Jeannie B.
Guide
GuideBig Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Beautiful Park
Many different trails for hiking, biking or equestrian. Camp sites are mostly grass. Beautiful park
Equestrian Camping near Guttenberg, IA
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Yellow River State Forest provides two horse campgrounds near Guttenberg, Iowa: Frontier Equestrian Campground and Creekside Equestrian Campground. Both sites accommodate tent and RV camping with electric hookups including fifty-amp and thirty-amp service. The campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire rings, and designated areas for horse trailers. While no dedicated horse corrals appear in the facilities list, the equestrian-focused nature of these campgrounds ensures appropriate accommodations for horses. The campgrounds maintain reservable sites through the state forest system. Frontier Equestrian Campground earned a perfect 5-star rating from visitors, while Creekside received a solid 4-star rating, indicating consistent quality across both locations.
Trail access directly from the campgrounds connects riders to the extensive Yellow River State Forest trail system. Both equestrian campgrounds offer drive-in and hike-in access options, with Creekside also providing walk-in access for additional flexibility. The forest maintains multiple use trails that accommodate horseback riding throughout the 8,500-acre property. Water hookups are available at both locations, though drinking water is not specifically listed as an amenity, so riders should plan accordingly for both human and equine hydration needs. Pets are permitted at both campgrounds, making them suitable for visitors traveling with dogs and horses. For those seeking horse camping near Guttenberg, the proximity to town provides convenient access to additional supplies when needed.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Guttenberg (8)
1. Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
"There are miles of trails. Is hiking your thing? What about equestrian? Maybe mountain bike trails? You can even take the family for a nice leisurely walk on the easier trails."
"Backbone State Park is unlike any other place in Iowa, having geological features uncommon in Iowa. There are two campgrounds."
from $16 - $25 / night
Check Availability2. Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
"Many different trails for hiking, biking or equestrian. Camp sites are mostly grass. Beautiful park"
"There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included."
from $16 / night
Check Availability3. South Lake Campground — Backbone State Park
from $16 - $36 / night
Check Availability4. Frontier Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest
"In Yellow River State Forest,-Very nice spacious sites for horses/riders including tie-ups, fire rings, tables at each site."
from $20 / night
Check Availability5. Creekside Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest
"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."
from $20 / night
Check Availability6. Matsell Bridge Natural Area
"Nice quiet little primitive campground next to the Wapsipinicon River. Unfortunately, when I was there the last weekend of May, the gnats were bad, and the mosquitoes were just starting to gear up."
7. Wakpicada Natural Area
"Campsites right next to the pond and good tree cover made the experience fun anyway. Good bass and panfish fishing with quiet campgrounds that aren’t right next to each other."
8. Albany Campground — Volga River State Recreation Area
from $14 - $26 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 45 min from Dubuque, IA
- 1 hr 24 min from Waterloo, IA
- 1 hr 30 min from Cedar Rapids, IA
- 1 hr 38 min from La Crosse, WI
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Guttenberg, IA
50 Reviews of 8 Guttenberg Campgrounds
- Jeannie B.Guide
Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
Many things to do here
Backbone is a very diverse area. There are miles of trails. Is hiking your thing? What about equestrian? Maybe mountain bike trails? You can even take the family for a nice leisurely walk on the easier trails. Exploring is fun at this park because there is so much to see. The Trout stream was busy the weekend we were there. You might even want to play a round of Gulf. We have solar on our trailer so we stayed in the Six Pines campground and it was beautiful. We listened to the night animals for hours.
Mary S.
LegendBig Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Small campground has nearby hiking and fishing
This review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.
Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?
It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.
Activities
Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.
Amenities
Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.
Cost
You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.
https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&page=siteresult&contractCode=IA&parkId=610130
- C
Carol M.
TravelerMatsell Bridge Natural Area
Beautiful and secluded, campground road closed
Off the beaten path, beautiful area but when we got there the road to the campground was closed, so we ended up parking for the night in the horse staging area instead.
Kerry M.
RangerSix Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
Two campgrounds to enjoy at Backbone State Park
Backbone State Park is unlike any other place in Iowa, having geological features uncommon in Iowa.
There are two campgrounds. I have camped in both:
Modern Campground: This is a large, modern campground with all of the standard amenities found in a modern campground… electric hookups, flush toilets, water. I have camped here twice, both times in my travel trailer. Overall, it is a nice campground with decent space in between campers, however, I tend to avoid it during the busier summer and fall colors seasons.
Primitive Campground: This is my favorite at Backbone for camping, especially in the autumn after the leaves have fallen off of the trees. As this campground is non-electric, there are not many people camping after it turns colder. I have spent many nights there alone in the primitive campground, watching RVs pull in and then leave after realizing that it has no hookups.
Nearby trout fishing: Backbone is home to one of the more popular trout streams in Iowa. The fishing is easy as most of the fish are stocked (April-October). Still, it is an enjoyable fishing trip as the stream itself is mostly rocks and gravel, with several deep holes. The water is cold and clear.
Other activities: Hiking is very popular in Backbone. I have also seen rock climbing and rappelling. There are some nice spots away from the trout stream for wading and a little swimming. Backbone State Park also has a small lake with a swimming area and boat rentals during the summer. Several nice cabins are available for those who do not want to camp.
