Top Horse Camping near Lanesboro, IA

Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Lanesboro. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. Find our top-rated horse campsites from other campers like you. Plan the perfect trip in minutes.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Lanesboro, IA (6)

    Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground

    1.

    Ledges State Park Campground

    39 Reviews
    57 Photos
    203 Saves
    Boone, Iowa

    Millions of years before the plains of Iowa were inhabited by the Sauk, Fox and Sioux peoples, much of the American Midwest was covered by a shallow inland sea. It was at this time that the area’s sandstone deposits began forming. Fast-forward to just 13,000 years ago, with the inland sea now long gone, Ice Age glacial meltwater raced across the dry plains, carving and scouring channels and canyons into the sandstone terrain. One of these canyons can be found in Iowa’s Ledges State Park. This 1,000-acre nature preserve and recreation area is located on a wide bend on the Des Moines River, and is just 40 miles north of the city of Des Moines. The park is subject to frequent flooding when the river breaches its banks, but is otherwise a popular year-round outdoor recreation destination. Visitors to Ledges can enjoy a variety of hiking, fishing and paddling opportunities, as well as explore a prehistoric river canyon that showcases nature’s ability to sculpt the landscape.

    The campground at Ledges State Park features 94 tent and RV sites situated among deciduous woods not far from the Des Moines River. Campers can choose from full-hookup, partial-hookup, or primitive tent sites. Most sites are back-in; only a few are pull-through for larger vehicles. Tent sites are located in both in the main camp area, and in a secluded walk-in area. There is also a youth group site. All sites are equipped with picnic tables, fire pits and cooking grills, and all have access to water faucets, flush restrooms, showers, and trash receptacles; a dump station is located near the campground entrance. The campground also features a kids’ playground, outdoor amphitheater, and is within walking distance of trails and picnic areas. Some roads and/or facilities may not be open or available in the winter. Reservations are accepted, however the park saves about half of the sites for first-come, first-served campers; sites are $11–$19/night.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access

    $12 - $18 / night

    • No image available

      3.

      Squirrel Hollow Co Park

      2 Reviews
      2 Saves
      Jefferson, Iowa
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      Camper-submitted photo from Webster County Kennedy Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Webster County Kennedy Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Webster County Kennedy Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Webster County Kennedy Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Webster County Kennedy Park Campground
      Camper-submitted photo from Webster County Kennedy Park Campground

      5.

      Webster County Kennedy Park Campground

      2 Reviews
      6 Photos
      Badger, Iowa
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      • No image available

        6.

        Beach Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

        1 Review
        6 Saves
        Lehigh, Iowa
        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Electric Hookups
        • Phone Service
        • Reservable
        • ADA Access

      Recent Equestrian Reviews In Lanesboro

      55 Reviews of 6 Lanesboro Campgrounds


      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        May 25, 2023

        Ledges State Park Campground

        It's okay

        Great vibes. Camp's pretty far from the bones of the park, but the hike's relatively plesant. Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Webster County Kennedy Park Campground
        May 25, 2023

        Webster County Kennedy Park Campground

        No Service

        Great sites, phenomenol hosts. LOVE the playground, and the culture; this is home during the summer months. Terrible WIFI, absolutely no cell coverage out here. Not sure how they justify raising camping rates here if the ameneties do not reflect modern needs for family enjoyment. Yes we like smores, and watching the birds, and fishing, and hiking; but so help me, we like our Netflix too, and I sure would like to be able to watch the weather report. Even Dish coverage is spotty out here. It's weird, we're not down in a valley or anything. Not sure why this is such a dead zone out here.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        October 9, 2022

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Nice Campground

        Canyon road and limestone cliffs are awesome. Secluded spots in the trees. If you have Verizon and rely on data this may not be the campground for you.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        April 3, 2022

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Scenic Hiking

        I stayed at Ledges in June and hiked the trails again in February. The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals. With most of the surrounding areas having little to no elevation changes there are a few nice hikes along some rocky hills beside the river both in summer and winter.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        October 5, 2021

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Loved this state park

        Large campground, accommodates RVs & tents. Wooded & open sites. Appear level. Clean restrooms & shower stalls. Water. Playground. Friendly & helpful campground host. 3 bars T-Mobile. Great hiking trails in park.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        October 1, 2021

