Equestrian camping near Eldon, Iowa offers access to the Des Moines River watershed and the rolling hills of southeastern Iowa. The area maintains several trail networks through mixed hardwood forests with terrain varying from 600 to 800 feet in elevation. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with summer highs regularly exceeding 85°F, making spring and fall popular seasons for horse camping.
What to do
Horseback riding on forest trails: At Lick Creek Unit - Upper Equestrian Campground in Shimek State Forest, riders can access quality trails through varied terrain. "Good sights, great horse trails, awesome camping," reports Kyle D., highlighting the campground's main attraction.
Swimming at lake beaches: Indian Lake Park offers a sandy beach area perfect for cooling off during summer months. Dave N. mentions, "There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach. Hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, bird watching. There are many things to keep you busy here."
Historic village exploration: Bentonsport campground sits adjacent to a preserved mid-1800s village. Greg K. notes, "Mid 1800's town right there and businesses open. There is a blacksmith, an Indian artifact museum and gift shops. Historical walking bridge that is amazing."
Trail hiking: The forested areas near equestrian sites offer hiking options for non-riders. Joyce M. from Waubonsie Trail Park shares, "We hiked the equestrian trails one afternoon and the regular trails the next day. I camped in the equestrian campground and loved it with my popup."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain well-kept bathroom facilities. At Indian Lake Park, Dave N. appreciated the modern amenities: "A bathhouse with showers. A stone lodge for large parties. There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach."
Affordable pricing: Multiple campgrounds offer reasonable rates with various hookup options. Keith B. at Keokuk County Belva Deer Park notes, "$12 a night for primitive camping and you get nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms by the main entrance."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local fauna. Wendy D. from Lake Iowa County Park shares, "Saw lots of deer and rabbits right outside our door. Shower rooms are very nice."
Quiet atmosphere: Many sites offer peaceful settings away from urban noise. Leslie P. observes about Lake Iowa County Park: "The area around the lake and nearby pond is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife. We had a blue jay that visited us regularly at our campsite, along with deer walking through."
What you should know
Site spacing varies: Some campgrounds feature more densely arranged sites than others. Randall K. cautions about Lake Iowa County Park: "The spots are pretty close together. Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed."
Water access considerations: Lake access may require walking down slopes. Leslie P. notes about Lake Iowa County Park: "Very few sites have a view of the lake. To walk to the lake or nearby pond you must go down hill, which could be a problem for anyone with mobility issues."
Limited amenities at some locations: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. Lee D. observes about Bentonsport: "As far as restrooms go, there appeared to be only a small outhouse. I did not check it out since it looked like I would have had to walk through someone's site to access it."
Seasonal popularity: Weekends during summer months see higher occupancy rates. Dave N. mentions about Indian Lake Park: "Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends."
Tips for camping with families
Playground availability: Several parks include play areas for children. Tracy J. from Waubonsie Trail Park recommends, "Horseshoe pit, playground and campfire swing area were nice surprises. All for under $20 for electric RV site! Great campground for a small group event."
Swimming options: Lake beaches provide family-friendly water recreation. Dave N. describes Indian Lake Park: "They have primitive tent sites, electric only, electric+water, and fhu. They also have cabins for rent. All very reasonably priced. Most of the sites are nice and shady and level."
Educational opportunities: Historical sites near campgrounds offer learning experiences. Dorothy H. says about Bentonsport: "Excellent camping area. Loved exploring the bridge and the local shops."
Cabin alternatives: For families not equipped for tent or RV camping, cabin rentals provide an entry point to outdoor experiences without extensive gear requirements. Check availability in advance as these accommodations often book quickly during peak season.
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Electric, water, and sewer connections differ across campgrounds. Thomas B. notes about Bentonsport Riverside Park: "Quite roomy on river the town by it is a craftsman village with quilting woodwork old inns painters there is a railroad car they made into a rental the camp ground has 30 and 50 amp elect there is no water or sewer on your site but water is available in camp."
Dump station locations: Plan for waste disposal needs before arrival. Mary F. mentions about Indian Lake Park: "Some sites just have electric and water on site and there are some full hookups also a shower house and modern restrooms, fire wood for sale We go at least 3 times a year. So nice and quiet the lake is clean they also have a dump station."
Site selection for views: Premium spots may offer scenic vistas. Leslie P. recommends at Lake Iowa County Park: "I would say if you can try and get sites, 67-70. They have beautiful views."
Seasonal considerations: Humidity can affect comfort levels during summer months. Clifton B. warns: "We were not adequately prepared for the humidity in August. Being from Colorado where we live at much higher altitudes & we didnt expect the humidity to affect us as it did. Not a bad thing, we were just used to 15% max and that weekend we saw 90% with 90 degrees."
Traveler
