Cutty's History
Since 1968. Built by the
Cutler family.
Owned by its members.
From a single vision off Interstate 80 to a private, member-owned, non-profit resort —
this is how Cutty's came to be, and why members still call it home.
The Founder · 1968
Dick Cutler —
the man who saw Cutty's before it was real.
Dick Cutler and his family started it all. Dick was kind, smart, and could see the campground in his head before it was ever an actual place for families to visit. He's the kind of guy you could listen to for hours and not get tired of his stories.
His vision was simple: a place for families and friends to enjoy along Interstate 80 — close to home for Iowans, and easy to reach for travelers passing through. In 1968, that vision opened its gates. The name? Short for Cutler.
1968
Opened
Cutler
The Name
1968
From public campground to member-owned resort
The Cutty's timeline
1968
Dick Cutler & family open Cutty's
Dick had a vision of opening a place for families and friends to enjoy along Interstate 80 — easy to reach for travelers, too. In 1968, he and his family made it real.
The Name
Cutty's originates from Cutler
The name is short for Cutler — Dick's last name carried straight into the place he built.
1980
Public campground → member-owned resort
Cutty's was a public campground until 1980, when Dick began selling memberships to ensure constant income for the resort to continue to succeed. From then on, Cutty's became a private, membership-only resort.
Today
A non-profit, run for its members
Cutty's is conducted at all times as a non-profit organization. No part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to members, directors, officers, or other private persons.
How Cutty's works
The benefits of being a member
Member-owned private community
When you join Cutty's, you make a one-time purchase of $400 for undivided property interest. The entire park is proudly member-owned and operated within a secure, fully gated neighborhood setting built for lasting family peace of mind.
$640 annual maintenance
Members pay $640 per year for park maintenance — or $160 quarterly. Cutty's is a non-profit, so every dollar stays here for improvements, upkeep, insurance, taxes, and staff.
30 nights at $1/day
Membership entitles you to 30 nights of camping per season at $1 a day. After that, sites are $24.54 per day.
April 1 – October 31
Our camping season runs April 1 to October 31 — no year-round camping. Seasonal sites are reserved, but plenty of open camping sites are available with no reservations required for members.
Sister Resort
Cutty's Des Moines
&
Cutty's Okoboji.
Cutty's Des Moines members can use Cutty's Okoboji for two seven-day visits a year — and vice versa. There is a nightly charge at both resorts.
Members should call the resort they want to stay at for more info on pricing.
Cutty's Des Moines
Cutty's Okoboji
Included per year, each way for resort member families.
Come write your chapter.
Tour Cutty's, stay two nights free, and see why members come back season after season.