Stuart O.GuideBig Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest
Good late season option for the self-contained camper
Was very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November. Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa. No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective. However, the park is situated on the valley bottom of the Yellow River Forest with beautiful tall trees, and there are fire rings. Fee was $12. First come first served basis from November through March.
James M.LegendFrontier 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.
- Max K.Traveler
Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
Great bathroom and hiking, awful lake
We stayed here two nights. That was plenty, although it's not really the park's fault. The lake was super gross, with excessive floating moss (probably a weather issue) and EXCESSIVE goose poop everywhere. The beach was basically unusable, with goose bombs everywhere. It was better when we kayaked, but still gross.
So why the five stars? 1. The bathrooms were fantastic. 2. The camp site was really nice and plenty of room. 3. The hiking was superb. Felt like we were not in Iowa. 4. The driving through the park was also really great and I will go back this fall to look at leaves. 5. There is a cave you can explore on your own. We did. It's awesome. It's muddy. It's super cool. 6. There are some decent bouldering spots. 7. Cheap, huge bundles of firewood at park entrance. 8. Really friendly at the camp store. 9. Close to Strawberry Point. Go to town to Clayton's Pharmacy and get an old fashioned soda. Fantastic. 10. Close to Edgewood and the Edgewood Locker. Go visit and stock up on meat on the way home.
- Ashley D.Traveler
Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park
Fun for the whole family
This campground has many things to do. This place has tent, rv and cabin camping, you can choose modern or non modern camping. Fun activities include fishing, swimming in a lake and also ground fed springs, boat rentals on the lake, hiking also horse trails, rock climbing, caves, playgrounds shelters for events and parties. I am sure there are even more things to do that I didnt have the time for.
Guide to Guttenberg
Yellow River State Forest offers two primary equestrian campgrounds in northeastern Iowa, approximately 20 miles from Guttenberg. Located in the Driftless Area, this region features rugged terrain with 400-foot elevation changes, steep valleys, and limestone outcroppings unlike the typical Iowa landscape. The forest spans 8,500 acres with multiple campgrounds suited for different camping styles, creating opportunities for horseback riding through diverse terrain.
What to do
Trout fishing in stocked streams: Yellow River State Forest provides access to premier trout streams with seasonal stockings. James M. notes that at Creekside Equestrian Campground, "Trout fishing is good with seasonal stockings" and the area includes "multiuser trails including stream crossings."
Hiking on varied terrain: The forest offers extensive trail systems ranging from easy walks to challenging climbs. At Big Paint Campground, Mary S. shares, "We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails."
Visit scenic lookouts: The state forest features multiple observation points overlooking the river valleys. Tori L. recommends "Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa's only Fire tower. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush."
What campers like
Spacious equestrian sites: Frontier Equestrian Campground receives consistently positive feedback for its layout. James M. describes it as having "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."
Quiet camping experience: The more secluded Big Paint Campground offers a more peaceful atmosphere than larger campgrounds. Sara S. reports, "The campground was pretty busy, but we felt comfortable with the seclusion of our sites. It is a primitive campground. There were walk-in campsites available too which we decided we would try if/when we come back again since they are a bit more secluded and private."
River access and water activities: Multiple campsites offer direct access to water for fishing and paddling. Daphne D. notes about Big Paint Campground, "Still, it was a lovely place with nice trails and great river access. There are also some breathtaking lookout points to see the countryside."
What you should know
Amenities vary by campground: Most Yellow River equestrian campgrounds have basic facilities. Stuart O. explains at Big Paint: "No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective. However, the park is situated on the valley bottom of the Yellow River Forest with beautiful tall trees, and there are fire rings."
Seasonal considerations: The area can experience significant humidity and insects in summer months. Mary S. notes they "enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August" while Tamsyn K. shares about Big Paint Campground: "Going in knowing that there were pit toilets and no potable water, I did not have high expectations for this campsite. I was pleasantly surprised to find it very well maintained with spacious sites."
Reservation system: Most campsites can be reserved online. Mary S. explains, "Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at least 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint."
Tips for camping with families
Visit nearby attractions: The region offers additional points of interest beyond the forest. While camping at Wyalusing State Park across the Mississippi, Holly M. suggests, "Close to Effigy Mounds & Pikes Peak! It has great trails & campsites & lots of geocaching!"
Look for nature programs: Some nearby parks offer organized activities for children. Jennifer B. shares, "The nature program was great for our son who was 2 at the time" at Wyalusing State Park.
Consider campground layout: Some campgrounds offer more separation between sites than others. Daphne D. observes, "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."
Tips from RVers
Water and electrical planning: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. At South Lake Campground in nearby Backbone State Park, Edward B. advises: "no full hook ups - must fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available."
Consider site surfaces: After rain, gravel sites may be preferable to grass ones. Stuart O. notes, "Was very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November. Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa."
Winter camping options: Some campgrounds in the region remain open year-round, with self-registration in the off-season. Stuart O. adds, "Fee was $12. First come first served basis from November through March."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Guttenberg, IA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Guttenberg, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Guttenberg, IA is Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Guttenberg, IA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Guttenberg, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Guttenberg, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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