11 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground offers horse trail rides for visitors looking to experience equestrian activities without bringing their own horses. Located between Omaha and Lincoln, this state park combines camping options with guided horseback riding opportunities along wooded trails. The campground features both RV and tent sites with electric hookups, while cabins provide an alternative for those preferring more amenities. Horse enthusiasts particularly appreciate the well-maintained riding trails that wind through the park's diverse landscape. The campground remains open year-round with modern restrooms, showers, and full hookup options for RVs.
Platte River State Park Campground connects riders to scenic trails through mature woodlands and along river views. The park maintains horse trail rides as one of its primary recreational activities, allowing campers to explore the natural surroundings on horseback without needing to transport their own animals. Trail rides accommodate various experience levels and are suitable for families. The trails wind through beautiful hills that provide good terrain for trail running and hiking as well. Campers note the inexpensive cabins available as an alternative to traditional camping, making this location accessible for those wanting to experience horseback riding during their stay. The park's restaurant at the lodge offers homestyle cooking for visitors who prefer not to cook at their campsite after a day of riding.
"The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."
"Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability"As full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses"
"Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well."
from $25 - $485 / night
Check Availability"A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."
"This campground is situated along the Platte River and there is plenty of family fun."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!"
"Good hiking, horse rides, great hills for trail running."
from $35 - $340 / night
Check Availability"A few vault toilets are scattered around the park, but there are no shower facilities. Nearby is a small lake along with a nature center. Park is within a valley with lots of shade trees."
"The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach."
"Whether I was riding a bike around the paved roads. Fishing in one of the sandpit lakes they have to offer, or the river. Walk around the nature trails, or lakes."
from $100 / night
Check Availability"It is right next to lake 4 with some beach access. There are both reservable and walk up sites here. The walk up process is a little strange."
"Very nice camp sites and playgrounds for children nice clean fishing lakes and river access."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"This is a small campground a little ways before you get to lakeside campground. These spots are electric with fire pits and picnic tables. It is near the road and the dump station is in view."
"Take your pick, river or lakeside. Some areas are more modern than others but all are nice. A few have water hookups"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa!"
"There’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers."
from $15 - $52 / night
Check Availability"It’s not close to water like some of the others but it has a nice amount of room between spots and lots of trees for shade. There is an old playground by a vault toilet."
from $30 / night
Check Availability
TravelerWell kept & family friendly camping in Iowa! We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water. Short walk to the very clean restrooms with flush toilets & showers. Will come back!
RangerAs full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses, etc. Huge amount of walk up sites all year long. Little Creek campground is the best place to stay for amenities: laundry, hot showers but avoid any campsite located at the bottom of the hill so you are not washed away by rain water or have a site full of mud.
GuideThis is a great state park and possibly the busiest since it’s between Omaha and Lincoln. Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well.
The only minus besides it’s always busy is the road noise from Interstate 80.
ScoutIf you don’t mind lugging your stuff to your tent spot, it’s primitive, no frills camping at its finest! We chose the closest spot to the vault toilets. There are only 4. It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!
TravelerGood hiking, horse rides, great hills for trail running.
LegendCampground Review
I stayed in this Louisville Rec area a few nights, moving around to three different areas of this HUGE campground are nestled in Nebraska. My plan was to spend a few days taking advantage of the many amenities and activity options this area appeared to have, and I since this is a popular destination option many are considering, I sought to provide a review of the grounds from the perspective of someone who is considering staying in the west, central, or east area of the grounds. This review is for the west area.
