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Eldred Sherwood Park (Hancock County Park)
Overview
Eldred Sherwood Park offers a serene escape into the north-central Iowa countryside. Managed by the Hancock County Conservation Board, this 100-acre park serves as a lush green oasis just outside the quiet town of Goodell. The centerpiece of the park is a 22-acre lake, which provides a tranquil backdrop for visitors seeking a break from the hustle of highway travel. It is a place where nature takes precedence, offering a quiet environment for those who appreciate the simpler side of outdoor living and the beauty of the prairie landscape.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just a short drive northwest of Goodell, IA, the park is nestled within a landscape of rolling hills and dense woodlands. The surrounding area is characterized by vast agricultural fields and small-town charm, making the approach to the park scenic and low-stress for those towing trailers. Once inside the park boundaries, the heavily wooded terrain provides excellent shade and a sense of privacy that is often missing from larger commercial campgrounds. It feels like a hidden gem tucked away in the heart of Hancock County.
Amenities & Park Features
The park provides a variety of camping options, including several electric hookup sites suitable for RVs of various sizes. Travelers will appreciate the availability of modern restrooms and showers, ensuring comfort during their stay without sacrificing the rustic feel of the park. For those who enjoy being on the water, the park features a boat ramp and multiple fishing docks situated around the lake perimeter. Additional features include a playground for children and several well-maintained picnic shelters, making it easy for families to gather and enjoy the fresh Iowa air together.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation is the primary draw at this location, with fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish being a popular pastime on Sherwood Lake. The park also maintains a network of hiking trails that wind through the timber, offering birdwatchers and nature photographers plenty of opportunities to spot local wildlife and native plants. Beyond the park gates, visitors can explore the hospitality of nearby communities like Klemme or Belmond. The Iowa River also flows through the region, providing further opportunities for exploration and water-based activities within the county.
Who This Park Is Best For
Eldred Sherwood Park is ideal for nature lovers and quiet seekers who prefer a rustic, conservation-focused atmosphere over a resort-style experience. It is a fantastic choice for families looking for a safe, open space where kids can explore the woods or fish from the shore. Budget-conscious RVers and cross-country travelers will also find the park appealing due to its affordable rates and well-kept facilities. If your travel style involves campfire conversations and falling asleep to the sounds of the forest, this Iowa destination is a perfect fit.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Brian Stewart
Best hidden gem of a campground you could ever find.
Russell Hoffman
Beautiful park, not the best for tent camping unless at the non-electric sites on the north end of the park
cathy Carlson
Lovely space close to the lake. Full hookup with a nice shade tree.
Deann Borgerson
Pond was over grown with weeds and moss. So many mosquitoes you can't sit out. Nice to have full hook up. But I wouldn't recommend unless mosquitoes are sprayed
Kinlee Angell
The playground is pretty good no splinter in my family the restrooms have a lot of bugs a nd spiders but they are all harm less app the dogs where well tamed the picknico tables have some splinters also some dogs ba4ked at every thing BRING BUG SPRAY I went fishing with my aunt at night and as soon as I turned on my flashlight a bunch of green bugs probably over 1000 swarmed my whole arm. The camp hosts are nice.
Jessica Redondo
ABSOLUTELY THE WORST EXPERIENCE. I would do 0 stars if I could. Wanted to have a nice fishing time with my mother and sister and brought our well behaved german shepherd as well to enjoy the outdoors. The minute we got there things went wrong with the park employee who acted like he was law enforcement 👮♂️ we were told our dog had to be on a leash and so we abided by the rules and did that and place the dog tied on a tree right next to us and no one else was around but us. He later came again acting stern that the dog leash had to be held by someone and I said really, and said okay I will do that in just a minute since I was tying a line on my fishing pole and didn’t want to let it go. Literally seconds pass by and he says “I need you to do it now in this moment! And I even repeated I will do that in just a min can I finish what I have in my hand and he continued to harass us and ruin our moment as a family that I drove 7 hours from a different state to have with my mother, below is a picture of the employee as he is also just standing there when we left cause we decided to just leave since we were not going to have a decent time as he was gonna continue harassing us over little things. They need to just fire this unhinged man freaken ridiculous!
Lucas Popp
Nice quiet park. Tent side is really quiet, peaceful, and located well away from the county road. Only has electric hookups for campers and at least there is a shower house for the people like me who are tenting. Lake is nasty because of the algae. I'm from MN and we can actually swim in most of our lakes but definitely not this one.
Ted Strang
Lake is better for fish, I wouldn't swim in, too much moss and weeds but there is a "beach". Otherwise it is a very nice quiet place. 1 mile off the blacktop road down a gravel road so it is secluded. Decent bathrooms. The park has a maintenance building onsite so it is nicely well kept.