Best Equestrian Camping near Mineola, IA
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Best Equestrian Sites Near Mineola, IA (13)
1. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground
Ashland, Nebraska46 Reviews•85 Photos•161 SavesMahoney State Park offer Full Hookup, Electric Plus and Electric campsites. There are a total of 148 campsites. Lakeside Campground (100-148 campsites) are located close to Baright Lake and Owen Marina. Little Creek Campground (1-99 campsites) is close to a playground, basketball court and the coin operated laundry facility. Both campgrounds have drinking water, showers and modern restrooms. A dump and fill station is located conveniently near the park entrance.
Tent camping is available at Mahoney State Park in the two modern campgrounds. Tent campers will use the grassy area next to the pad site to set up their tent. Those tenting will pay the camping fee applicable to the site occupied. If making reservations, look for the site description of “tentable.” This means there is a level grassy space for a tent.
Reservations are accepted for half of the campsites in Lakeside and Little Creek campgrounds up to 180 days in advance of arrival date and paid in full at the time the reservation is made. All other camping at Mahoney State Park is first-come, first-served. Campers with advance reservations and those camping first-come, first-served must stop at the Lauritzen Administration building located at the park entrance to check-in or register to camp prior to setting up on a campsite. If arriving after hours, campers must go to the Peter Kiewit Lodge customer service desk and check in or register for a first-come, first-served site.
This modern state park is the perfect year round destination for a family escape. Families can visit the aquatic center and indoor playground, explore the park’s hiking and biking trails, adventure through the treetop ropes course, climb the observation tower and, when the weather turns cold, enjoy indoor rock climbing, sledding and ice skating. The jewel of the park is Peter Kiewit Lodge, which offers 40 guest rooms, most with balconies that offer a stunning view of the Platte River valley. The park also offers an arts and crafts center, an array of cabins, as well as camping opportunities. Mahoney State Park is located midway between Nebraska’s two largest cities, Lincoln and Omaha and is open year round.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
2. Platte River State Park Campground
South Bend, Nebraska31 Reviews•95 Photos•189 SavesPlatte River State Park is nestled halfway between Nebraska’s two largest cities – and makes a great place for camping near Omaha. Before it was a state park it was two separate camps – Harriet Harding Campfire Girls Camp and Camp Esther K. Newman – and a tract of woodlands. The charming, vintage cabins that once housed campers today provide cozy accommodations while the gorgeous new glamping cabins offer a luxurious yet nature-immersive experience. Other popular draws are the park’s picturesque waterfall, spray park, scenic hiking and biking trails and two observation towers that allow those who climb to the top a spectacular view of the Platte River Basin.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$10 - $165 / night
3. Louisville State Recreation Area
Louisville, Nebraska29 Reviews•73 Photos•73 SavesEncompassing 192 acres, Louisville State Recreation Area boasts five sandpit lakes with approximately 50 surface acres of water. Surrounded by towering cottonwood trees, this inviting area offers picnicking, swimming, fishing, non-power boating, canoe access to the Platte River and a brand new floating playground. Paddle board, water bike and kayak rentals are also available. These amenities, along with the area’s close proximity to Platte River, Mahoney state parks and Schramm Park State Recreation Area and Education Center, have made Louisville SRA a favorite spot among outdoor enthusiasts in the eastern part of the state.
Camping reservations are available on half of Louisville SRA campsites.
Louisville State Recreation Area offers campers Electric Plus, Electric and Basic campsites and is very popular with campers with 223 camping pads with 20-, 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups, as well as Basic campsites without electricity. Other amenities include shower facility and modern restrooms. Campers also have access to drinking water and a dump and fill station and a playground for children.
Lousiville State Recreation Area offers canoe access to the Platte River, as well as a special canoe campsite on the river.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$10 - $35 / night
4. Lake Cunningham Campground
Omaha, Nebraska10 Reviews•16 Photos•51 SavesWhile tent camping won’t be available in 2024 due to our expanded youth programs and the transformation of the space for versatile events, our dedicated team is actively working on future plans to introduce a primitive camping option for an even more immersive outdoor experience. Stay tuned for updates!
Whether you are visiting Omaha for the first time or looking for an affordable, family-friendly staycation, we’ve got what you’re looking for at Lake Cunningham. Discover the abundance of activities we have to offer, catered to those looking to explore the beauty of our park from land or water…or both!
