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Top Horse Camping near Clarion, IA

38 Reviews

The Dyrt can help you find the perfect horse camping site near Clarion. Camping with your horse in Clarion just got easier. These scenic and easy-to-reach Clarion campsites are perfect for equestrian campers.

Map showing campgrounds near Clarion, Iowa

Best Equestrian Sites Near Clarion, IA (7)

Recent Equestrian Reviews In Clarion

38 Reviews of 7 Clarion Campgrounds

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve
    September 16, 2024

    Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve

    Great place!

    Standard site without electric was only $10.00 a night which includes a nearby water spigot to fill your tank with. Put toilets and showers available. The friendly hosts made a point to come by to chat. Two fawns were born there, under one of the picnic tables and they were around all weekend. I’ll be back !

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    August 15, 2024

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Nice but crowded campground

    Nice campground with grassy pull thru sites. But very close together. If full, you would have no privacy. Fortunately, it was 1/4 full, so no problem. Bathrooms clean, nice warm showers! Nice beach, lots to do. Would be a fun place if you don’t mind camping next to neighbors!

  • Becky M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    July 3, 2023

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Great State Park

    This is our second time camping at the Clear Lake State Park. The park is clean, the shower house is nice. It’s hard to control the temperature in the showers, too hot for little kids to stand directly in the water. The playground was fun for the kids, nice beach access! Limited full hook up sites. I wish there were more full hook ups that you could reserve. Paved roads are great for bike riding. Great shaded spots. DNR cruises the park daily which is nice to see.

  • V
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    June 12, 2023

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Nice place

    Overall nice place to stay. We stay each year with family so there are about 4 of our campers all there together.distance between sites can be wide or narrow depending on which site you’re on.

    Pros: Clean/well maintained, easy short path through the trees to get to the beach, sturdy picnic tables all around, long “driveway” for campsite

    Cons: pads are gravel and not very level, pads are very narrow, beyond the trees on one side of the campground is a major road so you’ll hear cars passing by, not a lot of restroom/bathhouses

  • Becky M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    June 10, 2023

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Very clean park!

    We spent 4 days here and the park is a busy place! Very clean!!!!! Dump station was easy access! We were right by the shower houses. Check in and out was simple. We made our reservations online. The park had paved roads, great for bike riding, playground was a hit! The sunset was gorgeous in the evenings at the beach! We will be back!

  • Jeannie D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Webster County Kennedy Park Campground
    May 25, 2023

    Webster County Kennedy Park Campground

    No Service

    Great sites, phenomenol hosts. LOVE the playground, and the culture; this is home during the summer months. Terrible WIFI, absolutely no cell coverage out here. Not sure how they justify raising camping rates here if the ameneties do not reflect modern needs for family enjoyment. Yes we like smores, and watching the birds, and fishing, and hiking; but so help me, we like our Netflix too, and I sure would like to be able to watch the weather report. Even Dish coverage is spotty out here. It's weird, we're not down in a valley or anything. Not sure why this is such a dead zone out here.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve
    March 25, 2023

    Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve

    Layout of campground would be challenging if full

    General: A mixture of tent (non-electric) and electric sites, mostly arranged in several rows. 

    Site Quality: Mixed. Not all sites are level, and most do not have delineated parking pads (there is a small pavement indent to show where to access the site). A fire pit and picnic table complete the site. Most of the sites are too close together for our liking, however, when we were there (a Monday at the end of August, the day before school started), we were only one of three sites occupied so for our stay it didn’t matter. 

    Bathhouse: Basic but clean. My biggest complaint is there were no hooks or shelves for toiletries by the sinks. The showers looked nice but we did not use them. 

    Activities: Horseback riding (there are trails for this), hiking, fishing. Although we did see several trailheads, I did not have a map so didn’t explore them. There is an observation tower, but it is a two-mile walk/drive from the campground (on paved roads; I didn’t try to find hiking trails to get there). 

    Misc: A shout-out to the great host, Pam, who greeted us as we arrived. The observation tower, entrance gates, and picnic shelter were all constructed by the CCC and were beautiful. It almost seemed like the campground was an afterthought as it is outside the entrance gates and nowhere near the tower. The layout of the campground would be challenging if all sites were occupied.

