Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Mount Vernon is the way to go. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect equestrian sites that are scenic and easy to access.
$23 - $33 / night
Located about an hour’s drive north of Cedar Rapids, Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park. Established in 1920, it was named for a narrow limestone ridge—the Devil’s Backbone—along the Maquoketa River. At its founding, it was one of the largest state parks in the U.S. to offer camping, picnicking and hiking opportunities. Since that time, the park has expanded to 2,100 acres—almost double its original size—and offers even more opportunities for locals and visitors to get outdoors and enjoy some time in nature. Whether it’s wandering the woods, fishing on a quiet creek, lounging by the lake, or just napping in shade under a swinging hammock, there’s something for everyone here.
The two campgrounds at Backbone State Park offers 125 campsites for tent and RV campers. The large South Lake Campground has nearly 100 sites, about half with electrical hookups, with flush toilets and showers. The smaller Six Pines Campground has 27 primitive tent sites with vault toilets. Most sites are open and grassy, but there are plenty of shade trees around. Both locations have drinking water faucets and trash receptacles; a dump station is located at the South Lake Campground. The park also offers a few 1- and 2-bedroom cabins for those visiting sans tent or RV; bedding not provided. Many sites and facilities are ADA accessible. A small store in the park sells bait, firewood and some concessions. Reservations are accepted, but some sites are held open for first-come, first-served campers. Seasonal campsite rates range from $6–$16/night; cabins range from $50–$100/night.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy at Backbone State Park. The park features several playgrounds, picnic areas, an outdoor auditorium, and a museum. More than 21 miles of multiuse trails explore the woods and waterways within the park. Taking a hike or ride is the best way to see some of the park’s natural rock features, including the Stone Arch, Balance Rock, and the Devil’s Backbone. In winter, many of these trails are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Swimming, paddling and boating can be enjoyed on Backbone Lake, with kayak and canoe rentals available from the park, and angers can fish for trout on the creek out of Richmond Springs. And rock climbers will find several challenging routes on the park’s many limestone cliffs.
The Main Campground at the Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area has the following amenities
· 24 camping spurs
· Electrical hookups
· Modern restrooms and showers
· Drinking water
· Dump station
· Firewood
· Playground
· Campground host
Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and on-site parking. Campsites are $20 per night. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No reservations are taken.
$15 - $20 / night
Primitive area with water & 20 amp electrical service and RV pads with water, electricity and sewer hook-ups.
Camp the way you like. We understand that some people like to pitch a tent and cook over an open fire, and others just don’t. That’s okay with us because we have campsites for both. The only restriction is that equestrians must utilize the designated sites within the Horse Corral campground, all others may utilize any campsite of their choosing regardless of their camping unit. Only one camping unit is allowed per site, "children's tents are considered a camping unit".
District policy does not allow staff to issue refunds of any kind on reservations or the relocation/switching of reserved sites, reservations require a two-night minimum.
All campers must secure a camping permit and check-in (reservation or no reservation) at the Park Office before they set-up camp.
$20 - $26 / night
Access to the Equestrian area is one half mile east of the park entrance on 270th Street. A Scott County Recycling Station is located in the equestrian area parking lot.
A registration and information office is located at the south entrance off of 270th St. Open late April through mid-October. Select campgrounds/campsites are designated as "Reservable". All other sites are rented on a first-come-first-serve only basis. Please have your site number and identification with you when you register. Campground Hosts are located at each campground to assist you. Senior citizen (62 and over) and County resident discounts available. Concessions and firewood for sale. Gift Cards for sale - they make great presents and can be used anywhere in the Scott County park system. NOTE: All park gates are locked and no visitors allowed after closing time.
$15 / night
$23 - $33 / night
Located about an hour’s drive north of Cedar Rapids, Backbone State Park is Iowa’s oldest state park. Established in 1920, it was named for a narrow limestone ridge—the Devil’s Backbone—along the Maquoketa River. At its founding, it was one of the largest state parks in the U.S. to offer camping, picnicking and hiking opportunities. Since that time, the park has expanded to 2,100 acres—almost double its original size—and offers even more opportunities for locals and visitors to get outdoors and enjoy some time in nature. Whether it’s wandering the woods, fishing on a quiet creek, lounging by the lake, or just napping in shade under a swinging hammock, there’s something for everyone here.
The two campgrounds at Backbone State Park offers 125 campsites for tent and RV campers. The large South Lake Campground has nearly 100 sites, about half with electrical hookups, with flush toilets and showers. The smaller Six Pines Campground has 27 primitive tent sites with vault toilets. Most sites are open and grassy, but there are plenty of shade trees around. Both locations have drinking water faucets and trash receptacles; a dump station is located at the South Lake Campground. The park also offers a few 1- and 2-bedroom cabins for those visiting sans tent or RV; bedding not provided. Many sites and facilities are ADA accessible. A small store in the park sells bait, firewood and some concessions. Reservations are accepted, but some sites are held open for first-come, first-served campers. Seasonal campsite rates range from $6–$16/night; cabins range from $50–$100/night.
There are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy at Backbone State Park. The park features several playgrounds, picnic areas, an outdoor auditorium, and a museum. More than 21 miles of multiuse trails explore the woods and waterways within the park. Taking a hike or ride is the best way to see some of the park’s natural rock features, including the Stone Arch, Balance Rock, and the Devil’s Backbone. In winter, many of these trails are open for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling. Swimming, paddling and boating can be enjoyed on Backbone Lake, with kayak and canoe rentals available from the park, and angers can fish for trout on the creek out of Richmond Springs. And rock climbers will find several challenging routes on the park’s many limestone cliffs.
The Main Campground at the Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area has the following amenities
· 24 camping spurs
· Electrical hookups
· Modern restrooms and showers
· Drinking water
· Dump station
· Firewood
· Playground
· Campground host
Campsites have picnic tables, fire rings, and on-site parking. Campsites are $20 per night. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. No reservations are taken.
$15 - $20 / night
