Equestrian camping near Eldora, Iowa provides access to some of central Iowa's most diverse terrain, with elevation changes of 200-300 feet throughout the region. The area sits within the Des Moines Lobe landform region, characterized by rolling hills and river valleys that were shaped by glacial activity. Campgrounds in this region typically operate seasonally from April through December, with winter temperatures often dropping below 20°F.
What to do
Hiking diverse terrain: Ledges State Park offers challenging trails with elevation changes unusual for Iowa. "I would say it was a challenging hike. A lot of up and down terrain, stone steps, etc. The ledges along the river were beautiful and depending on the river height you can walk right along them!" notes Jennifer M. about Ledges State Park.
Kayaking and canoeing: George Wyth State Park provides multiple lakes for paddling sports with rental options available. "There is a sand beach to swim, where they also rent kayaks & canoes. The campground is located along the Cedar river, for those who want to boat and fish on a river, as well as multiple lakes to fish and a lake to ski," shares Steve R..
Fishing opportunities: Camp Comfort Recreation Area offers prime fishing spots along the river. "The river is off a smaller dam and has great fishing. Kids had a great time playing in the water, our site was about 20 ft from the waters edge," reports Chantal C..
What campers like
Spacious equestrian sites: The North Equestrian Campground at Brushy Creek provides well-designed spaces for campers with horses. "The campsites were nice and the lake and stream were very nice as well. I was surprised to see a school of muskie while fishing, but it appeared that they were spawning at the time," explains Brandon C..
Quiet atmosphere: Despite hosting horse campers, Brushy Creek's South Equestrian Campground maintains a peaceful environment. "People are here camping with their horses but the campground is still nice and quiet," mentions Andrea H. about South Equestrian Campground.
Variety of recreation options: Black Hawk County Park offers numerous activities beyond horseback riding. "Nice place good amenities. Has plenty of fishing access archery gun range. Boat access. Decent shower/bathroom facilities," says Travis R.
What you should know
Site selection considerations: At Ledges State Park, tent campers should plan accordingly for site locations. "If you want to tent camp, bring a cart or something to haul everything with. The parking lot is a LONG WAY from any private tent site," cautions Lena H.
Campground flooding potential: Some parks in the region close during heavy rain periods. Jennifer T. notes about George Wyth, "Because it is so close to river anytime it rains heavily there is flooding in several areas of the park. And almost every year (usually late summer, early fall) it rains enough to flood a good portion of the park."
Shower facilities: Bathroom amenities vary between campgrounds. "The shower house was not open yet due to the time of year, but the drop latrine was open, very clean and well lit," mentions Staci I. about Brushy Creek's Beach Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach activities: The Beach Campground at Brushy Creek offers swimming options for children. "Great place to camp if you like fishing, horseback riding or a nice place to get away," notes Taylor A.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "There is a large sand playground area with slides and swings," mentions Steve R. about George Wyth State Park.
Kid-friendly water play: Shallow water areas provide safe spots for children. "Kids had a great time playing in the water, our site was about 20 ft from the waters edge," shares Chantal C. about Camp Comfort.
Tips from RVers
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds remain open for off-season use at reduced rates. "Open for off season camping. 14$/night for full hookups with pull thru RV sites," mentions Anna C. about Brushy Creek's North Equestrian Campground.
Electrical hookup considerations: Different campgrounds offer varying electrical options. "If you need 50 amps, you're going to want to head to the Beach Camp," advises Jeannie D. regarding Brushy Creek's camping areas.
Site leveling and layout: RV campers appreciate the well-designed sites at several parks. "Level and spacious RV spots. We loved it and will go back if we're in that area again," reports Adam about South Equestrian Campground.
