15 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
After reviewing the data, no horse-friendly campgrounds with equestrian facilities were identified near Pacific Junction, Iowa. None of the campgrounds in the provided data list "horse-corral" as an available feature, and the reviews do not mention equestrian accommodations or horseback riding opportunities. Pony Creek Park, despite its name, does not appear to offer horse-specific amenities according to the feature list and reviews. The campgrounds in the data primarily accommodate standard camping in tents, RVs, and cabins without specialized facilities for horses.
Visitors seeking horse camping options may need to venture further from Pacific Junction to find suitable facilities. Nearby state parks like Waubonsie offer hiking trails and camping but lack dedicated equestrian facilities based on the provided data. The campgrounds in the surrounding area focus on general recreation including fishing, swimming, and hiking rather than horseback riding activities. Campers with horses would need to contact park management directly to inquire about any unlisted equestrian accommodations or nearby equestrian trails that might be accessible from these general camping areas.
"A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."
"This campground is situated along the Platte River and there is plenty of family fun."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!"
"Good hiking, horse rides, great hills for trail running."
from $35 - $340 / night
Check Availability"A few vault toilets are scattered around the park, but there are no shower facilities. Nearby is a small lake along with a nature center. Park is within a valley with lots of shade trees."
"As full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses"
"Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well."
from $25 - $485 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This also gave us time to really explore those trails I was drooling over. We took one of the more scenic trails and took us over the top of some of those beautiful Loess Hills."
from $15 - $110 / 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"The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach."
"Whether I was riding a bike around the paved roads. Fishing in one of the sandpit lakes they have to offer, or the river. Walk around the nature trails, or lakes."
from $100 / night
Check Availability"It is right next to lake 4 with some beach access. There are both reservable and walk up sites here. The walk up process is a little strange."
"Very nice camp sites and playgrounds for children nice clean fishing lakes and river access."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"This is a small campground a little ways before you get to lakeside campground. These spots are electric with fire pits and picnic tables. It is near the road and the dump station is in view."
"Take your pick, river or lakeside. Some areas are more modern than others but all are nice. A few have water hookups"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Pleasant quiet environment other then nearby train. Location has 2 other RV campgrounds around the corner . It's a city park next to the expo center nice and clean . Pull in next to any hook up."
"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."
from $10 / night
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LegendIt 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!
RangerAs full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses, etc. Huge amount of walk up sites all year long. Little Creek campground is the best place to stay for amenities: laundry, hot showers but avoid any campsite located at the bottom of the hill so you are not washed away by rain water or have a site full of mud.
GuideTo 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!
LegendBe 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.
LegendStayed 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.
GuideThis is a great state park and possibly the busiest since it’s between Omaha and Lincoln. Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well.
The only minus besides it’s always busy is the road noise from Interstate 80.
LegendThis 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.
ScoutIf 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!
TravelerGood hiking, horse rides, great hills for trail running.
Campers seeking alternatives to horse-friendly accommodations near Pacific Junction will find several standard camping options within a 30-mile radius. The area sits along the western edge of Iowa's Loess Hills, a unique landform created by wind-deposited silt during the last ice age. Most campgrounds in this region experience hot summers with temperatures averaging 85-90°F from June through August, while spring brings frequent rainfall that can affect trail conditions.
Hiking trails and views: Waubonsie State Park offers trails through the distinctive Loess Hills terrain. "The hiking trails are not for bikes, and they have several different levels or skills levels. The look out was pretty cool as well," notes one visitor to Waubonsie State Park.
Water recreation: Though equestrian camping opportunities are limited near Pacific Junction, water activities abound. At Louisville State Recreation Area, "There is a swim area along the beach of Lake 2. There is canoe access at the far west side of the park. In summer, it was common to see people wading across the river as it was neither a fast moving current nor deep."
Family activities: Without dedicated horse facilities, families can enjoy other recreation options. "There are so many activities from your typical hiking experience to spending the day at the water park to being able to take the family mini golfing," shares a camper from Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
River access: When horse camping isn't available, river views provide natural appeal. One camper at Fawn Meadows Campground appreciated that "I had a river-side view to a nice sunset and sat at my picnic table and watched fireworks go off on the other side of the river."
Fishing options: Multiple lakes provide fishing opportunities throughout the region. A review for Goldenrod Campground mentioned, "Very nice camp sites and playgrounds for children nice clean fishing lakes and river access."
Natural surroundings: The landscape offers scenic value despite limited equestrian facilities. "I love Platte River State Park; there are accommodations for every type of camper - cabins, RV, privative - hell they even have teepees! They have a wealth of amazing hiking/biking trails that traverse through some amazing scenery."
Train noise: Several campgrounds experience significant train disruption. At Louisville State Recreation Area, "There is a train that goes very near the grounds - the track basically borders the south side of the campgrounds - and it needs to use its horn while passing through, which happens A LOT."
Reservation demands: Peak season requires advance planning. "We had no trouble getting a spot since we stayed mid week. There's over 200 modern camp sites," explains one camper at Louisville State Recreation Area.
Limited primitive camping: Though not focused on horses, tent options exist. "Enjoy the 4 tent sites. They are spread apart enough that your not on top of each other. Lots of wood to find on the ground," notes a visitor to Platte River State Park.
Water activities: Since equestrian camping near Pacific Junction isn't readily available, consider water-based recreation. "This park offers a lot of nature activities. You can hike the many hiking trails to the mini waterfall, or Platte river. They have paddle boat and Kayak rentals. There is a splash park, shooting, archer ranges."
Budget planning: Some facilities have additional costs. "The pool is awesome. It was, however, expensive. $10 for adults (even as a non swimmer) and $8 for kids plus $3 to rent a tube for the wave pool."
Unique accommodations: Alternative lodging can add fun without horseback riding. "They also have old remodeled Union Pacific caboose you can stay in," mentions a camper at Two Rivers State Recreation Area.
Hookups availability: RV sites vary across campgrounds. "Half of this campground has electric and half has none. It is right next to lake 4 with some beach access. There are both reservable and walk up sites here."
Reservation system: Understanding booking procedures helps secure spots. "The walk up process is a little strange. You get put on a waiting list and have to return to main office at 3. Then the start at beginning of list and people start choosing so get on waiting list early."
Site flooding: Weather can impact camping conditions. "I stayed here on a night where it rained maybe as much as an inch, and some campsites did flood. I stayed at site 104 and it ended up being a good choice because it was shaded and on higher ground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Pacific Junction, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pacific Junction, IA is Louisville State Recreation Area Campground with a 3.7-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Pacific Junction, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Pacific Junction, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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