7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Shellrock River Co Preserve offers free primitive camping with access for horses in a natural setting near Shell Rock, Iowa. The preserve features a large grassy field surrounded by walnut trees along the Shell Rock River, providing a quiet environment for equestrian camping. Horse owners can access the preserve via designated trails for horseback riding, hiking, and walking. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping, though RV sites lack hookups. Basic amenities include vault toilets and picnic tables, but no drinking water, electric hookups, or shower facilities. The preserve's trails connect directly to the river, creating opportunities for scenic rides through the wooded areas. The campground can be difficult to locate as it appears to be hike-in only with gates restricting vehicle access to hiking, horseback, and walking trails.
Bridle trails throughout the preserve follow the Shell Rock River, offering natural terrain for trail riding. Riders appreciate the peaceful environment with limited traffic and noise. The preserve enforces a three-day maximum stay policy for all campers. Black Hawk County Park, located approximately 30 miles southeast near Cedar Falls, provides an alternative horse-friendly camping option with more amenities including electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and sanitary facilities. This park features additional recreational opportunities including fishing access, an archery range, and boat access. The gravel track along the river at Shellrock River Preserve creates natural riding paths through the wooded environment. Bug spray is essential when camping here due to the dense tree coverage and proximity to water. The preserve's natural setting offers excellent stargazing opportunities on clear nights.
"** Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.)"
"On Cedar Valley bike trail (100+miles of interconnecting bike trial. major Hwy on two sides of park, sleeping in a tenet it was very noisy at night. and a train track close by (again at night)"
from $16 - $24 / night
Check Availability"Right on the bike trail.. Hot showers.. Good place to camp..."
"Kids had a great time playing in the water, our site was about 20 ft from the waters edge."
"Site 1 is about as quiet as it gets tucked off to the side."
"We love coming to Clear Lake! The campgrounds are always very well kept, bathrooms very clean! Easy access to the lake, and the town has so much to do during the summer months!"
from $18 - $38 / night
Check Availability"Big grassy field surrounded by huge (walnut) trees. There a gravel track that goes along a large river. Trees everywhere so bring bug spray. Quiet, peaceful. Not private but worth it."
"Dump station and dumpsters near the exit. Clean bathrooms and showers. Lots of space at each campsite. Good hiking and horse trails."
"It runs along the Cedar River and has a put in for paddlers nearby. It is situated right off the blacktopped road."
from $14 - $26 / night
Check Availability
TravelerYou will love this park. There are about 20 self-serve sites with electric and water. Self serve firewood. Dump station and dumpsters near the exit. Clean bathrooms and showers. Lots of space at each campsite. Good hiking and horse trails. Sitting right on the Cedar River, it’s a great location to kayak and tube. Cheap at $20 a night. We showed up at 8:00 on a Fryevening and spots were available!
LegendWhy Should You Camp Here?
Iowa state parks are a bargain! This one is $11 for a non-electric site, $16 for an electric site. (Rates go down to $6 and $11 from 10/1-4/30.) There is no separate park entry fee (unlike some states).
You can rent kayaks, canoes or pedal boats near the campground at Wyth Lake. And there are 3 other nearby lakes.
There's a small beach at Wyth Lake.
The Cedar River is on the edge of the campground.
You're so close to Cedar Falls and Waterloo which means there are craft breweries!
We were only there for a night but I saw this on reserveamerica.com: "The Lake-to-State Park Bike Route is a 50 mile route connecting Pine Lake and George Wyth State Park. The route primarily utilizes county highways and established bike routes and paths once inside Cedar Falls/Waterloo."
We didn't do everything we could do there, because we were just passing through. Check this out: https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/george-wyth-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=IA&parkId=610125
Amenities
The usual fire ring and picnic table
Dump station and potable water
Flush toilets and running water in bathrooms along with push button showers. Ok, push button showers are not ideal. Just keep pushing that button and hopefully you'll be okay with the temperature that you can't control!
ScoutIt’s quiet, clean, and has some pretty views of the Iowa nite sky
ScoutNice park with some easy hiking trails and great bike paths. Both also good for any runners. All are really flat and would be easy for older people or young children to do. There is also a beach that is open seasonally and docks dotted throughout for fishing boats or kayaks. Really nice for kayaking and paddleboarding. Not much if any current (unless your in the river portion) which makes it smooth for anyone to do including kids. Campground isn't bad. Usually very clean and the hosts are nice. There is a nice playground in the middle and we've rarely had any noise problems. If you plan it right you can get a site right next to the Cedar River. Really pretty in the evening. That being said, because it is so close to river anytime it rains heavily there is flooding in several areas of the park. And almost every year (usually late summer, early fall) it rains enough to flood a good portion of the park. In 2 out of the last 3 years it's even been bad enough to close the park completely. And it is fairly close to the highway. That's good for convenience sake of getting in and out of the park, but it does mean there is some road noise in the parts of the park.
