6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Horse camping options near Onawa, Iowa are limited, with no dedicated equestrian facilities at the main campgrounds in the area. The six primary camping locations including Lewis and Clark State Park Campground and Onawa-Blue Lake KOA lack horse corrals or specific equestrian amenities according to their facility listings. Both campgrounds accommodate tent, RV, and cabin camping, but neither has designated horse-friendly areas or corral facilities. The campgrounds generally permit pets, which is standard policy, but do not have specialized infrastructure for larger equines.
Travelers with horses seeking camping options would need to look beyond the immediate Onawa area for equestrian facilities. Lewis and Clark State Park offers trails and outdoor recreation opportunities for day use, but the campground itself doesn't feature horse-specific amenities such as corrals, wash stations, or dedicated trailer parking for equestrian visitors. Sites at most local campgrounds are designed for standard camping equipment rather than accommodating horses. Seasonal variations affect availability, with Lewis and Clark State Park Campground open year-round while Onawa-Blue Lake KOA operates from April 15 to October 15. The closest campgrounds with equestrian accommodations may require traveling to neighboring counties.
"Well kept & family friendly camping in Iowa!"
"There’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers."
from $15 - $52 / night
Check Availability"Conveniently located approximately 2.5 miles West of I29 and on the Eastern edge of Lewis and Clark state park which makes this KOA very quiet."
"Nice campground clean bathrooms the trails are really good quiet and peaceful"
"Playground, boat ramp, picnic area fishing, birdwatching, equestrian camp & trails, something for everyone."
"Horse trails and camping is available at Danish Alps as are primitive and electric spots."
from $30 - $35 / night
Check Availability"The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."
"Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability
TravelerWell kept & family friendly camping in Iowa! We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water. Short walk to the very clean restrooms with flush toilets & showers. Will come back!
TravelerI pulled in and found a wide open campground. I picked a site high on the bluff overlooking the reservoir. It had quite the view. It’s a newer area so trees are planted for the future. Sites are spacious with water and both 30 & 50 amp hookup. Clean dump station that also has a fish cleaning station. Playground, boat ramp, picnic area fishing, birdwatching, equestrian camp & trails, something for everyone.
TravelerThe overall rec area is lovely. During the regular season, roughly May to mid October, there is running water and showers at some spots with vault toilets available year round. Horse trails and camping is available at Danish Alps as are primitive and electric spots. The electric is all designed for RV's, vans, or trucks, but there is sufficient space at each site that you can have a tent. The electric area is up on a hill overlooking the lake and there is absolutely no mature tree cover in the area. Trees have been planted, but it will be a long while before they provide much shade. Like most of Nebraska most of the time it does get windy and being on the hill the electric camp gets to feel it for good and ill. The town of Hubbard is right next to the rec area, but because of the way things are laid out you do not get as many people casually driving around at night like you do at some other places. Being in the vicinity of Sioux City and Dakota City there is some glow on the horizon at night.
Verizon cell coverage was sufficient for streaming without buffering when camped there in September 2025.
ScoutThere’s a pretty big playground near all the sites. When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too! Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers. Very nice for Iowa state parks.
TravelerNice campground. Very few tent only - mostly RVs/trailers. Washrooms basic but clean. Large site under trees with mix of sun & shade. Grassy area for tent. Access to water close by. Large playground for kids. Campground host had firewood. Picnic table & firepit with grill rack in good condition. Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak. Everyone seemed friendly though some folk stayed up pretty late on Friday!
TravelerThis is one of my favorites as well!
This is situated in a very incredible neighborhood of Omaha! Close to the interstate for easy access! Very mature trees and landscape.
Hiking trails, no wake boating, paddle boards (available for rent).
Pros: Great Lake
cons: we felt really on top of our neighbors here, though a simple drive around showed us areas that are better than others.
LegendThis place was pleasantly clean to me. Blue lake which is the lake this state park sits on. When you drive in from the road you see on your right the lake and to your left are houses. You go farther down and you see picnic accesses off the lake. And there is a swimming area and beach further down with a fully accessible restroom. There is also a keelboat on display and visitor center with a musuem. The center was closed when we were here, (thanks covid). Behind that is a dock and a little look out tower next to it. This is where we saw people kayak mainly. You go farther down and this was where the campsites were. This appeared to be more of a park set up for rv and campers than any tents. You go farther down pass this and you find more accesses to trails, and taller grass. This is a great park especially for a rv, and how clean it is.
LegendVibe: Relaxed summer lake fun.
Cleanliness: Average
Facilities: Slightly dated but adequate
General spots: Good size, good spacing, not private. Large cottonwood trees offer good shade on lake side spots.
Our site: 10. Close to the swimming area. Not far from bathrooms.
Noise: Friendly chatter. Mostly quiet. Some music from the summer camp across the lake(see below).
Cell signal: Good (Verizon)
Other: The lake isn’t huge, but the water was not murky and you could wade out pretty far and still be shallow enough to stand. A summer camp is across the lake and they played some evening music and morning music starts at 7:30.
