Loud Thunder Forest Preserve Horse Corral Campground sits along the Illinois-Iowa border, providing equestrian camping within a reasonable drive from Iowa City. The campground maintains designated sites for those traveling with horses at a cost of $20 per night for electrical sites. The preserve spans 1,480 acres of wooded hills and valleys with trails ranging from flat terrain to challenging inclines, making it popular with horse owners seeking weekend getaways from eastern Iowa.
What to do
Explore hiking trails: At Matsell Bridge Natural Area, trails wind alongside the Wapsipinicon River through diverse terrain. "Beautiful location, ranger close by, wood for sale just across the bridge, fire pits and picnic tables at every site," notes reviewer Carol M., highlighting the natural setting ideal for day hikes.
Fish at local lakes: Lake Iowa County Park offers prime fishing opportunities with bass and panfish. One visitor shares: "The area around the lake and near by pond is not overly developed. There are wild raspberries and mulberries, lots of wildlife." For the best fishing spots, try sites 67-70 which offer "beautiful views" of the water.
Horseback riding day trips: At Keokuk County Belva Deer Park, trails accommodate equestrians looking for day-use options. The park charges $12 for primitive camping with "nice warm showers by the main entrance and nice bathrooms," making it an affordable base for horse owners exploring the region.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Wanatee Park (formerly Squaw Creek) receives consistent praise for its well-maintained amenities. "The bathhouse and showers were clean with lots of hot water," one camper reports. Another adds it's "very clean and well cared for" with "a mixture of mature and young trees."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple parks offer excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. At Wakpicada Natural Area, the "campsites right next to the pond and good tree cover" create perfect conditions for wildlife encounters. One visitor to Saulsbury Bridge reports seeing "Monarch butterflies, and an abundance of birds including indigo bunting, red headed woodpecker, and goldfinch."
Accessibility to trails: Proximity to multi-use trails ranks high with equestrians and hikers alike. "The best thing about this campground is its access to the squaw creek man bike single track," notes a Wanatee Park visitor, while others appreciate "lots of opportunity to ride the numerous bike trails nearby."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds in the region operate from mid-April through mid-October. Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area spans "675 acres, nestled between rolling fields of corn, dairy farms, native prairie, and the Cedar River" but faces potential closures when "the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks."
Site spacing: Some campgrounds place sites close together, affecting air quality. At Lake Iowa, one camper noted: "Around 2:30am there was so much smoke in our van from nearby campfires that I woke up sick and my dog threw up all over the bed."
Toilet facilities: Facilities vary widely across parks. Some offer modern restrooms while others provide only primitive options. At Matsell Bridge, expect "primitive bathrooms, no showers or running water" according to reviewers.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area offers "day use picnic areas, playgrounds, a sand volleyball court" making it suitable for families with children of various ages. The area also includes "large, open expanses of grassy fields and oak shade trees" for impromptu games.
Water activities: Several campgrounds feature lakes or rivers where families can swim or paddle. At Lake Iowa, visitors appreciate that "if you take a look at the PDF maps on their website you can see how vast the places is with 122 spots" offering numerous options for family outings.
Wildlife education: Parents report wildlife viewing as a highlight for children. One camper observed "deer walking through" their campsite, while others spotted "a blue jay that visited us regularly" providing natural learning opportunities.
Tips from RVers
Leveling challenges: Some RV sites require extra equipment to achieve level positioning. One camper at Wanatee Park noted: "Our site was unlevel but was able to get the RV right with tri-levelers."
Hookup availability: Electric hookups are common but full-service sites are limited. A visitor to Wanatee Park mentioned camping "9 nights with W/E on site with a dump upon exit/entrance," which is typical of the region's setup. Many parks offer electrical only, with water and dump stations available at central locations.
Site selection: For equestrian camping, avoid cramped areas where horse trailers might be difficult to maneuver. At Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, the "CG has nice corral with day use and camping sites: shelter available, elect pull in sites" that accommodate trailers without crowding.
