Sac-Fox Campground, Scott Co Park

SOC-Fox Campground is like the middle child in a family of seven - yes, count 'em seven - campgrounds within Scott County Park. Think Brady Bunch, but with fire pits and RV hookups instead of bell bottoms and avocado-colored kitchens. It’s not the flashiest sibling, but it’s got that reliable Midwest charm that makes you go,'Yep, it's not the most attractive, but it will get the job done.' First impression? Clean, organized and incredibly less chaotic than you’d expect from the Jan of the camping family.

The sites here are roomy, shaded, and well-behaved, just like campers who say 'please' and 'thank you' everywhere you go, well, because you're in the Midwest. You’ve got a mix of electric and FHU options, so everyone from RV royalty to tent campers with coolers full of questionable lunch meat can settle in comfortably. Roads are wide enough that you won’t have to close one eye and pray when maneuvering your rig. Bathhouses? Shockingly nice. Like, did a spa consultant sneak in here when no one was looking?!  Nice. Fire rings and picnic tables come standard, and the pet-friendly vibe means your dog will probably make more friends than you do.  There's some shade, but most of it is on the treeline on the perimeter.

And let’s talk about Scott County Park itself, which is like the Disney World of county parks. You want hiking? Got it. Equestrian trails? Saddle up. Disc golf? Fore! Playground for the kids? Absolutely. And then there’s the aquatic center. Not a pool. Not a splash pad. A full-on aquatic wonderland with waterslides, diving boards and enough chlorine to strip a small car of paint. Meanwhile, other campgrounds are out here bragging about their kiddie swings. Weak, right?!

Insider Tips?  Here's a handful: (1) Shady sites near the woods are perfect for naps and hiding from the in-laws, while open sites are better if you need your daily satellite news fix; (2) Hungry? Roll into nearby Eldridge for The Rustic Ridge, where the burgers are taller than your nephew’s science project and fries are an entire food group all to itself; (3) Kayak fans can float the Wapsipinicon River where it’s calm, scenic and you’ll get to wave at locals fishing with that 'I’ve lived here since 1842' energy; and (4) Don’t skip the aquatic center as your kids will cannonball themselves into exhaustion while you finally finish that camp chair beer in peace.

Happy Camping!