Top Horse Camping near Decorah, IA
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Best Equestrian Sites Near Decorah, IA (12)
1.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
McGregor, Iowa55 Reviews251 Photos316 SavesLocated on a high bluff overlooking the confluence of the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers, a land of sculpted limestone and prehistoric Native American mounds can be found amid a swath of preserved hardwood forest. Translated “home of the warrior” in the language of the local Munsee–Delaware Indians, Wyalusing Hardwood Forest and the Wyalusing Mounds have received recognition as national natural landmarks and historic places. Adjacent to the forest, Wyalusing State Park is the perfect camping destination for a little outdoors R&R, while discovering more about the natural and cultural history at the junction of Wisconsin’s and America’s greatest waterways.
Visitors to Wyalusing State Park have two campgrounds to choose from. Wisconsin Ridge is set on a high bluff over the Wisconsin River, and Homestead is located in shady hardwood forest. Combined, they offer 109 campsites for tent and RV campers; there is also a large group campground. Both campgrounds provide flush and vault restrooms, shower facilities and drinking water. A portion of sites in each campground have electrical hookups for RVs, and there is a dump station near the Homestead site. The park also has several picnic areas, sports courts, and five reservable group picnic shelters. Firewood, camping supplies, ice and boat rentals are available at the concession stand. Seasonal campsite rates range from $15–$35/night; entrance to the park requires an additional fee.
With nearly 24 miles of land and water trails in Wyalusing State Park, you’ll find ample opportunities for exploring riverside bluffs. Whether you like to walk, hike, ride, or paddle, there’s a trail just for you. Take an easy interpretive walk to learn about the park’s flora, fauna and geology; hike to see limestone caves, waterfalls, and a great view of the river; hop on your bike for a ride around the edge of a wooded grassland; or board a canoe or kayak and paddle through the Mississippi backwaters. Many of these trails are also open during the winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Other park activities include fishing, bird watching, and seasonal hunting.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$15 - $35 / night
2.
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground
Preston, Minnesota17 Reviews54 Photos88 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$35 / night
3.
Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Waterville, Iowa10 Reviews28 Photos7 SavesYellow River State Forest in northeast Iowa is home to stunning views, beautiful woodlands, and meandering trout streams. Nestled in Iowa’s driftless area in Allamakee County, Yellow River offers numerous outdoor recreation opportunities including camping, equestrian riding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and more. Yellow River State Forest was first established in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corp and is home to Iowa’s only fire tower, built in 1963. Today, the forest is managed for numerous natural resource benefits and recreational opportunities.
Big Paint campgrounds are non-modern with vault toilets. Drinking water is available near the office complex. Advance campsite reservations are recommended and can be made through the park reservation system, and one-quarter of the campsites are available for self-registration on a first-come first-served basis.
- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
$12 / night
4.
Maple Springs Campground
Preston, Minnesota10 Reviews8 Photos20 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- RVs
$35 / night
5.
Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
Dundee, Iowa29 Reviews114 Photos106 SavesLocated about an hour’s drive north of Cedar Rapids, Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park. Established in 1920, it was named for a narrow limestone ridge—the Devil’s Backbone—along the Maquoketa River. At its founding, it was one of the largest state parks in the U.S. to offer camping, picnicking and hiking opportunities. Since that time, the park has expanded to 2,100 acres—almost double its original size—and offers even more opportunities for locals and visitors to get outdoors and enjoy some time in nature. Whether it’s wandering the woods, fishing on a quiet creek, lounging by the lake, or just napping in shade under a swinging hammock, there’s something for everyone here.
