Hacklebarney Woods County Park includes a dedicated equestrian campground with corrals located three hundred yards past the main entrance. The equestrian area provides separate accommodations specifically designed for visitors camping with horses. The main campground offers electric hookups, thirty-amp service, drinking water, and sewer hookups for RV campers. Tent sites are also available throughout the park. The shower facilities receive regular maintenance and are surprisingly well-maintained for a county park of this size. While the equestrian area may be closed during certain periods, the main campground remains accessible. The park's secluded nature creates a quiet environment for horse camping, though visitors should note that the entrance sign has limited visibility from the road.
The park features multiple trails suitable for horseback riding through wooded terrain. These maintained paths range from flat and easy to more challenging routes with some elevation changes. Park staff keep the trails mowed in wide paths, making them navigable for riders and their horses. Beyond the equestrian facilities, the park includes several picnic areas and a pond, though the pond is not suitable for swimming or fishing. For visitors combining horse camping with family activities, the park provides playground equipment, though somewhat dated, and open areas for outdoor games. The park's secluded setting offers a peaceful retreat for equestrians seeking a quiet camping experience with direct trail access, though campers should bring their own entertainment options for extended stays.
"This lake has multiple campgrounds spread throughout. It one of the only lakes in Iowa where you can drive your boats fast. Great fireworks show on the 4th of July."
"One of the best campgrounds in the SW Iowa, the lake is great, nice beach and boating!"
"Hacklebarney is very close to home so it makes for a great quick camping trip destination. Has surprisingly nice shower room for the size of the park."
from $11 - $105 / night
TravelerWe booked this spot in February not knowing there was a rodeo on our camp day we were in town for a swim meet, the band was real loud Friday and perfect on Saturday, it has narrow camping spots but overall is a very good campground with full hook ups. Booked on line everything went smooth, great WiFi clean campground.
TravelerThis campground has beautiful views of the lake. The sites are very close together. Everything was very clean when we were there.
GuideThis is a very clean, lovely camp ground. The spots are spacious, and there are tons of options. In the fall we went and had no neighbors. It’s busy in summer, but well kept. They had people cleaning the bathrooms constantly (my mom kept pointing out, in awe, that it was “practically hourly”) which was great for tent camping with a large group! It’s quiet, beautiful lake, great boating, great swim spot, fun park for kids. Beautiful trees and hiking especially in the fall.
TravelerThe park is quite with some nice camping spots. Very quite with nobody around. The park could use some improvements but parks like these are my favorite!
GuideI stayed at this campground from August until November 13 in my pull behind camper.
Water,gas and Sewer was $15 daily,$105 weekly, and$420 monthly. Prices go up to $120 weekly when it gets cold. Shower house was shut down for COVID and shuts down in winter.
Tenting is cheaper$11
No ground fires allowed.
Friendly,helpful hosts on site.
Close to the Bridges,John Wayne sites,lauandromat,and grocery stores.
You might get a view of bridesmaids and grooms at the fairgrounds on the weekend heading to a wedding in the fairground building, nice to see during my work COVID isolation.
When the trees get big and fill in and COVID is over and the shower house is open it will be 4 stars.
LegendI will first off stay I have not been to a lot of Iowa parks. But I will say the ones I have been to, that this is the nicest or one of them. They have concessions, boat rentals, boating of all types, fishing, and trails. There are very nice picnic areas, and the bathrooms or restroom facilities are clean. This place is fantastic and offers a lot to anyone. So give it a try.
GuideThree separate campgrounds one even for horseback with corrals. Very secluded but nice.
GuideOne of the best campgrounds in the SW Iowa, the lake is great, nice beach and boating!
GuideOriginal Park in Greene County
Hacklebarney Woods County Park provides a specialized equestrian camping area approximately 300 yards beyond the main entrance. The campground contains both upper and lower camping circles, featuring 15 total sites with individual water and electric hookups. Campsites are spacious with ample shade trees throughout the park. Trail riding opportunities include multiple maintained paths ranging from flat terrain to more challenging routes with elevation changes.