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Big campground

        We have hiked here and it was really busy when we did. We decided to come back and camp a few months later. The campground was large but the DNR was helpful when finding our spot along with nice signs everywhere. We didn’t have any problems, people seemed friendly. Didn’t use the bathrooms but the outsides looked nice. We traveled to Des Moines when we stayed but there is lots to do near by. I would suggest the “high tressel trail” for bike riders, lots of cute bars to stop in along the way. Madrid has a bakery and some other cute places. Boone has a scenic train ride if that’s your thing. And the town of Luther, about 4 miles from the campground has a BBQ place that a lot of people travel to.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Squirrel Hollow Co Park
        August 1, 2021

        Squirrel Hollow Co Park

        Quiet and not crowded

        The park is quite with some nice camping spots. Very quite with nobody around. The park could use some improvements but parks like these are my favorite!

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        August 1, 2021

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Gorgeous State Park Campground

        Great selection of campsites for a wide variety of needs. Wonderful views from most sites. Access to multiple walking trails. Beautiful, wooded setting. Clean bathrooms/showers.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        July 20, 2021

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Pretty Park

        Bottom line. My bad but the site said electric. In all the other parks I’ve been to “electric” includes water. Which this park does not. Many trees, very pretty. Cell reception is weak.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        July 11, 2021

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Quiet and welcoming

        Our camping experience was very nice. Pulling up to this park was surreal, considering the surrounding farmland that suddenly shows a lone forest. Some of the sites are pretty close, luckily we were next to a friendly couple with a cute dog. We were able to buy a good $5 bundle of firewood from the camp host. It was extremely quiet, until a camper pulled up with its generator. Still, a calming environment. A devious pack of raccoons stole our marshmallows (from a CLOSED bag) when we went in the tent for five minutes. So beware of that I guess 😂

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        July 10, 2021

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Popular site with great dispersion.

        Picturesque location south of Boone Ia. Close to town with stores with plenty of camping supplies. Arrive early sites fill-up fast. Online site for reservations and to check site availability.

      • Camper-submitted photo from North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
        July 6, 2021

        North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

        North Equine Campground

        The only open site was in the North Equine Campground so we took a chance. We really did like the Campground, it was well maintained, clean and quiet. There were a few campers with horse but not many. Hitching posts behind each site which we enjoyed seeing. The roads inside the campground were all asphalt so lots of bikers enjoying rides around the grounds. There was also a nice playground for the kids surrounded by a well maintained, large, grassy area. There were many empty sites because so many had no electric. It made for lots of nice open space. Unfortunately, we had no shade in the afternoon so weren't able to eat dinner outside or enjoy a fire in the evening. We are fortunate we camped in a 5th wheel so we could escape the heat, we would have left after the first night otherwise.
        We did drive through the Beach Campground and the South Equine Campground. Beach had very little shade and was primarily families with younger children. The beach looked real nice, not too crowded for a hot, July day. North Equine was where most of the horse folks were staying it was quite crowded. A very bustling area.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        May 29, 2021

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Go Faster!

        Campsites have the right amount of privacy while being close to the clean bathroom & playground. Outside the campground is Canyon Road, with multiple trails great for hiking up and along the scenic ledges. The road crosses the river several times, and on the weekend these crossings are lined with children & adults demanding you “go faster” so they get splashed!

      • Camper-submitted photo from North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area
        March 15, 2021

        North Equestrian Campground — Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

        The Stars Were So Bright!

        Camped here in order to be close to Fort Dodge first thing in the morning.  I stayed in the Beach Campground.  It's not on the beach, but close to it.  There are 3 total campgrounds in the park.  My choice was a very well manicured campground.  The shower house was not open yet due to the time of year, but the drop latrine was open, very clean and well lit.

        This little nugget is laid out on a vast prairie.  Most sites have younger trees that provide some shade.  This is not the big wooded type park.  There are trails to get you out and away from the "park" and closer to the rustic woody nature.

        Fire rings are all adjustable, sites are well kept and they offer "buddy sites" that are 2 sites really close together for those times when you bring friends, but have too many tents/vehicles to fall into the rules.

        Verizon 4G fluctuated between 0-2 bars.  Was able to send pictures and only dropped a call once.

