Best Equestrian Camping near Swan, IA
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Best Equestrian Sites Near Swan, IA (7)
1. Ledges State Park Campground
Boone, Iowa39 Reviews•57 Photos•208 SavesMillions of years before the plains of Iowa were inhabited by the Sauk, Fox and Sioux peoples, much of the American Midwest was covered by a shallow inland sea. It was at this time that the area’s sandstone deposits began forming. Fast-forward to just 13,000 years ago, with the inland sea now long gone, Ice Age glacial meltwater raced across the dry plains, carving and scouring channels and canyons into the sandstone terrain. One of these canyons can be found in Iowa’s Ledges State Park. This 1,000-acre nature preserve and recreation area is located on a wide bend on the Des Moines River, and is just 40 miles north of the city of Des Moines. The park is subject to frequent flooding when the river breaches its banks, but is otherwise a popular year-round outdoor recreation destination. Visitors to Ledges can enjoy a variety of hiking, fishing and paddling opportunities, as well as explore a prehistoric river canyon that showcases nature’s ability to sculpt the landscape.
The campground at Ledges State Park features 94 tent and RV sites situated among deciduous woods not far from the Des Moines River. Campers can choose from full-hookup, partial-hookup, or primitive tent sites. Most sites are back-in; only a few are pull-through for larger vehicles. Tent sites are located in both in the main camp area, and in a secluded walk-in area. There is also a youth group site. All sites are equipped with picnic tables, fire pits and cooking grills, and all have access to water faucets, flush restrooms, showers, and trash receptacles; a dump station is located near the campground entrance. The campground also features a kids’ playground, outdoor amphitheater, and is within walking distance of trails and picnic areas. Some roads and/or facilities may not be open or available in the winter. Reservations are accepted, however the park saves about half of the sites for first-come, first-served campers; sites are $11–$19/night.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
$12 - $18 / night
2. Equestrian Campground — Elk Rock State Park
Lake Red Rock, Iowa5 Reviews•41 PhotosThe equestrian campground features both electric and non-electric sites also. A modern shower building, horse stalls, hitching rails and a 100 foot by 200 foot riding arena are available.
- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
3. Double E LLC Camping
Be the first to review!Knoxville, Iowa•8 PhotosLocated one mile North of Knoxville on a quite dead-end road. It is 2 miles from the Knoxville Iowa Racetrack, 4 miles from Elk Rock Equestrian Park, 4 miles from Red Rock public boat launch. Site has 50/30 amp. receptacles, and water hook. Traveling with your horses there is a fenced in accommodation for them next to the camp site. There is a shared firepit, and additional outside sitting.
We do have a bunk house for additional sleeping with 2 separate rooms with air and queens size beds, you can rent separately or together. There is additional seating area in front. These units have no water or plumbing.
- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- RVs
- Equestrian
- Cabins
$50 / night
4. Dallas County Fairgrounds
Dallas Center, Iowa1 Review•11 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
5. Madison County Fairground Campground
Winterset, Iowa1 Review•3 Photos•8 SavesThe Madison County Fairgrounds is a great place to camp during the fair or throughout the rest of the camping season. From tents to motorhomes, it is accommodating to everyone's needs. Non-Fair Camping The Madison County Fairgrounds camp site is open April 1 to November 1, except during the fair. The pricing and rules for dates outside of the county fair week can be found on the link at the bottom of the page. Reservations are not available during this period, but if you are interested in camping please call Matt Porter at (641) 728-4750. Fair Camping Camping at the fairgrounds during the Madison County Fair allows participants to stay close to the action while having a comfortable place to rest. See the following link for more specific information about fair-time camping regulations. Contact Chance Dullard at 515-468-5034 if you would like more information. NOTE: No campers, reserved or non-reserved, can be on the fairgrounds before 6:00 pm on the Saturday before the start of the fair. A charge of $50 per day will be given to those who violate this rule.
