5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Horse camping options near Ventura, Iowa are limited within the immediate area. None of the campgrounds in the region have dedicated horse corrals or specialized equestrian facilities according to the available data. Clear Lake State Park Campground, located about 5 miles from Ventura, accommodates tent and RV camping with multiple hookup options but does not provide horse-specific amenities. The campground features spacious sites with a mix of dirt and gravel pads, most with electric hookups, and several with full hookups. The campground maintains clean facilities with updated bathrooms and warm showers. Sites tend to be close together with limited privacy when the park is at full capacity.
Pilot Knob State Park Campground, located approximately 15 miles northwest of Ventura in Forest City, offers camping opportunities with both electric and non-electric sites at affordable rates ($10 for standard sites, $18 for electric). The park features hiking trails but no designated equestrian trails or horse facilities. The campground is well-maintained with clean bathhouses and individual shower rooms. Wildlife sightings including deer are common throughout the park. Shellrock River County Preserve offers a more primitive camping experience with free sites, pit toilets, and picnic tables, but similarly lacks horse-specific accommodations. Horse owners planning to camp in this region should contact campgrounds directly to inquire about policies regarding horses before arrival.
"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"Located by New Ulm, MN this campground has plenty of activities in the park or very near the park."
"When driving to my site two fawns were laying near the playground."
from $14 - $34 / 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."
"Kids had a great time playing in the water, our site was about 20 ft from the waters edge."
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!
ScoutIt’s quiet, clean, and has some pretty views of the Iowa nite sky
LegendGeneral: A mixture of tent (non-electric) and electric sites, mostly arranged in several rows.
Site Quality: Mixed. Not all sites are level, and most do not have delineated parking pads (there is a small pavement indent to show where to access the site). A fire pit and picnic table complete the site. Most of the sites are too close together for our liking, however, when we were there (a Monday at the end of August, the day before school started), we were only one of three sites occupied so for our stay it didn’t matter.
Bathhouse: Basic but clean. My biggest complaint is there were no hooks or shelves for toiletries by the sinks. The showers looked nice but we did not use them.
Activities: Horseback riding (there are trails for this), hiking, fishing. Although we did see several trailheads, I did not have a map so didn’t explore them. There is an observation tower, but it is a two-mile walk/drive from the campground (on paved roads; I didn’t try to find hiking trails to get there).
Misc: A shout-out to the great host, Pam, who greeted us as we arrived. The observation tower, entrance gates, and picnic shelter were all constructed by the CCC and were beautiful. It almost seemed like the campground was an afterthought as it is outside the entrance gates and nowhere near the tower. The layout of the campground would be challenging if all sites were occupied.
TravelerLocated by New Ulm, MN this campground has plenty of activities in the park or very near the park. Plenty of hiking trails, playground for the kids, and an amazing sand bottom swimming pond surrounded by sand beach. Golf is also nearby at The New Ulm Country Club which is open to the public. Nice level sites with electric, picnic tables and fire rings.
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.
TravelerWe are here on a Friday and almost all the spaces are full. Site 1 is about as quiet as it gets tucked off to the side.
ScoutWe 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!
ScoutClear lake state park is a nice campground. It does get very busy during peak season and traffic is continuous. It is clean and close to the beach. Down town and other shopping is a short drive away. Lots of families camp here. Spots are nice.
ScoutI 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.
Camping options near Ventura, Iowa center around Clear Lake, a natural glacial lake spanning over 3,600 acres with a maximum depth of 20 feet. The region experiences cold winters with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from November through March, with summer camping season typically running April through October. Most campgrounds in the area are within 15 miles of Ventura, positioned on relatively flat terrain with elevations around 1,235 feet above sea level.
Fishing opportunities: Clear Lake State Park offers excellent fishing access with species including walleye, yellow bass, and channel catfish. "Nice campground. It does get very busy during peak season and traffic is continuous. It is clean and close to the beach. Lots of families camp here," notes Tiffany from Clear Lake State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Pilot Knob State Park maintains several hiking paths through wooded areas. "Nice hiking trails too. You can't beat this place for the price," writes Eric J. from Pilot Knob State Park Campground, which offers both electric ($18) and non-electric ($10) sites.
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, Clear Lake provides swimming and boating options. "We love coming to Clear Lake! Easy access to the lake, and the town has so much to do during the summer months!" shares Vanessa H., highlighting recreational diversity beyond just camping.
Affordable rates: Campers appreciate budget-friendly options in the area. "For $12/night on a 30AMP hookup, I really can't complain," notes Jacob B. about Pilot Knob State Park Campground, making it attractive for value-conscious travelers.
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting offers opportunities to observe local fauna. "Got to see turtles laying eggs and deer were all around. Family loved the fishing," reports Lisa P. from Pilot Knob State Park, where wildlife encounters enhance the camping experience.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious campers can find no-cost alternatives. "Secluded free camping with port a potty, fire rings and a shelter. My AT&T service worked enough for a podcast but not streaming," mentions Tammie C. about Shellrock River Co Preserve, which permits a maximum 3-day stay.
Site privacy concerns: Many campgrounds become crowded during peak season. "Nice campground with grassy pull thru sites. But very close together. If full, you would have no privacy," warns Janet K. about Clear Lake State Park Campground.
Bathhouse facilities: Most established campgrounds maintain clean restroom facilities. "The bathrooms are updated and nice. When there is heavy rain you will however have your own pond at most sites," advises Lisa M., noting potential drainage issues at certain locations.
Equestrian camping near Ventura, Iowa: Despite the area's natural beauty, dedicated horse camping facilities are limited. None of the campgrounds within 15 miles of Ventura offer horse corrals or specialized equestrian amenities. Horse owners should contact campgrounds directly regarding policies before arrival.
Playground access: Cedar Bridge County Park provides recreational facilities for children. "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," reports Tim M.
Water activities: Families enjoy lake access at Clear Lake State Park. "The playground was fun for the kids, nice beach access! Paved roads are great for bike riding. Great shaded spots. DNR cruises the park daily which is nice to see," says Becky M.
Reservation timing: Popular family sites fill quickly during summer months. "Sad that there were so many back up sites over the holiday weekend, would have liked to have been able to camp here. It being full more than a week before the holiday, shows how great it is," advises Jennifer D.
Hookup availability: Clear Lake State Park has limited full-hookup sites. "There are only 6 full hook up sites and the care taker made sure we got one. The rest of the sites are beautiful with electric hook up," explains Lai La L., highlighting the need to reserve these premium spots early.
Site leveling: Some campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. "Sites not too level, but spacious. Camped in mid April and park was not very busy which was nice. Full hook up sites and W/E only sites," notes Victoria G. about Camp Comfort Recreation Area.
Seasonal considerations: Spring camping may encounter weather challenges. "Went here after the spring floods with the RV. Sites are decent size. 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," shares Chantal C.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ventura, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ventura, IA is Clear Lake State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ventura, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Ventura, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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