The two campgrounds at Backbone State Park offers 125 campsites for tent and RV campers. The large South Lake Campground has nearly 100 sites, about half with electrical hookups, with flush toilets and showers. The smaller Six Pines Campground has 27 primitive tent sites with vault toilets. Most sites are open and grassy, but there are plenty of shade trees around. Both locations have drinking water faucets and trash receptacles; a dump station is located at the South Lake Campground. The park also offers a few 1- and 2-bedroom cabins for those visiting sans tent or RV; bedding not provided. Many sites and facilities are ADA accessible. A small store in the park sells bait, firewood and some concessions. Reservations are accepted, but some sites are held open for first-come, first-served campers. Seasonal campsite rates range from $6–$16/night; cabins range from $50–$100/night.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy at Backbone State Park. The park features several playgrounds, picnic areas, an outdoor auditorium, and a museum. More than 21 miles of multiuse trails explore the woods and waterways within the park. Taking a hike or ride is the best way to see some of the park’s natural rock features, including the Stone Arch, Balance Rock, and the Devil’s Backbone. In winter, many of these trails are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Swimming, paddling and boating can be enjoyed on Backbone Lake, with kayak and canoe rentals available from the park, and angers can fish for trout on the creek out of Richmond Springs. And rock climbers will find several challenging routes on the park’s many limestone cliffs.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
6.
Frontier Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Waterville, Iowa1 Review8 Photos1 SaveYellow River State Forest is a perfect place to explore some of Iowa's best hiking trails. Located in northeast Iowa in Allamakee County, the forest is part of the "driftless area" that escaped the glaciers during the most recent ice age. The forest consists of 8,900 acres of hardwood and coniferous forest and is comprised of 6 units.
The Paint Creek Unit is of primary interest to the recreationist, with well-kept camping areas, equestrian accommodations, fishing, hunting, and over 45 miles of trails for hiking, equestrian riding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
Frontier equestrian campgrounds are non-modern and have non-electric sites with hitching rails and vault toilets
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- Tents
- Equestrian
$16 / night
7.
Lake Louise State Park Campground
Le Roy, Minnesota6 Reviews8 Photos14 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
8.
Creekside Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Waterville, Iowa1 Review8 PhotosThe Creekside and Frontier equestrian campgrounds are non-modern and have non-electric sites with hitching rails and vault toilets. There is no drinking water located in the campgrounds at Yellow River State Forest but it is available at the A-frame information center located on State Forest Road near Big Paint Campground approximately four miles off Highway 76.
Yellow River State Forest is a perfect place to explore some of Iowa's best hiking trails. Located in northeast Iowa in Allamakee County, the forest is part of the "driftless area" that escaped the glaciers during the most recent ice age. The forest consists of 8,900 acres of hardwood and coniferous forest and is comprised of 6 units. The Paint Creek Unit is of primary interest to the recreationist, with well-kept camping areas, equestrian accommodations, fishing, hunting, and over 45 miles of trails for hiking, equestrian riding, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
- Pets
- Fires
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
$12 / night
10.
Money Creek & Vinegar Ridge — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Money Creek, Minnesota2 Reviews7 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds
Recent Equestrian Reviews In Decorah
133 Reviews of 12 Decorah Campgrounds
Maple Springs Campground
WiFi intermittent
WiFi intermittent At far end of campgrounds. Very clean showers and bathroom near office
Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Dream stay.
Came to learn more about Tenkara fly fishing. Had a ball. Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa only Fire tower. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush. I had no phone service. Campsites are well mown, have a picnic table and fire ring. Pit toilets. Easy access to water. Drink water and firewood are at the host A frame. There is no dump site. Everyone was very friendly. Helpful. Nights were quiet. Very relaxing.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Views
Lovely morning sunrise and amazing sunsets. Great hiking trails,overall a great play to stay.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Best views, great hiking, kayaking
Awesome campground with lots of hiking trails, and access to backwaters of Mississippi. Outside camp sites off gorgeous views of valley below.
Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
Hidden treasure
Stayed in march it was cold but very nice park , restrooms were nice shower house was closed and locked but the scenery on the hiking trail was amazing
Maple Springs Campground
Great Campground close to State Park
Really nice campground. Well maintained and level sites. Had a river to walk along and playground and animals for kids to enjoy. Staff were really nice and helpful. They had (free) loaner electric cords and water hoses for the sites that had a longer distance to go to the box/spigot. The state park was just down the road with great hiking.
Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
Just stunning
This campground was large. The lake reminded me of a puzzle I did with my grandma as a kid. It was fall, and it was just gorgeous. There was a wedding the weekend we were there, but we were lucky to explore the tower the day prior. The nearby communities offer ameneties, which were needed as I sprained a knee hiking the backbone trail my third go. Absolutely adored the weekend we spent here. Wonderful neighbors, great spacious, level sites. I want to say we had electric only, and service was definitely spotty in most areas of camp. We used Verizon, and could not hulu.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Amazing.