- Pets
- Electric Hookups
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- RVs
$11 - $105 / night
6. Singing Mesa Ranch
Be the first to review!Lucas, Iowa•1 SaveAt Singing Mesa Ranch, our goal is to be your favorite spot for horse boarding, camping and hitting the trails. Our focus is to create an inviting but small and quiet destination where family is welcome, folks respect each other and you can unwind. You don't have to have a horse to stay with us! Established in 2015, we have slowly built a small campground, opened our indoor stall barn, outdoor pens and uncovered paddocks to our campers and as a horse motel. We have a 60x90 insulated indoor arena, a heated stall barn with up to 8 stalls and a wash rack. We have 16 miles of maintained trails and acres of space to blaze your own path. In 2022, we added the outdoor arena which is 100x220 with cattle roping chutes and return. Looking for a travel stop while traveling through Iowa, we are 20 minutes East from I-35 at Osceola, 20 minutes South of Indianola and right on Hwy 65. Stop by with your camper or LQ and horses and stay the night with us. Our facilities are open year round.
- Electric Hookups
- Reservable
- RVs
- Tents
- Equestrian
- Cabins
$15 - $75 / night
7. Lucas Primitive Campground — Stephens State Forest
Be the first to review!Lucas, Iowa•5 Saves- Pets
- Fires
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- ADA Access
- Tents
Recent Equestrian Reviews in Swan
46 Reviews of 7 Swan Campgrounds
- Jeannie D.
Guide
Ledges State Park Campground
It's okay
Great vibes. Camp's pretty far from the bones of the park, but the hike's relatively plesant. Cell coverage is terrible out here, and there is no WIFI to help keep people connected.
- DDave M.Guide
Ledges State Park Campground
Nice Campground
Canyon road and limestone cliffs are awesome. Secluded spots in the trees. If you have Verizon and rely on data this may not be the campground for you.
- A
Anthony W.GuideLedges State Park Campground
Scenic Hiking
I stayed at Ledges in June and hiked the trails again in February. The campground is well kept but busy in the summer months with it being a popular hiking destination for Des Moines locals. With most of the surrounding areas having little to no elevation changes there are a few nice hikes along some rocky hills beside the river both in summer and winter.
Fred S.
LegendLedges State Park Campground
Loved this state park
Large campground, accommodates RVs & tents. Wooded & open sites. Appear level. Clean restrooms & shower stalls. Water. Playground. Friendly & helpful campground host. 3 bars T-Mobile. Great hiking trails in park.
- bblaycee
ScoutLedges State Park Campground
Big campground
We have hiked here and it was really busy when we did. We decided to come back and camp a few months later. The campground was large but the DNR was helpful when finding our spot along with nice signs everywhere. We didn’t have any problems, people seemed friendly. Didn’t use the bathrooms but the outsides looked nice. We traveled to Des Moines when we stayed but there is lots to do near by. I would suggest the “high tressel trail” for bike riders, lots of cute bars to stop in along the way. Madrid has a bakery and some other cute places. Boone has a scenic train ride if that’s your thing. And the town of Luther, about 4 miles from the campground has a BBQ place that a lot of people travel to.
- AArt L.
TravelerLedges State Park Campground
Nice campground
Excellent amenities well run Very clean. Surroundings very pretty
Carolyn C.GuideLedges State Park Campground
Gorgeous State Park Campground
Great selection of campsites for a wide variety of needs. Wonderful views from most sites. Access to multiple walking trails. Beautiful, wooded setting. Clean bathrooms/showers.
Michael C.LegendLedges State Park Campground
Pretty Park
Bottom line. My bad but the site said electric. In all the other parks I’ve been to “electric” includes water. Which this park does not. Many trees, very pretty. Cell reception is weak.
