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Best Equestrian Camping near Mount Ayr, IA

38 Reviews

Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground provides equestrian-focused camping options near Mount Ayr, Iowa with 23 equestrian sites, some with electrical hookups, and one equestrian buddy site. The park features numerous holding stalls and tie-outs for horses positioned just east of the main camping area while remaining within walking distance to the lake. The campground's horse facilities are complemented by modern restrooms, shower facilities, and a trailer dump station. Non-equestrian accommodations include 24 standard electric sites, 63 non-electric sites, and family cabins that sleep 4-6 people. The equestrian sites are kept clean and well-maintained with ample space between neighbors. Horseshoe pits near the sandy beach area provide additional recreation for campers when not riding.

Ten miles of interconnected trails wind around Lake of Three Fires, offering excellent opportunities for horseback riding with beautiful lake views. The trail system includes paths specifically designated for equestrians, with routes that snake around each other allowing riders to discover new paths on each outing. Trail markers with "you are here" maps prevent riders from getting lost while exploring. The surrounding 691 acres of forested land create a scenic backdrop for trail riding. In winter, snowmobiles can also access these trails after substantial snowfall. Riders often spot local wildlife, including numerous deer that frequent the area throughout the day. The nearby town of Bedford, just a few miles away, offers groceries, gas, and basic supplies for extended stays with horses.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Mount Ayr, Iowa (10)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mount Ayr, IA

38 Reviews of 10 Mount Ayr Campgrounds

  • K
    Oct. 25, 2018

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    So much to do! So much to see! Lake of 3 Fires has something for everyone!

    There is a legend about how the Lake of 3 Fires got its name. The legend says that the “Fire Nation”, which was a local Pottawatomi tribe, lived in the area around Southwest Iowa. Later 2 other tribes decided to join the “Fire Nation” and the 3 became known as “Three Fires”. The Tribes burned 3 fires atop hills to signify that as long as the 3 fires were burning the tribes were together. Now on the spot where the fires burned, is said to be the Iowa State Park “Lake of 3 Fires”

    Located in Southwest Iowa just north of the county seat of Bedford Iowa, is a little hidden treasure for outdoor enthusiasts and campers. When looking for a campground everyone has an opinion on what amenities and activities they want- fishing, hiking, boating, and horseback riding are some of the more popular choices and the Lake of Three Fires has all these and more. The actual lake is only 85 acres but has excellent fishing and is surrounded by 691 acres of beautiful trees with hiking and equestrian trails, fishing jetties and a sandy beach.

    For those who are planning more than a day trip to the Lake of 3 Fires there are several options available. Located only a very short walk from the Lake are two modern campgrounds nestled in trees. There are over 100 site options for campers. For the RV or trailer enthusiasts there are 24 standard electric sites and 63 non-electric sites, plus 3 buddy sites. In addition, there are 23 equestrian sites (some electrical) and 1 equestrian buddy site along with plenty of holding stalls and tie outs for horses. They are located just east of the main camping grounds but still close enough to walk down to the lake. There are nice clean restroom and shower facilities, children’s play areas and a trailer dump station. Some of the campsites have also been made handicap accessible.

    For those families who don’t have a camper or RV but want to experience camping at the Lake of 3 fires there are 6 family cabins which can accommodate 4- 6 people. They are heated and cooled with the basic essentials- stove, microwave and refrigerator. There are also open shelters and a youth group area that offer a place to rent for large group gatherings. There are picnic areas available that are first come first serve. There are plenty of tables and grills if you are just making a day trip but camping is the way to go at the Lake of 3 Fires so you have time to experience everything.

    Many of the camp sites, cabins and shelters are available to reserve online at the Department of Natural Resources website- however there are some that are first come first serve. It is very convenient and easy to reserve your spot online. Highly recommended if you plan on traveling any distance- a guaranteed spot of your choice is worth the few minutes it takes to go online and reserve. You can even look at a map of the campsites and pick where you want your site to be. You can see not only where your site will be but it tells you the electrical voltage, the length and other important information about the site you are choosing.

    The camp sites are kept clean, well maintained and are big enough you don’t feel like you are right on top of your neighbor. The bathhouses are centrally located in the campground and offer clean bathroom and shower facilities for campers.

    Once you have your camper set and are ready to enjoy your weekend it will be hard to decide where to start. The Lake itself offers many activities. There are 2 boat ramps if you want to go out on the ‘no wake” lake. There are plenty of fish to be caught including bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. If you don’t have a license to fish you can run into town and pick one up at the courthouse or the Bedford Country Store located right on Hwy 2, very easy to find! There is a dock where you can fish and it also has a cleaning station also available. There are several fishing jetties where you can take a chair and set up to find the perfect spot. From your spot on the lake you might catch a glimpse of some people enjoying a beautiful day on the lake on their canoes or kayaks.

