Top Horse Camping near Castana, IA

Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Castana is the way to go. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. You're sure to find the perfect site for your Iowa horse camping excursion.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Castana, IA (4)

    Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park

    1. Lewis and Clark State Park

    20 Reviews
    48 Photos
    66 Saves

    The Lewis and Clark campground is a great place to spend a leisurely vacation in the outdoors. The campground features both electric and full hook-up sites (water and sewer) which lie along the lakeshore. Modern restrooms and showers are available, as is a trailer dump station.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $20 - $26 / night

    • No image available

      2. Southwood Conservation Area

      1 Review
      10 Saves
      • Electric Hookups
      • RVs
      • Tents
      • Showers
      • Drinking Water
      • No image available
        Camper-submitted photo from Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping
        Camper-submitted photo from Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping

        4. Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping

        2 Reviews
        2 Photos
        22 Saves

        Danish Alps offers Electric Plus, Electric, Basic and Equestrian Electric Plus campsites. Danish Alps has 34 gravel pads with electrical hookups and two ADA cement pads with electrical hookups, as well as seven gravel pull-through pads with electrical hookups and one ADA cement pull-through pad with electrical hookups. Electrical campsites are both Electric Plus and Electric campsites. Additionally, Danish Alps offers an equestrian campground with 26 gravel pads that are Electric Plus and three ADA-accessible cement pads with electrical hookups. There are also 22 Basic camping sites. Campers have access to water, modern restrooms and showers. Camping reservations are available for half of the electrical campsites. All other camping is all first-come, first-served campers register their nightly camping fees in a raised, locked box called an Iron Ranger. Self-service envelopes are provided at each Iron Ranger station. Check or cash only. Iron Rangers are generally located near the park entrance or in the campground area. On-site camping informational signs are provided to help guide campers with the self-registration process. An equestrian campground offers 14 horse corrals, hitching posts and water. A scenic horse trail encircles most of the lake.

        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Electric Hookups
        • Phone Service
        • Reservable
        • ADA Access

        $10 - $35 / night


      Recent Equestrian Reviews In Castana

      24 Reviews of 4 Castana Campgrounds


      • B
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Sep. 5, 2023

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Not bad for after Labor Day Weekend.

        Campground was as I hoped. Empty except for 3 others. Oxbow lake is nice with a sandy shoreline. The campground is set in an Aspen glade. Very nice.

      • Tiffany Yenter H.
        Camper-submitted photo from Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping
        Jul. 25, 2022

        Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping

        Unexpectedly Pleasant

        We didn't actually Camp there and truthfully I'm not so sure I ever even saw the campgrounds. But the lake in the area is beautiful and there's quite a large space to the park with lots of trails and open field areas. I believe you have to pay a fee to the DNR for a day pass or purchase an annual Nebraska park pass/license in order to even go through the park. There's a few places outside of town that advertise horseback riding and I always thought that would be a sweet place to do so. We mainly went to fish!

      • Matthew M.
        Camper-submitted photo from Southwood Conservation Area
        May. 12, 2022

        Southwood Conservation Area

        Childhood memories

        It’s been a few years since I’ve stayed here but I have a million memories of this place. Stalked by a mountain lion chased people out of the campground. Spent easily 100 nights here. Campground has recently been upgraded and heading back soon.

      • E
        Camper-submitted photo from Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping
        Oct. 28, 2021

        Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping

        All By Myself

        I pulled in and found a wide open campground. I picked a site high on the bluff overlooking the reservoir. It had quite the view. It’s a newer area so trees are planted for the future. Sites are spacious with water and both 30 & 50 amp hookup. Clean dump station that also has a fish cleaning station. Playground, boat ramp, picnic area fishing, birdwatching, equestrian camp & trails, something for everyone.

      • j
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Oct. 17, 2021

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Just what was needed

        Only one site available when I stopped but that's all I needed! Full of family type campers in every type of camper. Busy but not noisy and quiet by 9. Located on a body of water. Just 3 miles from the highway. I paid $18. For an off season site. Clean restrooms and level spacious sites.

      • S
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Sep. 19, 2021

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Short weekend getaway

        Nice campground. Very few tent only - mostly RVs/trailers. Washrooms basic but clean. Large site under trees with mix of sun & shade. Grassy area for tent. Access to water close by. Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak. Everyone seemed friendly though some folk stayed up pretty late on Friday!

      • Rebecca W.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Sep. 5, 2021

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Beautiful campsite

        Great campground for families. There is a huge playground with tons of activities for all ages, the boat is an awesome thing to see. I saw a ton of trails along the main road but we didn’t have time to check them out. This was such a fun campground to stay with our kiddos.

      • Neil T.The Dyrt PRO User
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Aug. 31, 2021

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Nice evening swim after a hot day

        Vibe: Relaxed summer lake fun. 

        Cleanliness: Average 

        Facilities: Slightly dated but adequate 

        General spots: Good size, good spacing, not private. Large cottonwood trees offer good shade on lake side spots. 

        Our site: 10. Close to the swimming area. Not far from bathrooms. 

        Noise: Friendly chatter. Mostly quiet. Some music from the summer camp across the lake(see below). 

        Cell signal: Good (Verizon)

        Other: The lake isn’t huge, but the water was not murky and you could wade out pretty far and still be shallow enough to stand. A summer camp is across the lake and they played some evening music and morning music starts at 7:30.

      • Bob M.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Aug. 1, 2021

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Nice Spot

        We only were here 1 night, a stopover. The place is clean & quiet, lots of families. 

        Only thing we had time for was swimming in the lake, which was refreshing. Maybe we return in the future.

      • Angela W.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        May. 14, 2021

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Nice campground!