Stephen P.ScoutLedges State Park Campground
Quiet and welcoming
Our camping experience was very nice. Pulling up to this park was surreal, considering the surrounding farmland that suddenly shows a lone forest. Some of the sites are pretty close, luckily we were next to a friendly couple with a cute dog. We were able to buy a good $5 bundle of firewood from the camp host. It was extremely quiet, until a camper pulled up with its generator. Still, a calming environment. A devious pack of raccoons stole our marshmallows (from a CLOSED bag) when we went in the tent for five minutes. So beware of that I guess 😂
- Matthew H.Traveler
Ledges State Park Campground
Popular site with great dispersion.
Picturesque location south of Boone Ia. Close to town with stores with plenty of camping supplies. Arrive early sites fill-up fast. Online site for reservations and to check site availability.
Christina P.GuideLedges State Park Campground
Beautiful - lush
Coming here on a Hot Day in the summer is the best. Lush trees and water to wade in. Recommend the hikes and walking the water river beds.
N K.TravelerLedges State Park Campground
Go Faster!
Campsites have the right amount of privacy while being close to the clean bathroom & playground. Outside the campground is Canyon Road, with multiple trails great for hiking up and along the scenic ledges. The road crosses the river several times, and on the weekend these crossings are lined with children & adults demanding you “go faster” so they get splashed!
- RRichard R.Guide
Madison County Fairground Campground
Cost Effective, all hook ups,great long term
I stayed at this campground from August until November 13 in my pull behind camper.
Water,gas and Sewer was $15 daily,$105 weekly, and$420 monthly. Prices go up to $120 weekly when it gets cold. Shower house was shut down for COVID and shuts down in winter.
Tenting is cheaper$11
No ground fires allowed.
Friendly,helpful hosts on site.
Close to the Bridges,John Wayne sites,lauandromat,and grocery stores.
You might get a view of bridesmaids and grooms at the fairgrounds on the weekend heading to a wedding in the fairground building, nice to see during my work COVID isolation.
When the trees get big and fill in and COVID is over and the shower house is open it will be 4 stars.
TMBGuideLedges State Park Campground
Surprise River Gorge in Iowa
Comfortable and scenic park in Iowa with forested trails, gorge, and natural water features amidst the farm fields and rolling hills. Campground sites are well spaced and mostly level, many with shade and decent privacy. Mix of hookups for different needs; access to water and trash was easy. The bathrooms were a bit dated and unclean when we visited, but not terrible. Good cell coverage in the area and we could do work and school with our Verizon Hotspot. Beware of the raccoons! They were not aggressive from the standpoint of approaching us, but they were brash in approaching camper and supplies after dark, and they were a constant presence at the dumpster. Do not leave food out! Deer and other small game/wildlife seem abundant. Trails were poorly signed, but the park is relatively small and getting lost or wandering does not have bad consequences; you'll find where you wanted to go without too much trouble.
- Bradley N.Scout
Equestrian Campground — Elk Rock State Park
Nice Quiet Campground
We stayed in the Elk Rock Equestrian campground and it was so peaceful and beautiful. The facilities were clean.
- LLexi E.Scout
Ledges State Park Campground
Hidden away
My favorite part about this camp is the variety of sites offered. We went with a hike in site to throw some adventure into our lives. For only $11 a tent sit this place is amazing. Trees everywhere with privacy if wanted or also a great social scene. Honestly this camp is for anyone. The trails around the park are also amazing. Just don’t leave a Cheeto bag out on accident when you fall asleep because raccoons can smell everything, and when they do, they own the place.
Willy W.
RangerLedges State Park Campground
Ledges
Ledges State Park
Ledges is an amazing place. It has so much to do. There are long trails to hike, creeks to play in.
You can bring your tent or RV and camp. The RV camps have water/sewer hookups. The primitive tent sites are usually pretty clean and can get pretty busy on the weekends.
There are lots of bridges that get flooded out and are fun to drive over. Most of the kids like to hang out near them and get splashed.
Its a fantastic place to enjoy the outdoors and especially in the fall. Also if you go to Ames stop at Great Plains pizza company.
- Willy W.Ranger
Equestrian Campground — Elk Rock State Park
Busy
This is a really busy boat ramp but the campground is pretty big and open. The boat ramp is the closest one to mile long bridge. It also has a cleaning station and restroom available.