Fantastic site… what a view. Good firewood… but the place right at the entrance is fantastic…. Offering both hardwood and pine. The only drawback is a lack of staffing… not really surprising. Bathrooms not cleaned as often as other places, but, not a dealbreaker.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Serene
Loved the camping and hiking. Beautiful in the fall
Wyalusing State Park Campground
A touch above average
Site layouts a little less private. Great hiking. Duck hunting season must have started at sunrise Oct 1 - sounded like the Civil War started. City lights of PDC visible all night from the site. Trains ran quite a bit but didn't bother us. Oak trees dropped acorns enough to have us reposition the rig for uninterrupted sleep. TMobile strong 5G signal
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Beautiful campground on the bluffs
Campground sits high up on the bluffs so the views are beautiful. We stayed there in early spring so there wasn't much vegetation growing yet between sites but sites are well-spaced. Great hiking paths up and down the bluffs.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Beautiful views of the driftless and river valley below
Stayed here back in 2017, will be going back hopefully soon. Beautiful area! Campground is very nice, with showers and restrooms. Camp sites are far enough away from neighbors that there is some privacy. Need a state park sticker to access. Illinois Minnesota and Iowa are all short drives away. We have also snow shoes here to the ice caves in the winter. Which was fun.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Overall a really nice park!
We stayed in the Homestead Campground. You’re not competing for the views up on the ridge so the camp sites are spaced out more and have a little more privacy. Our site was nicely sized and the facilities were kept quite clean. Wyalusing has fantastic trails and incredible views. I would give it five stars, but our specific campsite was quite close to sites in the next loop and there was a lot of noise from those sites. I agree with other to come prepared for the bugs.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Awesome view
Great site. Great view. Lots of mosquitoes so come prepared. This is a really nice campground.
Money Creek & Vinegar Ridge — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Good hunting campground
Stayed here multiple times throughout the years, not much to it. Put toilets, usually slow except during hunting season. Camp sites are decent but primative.
Oak Ridge / Wet Bark Recreation Area — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest
Horse trail campground
Small campground, usually no one here except during hunting season. Not much to this place.
Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
Great park
Very nice great hiking couldn’t swim on our stay but nice beach canoe rentals small store bathrooms were very clean
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Absolutely stunning
Third time here camping at this campground, almost any spot on the bluff over look is good, but if you want a good view, anything really in the 120s or 140s is nice. Stayed at 125 this time, it’s all gravel with little grass, we had a raccoon come within a foot of where we were sitting, he got scared when we turned on the light haha. I get LTE/5G service at the camp ground, I have us cellular. Overall, would definitely come here again.
Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Nice smaller primitive CG along Big Paint
Sites are primitive with tables, fire rings/grates, pit toilets, self registration, ice/wood available across road at visitors station. Cell service is possible at times .
Creekside Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Equestrian CG along trout streams
Clean, well kept sites with tie-ups, tables, fire rings, manure station and tools, multiuser trails including stream crossings. Trout fishing is good with seasonal stockings.
Frontier Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Very nice equestrian CG near trout streams
In Yellow River State Forest,-Very nice spacious sites for horses/riders including tie-ups, fire rings, tables at each site. Self registration, trails from/ camp including stream crossings in trout streams. Manure station with tools. Some trails are multiuser.
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Camping ll
Danger
Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Busy but beautiful
We stayed at the Big Paint Campground and had a nice time. The sites there are pretty spacious and level, but they don't feel very private because this campground is essentially just an open field with line of sight to all other campsites. Still, it was a lovely place with nice trails and great river access. There are also some breathtaking lookout points to see the countryside.
We drove through Little Paint Campground and many of those sites were pretty small and crowded, but again, the river access and the views made it a pleasant stay. Nearby Harper's Ferry is a neat little town, so be sure to visit there!
