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Best Equestrian Camping near Bedford, IA

31 Reviews

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Bedford, IA (5)

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Bedford

31 Reviews of 5 Bedford Campgrounds

  • Danni A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Icaria Co Park
    Apr. 9, 2024

    Lake Icaria Co Park

    Beautiful Views

    This campground has beautiful views of the lake. The sites are very close together. Everything was very clean when we were there.

  • r
    Camper-submitted photo from Mozingo Lake County RV Park
    Jul. 28, 2022

    Mozingo Lake County RV Park

    Nice and Quiet

    Lake Mozingo is near the College Town of Maryville, Missouri. My experience is limited, but I’d say it’s pretty nice here. And inexpensive. Concrete Pads with Power and Water at the Site but no Sewer dump, that’s Centralized in the Camp. There’s Lake access if you want. I like it here.

  • Nicole B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Icaria Co Park
    Jan. 23, 2022

    Lake Icaria Co Park

    Easily my favorite spot

    This 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.

  • M
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground
    Jun. 28, 2021

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    Gem But Could Be Better

    As tent campers we found a lot to love at Lake of Three Fires, but also found ourselves wanting more. It’s got a gorgeous lake, and some camping sites are out of this world, but it can be inconsistent and there’s not a lot to do.

    Pros: -While the electric hookup sites were full, primitive campers had their pick of the campground even during the middle of the summer. Plenty of open non-electric sites to choose from.
    -Site 55 is an absolute GEM. Spacious and right on the water! We didn’t have any neighbors so it was like we had the whole place to ourselves. -Good fishing at the lake, and plenty of quiet spots to fish from -The lake is quiet and relatively calm -Excellent (and clean!) modern bathrooms, by far the best we’ve encountered

    Cons: -There’s not a lot to do other than fishing and hanging out by the campsite -The trails are quite poorly marked and seem to only have entry and exit points at each end of the point, so unless you want to commit to the full 8 miles, you’ll have to turn back at some point -The sites can be inconsistently sized. We found some tent sites that were less than half the size of our site, and they were packed like sardines. -A lot of the sites are sloped, so even ground can be hard to find. -The park is pretty rural, so if you need to make an emergency grocery or supplies run you might be out of luck. -No firewood on site, so you’ll have to come prepared or hope you can find some in town.

  • Isaac F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground
    Apr. 20, 2021

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    Had the lake to ourselves!

    Although there were RVers and a nice group of Boy Scoutspaet of the time, there was no one else in our tent camping side. We had chilly weather, but marvelous views of the water with a rare flock of pelicans! Some of the trails were muddy, but there plenty of others to choose from. Red buds and flowers were starting to bring the forest to life.

    All fire pits have an incredible grate system for cooking. There's an over abundance of limbs and twigs for firewood, although a saw would come in handy. Clean, quiet, and as beautiful as ever- that's our lake!

  • Tony B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Icaria Co Park
    Sep. 12, 2020

    Lake Icaria Co Park

    One of the best sw Iowa Lakes

    I 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.

  • Kayla F.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground
    Jun. 15, 2020

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    Pretty Decent Campground

    The bathrooms and showers were well kept. Was lucky and got a campsite under some shade, but quite a few weren't so lucky. Ended up with site 60, right in front of the showers and bathrooms, which was great but also sucked. As soon as the bathroom doors opened the fans came on, which late at night was kind of annoying. Firewood is not sold on the campground, so you can burn what's on the ground or head to Hyvee for some wood in town. Unfortunately we got there late the first day so Hyvee had just closed and we had to try to find sticks in the dark. There are no signs showing what numbers were in that area or to the beach area, bathrooms, or garbage so you just have to explore to find it. Also there are lots of deer in the area at all hours of the day, so keep an eye out for them when traveling to and from town,

    Overall it was a great weekend and will probably be back. The only thing I really wish, was that the firepit be cleaned before we got to the site. We had to try and dig out all the burnt cans and foil with sticks.

  • Mike S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Icaria Co Park
    Jun. 3, 2019

    Lake Icaria Co Park

    Great place that wasn’t crowded

    Very nice place. Full hook up spots were very nice. Easy to get into, plenty of space, fire pit, picnic table, friendly & helpful park officers, lots of activities (hiking, boating, boat rentals, beach, bait shop, close to a race track in Corning, etc). We went the weekend after Memorial Day & there were plenty of spots. Quiet & family friendly. Even have food trucks that serve over by the beach!

  • Tara K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground
    Apr. 26, 2019

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    Lots of trees!

