Camping options near Independence, Iowa range across wooded parks and riverfront settings within a 30-mile radius. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 900-1100 feet above sea level, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F from June through August. While dedicated equestrian facilities are limited, several parks offer trail access and spacious sites that can accommodate visitors with horses.
What to do
Hiking trails: Backbone State Park offers numerous trails including the signature Backbone Trail. "We loved waking up in the morning and going for a walk along the many trails, seeing deer on the trail, and the lake," shares one visitor who camped during October.
Water activities: George Wyth State Park provides multiple lakes and river access for boating and fishing. "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," notes a camper.
Wildlife viewing: Matsell Bridge Natural Area offers quiet riverside camping with opportunities for wildlife observation. "When I visited we were the only campers there and it was awesome!" reports one visitor who appreciated the secluded setting.
What campers like
Clean facilities: South Lake Campground at Backbone State Park receives praise for its maintenance. "Clean bathrooms, showers and spots. Beautiful park!" writes a reviewer who appreciated the well-kept grounds.
Fishing access: Black Hawk County Park provides multiple fishing opportunities. One camper notes it "has plenty of fishing access, archery, gun range, boat access. Decent shower/bathroom facilities."
Mountain biking: Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) connects to popular trail systems. "The best thing about this campground is its access to the squaw creek mountain bike single track. The sites are nice, and easy access to town if you forgot stuff," explains a regular visitor.
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: Despite being near horse country, dedicated equestrian campgrounds around Independence are scarce. While some trails accommodate riders, most campgrounds lack specific horse-friendly amenities like corrals or dedicated trailer parking.
Water conditions: Water quality can vary seasonally at some locations. At Backbone State Park, one visitor noted "lakewater often unsafe for swimming. To the extent the beach had weeds growing on it."
Site selection: At Wanatee Park, campers have options for reservations or first-come spots. "Half of the campground is first come first serve, the other half is reserve only," explains a regular visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: George Wyth State Park offers diverse recreation options. "For little ones, there is a large sand playground area with slides and swings. There is a sand beach to swim," notes a family who visited the park.
Nature exploration: Wakpicada Natural Area provides fishing opportunities in a quieter setting. "Went when it was 110 degrees with humidity. Campsites right next to the pond and good tree cover made the experience fun anyway. Good bass and panfish fishing," shares a visitor.
Group camping: Backbone State Park accommodates larger gatherings. One reviewer recalls, "I went with a group of entering sixth grade Girl Scouts on a weekend tent camping trip to this park. The campsites were simple to access and the grounds were easy to navigate."
Tips from RVers
Hookups: South Lake Campground offers electrical options but limited water access. "No full hookups - must fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available," advises an RV camper.
Leveling: Wanatee Park sites may require adjustments. "Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers. The sites are very spacious with some shade, a fire ring, and picnic table provided," notes a camper who stayed for nine nights.
Utilities: Black Hawk County Park provides multiple amenities for RVs including electric hookups, water, sewer connections and a dump station, though sites vary in size and not all accommodate larger rigs.