General Info on this overall campground
This is a state-funded park, so non-Nebraska plated cars have an additional fee. A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds. Near the central lake ("Lake 2") there is a small shop which has a market where basic kick knacks and firewood are available. This is also where you can rent boats like canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards for hrs, half and daily rates. There is a trail in the woods running parallel to the North Platte River. The path is in a heavily wooded area, so no lakeside views, just a nice, quiet hike with the very occasional hummm of a mosquito. There is a swim area along the beach of Lake 2. There is canoe access at the far west side of the park. In summer, it was common to see people wading across the river as it was neither a fast moving current nor deep. This is a Rec area, so day use is also an option. There are numerous locations for picnics, including Grills, and for fishing in the lakes from some roof-covered docks. Coin-operated showers (takes quarters, change machines take $1 and $5 bills) and full-service, ADA-friendly bathrooms scatter the park as well. There is a play area in the center which has a basic jungle gym. Each site has at least a picnic table and a fire pit. All tent sites are park and walk. If you want to have your car next to your picnic table, you need a padded spot. Each area of the park has these options, as well as electrical, then RV. Most sites are reservable and there are some allocated for first come, first serve. Gates will close at 10pm so make sure your road trip stops before they do. Also, packing earplugs is a must, but it won't completely help you. There is a train that goes very near the grounds - the track basically borders the south side of the campgrounds - and it needs to use its horn while passing through, which happens A LOT.
Central location-specific Info
The harsh part of being located here is if you are looking for any kind of spot that accommodates a flat plot, like sites 206 - 236, you are butted up against the train tracks and that train is LOUD! You will have no chance of a solid night's sleep since the train uses its horn very often. I was in campsite 11 another night, literally as far away from the tracks as possible and wore ear plugs and there was no avoiding it - I was waking up at 5am no matter what. This is the place you want to camp if you are tent camping. The reserve sites or tucked away from a lot of the more family-friendly activities, so you'll get some reprieve from that energy, plus can have some spots that are very close to the N Platte river's edge.
Ranger Review
I was given a pair of the Midland X-TALKER TV1P3 Walkie Talkies to test out from Midland. Since they come with a hands-free option with a compatible accessory, I also got a pair of the AVPH3 Surveillance headsets.
These came in handy (pardon the pun) when I was biking with a friend and skiing. By hooking in the headset to the side of the radio it allowed me to leave the radio in the bag, run a wire and clip a little mic with a talk on/off button to my jacket, then put a little earpiece in around my ear that was out of the way of my helmet. This also protected the radio from debris, as water is easy to collect on electronics when skiing and dust when biking.
These radios aren't big, but they're packed with a lot of features. I personally love the weather scan capability. It locks into the NOAA weather broadcasts to deliver you a forecast. This is very useful while you are on a backpacking trip or in my case doing some kayaking because it helps me plan my routes and assess risk for my activities. They also charge through micro USB if you don't want to pack the included charging cradle (AC powered), so recharging them on the go is pretty simple since you already pack those cables and a portable USB power bank for other electronics.
The 28 mile range is a bit of a stretch (pardon the pun) but this is up to 28 miles. It worked fine for me over some densely forested lakes 2 miles away and even further over open water. I had these up at my cottage in Northern Ontario with me and I was able to get reception on these when I kayaked from one family friend's cottage from ours 8 miles away. It was getting crackly at that point but there is A LOT of interference over that distance so I was shocked they worked at all.
They have 22 channels and 38 privacy codes, so it's easy to create your own network and stay uninterrupted. I also got these working with another pair of radios I had, so they work with other brands. There are some other features, and the product support on their site is great. hey have a reference guide and a user manual to learn how to operate things like the quiet mode - if so inclined.
Overall Pros
Overall Cons
TravelerPlatte River has nice inexpensive cabins and lots of easy trails to explore with the family. There’s also horse trail rides and a splash pads. Don’t want to cook? There’s a lodge restaurant with yummy homestyle cooking.
ScoutThis is a really nice state park. There are plenty to do. My son and I camped for one night. We went paddle boating, swimming, and horse back riding. The only not so good thing about camping in this park is that it is so close to the interstate. My son was unable to fall asleep. We ended up leaving at 4am. Thankfully, we live close to this place. Overall, it’s a nice campground. It’s serene but not quiet. Also, the men’s restroom, per my son, is dirty and stinky.
Guidewe go every year, tents not allowed yet. plenty of cabins, water park and gun range. Horse rides available.
