Welcome to
Van Buren County Conservation

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View of modern campsite at Lake Sugema
​Outdoor Recreation opportunity 
Many of you have experienced the issue, Saturday morning, spring weather is upon us, the kids are sitting around on whatever electronic device they decided to play on that morning and you think, we need to get outside!  Think of an area where there are hiking trails, educational areas, ponds open to the public for fishing, public hunting areas, all close to home.  Van Buren County currently has a rare opportunity to enhance that outdoor recreation.  Some of you have heard of the recent talks about the farm that is currently owned by the County, currently the Supervisors are looking at options for the farm.  This is 410 acres of land that has been owned by the county since the late 1800’s.  The land is currently being rented out for farming practices and is not open to the public.   
The Van Buren County Conservation Board has presented an option to the supervisors to manage the farm.  In this proposal the Conservation Board would open the area up to the public as well as work with local groups to improve wildlife habitat, public access, improve water quality and implement sustainable farming practices on the land.  There will be areas for local youth groups and adult groups to use as well for educational opportunities.  One big question that comes up is, what is this going to cost?  The land is currently being cash rented out, that is not going to change.  The farming on the ground will continue and the income from that rent will be used to implement these options, which means little to no cost for the tax payers.
The opportunities in Van Buren County for people to have a place to go enjoy nature are getting fewer, this is an opportunity that will not come up again!  Land is getting harder to come by and they do not make more of it.  If you feel this is something you would like to see happen, please contact the supervisors and let them know before the Oct. 28th meeting.  If you have any questions feel free to contact Richard Daugherty at the Conservation office at 319-293-3589 or 319-288-0726. 
Van Buren County Conservation provides recreational opportunities through different campgrounds, parks, hiking trails, fishing and hunting areas, wilderness areas, historic venues and events. 
Explore the quaint small villages for a restive,  peaceful retreat and outdoor adventures.
To Reserve camping sites go to:
  • An account has to be set up in Mycountyparks before you can reserve a spot. 
  • Walk ins are accepted at non reserved sites.  Reservations will take priority. 
  • Must reserve 5 days in advance.
  • Make sure you read and understand the cancelation policy and the refund policy when you are reserving your site.
Can reserve 1 year in advance!

Campground Gift Certificates now available at the Van Buren County Conservation Office!

Campgrounds
PictureMorris Park new windmill and pond
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Inside log cabin museum
Stay overnight at the Morris Park campgrounds and enjoy fishing and touring the museums.
Lake Sugema Fishing 
October 29th DNR will be treating lake Sugema, for more information please contact Mark Flammang, Fisheries Biologist, DNR 641-647-2406.
Note:  Sugema lake is NOT going to be drained.  The DNR are lowering the level a couple feet to implement a low dose rotenone treatment  to eradicate the Gizzard Shad which have been illegally put in the lake.  This effort should NOT have a major affect on other fish species except for Walleye, which DNR has removed most of them and put in the fish hatcheries for now.
  These shad effect all species in the waters, causing slower growth rates and reproduction issues which has an effect on future anglers and the local economy.  It is illegal in the state of Iowa to possess live Gizzard Shad, Anyone who knows of persons in possession of live gizzard shad, please inform the DNR. 
​Morris Park renovations on the tile building
This summer has been busy, between cleaning up parks from ice damage, then flooding to the addition of the new Douds shelter, new online reservation system, Morris tile building and many other upkeep and repairs.  But the weather is starting to change and the beautiful fall colors will be here before we know it!

Our thanks to the many volunteers of the different parks that help with improvements.  
The Bentonsport Rose Garden volunteers have put not only money, but over 200 hours of volunteering,  to clean up from the ice damage and then again after the flood went through.  
Morris Park committee has also been very active in volunteering their time and raising money to help improve the park.

We appreciate all past and present volunteers. 
Anyone that wishes to volunteer with a particular park or in general, please contact the office at 319-293-3589
Dorothy Dawson Bench Memorial at Lindsay Wilderness