, but come when you can! The event will last as long as the latest person wants to stay! You must check in at the Maintenance Building to receive instructions.

Projects will include: picking up litter the flood brought in, spreading new mulch in the playground to replace what was washed out, kayaking/canoeing all waters in order to access the litter along the shorelines, picking up logs/sticks and putting them in piles, etc. You will find lots of interesting things! So take pictures while you are here!

Want to help, but maybe are not up for all the walking? We could use a few people at the central check-in location to help sort recyclables and non-recyclables!

What to bring: work gloves, sturdy shoes and a smiling face!

We will provide reusable trash bags, pitchforks, rakes, and shovels.

This is a kid friendly volunteer event!

**Enter the park using the South entrance. Sign in at the Maintenance Shed upon entering the park for instructions.**

This fun filled day is made possible by our partnership with 4-H Extension Office and Sioux County Sportsman’s Club (SCSC). The day runs from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm at Oak Grove Park. Participates register for one of seven different tracks with different session and are paired with their leaders for the day. Sessions in the past have included: hiking, canoeing and kayaking, archery, outdoor cooking, air rifles, shotgun shooting, duck hunting, fly fishing and much more! Ages 8 and younger must have an adult present. Registration is required and will open approximately two months prior to event; first 270 kids will be accepted. This event is absolutely free! Lunch and prizes are provided by the SCSC.

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Approximately two months prior to event,  you can register by clicking HERE.

We partner with Sioux County Sportsman’s Club (SCSC) for this fishing clinic at SCCB Sandy Hollow Area just East of Sioux Center off B40. The morning is filled with fishing instruction, fishing, contest in casting as well as most fish caught and biggest fish caught. Prizes, giveaways and lunch is provided by the SCSC.  All ages are welcome, those of 8 years and younger must have an adult present. Those of 16 years and older must have a valid Iowa fishing license if they wish to fish. Fishing poles are provided by SCCB and bait and lunch is provided by SCSC.  Registration is required and will open approximately two months prior to event.

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Approximately two months prior to event you can register HERE.

Do you want to be an insect? What would your gigantic world be like? Where would you live, hide, eat, lay eggs? Lets explore the trails at Oak Grove Park with entomologist and Dordt professor, Jeremy Hummel, on Saturday June 22nd at 2:30 pm. We will be armed with nets and Ziploc bags for a catch and release hike. Meet at the parking area near the cabins in Deer Run Campground (last roadway in campground). The trail is not stroller friendly, you will need bug spray, sunscreen and water bottle. Cancelled if raining.

Pre-registration is appreciated. Pre-registration will be available approximately two months before event here.

Join us July 6 from 9:00-11:30 for a great morning of family fishing fun! We partner with City of Rock Valley for this fishing clinic at Rivers Bend Campground, just North West of Rock Valley. All ages are welcome, those of 8 years and younger must have an adult present. Those of 16 years and older must have a valid Iowa fishing license to fish.

Fishing poles are provided by SCCB, and bait is locally donated. No cost, entrance fee waived to park during program time.

Pre-registration is required so please call City of Rock Valley at 712-476-6065 after April 28. Registration numbers helps determine amounts for lunch, bait and prizes that are sometime provided by local supporters. (Lunch and prizes not guaranteed each year, keep tuned for details.)

Looking for a fun family night before you head back to school? Ringneck Rendezvous is your event! This event is held at the Rock Valley Gun club just West out of Rock Valley. Those of 5-8 years must have an adult present. All adults welcome with pre-registration. Doors open at 4:00 pm and participants are invited to play games and participate in activities for booth prizes until 6:30 pm. We try to add new booths each year but past booths have featured: Outdoor Minute to Win It games, BB guns, trap shooting(ages 12 and over), archery, wrist rockets, ring toss, seed balls, dog training, scavenger hunt and several more! Following the closing of the booths, booth prizes will be drawn for. Evening program for 2018 will be Royal Gauntlet. After our evening program we draw for door prizes that have been sponsored by local businesses. You must register for event, registration will open approximately two months prior to event.  The cost of this event is $10 to cover supper meal, and giveaways. This event would not be possible without our partnership with Sioux Prairie Pheasant Forever Chapter, Rock Valley Gun Club and the Iowa DNR. 

Weather related cancellations will be aired on 93.9 FM.

Registration will open approximately two months prior to event.

The Iowa hunter education class is offered annually in August to those ages 11 and over that wish to obtain and Iowa hunting license. Those interested in attend the course must register online, registration will open approximately two months prior to event.  After you are registered for class, you will need to pick up a Hunter Education Manual from the Public Libraries in Hawarden, Orange City, Sioux Center, or Rock Valley. Book work is required prior to class starting. The day starts off with a review of the lessons found in the hunter education guide and law talk by local DNR. The afternoon is where the shooting skills are taught and reinforced including: trap shooting, archery, rifle shooting, proper hunting technique, fence crossing, and zones of fire.  Day concludes with the final test. Participants must bring own snacks and lunch, supper meal is provided.

Registration will open approximately two months prior to event.

Women in the Outdoors (WITO) is a great event where women can come and learn new skills in a great environment! We partner with National Wild Turkey Federation and surrounding county conservation boards to make this event extra special. WITO is a great place to meet new people as participants are from Sioux County, Lyon County, O’Brien County, Osceola County and surrounding areas. This fun filled day runs from 8:00am-4:30 pm. Location for this event rotates between counties so it is a great way to see other wonderful parks! This day is open to ages 14 and up, ages 14-17 with an adult. The cost of this event is $45 which includes a wonderful Dutch oven lunch and one year National Wild Turkey Federation Membership. Already a member, contact us about a discount.

Coming Soon: This year’s topics and registration information!

Interested in Dutch Oven Cooking, or want to see what all the fuss is about? This event is for you! Contestants bake dishes in select categories: breads and appetizers; main dishes; and dessert. Judges sample each dish and award first place in each category. A potluck meal follows judging. Don’t feel like preparing a big dish? Public is welcome to come observe and ask questions starting at 3 pm, and welcome to join the meal starting at 6 pm. Remember this is a potluck, so if you come to eat, please bring a dish to share, does not have to be Dutch oven dish.

Contestants: Please call Sunday Ford at 712-552-3057 beginning in September to sign up as a cooker. First 10 Cookers to register will receive a free campsite at Turkey Ridge for that Saturday night.

Our annual Trick or Treat Hike is an evening you do not want to miss! Ages 12 and under are invited to trick or treat in costume. The campgrounds are full of campers with friendly faces at each campsite and of course candy/goodies too. If you would like to be a camper, see below for details. Parking is provided near the campgrounds. The hiking path is lit for participants to travel easily to the campground and the bonfire by the river. Trick or treating is from 5:30-8:00 pm. No pre-registration needed.

Listen to KSOU 93.9 FM for weather cancellations.

We partner with Sioux Prairie Pheasants Forever and Rock Valley Gun Club on this day to give 12-15 year old Iowa residents, who have passed their hunter education course, a great pheasant hunt experience! The day starts with breakfast and a quick review of hunter safety and trap shooting. We pair youth with a mentor and hunting dog. Youth and mentor travel in groups to local hunting areas, both public and private, for the morning. Following the hunt, youth and mentors return to the Rock Valley Gun Club for lunch. Only a limited number will be taken so you must pre-register, registration will open approximately two months prior to event.

Register approximately two months prior to event HERE.