Horse trail enthusiasts can find several equestrian-friendly campgrounds near Honey Creek, Iowa, located in the rolling hills of western Iowa where the Missouri River Valley creates distinct ecological zones. The area features a mix of wooded terrain, open grasslands, and river access points with camping options ranging from primitive sites to full-hookup RV facilities. Summer temperatures average 75-90°F while spring and fall offer milder conditions for trail riding and camping.
Trail riding access: At Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground, visitors can explore designated horse trails without bringing their own animals. "Horseback riding, driving range, fishing, tennis courts, river views, cabins!" notes Charlie B., highlighting the diverse recreational opportunities available alongside equestrian activities.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes and river access points provide excellent fishing throughout the region. At Lake Cunningham Campground, campers can enjoy both shore and boat fishing. "Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!" says Kwin K., mentioning additional water activities available.
Water recreation: Many campgrounds offer swimming areas alongside horse trails. "There is a swim area along the beach of Lake 2. There is canoe access at the far west side of the park," notes one visitor about Louisville State Recreation Area, adding that rental options for watercraft are commonly available at campgrounds throughout the region.
Natural landscapes: The terrain provides scenic backdrops for camping and riding. "I had a river-side view to a nice sunset and sat at my picnic table and watched fireworks go off on the other side of the river," writes Daniel B. about Louisville State Recreation Area Campground, noting the visual appeal of waterfront sites.
Range of accommodations: From tent sites to unique lodging, the area offers various overnight options. "You can pay $1 for a hot shower in the comfort station, which is very clean. The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around," reports Alana R. about Lake Cunningham, describing the practical amenities available.
Year-round access: Many sites remain open through multiple seasons. "The campground was very clean and quiet. They have full service hook ups. It has a playground for the kids. Nice updated bathroom facilities with showers," writes Anessa O. about Lewis and Clark State Park Campground, which maintains facilities throughout the year.
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience railroad disruptions. "Train noise all night," warns Bill M. about Louisville State Recreation Area, while another camper advises, "Be selective on where you pitch the tent. It can get loud."
Reservation requirements: Most horse-friendly campgrounds near Honey Creek require advance booking. "This place has it all... but books up months in advance and the crowds can get a bit annoying!" cautions Charlie B. about Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
Limited primitive options: Platte River State Park Campground offers some of the few tent-only sites. "Enjoy the 4 tent sites. They are spread apart enough that your not on top of each other. Lots of wood to find on the ground," notes Erik M., highlighting one of the rare primitive camping opportunities in the region.
Kid-friendly amenities: Many campgrounds offer dedicated facilities for children. "A lot of activities for kids," writes John K. about Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, while another reviewer elaborates: "This campground is crowded with significant interstate noise. However there are many activities for kids including paddleboating, a wave pool, horse riding, ziplining, and playgrounds."
Educational opportunities: Historical exhibits enhance family trips. "They have a replica of the Boat that Lewis and Clark traveled on many years ago. They will occasionally take it out and give rides. They also have a history museum to accompany the boat," explains Katie S. about Lewis and Clark State Park.
Swimming options: Dedicated swim areas provide safer water recreation. "We picked this campground as a stopping point on the way to Yellowstone primarily for the pool for the kids. The pool is awesome," notes Meghan H. about Eugene T. Mahoney, though she cautions about additional fees: "$10 for adults (even as non-swimmers) and $8 for kids plus $3 to rent a tube for the wave pool."
Concrete pads: Oak Grove Campground offers solid foundations for larger rigs. "It's not close to water like some of the others but it has a nice amount of room between spots and lots of trees for shade," reports Shannon G., noting the more spacious layout preferred by many RV campers.
Hookup variations: Electric, water, and sewer connections differ between campgrounds. "The sites have concrete pads with power, but no water or sewer. There is a fill station on the way in," explains Alana R. about one campground, highlighting the need to check specific utility availability.
Dump station access: Some facilities have limited disposal options. "The dump station is a tight squeeze for anything other than a small bumper pull camper," warns Pat V. about Lewis and Clark State Park, an important consideration for larger rigs planning extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Honey Creek, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Honey Creek, IA is Lake Cunningham Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Honey Creek, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Honey Creek, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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