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Very well maintained, quiet
We stayed here for one night only, but we will be back! Many of the camp sites (including ours) were secluded in trees and felt very private, but there were some sites that are very close together, so check the map! Beautiful park, great trails, probably the nicest and cleanest shower and bathrooms we've ever seen. The only downsides are that some of the sites are very small, and there were a LOT of bugs (none seemed to bite, but they swarmed our faces). Overall, though, we will definitely return!
Wyalusing State Park Campground
Great view
We stayed on the ridge and enjoyed the tremendous views. This park also has nice hiking trails, good birding, clean bathrooms, recycling drop off, great cell and tv signals and is close to Prairie du Chien. Our site on the ridge was nice. Many of the sites have something that makes set up interesting-slope, angle, tree, retaining was for example, take time to find one that’s good for you.
Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Location
The campground name is called big paint. The location is very nice, right next to the river. I wouldn't exactly call it a river though. It's nice and quiet, and very nice trail runs through it as well. The only thing is the sites are very close together
Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground
1st tent camp of the season
Stayed here one night in early may and hiked the big spring trail. Site #42 was private with partial shade and a very nice and level gravel tent pad. The site was plenty big with plenty of room for activities. The shower facilities were very clean, same story for the latrines.
Guide to Decorah
Camping near Decorah, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to hike, fish, or just relax by the campfire, there are plenty of options to choose from.
What to do:
- Hiking: Explore the trails at Pikes Peak State Park Campground. “Beautiful overlooks above the great Mississippi River! Very nice trails!” said one happy camper.
- Fishing: Head to Beaver Creek Valley State Park Campground for some great trout fishing. A visitor mentioned, “Good trout fishing here, some sites are primitive, some have electric and water.”
- Cave Tours: Don’t miss the cave tours at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground. One reviewer raved, “Love the cave tours! Some trails in the park are horse trails also, so you may encounter the occasional horseback rider.”
What campers like:
- Scenic Views: Campers at Nelson Dewey State Park Campground love the stunning views. One camper shared, “Campsite D's views were unbeatable. A storm rolled in over the Mississippi as we were heading to bed; it was a magical experience.”
- Privacy: Many appreciate the spacious sites at Perrot State Park Campground. A visitor noted, “The sites are well spaced and well separated by trees.”
- Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. A reviewer at Minnesota Whitewater State Park Campground said, “Restroom with showers also available in campground. Site was large and easy to back into.”
What you should know:
- Train Noise: If you camp at Nelson Dewey State Park Campground, be prepared for train noise. One camper warned, “When trains are blowing their horns miles away, the sound carries. When they go past the site, it's incredibly loud!”
- Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds, like Great River Bluffs State Park Campground, have spotty cell service. A visitor mentioned, “There is little to no cell coverage.”
- Mosquitoes: Be ready for bugs, especially in summer. A camper at Perrot State Park Campground noted, “Lots of vegetation around the camp site that made it feel a bit more private but that also brought lots of bugs and mosquitoes.”
Tips for camping with families:
- Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with nearby swimming areas, like Minnesota Whitewater State Park Campground. A reviewer said, “Swimming beach about half a mile from campground.”
- Playgrounds: Check out campgrounds that have playgrounds for kids. One camper at Pulpit Rock Campground mentioned, “Large playground, internet at the front building in case you need to work.”
- Group Sites: Consider campgrounds with larger sites for family gatherings. A visitor at Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground noted, “Campsites are flat and grassy. They back up to each other so good for groups camping together.”
Tips from RVers:
- Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds, like Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park, offer electric hookups. A reviewer said, “Restrooms were nice, shower house was closed and locked but the scenery on the hiking trail was amazing.”
- Space Between Sites: Look for campgrounds with spacious layouts. A camper at Wyalusing State Park Campground mentioned, “Site layouts a little less private. Great hiking.”
- Dump Stations: Ensure the campground has a dump station for convenience. A visitor at Pikes Peak State Park Campground noted, “Very Easy to use dump station.”
Camping near Decorah, Iowa, has something for everyone, from stunning views to family-friendly activities. Just be prepared for the occasional train noise and bring some bug spray!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Decorah, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Decorah, IA is Wyalusing State Park Campground with a 4.7-star rating from 55 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Decorah, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Decorah, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.