5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Limited equestrian camping options exist near Ida Grove, Iowa with no facilities specifically designed for horses. None of the five campgrounds in the area feature dedicated horse corrals or equine-specific amenities. Lewis and Clark State Park Campground, Southwood Conservation Area, Woodbury County Park, Martin Area County Park, and Onawa-Blue Lake KOA all permit camping with tents, RVs, and cabins, but lack specialized horse facilities. Southwood Conservation Area receives high ratings from visitors who note the clean bathrooms and quality trails. Recent upgrades to the campground have improved overall amenities.
The trail systems near these campgrounds accommodate hikers rather than horseback riders. Visitors seeking equestrian camping must bring portable corral panels or use high-line systems for securing horses. Lewis and Clark State Park provides electric hookups, showers, and fire rings at their campsites, which are suitable for standard camping but without horse-specific features. The park maintains some mowed trails through tall grass areas that could potentially accommodate horse traffic, though they are not designated bridle trails. Blue Lake offers water access for visitors, but no horse-friendly water facilities exist. Campers with horses should contact park management directly for permission and specific regulations regarding equine guests.
"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"Nice campground clean bathrooms the trails are really good quiet and peaceful"
"Conveniently located approximately 2.5 miles West of I29 and on the Eastern edge of Lewis and Clark state park which makes this KOA very quiet."
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!
ScoutThere’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. Very nice for Iowa state parks.
TravelerNice campground. Very few tent only - mostly RVs/trailers. Washrooms basic but clean. Large site under trees with mix of sun & shade. Grassy area for tent. Access to water close by. Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak. Everyone seemed friendly though some folk stayed up pretty late on Friday!
LegendThis place was pleasantly clean to me. Blue lake which is the lake this state park sits on. When you drive in from the road you see on your right the lake and to your left are houses. You go farther down and you see picnic accesses off the lake. And there is a swimming area and beach further down with a fully accessible restroom. There is also a keelboat on display and visitor center with a musuem. The center was closed when we were here, (thanks covid). Behind that is a dock and a little look out tower next to it. This is where we saw people kayak mainly. You go farther down and this was where the campsites were. This appeared to be more of a park set up for rv and campers than any tents. You go farther down pass this and you find more accesses to trails, and taller grass. This is a great park especially for a rv, and how clean it is.
LegendVibe: Relaxed summer lake fun.
Cleanliness: Average
Facilities: Slightly dated but adequate
General spots: Good size, good spacing, not private. Large cottonwood trees offer good shade on lake side spots.
Our site: 10. Close to the swimming area. Not far from bathrooms.
Noise: Friendly chatter. Mostly quiet. Some music from the summer camp across the lake(see below).
Cell signal: Good (Verizon)
Other: The lake isn’t huge, but the water was not murky and you could wade out pretty far and still be shallow enough to stand. A summer camp is across the lake and they played some evening music and morning music starts at 7:30.
RangerWe chose this park after some family raved about their visits. We were excited, but let down. The lake was ok, we were unable to purchase a temporary state fishing license onsite. The hiking trails could be so much more than the mowed paths through tall grass. The water at the water for filling smells horrendous. The dump station is a tight squeeze for anything other than a small bumper pull camper. Our kids had fun at the park, but we were just not impressed with the location.
ScoutConveniently located approximately 2.5 miles West of I29 and on the Eastern edge of Lewis and Clark state park which makes this KOA very quiet.
GuideThis is a pleasant campground. There are water lots available. Some spots can be reserved. Others are walk in only. Decent room between lots, though I would prefer a bit more room. Most sites are electric only. A slim amount are full hookup. Excellent playground for children. Popular place for boating in the summer months. Dirt trails to explore around the grounds.
ScoutThis campground has clean facilities, a lake you can swim & boat in, a playground for kids and basketball court walking trails, a keel boat ride and one evening they even did an outdoor movie for all the families! One of my favorite places to camp! Lots of campers but everyone was respectful and we had a lot of fun!
Camping options near Ida Grove, Iowa center around the Missouri River valley in western Iowa at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. The region's humid continental climate creates distinct camping seasons with hot, humid summers and cold winters. Most campgrounds in the area remain open from April through October with limited winter availability at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground.
Water recreation access: Lewis and Clark State Park Campground provides boat ramps and lake access for fishing and kayaking. "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!" reports Morgan K. about the family activities available.
Historical exploration: Visit the Lewis and Clark replica boat and museum at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground. "They have a great visitor center with amazing displays and exhibits that mark the history of Lewis and Clark and their travels around the area," notes Timothy S.
Trail systems: The area offers primarily hiking trails rather than dedicated horse paths. Josh G. mentions that at Woodbury County Park Southwood Conservation Area, "the trails are really good quiet and peaceful." This makes the area suitable for day hikers but requires equestrian campers to plan accordingly.
Full hookup affordability: Campers appreciate the value at area campgrounds. "Oh my the rate was 19.00 for full 50 amp hookup. Beautiful state park in the water nice level sites paved. Fire rings and tables," shares Kathy F. about her experience at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise. At Woodbury County Park, Josh G. notes "Nice campground clean bathrooms." Similar sentiments are expressed across multiple properties regarding bathroom and shower facilities.
Playground amenities: Families value the recreational options for children. N K. reports about Martin Area County Park: "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."
Site spacing considerations: Several campgrounds feature closely spaced sites. At Onawa-Blue Lake KOA, Jennifer S. notes: "Nicely maintained, beautiful lake, clean restrooms and nice pool and playground. Great helpful people! But virtually no space between sites."
Seasonal challenges: Weather impacts camping conditions significantly. Jeff B. described Lewis and Clark State Park as "Buggy and muggy" with "Many water spots on basically what is a mosquito breeding ground." Plan accordingly during summer months.
Equestrian accommodations: For horse camping near Ida Grove, campers must bring portable containment systems. Gary E. mentions "Primitive camping was awesome" at Martin Area County Park, where open spaces may better accommodate equestrian needs, though dedicated facilities don't exist.
Seasonal activities: Some campgrounds offer special events during different seasons. Morgan K. notes at Lewis and Clark State Park: "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."
Playground proximity: Select sites near play areas for convenience. N K. recommends: "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."
Swimming options: For summer visits with children, consider campgrounds with swimming access. Sharon T. explains: "Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak." Some campgrounds also offer pools as alternatives to lake swimming.
Hookup availability: Most campgrounds near Ida Grove offer electric connections but limited full-service options. Anessa O. shares about Southwood Conservation Area: "They have full service hook ups. It has a playground for the kids. nice updated bathroom facilities with showers."
Site conditions: Weather impacts can affect RV parking areas. Be prepared for potential muddy conditions after rain. Sites at Lewis and Clark State Park are described as "paved" and "level" by multiple reviewers, making them more suitable for larger rigs.
Dump station access: Limited dump stations exist in the area. When planning horse camping near Ida Grove, Iowa, RVers should note that Southwood Conservation Area provides sanitary dump facilities, while not all campgrounds in the region offer this amenity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ida Grove, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ida Grove, IA is Lewis and Clark State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ida Grove, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Ida Grove, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
