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Best Equestrian Camping near Rock Valley, IA

62 Reviews

Limited equestrian camping options exist near Rock Valley, Iowa. The closest horse-friendly campgrounds include Newton Hills Campground in Canton, South Dakota, and Big Sioux Recreation Area in Brandon, South Dakota. Neither facility provides dedicated horse corrals according to campground data. Newton Hills offers camping in tents, RVs, and cabins with fire rings, picnic tables, and access to showers and toilets. The park maintains trails suitable for hiking that could potentially accommodate horses, though specific bridle trails are not mentioned in user reports.

The Big Sioux Recreation Area features spacious campsites with electric hookups and multiple recreational opportunities including paved trails for walking and biking. Campers note the level sites and shade trees provide comfortable accommodations. The park connects to a network of trails, including a suspension bridge mentioned by visitors. Horse owners planning to camp should contact these facilities directly regarding specific equestrian policies, trailer parking restrictions, and requirements for containing horses overnight. Most campsites require advance reservations, especially during peak summer seasons when facilities reach capacity.

Map showing campgrounds near Rock Valley, IowaExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near Rock Valley, Iowa (5)

    1. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park

    11 Reviews
    Canton, SD
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 987-2263

    "The spacious and clean facilities provided the perfect backdrop for our outdoor getaway, offering a blend of adventure and relaxation away from the city."

    "Love this place very close to the major city of anything is needed. Nature and trails all around, lake for fishing and swimming, love to come out during the summer with the dogs!"

    2. Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    36 Reviews
    Brandon, SD
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 582-7243

    "Just another overnight stop on my drive to Iowa. I spent the night in a non-electric tent site so I can't really comment on the other parts of the campground."

    "We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!"

    3. Union Grove State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Beresford, SD
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 710-2267

    $22 - $26 / night

    "Play equipment, horse trails, hiking trails, well maintained. Beautiful area."

    "Lower one is for horses. Upper is not. Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained. Hosts are very friendly."

    4. W.H. Lyon Fairground

    3 Reviews
    Sioux Falls, SD
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (605) 367-7178

    $50 / night

    "Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants. Can camp during events. Huge area."

    5. Martin Area County Park

    1 Review
    Sutherland, IA
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 225-6709
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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Rock Valley, IA

62 Reviews of 5 Rock Valley Campgrounds

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 15, 2023

    Union Grove State Park Campground

    Interesting campground

    Two campgrounds within the park. Lower one is for horses. Upper is not. Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained. Hosts are very friendly. Bathrooms on include showers and we're extremely well maintained. Trails in the area give you a chance to stretch your legs. Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise if you are not in a hard sided camper.

  • Carolyn M.
    Oct. 23, 2019

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Ok place to spend the night, but could have been better

    I spent the night here and had to pay the entrance fee to the park as well as the camping fee for my tentsite. They had only a few tentsites available amid all the RV sites, but they were right on the edge of the playground, so the families had to walk right through my campsite to get to the play area. Not too big a deal as no one wanted to use the play area at night while I was sleeping, but still.  I also looked over at the power lines. There was a flush toilet facility close by but there was a very bright light on all night. Good for families needing to navigate in the dark but not wonderful if you like sleeping in darkness. And though I was told that quiet hours began at 10PM, the site next to me was quite loud through the trees until at least midnight so the quiet hours are not enforced. Meh. I don't think I'll be going back.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Another overnight stop.

    Just another overnight stop on my drive to Iowa. I spent the night in a non-electric tent site so I can't really comment on the other parts of the campground. It does have nice bathrooms with running water and showers. The non-e tent sites are in a forested section, all shaded. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings. Sites are located a very short walk from the designated parking. I had a great night's sleep as it was relatively quiet. I didn't partake but they do have a Frisbee golf course. Took a short walk on their trail system to the suspension walking bridge. My complaint would be the fees. I thought i was paying one fee for the non-e tent site but then there was an additional fee for non-res and another fee for park day use fee or permit. This fee was confusing whether I was supposed to pay this or not. So what looked like a small fee to spend the night turned into much more.