For those of you who plan to stay with us, we have 42 new campground stalls equipped with water, power and sanitary to each pad as well as a new well and shower house for campers to enjoy. We also have 41 upgraded campground stalls with access to a renovated shower house and electrical amplification. All campground stalls have new grills and firepits for you to enjoy.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$15 - $40 / night
5. Two Rivers State Recreation Area
Waterloo, Nebraska20 Reviews•101 Photos•66 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$30 / night
6. Pony Creek Co Park
Glenwood, Iowa4 Reviews•24 Photos•19 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
7. Waubonsie State Park Campground
Hamburg, Iowa11 Reviews•90 Photos•62 SavesAs a site on the Lewis and Clark Historic Trail, Waubonsie State Park in southwest Iowa is known for its exceptional vistas of Iowa’s unique Loess Hills and the Nebraska plains. Its extensive trail system offers something for the avid mountain biker, equestrians looking for a relaxing ride, or anyone eager to hike amongst the tranquil surroundings of the park’s ridgetop prairies and shaded woodland valleys. With nearly 2,000 acres of recreational opportunity and quiet beauty, Waubonsie State Park is an Iowa gem waiting to be explored.
Stay overnight in one of eight cabins at Waubonsie, some featuring fireplaces and year-round accommodations. The park also contains a modern campground with non-electric and electric campsites, modern showers, restrooms, and a sanitary dump station. The more primitive equestrian campground contains non-electric sites with hitching rails, pens, and pit vault toilets. Cabin and campsite reservations can be made through the online reservation system for Waubonsie State Park.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
8. Goldenrod Campground
Waterloo, Nebraska3 Reviews•10 Photos•10 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$30 / night
9. Fawn Meadows - Two Rivers SRA
Waterloo, Nebraska3 Reviews•4 Photos•5 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
10. Oak Grove Campground
Waterloo, Nebraska2 Reviews•8 Photos•7 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Mineola
170 Reviews of 13 Mineola Campgrounds
Lynn J.
Scout
Syracuse City
Perfect for a traveling camper
We stayed the first week in October. We were the only campers in the campground. We found 30 and 50 amp power pedestals. We stayed beside a pavilion with a water hydrant. The pavilion has several picnic tables and 20 amp outlets. It's in a treed area with a nice playground. The whole area is very flat. Leveling was a breeze. The entrance was a little bit confusing. There is a pay box at the edge of the parking box. The bathrooms were locked, but being self contained, we wouldn't have used them. I'm sure we will be staying here again.
- KKaren J.Scout
Platte River State Park Campground
Just one night
If 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!
Fred S.
Legend
Waubonsie State Park Campground
Really good hiking trails
Stayed one night on Sept 4. Camped at site 35 in the non-equestrian campground; non-electric fee $15. Parked van on the grass at this site. Like nearly all of the sites in this campground, this site was close to the campground road. Overall, I felt that the campsites were all bunched together - offering no privacy and spacing between sites. The shower house was closed during our visit. Water was also turned off at the wayer pumps in the campground. There was one single vault toilet available for all of the campers; it was reasonably clean. Wayne, the campground host, was nice & helpful. There is a self-serve firewood station in the campground; cost is either $5 or $10, depending on the amount of wood you purchase. The campsites have a picnic table & metal fire ring. I wasn't too pleased with this campground, but I was very happy with the nearby hiking trails within the park. It's a pretty state park with hills & lush forest. The day use areas looked great. I recommend those traveling along I-29 to stop at this park - not necessarily for the camping, but for the hiking. Had some T-Mobile 4G service.
Danni A.
TravelerWaubonsie State Park Campground
Quiet and Peaceful
This park was a great place to head to and unplug for a weekend. We camped in the area without hookups, so we pretty much had that area to ourselves. The area with hookups was somewhat crowded. The bathrooms and shower were clean. Water is easily accessible. The park is small, and we didn't find much to do other than a few hikes.
There are signs in the bathrooms warning of the raccoons. These signs are not exaggerating. We had a raccoon at our campsite trying to steal our food while we were there, like the raccoon was less than 10 feet from humans during mid-day.
- MMills C.Scout
Pony Creek Co Park
NOT affiliated with DYRT
Do not pay Dyrt to use this campground. They are not affiliated.
- CC D.Scout
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground
Great stay passing through
Populated but spacious. Friendly staff. Lots of greenery and trees. Only stayed one night but the list of activities seemed great. Safe, relaxing place. Bathrooms and showers could use some work but I was happy for a warm shower after traveling so long. Highway and trains can be heard from a distance but I found it soothing.
Michael M.
Guide
Two Rivers State Recreation Area
Quick getaway to nature
A short drive from Omaha, two rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground. Fun and quick trip if you’re in the Omaha area. My boys (4&7) loved it.