    This campground ovvers a lot of shaded with trees hookup sutes and beautiful grassy non hookup sites. Frisbee golf course, playground, horse shoe pits and samdy heach area groomed daily. No wake lake perfect for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Clean well-kept shower and bath buidling as well. Horse area for those who bring horses for the ridiing trails.

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Nodaway Valley County Park
    Oct. 25, 2018

    Nodaway Valley County Park

    Quiet... lots of shade... not a bad getaway.

    To be perfectly honest we camp at Nodaway often- but that because of its location - close to work and such. However there are limited activities at Nodaway.

    The camp sites are nice and large- easy to get into and each one had its own water and electric. There are 11 on what we call the upper circle and 4 on the lower circle. The bath house is located at the far end so if you are on the lower circle or at the end it can be a walk. It isn't fancy by any means- a single sink, toilet, and shower in the same room- one for each sex. It gets the job done- but it is no frills. There is a dump station centrally located that you can easily pull up to on your way out.

    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.

    There is a little pond but there are no fish in it and it could use some work- lots of moss and such.

    There are several different picnic areas and a second bathroom away from the campgrounds. 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.

    There is a beautiful look out area (away from the camprounds) that looks over Clarinda and is very nice to watch the annual 4th of July fireworks from the Clarinda A's baseball team.

    We love Nodaway not because of the amenities but because we can all get together and be close to work/school/home. 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!

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground
    Oct. 25, 2018

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    So much to do! So much to see! Lake of 3 Fires has something for everyone!

    There is a legend about how the Lake of 3 Fires got its name. The legend says that the “Fire Nation”, which was a local Pottawatomi tribe, lived in the area around Southwest Iowa. Later 2 other tribes decided to join the “Fire Nation” and the 3 became known as “Three Fires”. The Tribes burned 3 fires atop hills to signify that as long as the 3 fires were burning the tribes were together. Now on the spot where the fires burned, is said to be the Iowa State Park “Lake of 3 Fires”

    Located in Southwest Iowa just north of the county seat of Bedford Iowa, is a little hidden treasure for outdoor enthusiasts and campers. When looking for a campground everyone has an opinion on what amenities and activities they want- fishing, hiking, boating, and horseback riding are some of the more popular choices and the Lake of Three Fires has all these and more. The actual lake is only 85 acres but has excellent fishing and is surrounded by 691 acres of beautiful trees with hiking and equestrian trails, fishing jetties and a sandy beach.

    For those who are planning more than a day trip to the Lake of 3 Fires there are several options available. Located only a very short walk from the Lake are two modern campgrounds nestled in trees. There are over 100 site options for campers. For the RV or trailer enthusiasts there are 24 standard electric sites and 63 non-electric sites, plus 3 buddy sites. In addition, there are 23 equestrian sites (some electrical) and 1 equestrian buddy site along with plenty of holding stalls and tie outs for horses. They are located just east of the main camping grounds but still close enough to walk down to the lake. There are nice clean restroom and shower facilities, children’s play areas and a trailer dump station. Some of the campsites have also been made handicap accessible.

    For those families who don’t have a camper or RV but want to experience camping at the Lake of 3 fires there are 6 family cabins which can accommodate 4- 6 people. They are heated and cooled with the basic essentials- stove, microwave and refrigerator. There are also open shelters and a youth group area that offer a place to rent for large group gatherings. There are picnic areas available that are first come first serve. There are plenty of tables and grills if you are just making a day trip but camping is the way to go at the Lake of 3 Fires so you have time to experience everything.

    Many of the camp sites, cabins and shelters are available to reserve online at the Department of Natural Resources website- however there are some that are first come first serve. It is very convenient and easy to reserve your spot online. Highly recommended if you plan on traveling any distance- a guaranteed spot of your choice is worth the few minutes it takes to go online and reserve. You can even look at a map of the campsites and pick where you want your site to be. You can see not only where your site will be but it tells you the electrical voltage, the length and other important information about the site you are choosing.

    The camp sites are kept clean, well maintained and are big enough you don’t feel like you are right on top of your neighbor. The bathhouses are centrally located in the campground and offer clean bathroom and shower facilities for campers.

    Once you have your camper set and are ready to enjoy your weekend it will be hard to decide where to start. The Lake itself offers many activities. There are 2 boat ramps if you want to go out on the ‘no wake” lake. There are plenty of fish to be caught including bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. If you don’t have a license to fish you can run into town and pick one up at the courthouse or the Bedford Country Store located right on Hwy 2, very easy to find! There is a dock where you can fish and it also has a cleaning station also available. There are several fishing jetties where you can take a chair and set up to find the perfect spot. From your spot on the lake you might catch a glimpse of some people enjoying a beautiful day on the lake on their canoes or kayaks.