        This is a pleasant campground. There are water lots available. Some spots can be reserved. Others are walk in only. Decent room between lots, though I would prefer a bit more room. Most sites are electric only. A slim amount are full hookup. Excellent playground for children. Popular place for boating in the summer months. Dirt trails to explore around the grounds.

      • N K.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Oct. 11, 2020

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Clean & kid friendly

        Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa! We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water. Short walk to the very clean restrooms with flush toilets & showers. Will come back!

      • M
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Oct. 4, 2020

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Clean, very nice campground, kid friendly

        There’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers. Very nice for Iowa state parks.

      • Tony B.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Sep. 9, 2020

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Nice, and clean lake

        This place was pleasantly clean to me. Blue lake which is the lake this state park sits on. When you drive in from the road you see on your right the lake and to your left are houses. You go farther down and you see picnic accesses off the lake. And there is a swimming area and beach further down with a fully accessible restroom. There is also a keelboat on display and visitor center with a musuem. The center was closed when we were here, (thanks covid). Behind that is a dock and a little look out tower next to it. This is where we saw people kayak mainly. You go farther down and this was where the campsites were. This appeared to be more of a park set up for rv and campers than any tents. You go farther down pass this and you find more accesses to trails, and taller grass. This is a great park especially for a rv, and how clean it is.

      • Kathy F.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Nov. 8, 2019

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Great Find

        Oh my the rate was 19.00 for full 50 amp hookup Beautiful state park in the water nice level sites paved Fire rings and tables Would definitely recommend this place it is a must stop!

      • K
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Aug. 13, 2018

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Well maintained, interesting history and great fishing

        This place has great fishing and is very well maintained not to mention that they have a replica of the Boat that Lewis and Clark traveled on many years ago. They will also occasionally take it out and give rides. They also have a history museum to accompany the boat. Bathrooms are clean. Camp ground is clean. Lots of things to see and do in the camp ground itself.

      • Ashley S.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Aug. 4, 2018

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Peaceful, beautiful, full of nature!

        This campground has clean facilities, a lake you can swim & boat in, a playground for kids and basketball court walking trails, a keel boat ride and one evening they even did an outdoor movie for all the families! One of my favorite places to camp! Lots of campers but everyone was respectful and we had a lot of fun!

      • Anessa O.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Jul. 14, 2018

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Great place to be

        The campground was very clean and quiet. They have full service hook ups. It has a playground for the kids. nice updated bathroom facilities with showers. They also have a beach and boat dock. Most sites are pretty well shaded unless you start on the river front in which there aren't many shaded spots.

      • Pat V.
        Camper-submitted photo from Lewis and Clark State Park
        Aug. 25, 2017

        Lewis and Clark State Park

        Hope for more

        We chose this park after some family raved about their visits. We were excited, but let down. The lake was ok, we were unable to purchase a temporary state fishing license onsite. The hiking trails could be so much more than the mowed paths through tall grass. The water at the water for filling smells horrendous. The dump station is a tight squeeze for anything other than a small bumper pull camper. Our kids had fun at the park, but we were just not impressed with the location.



      Guide to Castana

      Camping near Castana, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and family-friendly activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled adventure, there are several campgrounds to explore.

      What to do

      • Hiking and Nature Trails: Enjoy the scenic trails at Preparation Canyon State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "There are several trails to follow in the area," making it a great spot for nature lovers.
      • Fishing and Water Activities: At Lewis and Clark State Park Campground, you can fish or just relax by the water. A camper noted, "Great sites right on the water," perfect for those who love being near lakes.
      • Playgrounds and Family Fun: Families will appreciate the playgrounds at Onawa-Blue Lake KOA. One reviewer said, "Nice pool and playground," highlighting the kid-friendly amenities.

      What campers like

      • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the campgrounds. For example, at Snyder Bend County Park, a visitor remarked, "Decent bath house with showers," which is a big plus for many.
      • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peaceful environment. A reviewer at Browns Lake Bigelow Park Woodbury County Park said, "This place was so beautiful and peaceful," making it ideal for relaxation.
      • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate having room to spread out. One visitor at Cottonwood Cove Park Campground noted, "Quiet large sites at a reasonable price," which is great for families or groups.

      What you should know

      • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Preparation Canyon State Park Campground, have minimal facilities. A camper mentioned, "There is no drinking water," so be sure to bring your own supplies.
      • Seasonal Availability: Many campgrounds, such as Snyder Bend County Park, are only open from May to October. Check the season before planning your trip.
      • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. One visitor at Snyder Bend County Park warned, "Mosquitoes were bad," so pack some bug spray.

      Tips for camping with families

      • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with playgrounds and activities. Onawa-Blue Lake KOA has a pool and playground, making it a hit with kids.
      • Plan for Quiet Time: Many campgrounds have quiet hours. A camper at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground noted, "Busy but not noisy and quiet by 9," which is great for families with young children.
      • Pack Games and Activities: Bring along games or outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained. One family at Browns Lake Bigelow Park Woodbury County Park enjoyed the "playground for the kids."

      Tips from RVers

      • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Snyder Bend County Park mentioned, "Plan on using your leveling blocks," indicating some sites may not be perfectly level.
      • Look for Full Hookups: If you need full hookups, check the campground features. Cottonwood Cove Park Campground offers water and electric, which is a plus for RVers.
      • Be Mindful of Dump Stations: Some campgrounds may not have dump stations on-site. A visitor at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground noted, "There is a sanitary dump nearby," so plan accordingly.

      Camping near Castana, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. With a little planning, you can enjoy the great outdoors and make lasting memories.

      Frequently Asked Questions

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

        According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Castana, IA is Lewis and Clark State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 20 reviews.

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

        TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Castana, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.