- TTim D.Scout
Syracuse City
Great little out of the way spot
There are truly electrical hookups just about everywhere and there are no marked sites that I could find. We just pulled off the road to an electrical station and plugged in. Sadly, the 30A plug I plugged into kept tripping the breaker, but I always have a backup 20-30A converter, I just don't get to use my AC (cool night, didn't matter). It would be great if there was some brochure or site map at the location so you didn't feel like your were gonna ruin their well maintained lawn.
- DDana T.Guide
Lake Cunningham Campground
Nice for Glamping
Nice site for a tent camper passing through, beginner adventurers, glampers, or a family staycation. The entire park is well maintained, has a large lake stocked with fish, tent sites are close together, but tolerable. Occupancy depends on the time of year. I was there in September and it was not crowded at all. Tent sites are primitive. New roads leading into the park.
- LLouis A.Scout
Platte River State Park Campground
Worthless weekend at Platte River State Park
Camping in the teepee was hands down our worst camping experience ever. The teepee was hot, dirty and falling apart. We stayed in the“big chief” teepee and it was on a horrible slope with tons of ruts on nothing but bare uneven dirt. There was no privacy as the other two teepees beyond this one were set up so other campers were constantly walking by your camp. Even the door placement to the teepees were bad. There was a more well placed teepee they save for first come first serve camping, not reserved camping. That makes no sense. The worst teepee should be reserved for unreserved campers. There are also bike trails directly around the teepees so in daylight, meaning early and late, you will hear groups of bikers riding around a technical course and lots of whooping and cheering as well as hard landings. To make things worse, they didn’t tell us about an ROTC event they were hosting in the park where groups of ROTC young people were constantly walking by our camp from early morning to afternoon, looking for markers for a kind of seek out practice for them. This was highly disturbing. Zero calm and privacy. The teepee was shabby and the indoor outdoor carpet was dirty and old, and you got the feeling you were sleeping and living over everyone else’s ick. Also, right over the teepee there were loads of huge dead oak branches. With the high winds, we were pretty scared a branch might fall on us. It’s just a matter of time before someone gets hurt, or worse. There were many loud people in cabins with dogs, even dogs barking and crazy dogs running loose the whole time we were there. There was also a lot of trash and littered personal items scattered around in the woods and on the campground area. In the end, it is a very poorly planned campground for comfort, beauty, safety and privacy. We would have been better off to stay home. Like many things now, Platte River State Park feels overrun with activity and under preserved. The exact opposite of why one wants to get away from the city and camp in nature. Waste of time and money.
Kevin P.ScoutPony Creek Co Park
Camp by tent
a great place
- Lee L.Traveler
Louisville State Recreation Area
So peaceful we were tempted to stay longer
Whether you sleep in your van like we did, or you like to stay in a tree house (they appear to be building one as rental cabin) or need a tent platform, the place is huge and sprawling, with wooded sites and open lawn. Friendly and peaceful and definitely one we'll go back to.
- Lee L.Traveler
Louisville State Recreation Area
Great for photos, bad for camping
The place is amazingly scenic and reasonably priced. But I've been camping in different campgrounds all over the US for the last 2 months and this is one of my top 3 for mosquitoes. Those things are relentless and not at all scared by deet. The only thing that surpassed them is the poison ivy that grows everywhere.
The place is wide open without privacy. Well-kept, clean and friendly.
But there's a train going right past our campsite. I had no idea trains can be this long when going through the plains with several engines front and back. If you wait for it to pass, your dinner will be cold.
And I don't know what industry is east of here. But it's 10pm and they're still running LOUD!
- CConnor S.Traveler
Lake Cunningham Campground
Clean and comfortable!
Love the new East lots. Full access with concrete pad. Tons of room between spots. Mini store on the property to buy ice, firewood, and food from. Fishing, paddle board rentals, and a park are a few things to do. Awesome place!
- BBrian M.Scout
Goldenrod Campground
Amazing
This campground is amazing! I’ve stayed at 100 plus campgrounds and I will say that this one is top 10. The park has beautiful views and the river is not far away.
- BBethTraveler
Lake Cunningham Campground
Peaceful
Thus has been very enjoyable, the lake and grounds are beautiful.
- Kristi D.Legend
Waubonsie State Park Campground
Had the campground too ourselves!
It appears not many people camp in Iowa in February. We had the campground to ourselves. We missed the crazy cold and snow by a day but it was 20 degree with the wind when I hiked the prairie. Lovely little state park, clean and the trail system was pretty neat. Wasn't perfectly flat and had some overlooks. Very much enjoyed!
Shana D.LegendPlatte River State Park Campground
The playground!