        Very little light pollution

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        October 16, 2020

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Surprise River Gorge in Iowa

        Comfortable and scenic park in Iowa with forested trails, gorge, and natural water features amidst the farm fields and rolling hills.  Campground sites are well spaced and mostly level, many with shade and decent privacy.  Mix of hookups for different needs; access to water and trash was easy.  The bathrooms were a bit dated and unclean when we visited, but not terrible.  Good cell coverage in the area and we could do work and school with our Verizon Hotspot.  Beware of the raccoons!   They were not aggressive from the standpoint of approaching us, but they were brash in approaching camper and supplies after dark, and they were a constant presence at the dumpster.  Do not leave food out!  Deer and other small game/wildlife seem abundant.  Trails were poorly signed, but the park is relatively small and getting lost or wandering does not have bad consequences; you'll find where you wanted to go without too much trouble.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        July 17, 2020

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Hidden away

        My favorite part about this camp is the variety of sites offered. We went with a hike in site to throw some adventure into our lives. For only $11 a tent sit this place is amazing. Trees everywhere with privacy if wanted or also a great social scene. Honestly this camp is for anyone. The trails around the park are also amazing. Just don’t leave a Cheeto bag out on accident when you fall asleep because raccoons can smell everything, and when they do, they own the place.

      • Camper-submitted photo from Ledges State Park Campground
        June 1, 2020

        Ledges State Park Campground

        Ledges

        Ledges State Park

        Ledges is an amazing place. It has so much to do. There are long trails to hike, creeks to play in.

        You can bring your tent or RV and camp. The RV camps have water/sewer hookups. The primitive tent sites are usually pretty clean and can get pretty busy on the weekends.

        There are lots of bridges that get flooded out and are fun to drive over. Most of the kids like to hang out near them and get splashed.

        Its a fantastic place to enjoy the outdoors and especially in the fall. Also if you go to Ames stop at Great Plains pizza company.



      Guide to Lanesboro

      Camping near Lanesboro, Iowa, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to relax by the water or explore hiking trails, there’s something for every type of camper.

      What to do:

      • Fishing: Many campers enjoy casting a line. At Spring Lake County Park, one reviewer mentioned, "You can pull your rig right up to the lake there is fishing and hiking."
      • Hiking and Biking: The area is known for its trails. A visitor at Springbrook State Park noted, "Lots of nice hiking trails," making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.
      • Kayaking and Paddle Boating: Rent a kayak or paddle boat at Spring Lake County Park. One happy camper said, "Can rent kayaks paddle boats you name this place is a nice quiet place to camp."

      What campers like:

      • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms. A reviewer at Dolliver Memorial State Park mentioned, "The shower house/bathroom isn’t super modern, but was clean."
      • Friendly Staff: Many campers enjoy the welcoming atmosphere. One visitor at Springbrook State Park said, "Park rangers are good ppl."
      • Peaceful Environment: Campers often seek tranquility. A reviewer at Spring Lake County Park shared, "This park is peaceful...something for everyone to enjoy!"

      What you should know:

      • Train Noise: Some parks are near train tracks. A camper at Spring Lake County Park noted, "Only slight downfall is the trains you can hear a bit—not too loud though."
      • Busy Summers: Expect crowds during peak season. One reviewer at Spring Lake County Park mentioned, "This is a very busy campground in the summer."
      • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have weak or no cell reception. A visitor at Dolliver Memorial State Park said, "Cell service cuts out as you drive down into the park."

      Tips for camping with families:

      • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. At Spring Lake County Park, there’s a playground that kids love.
      • Nature Centers: Some parks offer educational experiences. A parent at Dolliver Memorial State Park mentioned, "The nice lady opened it for my kids to go in and let them hold snakes and turtles!"
      • Reservable Sites: To ensure a spot, consider reserving ahead. A camper at Springbrook State Park noted, "There are reservable sites on mycountyparks.com."

      Tips from RVers:

      • Electric Hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric sites. A reviewer at Springbrook State Park said, "Nice sites with lots of trees."
      • Space for Big Rigs: Check if the campground can accommodate larger RVs. One camper at Briggs Woods Park mentioned, "Decent sites, GREAT buddy sites!"
      • Dump Stations: Look for campgrounds with dump stations for convenience. A visitor at Adair City Park noted, "Drop box and dump station by the bathrooms."

      Camping near Lanesboro, Iowa, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With plenty of activities and beautiful parks, you’re sure to have a memorable experience!

      Frequently Asked Questions

      • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lanesboro, IA?

        According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lanesboro, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 39 reviews.

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

        TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Lanesboro, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.