  • Judy C.
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    fine for an overnight

    It was okay for an overnight, The sites are nice, plenty of shade. It was crowded the night I was there but quiet. It's a strange place in that it is on the edge of suburbia, located right next to an apartment housing development. If you like proximity to services, restaurants, etc. It would be a good stop. It would be great if you were visiting family/friends in the area, easy to get to. Just not what I was looking for.

  • P
    Aug. 6, 2018

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Lots of shade and grass!

    We stayed here in a travel trailer. The site was level with lots of shade and grass. Spacious sites,not too close. Our site was along the river but it wasn't easy to access the water from our site. The biking, walking trail was great! Lots of bugs and mosquitoes. It was very quiet here, and the rangers were really nice. We had electricity and could access water close by. Only a long drop toilet nearby, but there were bath houses. There was firewood for sale at the entrance.

  • Nathan L.
    Jul. 18, 2024

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Nice little nook with lots of cover!

    This campsite was great! We had a tent site, number 24, and it was tucked into the woods but still close to the parking lot!

    The neighboring sites are far enough away where you still have privacy but if you had two next to each other with a large group it could still function as one. Beautiful hiking trails, play grounds, disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more. Also, the lady at the front was cute as a button!

    Highly recommend!

  • G
    Oct. 3, 2021

    W.H. Lyon Fairground

    Convenient to downtown and fine for the night

    We stayed here one night and got to experience some South Dakota wind rocking our camper during the night. The bathrooms are huge and very clean but someone left dirty diapers in trash and by morning the smell was rough. Area along fence borders highway with  much closer sites and road noise. We opted for area on grass near arena.

  • M
    Jun. 18, 2022

    Big Sioux Recreation Area — Big Sioux

    Clean and Dog Friendly

    Such a nice campground. Nice big shady trees and manicured lawns. They sell campfire wood for 6$ a bundle on site so we had some great campfires going. They have nice long paved trails for walking and biking. We got to walk our dogs on it to avoid tick contact from the grassy trails. There was a cool suspension bridge that was fun to walk on. The showers were very nice and hot without a lot of traffic. 

    There is no sewage hookup or water hook ups. They do that 50/30 amp sites available. There is a dump station right at the entrance to dump when you leave and it also has a separate fresh water station if you want to fill up right when you get there so youre not traveling with a bunch of water in your tank. 

    It was a great campground and the falls were close by and palisades state park was also in the area with a nice hike. 

    There is an extra $8 car fee per night that you have to pay on top of any camping fees. If you are staying longer than 5 days it better to just get the annual parking pass for $32, which would cover parking for all state parks and recreation areas in SD. 

    They have great discounts if you are a veteran and south dakota resident.

Guide to Rock Valley

Horse camping in Iowa offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it an ideal choice for horse enthusiasts looking to explore the great outdoors.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • At Union Grove State Park Campground, visitors can enjoy well-maintained trails perfect for horseback riding, allowing for a scenic exploration of the park's natural beauty.
  • Martin Area County Park provides a primitive camping experience with access to trails that are great for both riding and hiking, making it a versatile spot for outdoor lovers.
  • The Big Sioux Recreation Area features extensive trails that cater to horseback riders, offering a peaceful environment surrounded by nature.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Union Grove State Park Campground has designated areas for horse camping, ensuring that equestrian campers have the necessary facilities for their horses.
  • At Big Sioux Recreation Area, campers can find electric hookups and ample space for horse trailers, making it convenient for those traveling with their equine companions.
  • Martin Area County Park offers a welcoming atmosphere for horse campers, with amenities that cater specifically to their needs, including access to water and waste disposal.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and facilities

  • Union Grove State Park Campground features well-maintained trails that are suitable for horseback riding, providing a great way to explore the park.
  • The Big Sioux Recreation Area includes a variety of trails that are perfect for equestrian activities, ensuring a fulfilling experience for horse lovers.
  • Martin Area County Park is known for its beautiful landscapes and trails that accommodate horseback riding, making it a popular choice among equestrian campers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Rock Valley, IA?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rock Valley, IA is Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 11 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rock Valley, IA?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Rock Valley, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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