North Equestrian Campground, near Lehigh, Iowa, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a bit of comfort. This campground offers spacious, grassy sites perfect for both tent and RV camping, making it a versatile spot for different camping styles.

Visitors rave about the clean facilities, including modern bathrooms and showers, which make it easy to stay fresh during your stay. Many campers appreciate the well-maintained picnic areas and fire pits, ideal for evening gatherings. One happy camper noted, “Great for tent camping, very spacious and grassy sites, clean, grill/fire pit was really very nice.”

If you’re into outdoor activities, you’ll find plenty to do here. The campground is surrounded by trails for hiking and biking, and there’s a nice playground for the kids. Fishing is also a popular pastime, with some campers even spotting muskie in the waters nearby. 

While the campground can get busy, especially with horse enthusiasts, it still offers a peaceful atmosphere for those looking to unwind. So, whether you’re planning a family trip or a weekend escape with friends, North Equestrian Campground has the amenities and natural beauty to make your stay enjoyable.

Brushy Creek is one of Iowa's premier outdoor recreation destinations. At 6,500 acres, it has the largest tracts of public recreation land with a mosaic of native prairie, grassland, timber, riparian and lake habitats. The 690-acre lake is the deepest artificial permanent pool lake in Iowa and has an extensive network of trails. Join our interpreter in the summer for nature-related programs and hikes. Each spring, the park hosts a geo-caching event and fishing derby for kids. Program event details are posted at the campground kiosks.

Trails are closed to non-foot traffic during wet conditions. Horses are not to be hitched or tied to trees, shrubs or park facilities in a manner that will cause injury or damage to the plant or facility. Animals may be hitched to trailers for short periods of time for grooming and saddling. Animals must be stabled inside a trailer, at a hitch rail or in stalls or corrals if provided. Portable stall/pens or electric fences are not allowed.   
  
Multi-Use Trail System Rules:   
  
1. Always call ahead for current trail conditions (515) 543-8298.   
2. Stay on designated trails only.   
3. Respect others' trail rights.   
4. Report any trail problems to park staff.   
  
**Attention Equestrian Riders:** State regulations require horses, mules and donkeys being transported interstate (from one state to another) must have a current Certification of Veterinary Inspection (health certificate) and a negative Coggin's test (EIA). This paperwork must accompany the animal into the State of Iowa. Please refer to [www.iowaagriculture.gov/animalindustry/horseadmissionregs.asp](http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/animalindustry/horseadmissionregs.asp) for more information.   
This law applies to equestrian camping, day-use and trail riding in any State owned Park or Forest.

North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Searching for the best camping near Lehigh, IA? Lehigh is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Lehigh, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.

Lehigh

The Best Camping Near Lehigh, Iowa

Brushy Creek

I stayed here at the start of the summer and had a great time. We chose to stay in the equestrian campsite (even though we didn't have horses) because it was a bit more secluded and shaded. The campsites were nice and the lake and stream were very nice as well. I was surprised to see a school of muskie while fishing, but it appeared that they were spawning at the time. If you go camping in May, make sure to bring a slightly heavier fishing pole to handle the musky. They're worth it.

Nice campground

Great campground with lots of trails to hike and great fishing.

Brushy Creek 

Open for off season camping. 14$/night for full hookups with pull thru RV sites. 

Beautiful

Great for an overnight on my road trip back the Denver. Clean bathrooms and showers. 

Nice surprise in Iowa

Great for tent camping, very spacious and grassy sites, clean,  grill/fire pit was really very nice. Very clean and modern bathrooms, easy access to water. Hiking trails were well maintained. Can't wait to come again. 

Wonderful

Camped here in order to be close to Fort Dodge first thing in the morning.  I stayed in the Beach Campground.  It's not on the beach, but close to it.  There are 3 total campgrounds in the park.  My choice was a very well manicured campground.  The shower house was not open yet due to the time of year, but the drop latrine was open, very clean and well lit.

  

This little nugget is laid out on a vast prairie.  Most sites have younger trees that provide some shade.  This is not the big wooded type park.  There are trails to get you out and away from the "park" and closer to the rustic woody nature.

  

Fire rings are all adjustable, sites are well kept and they offer "buddy sites" that are 2 sites really close together for those times when you bring friends, but have too many tents/vehicles to fall into the rules.

  

Verizon 4G fluctuated between 0-2 bars.  Was able to send pictures and only dropped a call once.

  

Very little light pollution

The Stars Were So Bright!

The only open site was in the North Equine Campground so we took a chance. We really did like the Campground, it was well maintained, clean and quiet. There were a few campers with horse but not many. Hitching posts behind each site which we enjoyed seeing. The roads inside the campground were all asphalt so lots of bikers enjoying rides around the grounds. There was also a nice playground for the kids surrounded by a well maintained, large, grassy area.
There were many empty sites because so many had no electric. It made for lots of nice open space. Unfortunately, we had no shade in the afternoon so weren't able to eat dinner outside or enjoy a fire in the evening. We are fortunate we camped in a 5th wheel so we could escape the heat, we would have left after the first night otherwise.  
We did drive through the Beach Campground and the South Equine Campground. Beach had very little shade and was primarily families with younger children. The beach looked real nice, not too crowded for a hot, 
July day. 
North Equine was where most of the horse folks were staying it was quite crowded. A very bustling area. 


North Equine Campground 

I like beach camp, but I LOVE north equestrian camp. Wish the boxes accomodated my rig. It's easy in spring or fall, we can get by with 30 amps. If you need 50 amps, you're going to want to head to the Beach Camp.

Photos of North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Real photos from real campers