We stayed here one night as we were just passing through. The park is really nice and the playgrounds are the nicest I have ever seen! I even had to take my turn on the swings and down the slide. . The new campground is nice with full hook ups, however this is not your normal state park style camping. This is full on RV parking lot with campers stacked on top of each other. I’m never a fan of sitting at my picnic table to eat 8 foot away from someone dumping their sewer tanks. That’s the only con I see here. Luckily we had one of the end sites.
- Steve D.Guide
Lake Cunningham Campground
Outstanding Campground!
This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds we have ever encountered! On a beautiful lake with many recreational possibilities - kayaking, sailing non power boating - some for rent. 10 miles of paved bike trails and ALL paved campsites level and clean! Many clean and nice bathrooms which showers and FULL hookups for almost any size RV or camper. HIGHLY recommended! Nice campsite hosts and nicely spread out campsites with fire rings and picnic tables. No wi fi but Verizon service was good.
amber P.GuideEugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground
Nice trails
Nice walking trails and facilities. Lots to do for the entire family
- amber P.Guide
Oak Grove Campground
Rv spots
Love the fishing , you can do river or lake, but didn't love the staff
- amber P.Guide
Two Rivers State Recreation Area
Nice place but not so nice staff
Multiple ponds/lakes to fish at plus the river. Facilities are nice and the people in the little store was great and food yummy. Check in staff completely rude !!!!
Tarrah C.LegendPlatte River State Park Campground
Great for a family get away
Tents, cabins and RV camping. Toilets, showers, fire rings. There is a small lake with paddle boats and kayaks for rent. They have a pool and dining hall for rent. Tons od trails and many of them a taylored to mountain biking. There are 2 types of cabins, basic that has a bed amd refrigerator. Then there are luxury glamping cabins.
- Tarrah C.Legend
Waubonsie State Park Campground
Nice Trails
This is a great weekend spot not much to do around the park. The campsites are nice but close with not much space in between. There are 2 campgrounds, the one north of the highway is a horse campground but required. There are nice trails in this area. The campground on the south is more of a tent site. There are vault toliets, no showers. A lot of great trails o this side. All campsites include a picnic table and fire ring.
Randall H.ScoutPlatte River State Park Campground
Best state park in Nebraska
We were here in January and again in March so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. The sights are pretty close so I expect it would feel crowded during the summer. Shower house was warm and so was the water. Lots of trails to explore!
Nikki P.
RangerEugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground
Amenities + wildlife
We stayed here on a whim while passing through. The woman at the lodge was very helpful with the booking. We stayed at site #94 in the Little Creek campground which had electric hookup. The campground was a nice change of scenery from all the farmland and corn we had to endure in Iowa and in the rest of Nebraska. We saw a couple of white-tailed deer wandering through in the early morning hours. There seems to be a lot more to offer here than we had time to enjoy. Nice state park, would recommend to others and would stay again if ever in the area
- Amy H.Guide
Waubonsie State Park Campground
Very nice
The campsite was very nice. Not too expensive. The showers and bathrooms were nice and had decent room. If you are wanting a site here it would be best to reserve one there were not a lot to choose from when we got there just about every spot was reserved. But overall was a great place to camp for a family.
Guide to Mineola
Horse camping in Iowa offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the companionship of your equine friends. With several well-reviewed spots available, equestrian enthusiasts can find the perfect place to set up camp and ride the trails.
Equestrian campgrounds include amenities for both horses and riders
- The Waubonsie State Park Campground features electric hookups and ample space for both tents and RVs, making it a comfortable choice for horse campers.
- At Two Rivers State Recreation Area, you'll find well-maintained sites with drinking water and picnic tables, perfect for a relaxing stay with your horse.
- Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground offers a variety of accommodations, including horse camping options, along with amenities like showers and fire rings.
Equestrian campers like these nearby activities
- Enjoy scenic trails at Waubonsie State Park Campground, where you can ride through lush forests and rolling hills.
- The Two Rivers State Recreation Area provides access to multiple ponds and lakes, ideal for fishing and relaxing after a day of riding.
- Explore the diverse landscapes at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground, which features trails suitable for horseback riding and hiking.
Tips for equestrian camping near Mineola, Iowa
- Always check the availability of electric hookups at Waubonsie State Park Campground to ensure a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.
- Bring plenty of water and feed for your horse, as some campgrounds like Two Rivers State Recreation Area may have limited supplies.
- Familiarize yourself with the campground rules regarding horses, especially at places like Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground, to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mineola, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mineola, IA is Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 46 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mineola, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Mineola, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.