    For the hunters, there is a 220 acre public hunting ground to the north and 160 acres to the south. You would of course want to check with the DNR for hunting and gaming regulations.

    Not into hunting and fishing? Prefer something a bit more relaxing? Well head down to the beach area which is just a short walk from the camp grounds. There you find a small but very nice beach area for swimming. Not in the mood to swim? Then grab some friends for a game of sand volleyball or perhaps pitch horseshoes. The beach area is perfect place to relax with a good book or play some games with friends. The best part is to get there from the campgrounds you take a beautiful short scenic walk.

    Perhaps one of the best parts about the Lake of 3 Fires is the 10 miles of trails the intertwine around the entire Lake. There are some specific trails for hiking but some others that offer horseback riders an amazing view of the lake. The great thing about the trails is how they snake around each other- you could discover a new path every time you go. The trials are nicely marked with “you are here “maps so you don’t get lost. There are beautiful views of the Lake from the far side where you can see clear across to the campgrounds. In the winter after a good snow, they say snow mobiles can also use the trails.

    Bedford is only a few miles away so you can run into the local Hy-Vee for Groceries or stop by Dollar General if you forgot something. There are 2 gas stations in town as well that both have pizza, drinks and snacks if you need to stock up.

    Getting to the Lake of 3 Fires isn’t hard at all From Bedford just go east out of town for about 1/2 mile on Hwy 2. Then turn north on Lake Road, keep going for about 3 miles and Lake of Three Fires is located on the west side. The roads are a bit windy but everything is paved including the main roads of the park. For a short weekend getaway of a weeklong camping adventure, the Lake of 3 Fires has plenty to offer everyone in your camping group.

  • Caralee D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground
    Aug. 10, 2018

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    Great campground for an active family

    This is one of our favorite campgrounds in Iowa. It has a good sized lake for fishing and kayaking, but not to big for large speed boats. It has miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing. The beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon.

    We love this campground for the large trees and shade they provide in the summer. Our only complaint is the lack of weather warning system in the area. The park rangers came around to warn campers of possible severe storms coming through the area, but if a tornado warning happened, we would have no notification.

  • Laura B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Icaria Co Park
    Jul. 3, 2018

    Lake Icaria Co Park

    Nice big campground

    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.

  • Jen J.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Icaria Co Park
    Jun. 29, 2018

    Lake Icaria Co Park

    worth a stop

    love the full hook ups and spot availability! well kept bathroom is a plus. good place for kids. beach needs some work and algae in the water but otherwise I'd go again.

  • Molly M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground
    Jun. 5, 2018

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    personable employees, quiet times

    We had problems with the rv hookups, immediately a park worker came to help. It was quiet and beautiful. The fishing was great, cleaning stations on the docks, frisby golf and a super nice beach! several boat ramps.

  • Matt S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Nodaway Valley County Park
    Jul. 18, 2017

    Nodaway Valley County Park

    Nodaway Valley Park needs a makeover

    I do not like to be critical of parks but I do my best to give an honest assessment and not just say "it's great." This could be a great park but it needs some serious TLC.

    The setting is quiet and there are a lot of beautiful trees. The problem is it looks like nothing has been updated since the sixties and very little money has been put into the park for any upgrades.

    A nice shower and bathroom facility would make a huge difference, but that is not all. This looks like it was designed to be a family park but the playground equipment must be original and unattractive.

    I came to this park during a weekday and there were very few people but a lot of flies. I hate to say it, but I would skip Nodaway Valley until someone realizes that it needs some help and starts to update it.

  • Matt S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Hacklebarney Woods County Park
    Jul. 16, 2017

    Hacklebarney Woods County Park

    You might accidentally drive by Hucklebarney Woods

    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.

    The first entrance to the park is an equestrian campground that was closed when I arrived. Don't stop there, keep driving another 300 yards and you will find the main entrance to the park.

    For a county park with limited resources it meets expectations. The biggest detractor is all of the goose poop but I suppose you can live with that, especially if you are pulling a camper. You can't swim in the pond but the views are nice. I would honestly say that this is not where I would choose to camp but it is a great place to stop and have a picnic.

Frequently Asked Questions

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    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bedford, IA is Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 10 reviews.

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