The campgrounds are very clean. There are lots of trails around the area.
It’s also a great place if you like to go horse back riding with lots of trails that go near the water.
There are camp hosts to help answer questions. There are also firewood bundles available to purchase for $4. The bathrooms and showers are very clean.
- Brian G.Guide
Ledges State Park Campground
Awesome place!
One of the best in the state!
- JJames W.Scout
Dallas County Fairgrounds
Adel Iowa
Clean, economical, and friendly staff
- Paula S.Scout
Ledges State Park Campground
Beautiful Park
The park is well maintained, clean bathrooms and showers in camping area.
Very nice trails. The campsite, we have a RV, was very clean, and like many other parks, we were not right on top of each other. They have water and sewer hook up at the site.
The views are beautiful of the sand ledges. Definetly plan on returning.
- MMatt A.Traveler
Ledges State Park Campground
Hidden Slice of Heaven
Growing up in Iowa maybe 50 miles from the Ledges was one the the best things for me. Campground is clean and well kept with both electric and primitive with a few hike in spots. It is a beautiful park with some good trails and a creek running through the bottoms of the "canyon". Loved going all the time when I was a kid and now 30 years later I have taken my family there several times making the drive from Kentucky just for some relaxation time.
- EElisha P.Guide
Ledges State Park Campground
Great place to hike!
We had a great time camping here with several family members. The trails were very nice and scenic for the little amount of work to hike them. The Des Moines river passes right through here and I’d love to make a float trip out of it some day.
Josiah P.GuideLedges State Park Campground
Amazing park
Excellent hiking trails!
- EEmma N.Traveler
Ledges State Park Campground
Cool sites for Iowa
Nice place. Family has camped here a few times. Had immense fun playing in the river as a kid. Enjoyed the hikes too.
Matt S.LegendLedges State Park Campground
Ledges will reopen in January 2019
Ledges State Park is one of the most visited parks in Iowa. I loved coming to this park as a kid and I can't wait for it to re-open. It has been closed since January 2018, but it scheduled to re-open in January of 2019. Here is a link to a local story explaining the closure and flooding and the schedule to re-open the park.
https://whotv.com/2018/10/24/ledges-state-park-flooding-and-renovation-update/
- CCamden O.Guide
Ledges State Park Campground
Amazing
Stayed at this campground for my college visit to ISU and I nearly went to the university just because I wanted to be here at this park every weekend.
Guide to Swan
Iowa offers a variety of options for horse camping enthusiasts, providing scenic trails and well-equipped facilities for both riders and their horses.
Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like electric hookups and clean facilities
- The Equestrian Campground — Elk Rock State Park features electric hookups and clean restrooms, making it a comfortable choice for horse campers.
- At Double E LLC Camping, you'll find big rig-friendly sites with electric hookups, perfect for accommodating larger horse trailers.
- Singing Mesa Ranch offers drinking water and reservable sites, ensuring a convenient stay for equestrian visitors.
Equestrian campers enjoy these nearby activities
- The trails around Equestrian Campground — Elk Rock State Park are ideal for horseback riding, with paths that meander near the water.
- Lucas Primitive Campground — Stephens State Forest provides access to beautiful hiking trails, perfect for those who want to explore the area on foot after riding.
- Campers at Madison County Fairground Campground can enjoy local attractions like the Bridges of Madison County, making it a great spot for family outings.
Equestrian campgrounds include amenities for a comfortable stay
- Dallas County Fairgrounds features showers, toilets, and picnic tables, ensuring a pleasant camping experience for horse lovers.
- The Ledges State Park Campground offers a mix of wooded and open sites, accommodating both tents and RVs, along with essential amenities like water hookups.
- Lucas Primitive Campground — Stephens State Forest allows campfires and pets, making it a welcoming environment for equestrian campers looking to unwind after a day of riding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Swan, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Swan, IA is Ledges State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 39 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Swan, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Swan, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.