Top Horse Camping near Shell Rock, IA

Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Shell Rock? Finding a place to stay in Iowa while traveling with your horse has never been easier. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Shell Rock, IA (5)

    • No image available

      1.

      Black Hawk County Park

      2 Reviews
      13 Saves
      Cedar Falls, Iowa
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground

      2.

      Clear Lake State Park Campground

      11 Reviews
      15 Photos
      54 Saves
      Clear Lake, Iowa

      Clear Lake State Park offers diverse activities on one of Iowa’s most popular lakes. The 3,000-acre lake is a draw for boating, fishing and windsurfing. The park features 50 acres of open spaces and mature oak trees along with a highly popular campground. Several acres of picnic grounds with tables and grilles are available for day-use. The nearby town of Clear Lake is a summer tourist destination with numerous stores and restaurants.

      Camp in one of the most popular campgrounds in Iowa’s state park system. The campground contains two modern restrooms, shower facilities and two dump stations. A quarter of the campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and advanced reservations can be made online through the online reservation system for Clear Lake State Park.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve
      Camper-submitted photo from Shellrock River Co Preserve

      3.

      Shellrock River Co Preserve

      2 Reviews
      15 Photos
      12 Saves
      Nora Springs, Iowa

      Camping at Shellrock River Greenbelt and Preserve

      The Shellrock River Greenbelt Preserve provides both primitive and equestrian camping opportunities all year round. Two small shelters, fire rings, pit toilets, and hitching posts are provided at this site.

      Located on Yucca Avenue between 290th and 280th Streets.

      Open Year Round

      There is no charge for using this rustic campground

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Tents
      • Group
      Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Bridge County Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Bridge County Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Bridge County Park

      4.

      Cedar Bridge County Park

      1 Review
      3 Photos
      5 Saves
      Osage, Iowa
      • Pets
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      • RVs
      • No image available

        5.

        Albany Campground — Volga River State Recreation Area

        Be the first to review!
        Fayette, Iowa

        The Albany Campground has equestrian and non-equestrian campsites. The equestrian campsites all have electrical hook-ups. The non-equestrian sites are non-modern with non-electric sites. There is a water hydrant for the non-equestrian campsites. There is water and vault toilets but no showers. A portion of the area is available for equestrian campers and those sites have hitching posts.

        Volga River State Recreation Area is located in one of the most scenic parts of the state. Northeast Iowa is often referred to as "Little Switzerland" because of its rugged topography, rock outcroppings and forest cover - a sharp contrast to the rolling hills, farmland and scattered stands of timber found in the majority of the state. The heavily wooded, rugged area of Volga River is an exciting setting for a variety of outdoor recreation activities throughout the year.

        • Pets
        • Reservable
        • RVs
        • Tents
        • Equestrian
        • Drinking Water

      Recent Equestrian Reviews In Shell Rock

      16 Reviews of 5 Shell Rock Campgrounds


      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        August 15, 2024

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Nice but crowded campground

        Nice campground with grassy pull thru sites. But very close together. If full, you would have no privacy. Fortunately, it was 1/4 full, so no problem. Bathrooms clean, nice warm showers! Nice beach, lots to do. Would be a fun place if you don’t mind camping next to neighbors!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        July 3, 2023

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Great State Park

        This is our second time camping at the Clear Lake State Park. The park is clean, the shower house is nice. It’s hard to control the temperature in the showers, too hot for little kids to stand directly in the water. The playground was fun for the kids, nice beach access! Limited full hook up sites. I wish there were more full hook ups that you could reserve. Paved roads are great for bike riding. Great shaded spots. DNR cruises the park daily which is nice to see.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        June 12, 2023

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Nice place

        Overall nice place to stay. We stay each year with family so there are about 4 of our campers all there together.distance between sites can be wide or narrow depending on which site you’re on.

        Pros: Clean/well maintained, easy short path through the trees to get to the beach, sturdy picnic tables all around, long “driveway” for campsite

        Cons: pads are gravel and not very level, pads are very narrow, beyond the trees on one side of the campground is a major road so you’ll hear cars passing by, not a lot of restroom/bathhouses

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        June 10, 2023

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Very clean park!

        We spent 4 days here and the park is a busy place! Very clean!!!!! Dump station was easy access! We were right by the shower houses. Check in and out was simple. We made our reservations online. The park had paved roads, great for bike riding, playground was a hit! The sunset was gorgeous in the evenings at the beach! We will be back!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        September 11, 2022

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Great spot

        We love coming to Clear Lake! The campgrounds are always very well kept, bathrooms very clean! Easy access to the lake, and the town has so much to do during the summer months!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Black Hawk County Park
        April 17, 2022

        Black Hawk County Park

        Lots to do

        Nice place good amenities. Has plenty of fishing access archery gun range. Boat access. Decent shower/ bathroom facilities.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        July 13, 2021

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Nice

        Clear lake state park is a nice campground. It does get very busy during peak season and traffic is continuous. It is clean and close to the beach. Down town and other shopping is a short drive away. Lots of families camp here. Spots are nice.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Bridge County Park
        June 5, 2021

        Cedar Bridge County Park

        Terrific little RV park!

