Equestrian camping opportunities around Atkins, Iowa are primarily primitive in nature, with most sites requiring riders to bring their own portable corral equipment. The region sits within the Cedar River Valley at elevations between 750-850 feet, creating a mix of wooded areas and open prairie landscapes. Temperature variations can be significant, with summer daytime highs averaging in the mid-80s°F and winter lows frequently below freezing.
What to do
Trail riding access: At Matsell Bridge Natural Area, horse owners can access trails while using the primitive camping areas. "Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River...Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site," notes Carol M.
Fishing opportunities: The Cedar River and numerous lakes provide fishing options within 20-30 minutes of Atkins. At Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek), campers can combine camping with fishing. "There are a variety of sites to choose from, nice trees, and a beautiful wildflower field to walk through," shares Colleen L.
Biking excursions: Multiple paved trails connect campgrounds in the region. "This is a newer campground so is a mixture of mature and young trees. It is very clean and well cared for. Lots of opportunity to ride the numerous bike trails nearby and hike in wanatee park and nearby pinicon," reports Kristy E.
What campers like
Natural settings: Horse owners appreciate the diverse landscapes for riding. "Good campsite for a mellow weekend. When i visited we were the only campers there an it was awesome!" says Ryan about Wakpicada Natural Area, which allows trail riding during daylight hours.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campsites offer chances to observe local wildlife. "Went when it was 110 degrees with humidity. Campsites right next to the pond and good tree cover made the experience fun anyway. Good bass and panfish fishing with quiet campgrounds that aren't right next to each other," Parker H. shares about Wakpicada.
Accessibility to town: Many horse-friendly campgrounds balance natural settings with convenience. Lake Iowa County Park receives praise for this balance: "Not too far off the highway. Very clean and quiet. The campground is above the lake but a short trail will take you to the lake," explains Ken G.
What you should know
Equestrian facilities: Most campgrounds near Atkins require horse owners to bring portable containment solutions. No permanent corrals exist at any analyzed campgrounds.
Weather considerations: Spring flooding can impact camping areas, particularly those near rivers. "By the 3rd morning the river had risen to the point of flooding out our campsite. The DNR let us switch sites for our last night," reports Randi C. about her experience at Matsell Bridge.
Reservation requirements: Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area operates differently than some other area campgrounds. "All campsites are self-registration and are on a first come, first served basis. There is a campground host on duty in the main campground and the park officer lives on site," explains Jessica H.
Insect preparation: Summer brings mosquitoes and gnats to horse-friendly areas. "Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up," warns Carol M. about Matsell Bridge.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds offer child-friendly recreation. "There is a large sand playground area with slides and swings. There is a sand beach to swim, where they also rent kayaks & canoes," notes Steve R. about George Wyth State Park.
Swimming options: Lakes offer better swimming conditions than rivers for children. "This has so much to do. Fishing, kayaking, boating, swimming and camping. Great park in campground and two more parks in area," shares Stephanie J. about George Wyth.
Trail difficulty levels: When bringing children horseback riding, consider trail difficulty. "There are nice soft bike trails throughout the park. And a hard trail that is part of 150 miles of bike trails in the Waterloo & Cedar Falls area," Steve R. explains about trail options suitable for different ages.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Some equestrian-friendly sites require additional equipment. "Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. The sites are very spacious with some shade, a fire ring, and picnic table provided," says Clint G. about Wanatee Park.
Utilities available: Most horse-friendly campgrounds have limited hookups. "Clean bathrooms, showers and spots. Beautiful park! No full hook ups - must fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available," explains Edward B. about South Lake Campground at Backbone State Park.
Campground layout: Sites in horse-friendly areas vary considerably in spacing. "The one downfall to this park is the possibility for flooding. When the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds," Jessica H. warns about Saulsbury Bridge.
