S U.
Guide
GuideUnion Grove State Park Campground
Beautiful trails
Play equipment, horse trails, hiking trails, well maintained. Beautiful area.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Sioux Center, Iowa
Union Grove State Park Campground in Beresford, South Dakota offers horse camping with separate campgrounds designated for equestrians. The lower campground section specifically caters to visitors with horses while the upper section is for standard camping. Horse trails wind throughout the park, providing riders with scenic routes through wooded areas. The campground maintains clean facilities with immaculate restrooms and showers. Sites have electric hookups (30-amp service) and the park provides a dump station for RVs. Spacious sites accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers.
Located approximately 53 miles from Sioux Center, Union Grove features well-maintained bridle paths and hiking trails through rolling terrain. The trail system accommodates both beginning and experienced riders. Water access is available for horses, and the campground layout allows for convenient trailer parking near equestrian campsites. Most horse sites provide sufficient room for portable corrals or highlines. The park requires reservations which can be made online through the South Dakota State Parks reservation system. Campsites with horse accommodations fill quickly during peak season (May through October). The natural surroundings include Ponderosa pines, creating a peaceful environment despite proximity to interstate highways.
Best Equestrian Sites Near Sioux Center, Iowa (5)
1. Newton Hills Campground — Newton Hills State Park
11 ReviewsCanton, SD23 milesWebsite+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
38 ReviewsBrandon, SD40 milesWebsite+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
13 ReviewsBeresford, SD33 milesWebsite+1 (800) 710-2267$10 - $15 / 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. Martin Area County Park
1 ReviewSutherland, IA39 milesWebsite+1 (712) 225-67095. W.H. Lyon Fairground
3 ReviewsSioux Falls, SD45 milesWebsite+1 (605) 367-7178$50 / night
"Convenient location to a lot of attractions, stores, and restaurants. Can camp during events. Huge area."
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sioux Center, IA
66 Reviews of 5 Sioux Center Campgrounds
- L
Leslie B.
RangerUnion 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.Guide
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.
- TTyson K.
TravelerBig 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.
ScoutBig 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.
- PPam K.Traveler
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.ScoutBig 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!
- GGlendaGuide
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.
- MMarie B.Guide
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 Sioux Center
Union Grove State Park Campground offers horse-friendly camping 53 miles from Sioux Center, Iowa. The park divides its camping areas between a lower section for equestrians and an upper section for standard camping. Wooded bridle paths wind through rolling terrain with elevation changes suitable for riders of all experience levels. Campsites include electric hookups with 30-amp service and adequate space for both camping equipment and horse trailers.
What to Do
Hiking diverse terrain: At Newton Hills State Park, trails wind through wooded areas with varying difficulty levels. "If you enjoy water activities, spend some time at Lake Lakota swimming, kayaking, fishing, or just relaxing! If land is more your style, enjoy the multiple hiking trails, search for geocaches, bike around the paved roads or dirt paths," notes Lisa H.
Disc golf: Big Sioux Recreation Area offers a complete course among its amenities. "Disc golf, volleyball net, and so much more," reports Nathan L., making it a good option for campers seeking recreational activities beyond horseback riding.
Cycling: The paved and dirt paths at several parks provide options for cyclists. "Bike trails are awesome," shares Heidi M. about Big Sioux Recreation Area, which connects to longer regional trail networks for extended rides.
What Campers Like
Clean facilities: Union Grove State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its maintenance standards. "Shower rooms/bathrooms are immaculate, and smell so nice," reports Austin and Natasha S. This complements the equestrian facilities with similarly high standards.
Spacious sites: The campgrounds near Sioux Center provide ample room between sites. "Beautiful, quiet, shaded, level sites with plenty of space between," notes Victor E. about Newton Hills State Park, offering privacy even during busy periods.
Natural surroundings: The mature trees and natural landscape create a pleasant camping environment. "We tent camped at a back-in site across from both the play area and the shower rooms. Loved it! Hope to come back and hike the trails," mentions Austin and Natasha S. about their stay at Union Grove.
What You Should Know
Seasonal considerations: While most equestrian campgrounds near Sioux Center operate year-round, water availability may be limited in colder months. At W.H. Lyon Fairground, the season runs "Apr 15 - Oct 31," making it unsuitable for winter camping.
Reservation requirements: Campgrounds fill quickly, especially those with horse facilities. "Make reservations on line. Limited number of sites," advises Robert about Union Grove State Park, emphasizing the importance of advance planning.
Site selection: Choose sites based on your specific needs. "Sites in upper campground are a little small and close together but very well maintained," notes Leslie B. regarding the non-equestrian section at Union Grove State Park, contrasting with the more spacious lower horse camping area.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds have nearby highways. "Convenient to the interstate, but that also means some highway noise if you are not in a hard sided camper," warns Leslie B. about Union Grove State Park.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Martin Area County Park provides playground equipment near camping areas, making it convenient for families with children to alternate between camping and play activities.
Kid-friendly trails: Look for shorter, less challenging routes when planning hikes. "The only thing that could be improved would be more established, kid-friendly trails into the woods," mentions Zach E. about Newton Hills State Park, suggesting some existing trails may be too challenging for young children.
Space considerations: Family groups often need more room. "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," explains Nathan L. about his experience at Big Sioux Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Electric options: Most campgrounds offer electric hookups, but amperage varies. "Cozy, shady, 50 amp service and Ponderosa Pines!" shares Riding with S. about Union Grove State Park, noting both 30 and 50 amp options are available along with a dump station.
Dump station access: RVers staying multiple nights should confirm dump station locations. "Clean bathrooms with showers. Campground host. Make reservations online. Limited number of sites. Dump station," confirms Robert about the facilities at Union Grove.
Site leveling: Many sites require minimal leveling. "Site was level. Trees surrounding area. Electric hook up but no water," reports Carol J. about Big Sioux Recreation Area, indicating basic site preparation needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Sioux Center, IA?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sioux Center, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sioux Center, 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
Sioux Center, IA?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sioux Center, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Sioux Center, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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