Searching for the best camping near Saylorville Lake, IA? Saylorville Lake is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Saylorville Lake, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.
$20 - $25 / night
"The view at campsite 4 was great overlooking Saylorville Lake. Great for families."
"The County has invested a lot of resources into this park making it a great place to stay when enjoying the fun at Saylorville Lake."
$17 - $35 / night
"One of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there."
"One of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites."
$19 - $37 / night
"We chose to stay in the equestrian campsite (even though we didn't have horses) because it was a bit more secluded and shaded. The campsites were nice and the lake and stream were very nice as well."
"There were a few campers with horse but not many. Hitching posts behind each site which we enjoyed seeing."
$11 - $105 / night
$16 - $72 / night
"We stayed in the Elk Rock Equestrian campground and it was so peaceful and beautiful. The facilities were clean."
"We really wnjoyed riding the trails here. Good facilities for our horses."
$19 - $54 / night
"Walking, hiking and exploring. People are here camping with their horses but the campground is still nice and quiet."
$25 - $50 / night
TravelerHad a great time with a group of volunteers. The view at campsite 4 was great overlooking Saylorville Lake. Great for families.
ScoutA lovely and quiet campground. The huge drawback is the water quality of Saylorville lake. It is toxic— blue algae from farm runoff. Not safe for man or beast.
LegendAs a kid our boy scout troop always came and camped at Jester Park for our troop campouts. A lot has changed since then. The County has invested a lot of resources into this park making it a great place to stay when enjoying the fun at Saylorville Lake. The facilities are modern and clean and there is some real pride at this park. I highly recommend it.
GuideOne of my favorite locations to camp in Iowa as a Boy Scout growing up was Ledges State Park. Since I hadn't been back in years, I decided to check it out and spend a night camping there. It's close to how I remember it.
The campground has a good picnic area, restrooms, and an excellent trail. It's also inexpensive.
What I enjoy most about this park compared to others in Iowa are the sandstone ledges and the slopes on the trail. There are some excellent views, so make sure your phone has enough battery to take photos (unlike me). I also spent a lot of time off the trail. It isn't too hard to get around. I'm not one who enjoys staying at a park that is mostly flat, so this is definitely a good place in Iowa for me to camp.
If you are looking for a cool place to camp within an hour of Des Moines, you should seriously consider this park.
ScoutOne of the more beautiful places to camp in Iowa. Awesome hiking trails and really well-shaded campsites. The hike in spots are great if you like privacy and being in the middle of the woods - but you don’t want to be THAT far from your car.
Beware of the raccoons. They’re plentiful and crazy smart here. We had one open our cooler, steal an egg from the cartoon - without disturbing anything else. Honestly, I was impressed! But some of our friends had them rip through their tents to get at food - not as impressive.
TravelerI stayed here at the start of the summer and had a great time. We chose to stay in the equestrian campsite (even though we didn't have horses) because it was a bit more secluded and shaded. The campsites were nice and the lake and stream were very nice as well. I was surprised to see a school of muskie while fishing, but it appeared that they were spawning at the time. If you go camping in May, make sure to bring a slightly heavier fishing pole to handle the musky. They're worth it.
GuideNice CG located on the North end of Saylorville Reservoir. Camped in the upper CG site#145. Numerous shade trees, gravel pad and room for our 20' trailer and TV. CG has a kids playground, hiking trails, Equestrian Center, golf course and nature center. Plenty to do with the city of Ankeny just 15 minutes away. CG was fairly empty until around Thursday and filled on the weekend. Seniors can get$5 off per day of their reservation. Dump station is at the entrance of the CG. We camped at Jester Park in a Travel Trailer.
GuideCampgrounds amazing views airsoft gun and archery ranges snowshoeing equestrians and cross-country skiing
ScoutWe stayed in the Elk Rock Equestrian campground and it was so peaceful and beautiful. The facilities were clean.
Horse camping near Saylorville Lake in Iowa offers a unique blend of scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for equestrian enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several options to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Saylorville Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Saylorville Lake is Jester County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Saylorville Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Saylorville Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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