  • Vanessa H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    September 11, 2022

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Great spot

    We love coming to Clear Lake! The campgrounds are always very well kept, bathrooms very clean! Easy access to the lake, and the town has so much to do during the summer months!

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    July 13, 2021

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Nice

    Clear lake state park is a nice campground. It does get very busy during peak season and traffic is continuous. It is clean and close to the beach. Down town and other shopping is a short drive away. Lots of families camp here. Spots are nice.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve
    July 13, 2021

    Pilot Knob State Park — Pilot Knob State Preserve

    Our favorite

    This is our favorite place to camp. Never overcrowded, they have activities put in by Friends of Pilot Knob such as movie nights. Lots to do like hiking, biking, and fishing. Very clean bathhouse and bathrooms, park. Family friendly and quiet place to camp.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
    July 6, 2021

    North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

    North Equine Campground

    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.

  • V
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    April 19, 2021

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Clean and quiet

    Loved this state park. Sites not too level, but spacious. Camped in mid April and park was not very busy which was nice. Full hook up sites and W/E only sites. Close to town and lots to do.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
    March 15, 2021

    North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

    The Stars Were So Bright!

    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

  • Jennifer D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Clear Lake State Park Campground
    July 12, 2019

    Clear Lake State Park Campground

    Beautiful

    I love this campground! Clean, well maintained, and the hosts are very friendly. Trail to the beach is clear, the playground has nice, safe equipment for the little kids. Sad that there were so many back up sites over the holiday weekend, would have liked to have been able to camp here. It being full more than a week before the holiday, shows how great it is.

Guide to Clarion

Camping near Clarion, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Scenic Views: Explore the trails at Dolliver Memorial State Park Campground. One visitor said, "One of my favorite hiking spots! The hiking is so good, it'd be silly to worry about much of anything down here."
  • Fishing and Kayaking: At Beeds Lake State Park, you can enjoy fishing and kayaking. A camper mentioned, "Great state park for a quiet weekend trip. Tons of great tent sites, but it seemed like the RV spots were pretty close together."
  • Biking Trails: The Pilot Knob State Park has biking trails that are perfect for a family outing. One reviewer noted, "This is our favorite place to camp. Lots to do like hiking, biking, and fishing."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms and shower facilities. A visitor at Swede Point Park said, "Great little hideaway of a campground, very reasonably priced and clean."
  • Friendly Atmosphere: Many campers enjoy the friendly vibe at the campgrounds. One reviewer at Pine Lake State Park mentioned, "It’s very quiet here and the few guests that are here are friendly."
  • Natural Beauty: The scenic views and natural surroundings are a big hit. A camper at Clear Lake State Park shared, "The park is clean, the shower house is nice. Great shaded spots."

What you should know:

  • Cell Service: Be prepared for limited cell service in some areas. A visitor at Ledges State Park Campground noted, "Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected."
  • Crowded During Peak Season: Some campgrounds can get busy, especially in summer. One camper at Clear Lake State Park said, "Nice campground with grassy pull thru sites. But very close together."
  • Reservations Recommended: It’s a good idea to make reservations, especially during weekends. A camper at Swede Point Park mentioned, "Great place to stay. Just a few minutes drive to High Trestle Bridge."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds and Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities for kids. At Spring Lake County Park, one reviewer said, "There is a playground and disc golf. This is a very busy campground in the summer."
  • Choose Spacious Sites: Opt for campgrounds with larger sites to give kids room to play. A camper at Pine Lake State Park noted, "The sites are spacious enough; cell signal was the same."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Make sure to have quiet time for younger kids. A visitor at Dolliver Memorial State Park mentioned, "The park's beauty and tranquility did get disturbed a couple times when our dogs got loose."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookup Availability: Make sure to check if the campground has the right hookups for your RV. A camper at Pilot Knob State Park said, "For $12/night on a 30AMP hookup, I really can't complain."
  • Look for Level Sites: Some sites may not be level, so check reviews before booking. A visitor at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area noted, "The only open site was in the North Equine Campground... it was well maintained, clean and quiet."
  • Plan for Waste Disposal: Be aware of waste disposal options. A camper at Eagle City County Park mentioned, "Sites are first come first served with no reservations. Cost is $10 and you can pay up to 30 min after claiming your site."

Camping near Clarion, Iowa, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful parks and friendly campers, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clarion, IA is North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Clarion, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.