        You will love this park. There are about 20 self-serve sites with electric and water. Self serve firewood. Dump station and dumpsters near the exit. Clean bathrooms and showers. Lots of space at each campsite. Good hiking and horse trails. Sitting right on the Cedar River, it’s a great location to kayak and tube. Cheap at $20 a night. We showed up at 8:00 on a Fryevening and spots were available!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        April 19, 2021

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Clean and quiet

        Loved this state park. Sites not too level, but spacious. Camped in mid April and park was not very busy which was nice. Full hook up sites and W/E only sites. Close to town and lots to do.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        July 12, 2019

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Beautiful

        I love this campground! Clean, well maintained, and the hosts are very friendly. Trail to the beach is clear, the playground has nice, safe equipment for the little kids. Sad that there were so many back up sites over the holiday weekend, would have liked to have been able to camp here. It being full more than a week before the holiday, shows how great it is.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        June 13, 2019

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Just enough trees

        This is a state campground. So as most will know the sites could be better maintained. The bathrooms are updated and nice. When there is heavy rain you will however have your own pond at most sites. I guess you pay for what you get. I love this campground because they are large spots. Close to the beach and fishing is awesome. A big campground but reserve early!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
        May 7, 2018

        Clear Lake State Park Campground

        Super hospitable care taker!!

        There are only 6 full hook up sites and the care taker made sure we got one. The rest of the sites are beautiful with electric hook up. Nice clean bathroom and hot shower!



      Guide to Shell Rock

      Camping near Shell Rock, Iowa, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts. With beautiful parks and campgrounds, there's something for everyone, whether you're into hiking, fishing, or just relaxing in nature.

      What to do:

      • Hiking: Backbone State Park is a great spot for hiking. One visitor mentioned, "The scenery on the hiking trail was amazing," highlighting the beautiful views you can enjoy while exploring the trails.
      • Fishing: If you love fishing, check out the trout streams at Backbone State Park. A reviewer noted, "The fishing is easy as most of the fish are stocked," making it a fun spot for anglers.
      • Canoeing and Kayaking: Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground offers easy access for kayaking and tubing on the Upper Iowa River. A camper shared, "This campground has it all," emphasizing the fun water activities available.

      What campers like:

      • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the facilities. One reviewer at George Wyth State Park Campground said, "The bathrooms were warm and really clean," which is always a plus when camping.
      • Spacious Sites: Many campers enjoy the spacious sites at Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park. A visitor remarked, "Great spacious, level sites," making it comfortable for families and groups.
      • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers often mention the peaceful environment. One reviewer at Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground noted, "We have been here during the week and have had the place pretty much to ourselves," which is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle.

      What you should know:

      • Reservations: Some campgrounds, like Pulpit Rock Campground, can fill up quickly, especially on weekends. A camper mentioned, "There was only one site available when we made the reservation," so it's wise to book ahead.
      • Cell Service: Be prepared for spotty cell service in some areas. A visitor at Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park noted, "Service was definitely spotty in most areas of camp," which might be a concern for those needing to stay connected.
      • Mosquitoes: Some campgrounds, like George Wyth State Park Campground, can have a lot of mosquitoes during certain seasons. One camper warned, "There were tremendous amounts of mosquitoes at the campground during our visit."

      Tips for camping with families:

      • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. Pulpit Rock Campground has a large playground that kids will enjoy, as noted by a happy camper.
      • Family-Friendly Activities: Choose campgrounds that offer activities for all ages. A reviewer at Clear Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The playground was fun for the kids, nice beach access!" which is perfect for family fun.
      • Quiet Spots: Look for quieter campgrounds if your family prefers a peaceful environment. One camper at Chimney Rock Canoe and Campground appreciated the laid-back vibe, saying, "We have been here during the week and have had the place pretty much to ourselves."

      Tips from RVers:

      • Level Sites: Make sure to choose campgrounds with level sites for easier parking. A reviewer at Pine Lake State Park Campground mentioned, "The sites are spacious enough," which is a plus for RVers.
      • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds that offer full hookups. A camper at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA noted, "Decent sites with full hookups," making it convenient for RV travelers.
      • Amenities: Check for amenities like laundry and stores. One visitor at Waterloo - Lost Island Waterpark KOA appreciated the "gas station and propane available," which adds to the convenience of the stay.

      Camping near Shell Rock, Iowa, has a lot to offer, from beautiful parks to family-friendly activities. Whether you're in an RV or tent, you'll find a spot that suits your needs!

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Shell Rock, IA?

        According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Shell Rock, IA is Black Hawk County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

      • What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Shell Rock, IA?

        TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Shell Rock, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.