RangerWe chose this park after some family raved about their visits. We were excited, but let down. The lake was ok, we were unable to purchase a temporary state fishing license onsite. The hiking trails could be so much more than the mowed paths through tall grass. The water at the water for filling smells horrendous. The dump station is a tight squeeze for anything other than a small bumper pull camper. Our kids had fun at the park, but we were just not impressed with the location.
Onawa, Iowa camping areas sit along the Missouri River valley with an elevation of approximately 1,050 feet. The region features riparian landscapes with wooded areas bordering agricultural land, creating diverse habitat for wildlife. Summer temperatures typically range from 60°F to 85°F with higher humidity levels during peak camping season from May through September.
Fishing and water recreation: Blue Lake at Lewis and Clark State Park Campground offers good fishing opportunities. "This place has great fishing and is very well maintained not to mention that they have a replica of the Boat that Lewis and Clark traveled on many years ago," writes Katie S. The lake contains numerous water lilies but remains suitable for paddling, as Sharon T. notes: "Nearby boat ramp to load kayak onto Blue Lake. Many water lilies but sheltered at one end so good for kayak."
Historical exploration: Visit the Lewis and Clark exhibits to learn about the expedition's journey through the area. "They have a great visitor center with amazing displays and exhibits that mark the history of Lewis and Clark and their travels around the area," according to Timothy S. The park occasionally offers rides on a replica of Lewis and Clark's boat during special events.
Trail hiking: Woodbury County Park Southwood Conservation Area provides hiking trails through natural areas. Josh G. reports that "the trails are really good quiet and peaceful." The conservation area trails wind through wooded terrain and offer wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the 3-mile network.
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good restroom facilities. Morgan K. appreciated Lewis and Clark State Park, stating, "Extremely nice amenities; flush toilet and showers. Very nice for Iowa state parks." Similarly, Jennifer S. noted at Onawa-Blue Lake KOA that there are "clean restrooms and nice pool and playground."
Family amenities: Multiple play areas make camping with children easier. N K. mentioned, "We were able to reserve an electric unit (#30) right off the lake and across the road from the large playground (~5 setups for different age groups). We could watch the kids play while getting food ready or preparing a line to throw in the water."
Affordability: Some campsites offer good value for full hookups. Kathy F. reported, "Oh my the rate was 19.00 for full 50 amp hookup. Beautiful state park in the water nice level sites paved. Fire rings and tables." These budget-friendly rates make extended stays more accessible.
Limited equestrian options: Horse campgrounds near Onawa, Iowa are scarce, with no dedicated equestrian facilities at the immediate local campgrounds. Campers seeking equestrian accommodations need to travel to nearby counties, as the primary campgrounds lack horse corrals or specialized areas for horses.
Site spacing varies: Site proximity can impact your experience. At Lewis and Clark State Park Campground, Bob H. observed it's "a bunch of campers all piled on top of each other with no real views." Similarly at Onawa-Blue Lake KOA, Jennifer S. noted "virtually no space between sites."
Weather considerations: The area can experience high humidity and insects. Jeff B. described Lewis and Clark as "buggy and muggy" with "many water spots on basically what is a mosquito breeding ground." Plan accordingly with insect repellent and proper camping gear.
Alternative equestrian facilities: For travelers with horses looking for camping options, Danish Alps State Recreation Area Camping offers an equestrian camp and trails about 40 miles southwest of Onawa. Tiffany Yenter H. noted there are "quite a large space to the park with lots of trails and open field areas" and "a few places outside of town that advertise horseback riding."
Playground access: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. At Lewis and Clark State Park, N K. found they "could watch the kids play while getting food ready." The playground has approximately 5 different play setups for various age groups.
Special events: Some campgrounds offer seasonal activities. Morgan K. mentioned, "When I went in the first weekend of October they had a little trick or treat night too!" These events typically run on weekends during summer and early fall.
Educational opportunities: The Lake Cunningham Campground offers recreational learning about 60 miles south. Steve D. shared it has "many recreational possibilities - kayaking, sailing non power boating - some for rent. 10 miles of paved bike trails and ALL paved campsites level and clean!"
Water safety: When swimming or boating with children, be aware of lake conditions. Sharon T. noted Blue Lake has "many water lilies" that can affect paddling, while Connor S. mentioned paddle board rentals are available at Lake Cunningham.
Full hookups: Southwood Conservation Area offers electrical hookups, water connections, and a dump station. This makes it suitable for RVs needing services, though sites may be limited during peak season.
Site conditions: Be prepared for potential mud or drainage issues. One camper at Onawa-Blue Lake KOA noted that after rain, some sites become muddy, making setup challenging for larger rigs.
Off-season considerations: Edward B. found the KOA to be "conveniently located approximately 2.5 miles West of I29 and on the Eastern edge of Lewis and Clark state park which makes this KOA very quiet." This location makes it a good stopover point for travelers heading along I-29.
Leveling requirements: Ellyce T. observed at Danish Alps that "sites are spacious with water and both 30 & 50 amp hookup" and she "picked a site high on the bluff overlooking the reservoir. It had quite the view." While convenient, the hilltop locations may require leveling equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Onawa, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Onawa, IA is Lewis and Clark State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 22 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Onawa, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Onawa, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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