Trail riding options: Lake Icaria County Park offers well-maintained riding paths through wooded areas. "Love the trails," notes Jenny A. in her review of Lake Icaria Co Park.
Hiking opportunities: The park system contains numerous walking paths suitable for various skill levels. "The park is big - lots of trails for hiking and horses. They are usually very well maintained - they keep them mowed in nice wide paths and the trails range from nice and flat to a bit more steep," according to a review of Nodaway Valley County Park.
Lake activities: Visitors can enjoy boating and fishing at nearby Lake Icaria. "It one of the only lakes in Iowa where you can drive your boats fast. Great fireworks show on the 4th of July," writes Laura B.
Seasonal events: County fairgrounds often host special events throughout camping season. At Madison County Fairground, a camper noted: "You might get a view of bridesmaids and grooms at the fairgrounds on the weekend heading to a wedding in the fairground building."
Privacy and quiet: Many equestrian campers value the secluded nature of these campgrounds. "Very secluded but nice," notes Deb W. about Hacklebarney Woods County Park.
Spacious sites: Lake Icaria receives praise for its campground layout. "The spots are spacious, and there are tons of options. In the fall we went and had no neighbors," writes Nicole B. about Lake Icaria Co Park.
Clean facilities: Many county parks maintain their restroom facilities well. "Clean, economical, and friendly staff," notes James W. about Dallas County Fairgrounds, while another reviewer mentioned Hacklebarney's "surprisingly nice shower room for the size of the park."
Natural setting: Less developed parks offer a rustic camping experience. "The park is quite with some nice camping spots. Very quite with nobody around. The park could use some improvements but parks like these are my favorite!" shares Nathan M. about Squirrel Hollow Park.
Signage challenges: Finding park entrances can sometimes be difficult. "Be careful not to drive by Hucklebarney Woods, if you're not careful you will pass it by. There is a sign but it is not very visible and you may have to hit your brakes pretty hard, so be careful," warns Matt S.
Facility variations: Amenities differ significantly between parks in the area. At Squirrel Hollow Co Park, expect more primitive conditions with electric hookups but no showers or toilets, making it suitable for self-contained camping.
Seasonal availability: Most county parks operate from April through October. Dallas County Fairgrounds specifically notes a season from "Apr 1 to Oct 31," while other locations may have similar restrictions.
Limited recreation: Some parks have minimal on-site activities. Nodaway Valley Park has "a little pond but there are no fish in it and it could use some work - lots of moss and such," according to a reviewer.
Playground accessibility: Check the condition of play equipment before promising children. "The playground is outdated but there is a large area where kids can play soccer or tag and while the equipment is old it is not in bad shape," notes Kimberly W. about Nodaway Valley County Park.
Swimming options: Lake Icaria offers dedicated swimming areas for children. "Great swim spot, fun park for kids," writes Nicole B., making it more suitable for families than parks with non-swimmable ponds.
Bring entertainment: Pack games and activities for less-developed parks. "Camping here does require some yard games and activities for entertainment - but you are just a couple minutes from the store if you forget something!" advises a Nodaway Valley camper.
Food options: Some locations offer unexpected food service. Mike S. notes that Lake Icaria even has "food trucks that serve over by the beach!"
Full hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer complete utility connections. At Madison County Fairground Campground, "Water, gas and Sewer was $15 daily, $105 weekly, and $420 monthly," notes Richard R., adding that "prices go up to $120 weekly when it gets cold."
Dump station access: Check for dump stations if staying at sites without sewer hookups. Lake Icaria receives praise for being "very clean, lovely camp ground" with all necessary facilities for RVers.
Entry challenges: Some parks have narrow access roads. One Hacklebarney visitor notes the entrance can be easy to miss, while larger rigs might have difficulty navigating in smaller county parks not designated as "big-rig friendly."
Extended stay options: For longer visits, fairgrounds often accommodate monthly campers. Madison County Fairground allows extended stays, with one camper noting they stayed "from August until November 13 in my pull behind camper."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Anita, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Anita, IA is Lake Icaria Co Park with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Anita, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Anita, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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