    For the hunters, there is a 220 acre public hunting ground to the north and 160 acres to the south. You would of course want to check with the DNR for hunting and gaming regulations.

    Not into hunting and fishing? Prefer something a bit more relaxing? Well head down to the beach area which is just a short walk from the camp grounds. There you find a small but very nice beach area for swimming. Not in the mood to swim? Then grab some friends for a game of sand volleyball or perhaps pitch horseshoes. The beach area is perfect place to relax with a good book or play some games with friends. The best part is to get there from the campgrounds you take a beautiful short scenic walk.

    Perhaps one of the best parts about the Lake of 3 Fires is the 10 miles of trails the intertwine around the entire Lake. There are some specific trails for hiking but some others that offer horseback riders an amazing view of the lake. The great thing about the trails is how they snake around each other- you could discover a new path every time you go. The trials are nicely marked with “you are here “maps so you don’t get lost. There are beautiful views of the Lake from the far side where you can see clear across to the campgrounds. In the winter after a good snow, they say snow mobiles can also use the trails.

    Bedford is only a few miles away so you can run into the local Hy-Vee for Groceries or stop by Dollar General if you forgot something. There are 2 gas stations in town as well that both have pizza, drinks and snacks if you need to stock up.

    Getting to the Lake of 3 Fires isn’t hard at all From Bedford just go east out of town for about 1/2 mile on Hwy 2. Then turn north on Lake Road, keep going for about 3 miles and Lake of Three Fires is located on the west side. The roads are a bit windy but everything is paved including the main roads of the park. For a short weekend getaway of a weeklong camping adventure, the Lake of 3 Fires has plenty to offer everyone in your camping group.

  • Matt S.
    Aug. 14, 2016

    Nine Eagles State Park Campground

    Nine Eagles - Youth Campground

    Nine Eagles is near Lamoni, Iowa near the Iowa-Missouri border right off of Interstate 35. I camped here with my son and his Boy Scout troop in the youth group part of the campground. I can't speak for the rest of the park's camping facilities, but the youth group site is a large open space surrounded by tall trees. The grass is well maintained and the campsite is clean and beautiful. There are not any bathroom facilities at the campsite which is why I give it four instead of five stars, but the park is beautiful and a peaceful place to camp. I wish I would have had my camera with me to take some pictures to share.

  • K
    Oct. 25, 2018

    Nodaway Valley County Park

    Quiet... lots of shade... not a bad getaway.

    To be perfectly honest we camp at Nodaway often- but that because of its location - close to work and such. However there are limited activities at Nodaway.

    The camp sites are nice and large- easy to get into and each one had its own water and electric. There are 11 on what we call the upper circle and 4 on the lower circle. The bath house is located at the far end so if you are on the lower circle or at the end it can be a walk. It isn't fancy by any means- a single sink, toilet, and shower in the same room- one for each sex. It gets the job done- but it is no frills. There is a dump station centrally located that you can easily pull up to on your way out.

    The park is big- lots of trails for hiking and horses. They are usually very well maintained- they keep them mowed in nice wide paths and the trails range from nice and flat to a bit more steep.

    There is a little pond but there are no fish in it and it could use some work- lots of moss and such.

    There are several different picnic areas and a second bathroom away from the campgrounds. The playground is outdated but there is a large area where kids can play soccer or tag and while the equipment is old it is not in bad shape.

    There is a beautiful look out area (away from the camprounds) that looks over Clarinda and is very nice to watch the annual 4th of July fireworks from the Clarinda A's baseball team.

    We love Nodaway not because of the amenities but because we can all get together and be close to work/school/home. Camping here does require some yard games and activities for entertainment- but you are just a couple minutes from the store if you forget something!

  • Tara K.
    Apr. 26, 2019

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    Lots of trees!

    This campground ovvers a lot of shaded with trees hookup sutes and beautiful grassy non hookup sites. Frisbee golf course, playground, horse shoe pits and samdy heach area groomed daily. No wake lake perfect for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Clean well-kept shower and bath buidling as well. Horse area for those who bring horses for the ridiing trails.

  • Matt S.
    Jul. 16, 2017

    Hacklebarney Woods County Park

    You might accidentally drive by Hucklebarney Woods

    Be careful not to drive by Hucklebarney Woods, if you're not careful you will pass it by. There is a sign but it is not very visible and you may have to hit your brakes pretty hard, so be careful.

    The first entrance to the park is an equestrian campground that was closed when I arrived. Don't stop there, keep driving another 300 yards and you will find the main entrance to the park.

    For a county park with limited resources it meets expectations. The biggest detractor is all of the goose poop but I suppose you can live with that, especially if you are pulling a camper. You can't swim in the pond but the views are nice. I would honestly say that this is not where I would choose to camp but it is a great place to stop and have a picnic.

