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Best Equestrian Camping near Hawarden, IA

61 Reviews

Union Grove State Park Campground in Beresford, South Dakota provides designated equestrian camping facilities approximately 25 miles from Hawarden, Iowa. The park features separate camping areas, with the lower campground specifically designed for horses. Horse trails wind throughout the park, providing riders with scenic woodland routes. Sites are well-maintained with electrical hookups and access to drinking water. The bathrooms and shower facilities are exceptionally clean and modern. Several visitors note the immaculate condition of the facilities despite frequent equestrian use.

The bridle trails at Union Grove connect riders to various scenic overlooks and natural areas within the park. Trail access begins directly from the horse camping area, eliminating the need to trailer between camp and riding areas. The park offers both wooded and open terrain riding opportunities. Water access for horses is available at designated points along the trails. The campground provides ample space for horse trailer parking near equestrian sites. Reservations are required and can be made online through the South Dakota state park reservation system. The trails are particularly beautiful during spring and fall, with maintained paths suitable for riders of varying experience levels.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Hawarden, Iowa (5)

    1. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park

    11 Reviews
    Canton, SD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 987-2263

    "The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city."

    "Love this place very close to the major city of anything is needed. Nature and trails all around, lake for fishing and swimming, love to come out during the summer with the dogs!"

    2. Union Grove State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Beresford, SD
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 710-2267

    $22 - $26 / night

    "Play equipment, horse trails, hiking trails, well maintained. Beautiful area."

    "Lower one is for horses. Upper is not. Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained. Hosts are very friendly."

    3. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    35 Reviews
    Brandon, SD
    40 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 582-7243

    "We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!"

    "They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking. We got to walk our dogs on it to avoid tick contact from the grassy trails. There was a cool suspension bridge that was fun to walk on."

    4. W.H. Lyon Fairground

    3 Reviews
    Sioux Falls, SD
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 367-7178

    $50 / night

    "Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants. Can camp during events. Huge area."

    5. Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping

    2 Reviews
    Hubbard, NE
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 632-4109

    $30 - $35 / night

    "Playground, boat ramp, picnic area fishing, birdwatching, equestrian camp & trails, something for everyone."

    "But the lake in the area is beautiful and there's quite a large space to the park with lots of trails and open field areas."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Hawarden, IA

61 Reviews of 5 Hawarden Campgrounds

  • E
    Oct. 28, 2021

    Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping

    All By Myself

    I pulled in and found a wide open campground. I picked a site high on the bluff overlooking the reservoir. It had quite the view. It’s a newer area so trees are planted for the future. Sites are spacious with water and both 30 & 50 amp hookup. Clean dump station that also has a fish cleaning station. Playground, boat ramp, picnic area fishing, birdwatching, equestrian camp & trails, something for everyone.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2023

    Union Grove State Park Campground

    Interesting campground

    Two campgrounds within the park. Lower one is for horses. Upper is not. Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained. Hosts are very friendly. Bathrooms on include showers and we're extremely well maintained. Trails in the area give you a chance to stretch your legs. Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise if you are not in a hard sided camper.

  • Carolyn M.
    Oct. 23, 2019

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Ok place to spend the night, but could have been better

    I spent the night here and had to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as the camping fee for my tentsite. They had only a few tentsites available amid all the RV sites, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area. Not too big a deal as no one wanted to use the play area at night while I was sleeping, but still.  I also looked over at the power lines. There was a flush toilet facility close by but there was a very bright light on all night. Good for families needing to navigate in the dark but not wonderful if you like sleeping in darkness. And though I was told that quiet hours began at 10PM, the site next to me was quite loud through the trees until at least midnight so the quiet hours are not enforced. Meh. I don't think I'll be going back.

  • Judy C.
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    fine for an overnight

    It was okay for an overnight, The sites are nice, plenty of shade. It was crowded the night I was there but quiet. It's a strange place in that it is on the edge of suburbia, located right next to an apartment housing development. If you like proximity to services, restaurants, etc. It would be a good stop. It would be great if you were visiting family/friends in the area, easy to get to. Just not what I was looking for.

  • P
    Aug. 6, 2018

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Lots of shade and grass!

    We stayed here in a travel trailer. The site was level with lots of shade and grass. Spacious sites,not too close. Our site was along the river but it wasn't easy to access the water from our site. The biking, walking trail was great! Lots of bugs and mosquitoes. It was very quiet here, and the rangers were really nice. We had electricity and could access water close by. Only a long drop toilet nearby, but there were bath houses. There was firewood for sale at the entrance.

  • Nathan L.
    Jul. 18, 2024

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Nice little nook with lots of cover!

    This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!

    The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one. Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!

    Highly recommend!

  • G
    Oct. 3, 2021

    W.H. Lyon Fairground

    Convenient to downtown and fine for the night

    We stayed here one night and got to experience some South Dakota wind rocking our camper during the night. The bathrooms are huge and very clean but someone left dirty diapers in trash and by morning the smell was rough. Area along fence borders highway with  much closer sites and road noise. We opted for area on grass near arena.

  • M
    Jun. 18, 2022

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Clean and Dog Friendly

    Such a nice campground. Nice big shady trees and manicured lawns. They sell campfire wood for 6$ a bundle on site so we had some great campfires going. They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking. We got to walk our dogs on it to avoid tick contact from the grassy trails. There was a cool suspension bridge that was fun to walk on. The showers were very nice and hot without a lot of traffic. 

    There is no sewage hookup or water hook ups. They do that 50/30 amp sites available. There is a dump station right at the entrance to dump when you leave and it also has a separate fresh water station if you want to fill up right when you get there so youre not traveling with a bunch of water in your tank. 

    It was a great campground and the falls were close by and palisades state park was also in the area with a nice hike. 

    There is an extra $8 car fee per night that you have to pay on top of any camping fees. If you are staying longer than 5 days it better to just get the annual parking pass for $32, which would cover parking for all state parks and recreation areas in SD. 

    They have great discounts if you are a veteran and south dakota resident.

Guide to Hawarden

Horse camping in Iowa offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and the chance to bond with your equine companions. With well-maintained facilities and scenic trails, equestrian enthusiasts can enjoy a memorable experience.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Equestrian campgrounds include scenic trails

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hawarden, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hawarden, IA is Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 11 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Hawarden, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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