GuideNice campground with some non-electric sites on bank of Cedar River, clean shower house and flush toilets. On Cedar Valley bike trail (100+miles of interconnecting bike trial. major Hwy on two sides of park, sleeping in a tenet it was very noisy at night. and a train track close by (again at night)
GuidePerhaps it is just a season, but there were tremendous amount of mosquitoes at the campground during our visit. Lots of stagnant water, lake, etc. Reasonably priced, however, and close to Cedar Falls. The bathroom were a little sketchy and the noise from the highway was quite loud. OK stay for a night.
LegendThis is a larger county campground that has nice sized sites that look very well maintained. It runs along the Cedar River and has a put in for paddlers nearby. It is situated right off the blacktopped road.
ScoutThis has so much to do. Fishing, kayaking, boating, swimming and camping. Great park in campground and two more parks in area. Off a main highway, but you feel like you are a long ways from no where. If you are a biker there is a wonderful bike path. It will take you all the way through Cedar Falls and Waterloo you could bike all day long. Nice little cozy places to enjoy lunch along the bike trail.
ScoutEasy in and out late fall camping. I got a great tent spot next to the river. This is a fine campground that I much prefer during the off season (it gets too busy during the warm season for my liking). The connection to hiking trails throughout the park is fantastic.
Shellrock River Co Preserve offers primitive camping opportunities with several complementary camping options in the surrounding area. Located in north central Iowa, this region features flat terrain with elevations ranging between 900-1100 feet above sea level. The area experiences four distinct seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F and winter temperatures dropping below freezing. Winter camping is limited at most sites in the area due to seasonal closures.
Horse riding trails: Several bridle paths near Shell Rock provide equestrian access points. At Black Hawk County Park, riders have access to multiple amenities. According to Travis R., the park "has plenty of fishing access, archery, gun range, boat access," providing additional activities when not riding.
Water activities: The Shell Rock River corridor offers paddling opportunities throughout spring and summer months. At Camp Comfort Recreation Area, campers can enjoy riverside recreation. Chantal C. notes that "the river is off a smaller dam and has great fishing. Kids had a great time playing in the water, our site was about 20 ft from the waters edge."
Stargazing: Take advantage of the dark skies in the rural areas outside Shell Rock for stargazing. At Cedar Bridge County Park, Tim M. found that the park's location "sitting right on the Cedar River, it's a great location to kayak and tube," with open areas for nighttime star viewing.
Free camping access: Budget-conscious campers appreciate no-fee options near Shell Rock. At Shellrock River Preserve, campers find value in the simple accommodations. Tammie C. notes you "can't beat free" with amenities like "port a potty, fire rings and a shelter."
Natural settings: The wooded areas and river access points create peaceful camping environments. As Brandon P. observed at Shellrock River Preserve, "It's quiet, clean, and has some pretty views of the Iowa nite sky."
Connectivity options: Despite the rural setting, some preserves maintain limited cell service. Tammie C. found that at Shellrock River Preserve, "My AT&T service worked enough for a podcast but not streaming," allowing limited connectivity for essential communications.
Maximum stay limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds near Shell Rock implement length-of-stay restrictions. Ax H. notes that at Shellrock River Preserve there's a "Free, 3 day max stay" policy.
Accessibility challenges: Some camping areas have limited vehicle access. Elena R. found Shellrock River Preserve difficult to navigate, noting "I was exhausted when I arrived but couldn't find a way to drive to the campground due to gates saying hiking, horseback, and walking only."
Weather considerations: Iowa's climate brings humid summers and potential flooding in spring. At George Wyth State Park, Jennifer T. warns that "because it is so close to river anytime it rains heavily there is flooding in several areas of the park. And almost every year (usually late summer, early fall) it rains enough to flood a good portion of the park."
Playground access: Several parks offer play equipment for children. At George Wyth State Park, Steve R. highlights that "for little ones, there is a large sand playground area with slides and swings."
Swimming options: Water recreation provides cooling relief during summer months. Steve R. continues that at George Wyth, "There is a sand beach to swim, where they also rent kayaks & canoes."
Bug protection: Insect repellent is essential for comfort in wooded areas. Ax H. advises bringing "bug spray" to Shellrock River Preserve because of the "trees everywhere" that create habitat for insects.
Hookup limitations: Most equestrian camping areas near Shell Rock offer primitive sites without utilities. When full hookups are needed, Clear Lake State Park provides options but in limited quantity. Becky M. notes there are "limited full hook up sites. I wish there were more full hook ups that you could reserve."
Site spacing: Campsite proximity varies across locations with some offering more privacy than others. Janet K. found that at Clear Lake State Park, sites are "very close together. If full, you would have no privacy."
Alternative accommodations: For horse owners requiring more amenities, look to county parks within driving distance. Jeff A. found that Black Hawk County Park is "right on the bike trail" with "hot showers" and is a "good place to camp."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Shell Rock, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Shell Rock, IA is George Wyth State Park Campground with a 3.9-star rating from 15 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Shell Rock, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Shell Rock, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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