  • Lynn G.
    Jul. 1, 2017

    Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

    Great stopover or place for locals

    Nice rolling hills. Some easy and moderate hiking trails, horses welcome, most of the activity is out on the lake so if you don’t have a boat you’ll be sad. Also learn about some of the Native American history of the area.

    Yay: shady and private sites, all pretty close to the lake, lots of trails, some cabins (would be great for family reunions).

    Nay: middle of nowhere and not really worth a detour, but if you’re near Bedford it’s a great little place.

    Surprise: there is hunting open to the public so enjoy and/or be careful!

  • Lauri C.
    Jun. 30, 2019

    Nine Eagles State Park Campground

    Overall nice park

    Nice park, a little run down, but there's a new park ranger in town who is trying to fix it up. New rental cabin almost finished, clean beach, boat ramp and fishing. Clean spacious bathrooms, nice playground for the kids and a really cool equestrian section. No store, no wood so get what you need before you get here.

  • Laura B.
    Jul. 3, 2018

    Lake Icaria Co Park

    Nice big campground

    This lake has multiple campgrounds spread throughout. It one of the only lakes in Iowa where you can drive your boats fast. Great fireworks show on the 4th of July.

Guide to Mount Ayr

Lake of Three Fires State Park offers equestrian-focused camping 5 miles east of Mount Ayr, Iowa, in the rolling hills of southern Iowa. The terrain features forested ridges with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,100 feet. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing from December through February, while summer camping season brings average highs in the 80s with occasional thunderstorms.

What to do

Disc golf at Mozingo Lake: The recreational area features an 18-hole disc golf course through varied terrain. "A great place to stay for awhile" with "beautiful grounds, nice paved sites" according to Mozingo Lake County RV Park campers.

Fishing at Lake Icaria: Catch bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish at this 700-acre lake. "The lake is great, nice beach and boating!" as one visitor to Lake Icaria Co Park noted, adding "there are concessions, boat rentals, boating of all types, fishing, and trails."

Explore historic sites: Visit Corning, Iowa for small-town charm and local history. Lake Icaria campers mention "food trucks that serve over by the beach" and being "close to a race track in Corning."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain excellent bathrooms. At Nine Eagles State Park Campground, visitors praise "clean spacious bathrooms" and mention that "facilities are available and very convenient and comfortable."

Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk offer prime wildlife spotting opportunities. "We walked to the lakeshore to fish but had limited success. Fishing was a bit better from the dock to which we drove," notes one camper at Mozingo Lake.

Quiet environment: Weekdays typically offer more seclusion. A Nine Eagles camper mentioned, "No party atmosphere - which is what we happened to be looking for this trip. A nice, quiet place to spend a weekend away with Amish country store a close distance by."

What you should know

Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds have limited operations in winter. At Nodaway Valley County Park, a camper noted the park "looks like nothing has been updated since the sixties" but has "a lot of beautiful trees" and a "quiet" setting.

Firewood availability: Not all parks sell firewood on-site. "Firewood is not sold on the campground, so you can burn what's on the ground or head to Hyvee for some wood in town," advised a Lake of Three Fires visitor.

Water access: Beach areas may close seasonally. "We opted to pay the extra money for an electric site - based solely on the fact that the water wasn't turned on in the basic site loop (we later discovered it was also off at the swimming beach)," reported a Nine Eagles camper.

Tips for camping with families

Beach activities: Several lakes offer swimming areas with varying amenities. "The beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon," notes a visitor at Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground.

Playground options: Most campgrounds include play areas for children. At Hacklebarney Woods County Park, campers note it's "very secluded but nice" with "three separate campgrounds one even for horseback with corrals."

Weather awareness: Be prepared for summer storms. "Our only complaint is the lack of weather warning system in the area. The park rangers came around to warn campers of possible severe storms coming through the area, but if a tornado warning happened, we would have no notification," shared a Lake of Three Fires camper.

Tips from RVers

Hookup variations: Electric options range from basic to full service. At Madison County Fairground Campground, "Water, gas and Sewer was $15 daily, $105 weekly, and $420 monthly. Prices go up to $120 weekly when it gets cold."

Site selection: Reserve early for horse campgrounds near Mount Ayr, Iowa with level areas. "The sites can be inconsistently sized. We found some tent sites that were less than half the size of our site, and they were packed like sardines. A lot of the sites are sloped, so even ground can be hard to find," warns a Lake of Three Fires visitor.

Supply runs: Stock up before arrival at remote locations. "The park is pretty rural, so if you need to make an emergency grocery or supplies run you might be out of luck," notes another Lake of Three Fires camper about equestrian camping options near Mount Ayr.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mount Ayr, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mount Ayr, IA is Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mount Ayr, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Mount Ayr, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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