Best Equestrian Camping near Villisca, IA

Recent Equestrian Reviews in Villisca

46 Reviews of 7 Villisca Campgrounds

• 

  Fred S.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 6, 2024

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Really good hiking trails

  Stayed one night on Sept 4. Camped at site 35 in the non-equestrian campground; non-electric fee $15. Parked van on the grass at this site. Like nearly all of the sites in this campground, this site was close to the campground road. Overall, I felt that the campsites were all bunched together - offering no privacy and spacing between sites. The shower house was closed during our visit. Water was also turned off at the wayer pumps in the campground. There was one single vault toilet available for all of the campers; it was reasonably clean. Wayne, the campground host, was nice & helpful. There is a self-serve firewood station in the campground; cost is either $5 or $10, depending on the amount of wood you purchase. The campsites have a picnic table & metal fire ring. I wasn't too pleased with this campground, but I was very happy with the nearby hiking trails within the park. It's a pretty state park with hills & lush forest. The day use areas looked great. I recommend those traveling along I-29 to stop at this park - not necessarily for the camping, but for the hiking. Had some T-Mobile 4G service.

• 

  Danni A.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 11, 2024

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Quiet and Peaceful

  This park was a great place to head to and unplug for a weekend. We camped in the area without hookups, so we pretty much had that area to ourselves. The area with hookups was somewhat crowded. The bathrooms and shower were clean. Water is easily accessible. The park is small, and we didn't find much to do other than a few hikes. 

  There are signs in the bathrooms warning of the raccoons. These signs are not exaggerating. We had a raccoon at our campsite trying to steal our food while we were there, like the raccoon was less than 10 feet from humans during mid-day.

• M

  Mills C.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 11, 2024

  Pony Creek Co Park

  NOT affiliated with DYRT

  Do not pay Dyrt to use this campground.  They are not affiliated.

• 

  Danni A.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 9, 2024

  Lake Icaria Co Park

  Beautiful Views

  This campground has beautiful views of the lake. The sites are very close together. Everything was very clean when we were there.

• 

  Kevin P.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 7, 2023

  Pony Creek Co Park

  Camp by tent

  a great place

• 

  Kristi D.

  Legend

  

  Jul. 5, 2023

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Had the campground too ourselves!

  It appears not many people camp in Iowa in February. We had the campground to ourselves. We missed the crazy cold and snow by a day but it was 20 degree with the wind when I hiked the prairie. Lovely little state park, clean and the trail system was pretty neat. Wasn't perfectly flat and had some overlooks. Very much enjoyed!

• 

  Tarrah C.

  Legend

  

  Apr. 5, 2023

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Nice Trails

  This is a great weekend spot not much to do around the park. The campsites are nice but close with not much space in between. There are 2 campgrounds, the one north of the highway is a horse campground but required. There are nice trails in this area. The campground on the south is more of a tent site. There are vault toliets, no showers. A lot of great trails o this side. All campsites include a picnic table and fire ring.

• 

  Amy H.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 21, 2022

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Very nice

  The campsite was very nice. Not too expensive. The showers and bathrooms were nice and had decent room. If you are wanting a site here it would be best to reserve one there were not a lot to choose from when we got there just about every spot was reserved. But overall was a great place to camp for a family.

• r

  rick K.

  Scout

  

  Jul. 28, 2022

  Mozingo Lake County RV Park

  Nice and Quiet

  Lake Mozingo is near the College Town of Maryville, Missouri. My experience is limited, but I’d say it’s pretty nice here. And inexpensive. Concrete Pads with Power and Water at the Site but no Sewer dump, that’s Centralized in the Camp. There’s Lake access if you want. I like it here.

• D

  Dave M.

  Guide

  

  May. 12, 2022

  Mozingo Lake County RV Park

  Great Campground

  Nice sites close to the lake with electricity water and wifi.

• 

  Nicole B.

  Guide

  

  Jan. 23, 2022

  Lake Icaria Co Park

  Easily my favorite spot

  This is a very clean, lovely camp ground. The spots are spacious, and there are tons of options. In the fall we went and had no neighbors. It’s busy in summer, but well kept. They had people cleaning the bathrooms constantly (my mom kept pointing out, in awe, that it was “practically hourly”) which was great for tent camping with a large group! It’s quiet, beautiful lake, great boating, great swim spot, fun park for kids. Beautiful trees and hiking especially in the fall.

• J

  Joy C.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 18, 2021

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Beautiful Campground

  Loved the hiking trails and all the green space. A little tight trying to back into our space, but very nice overall.

• M

  Megan M.

  Guide

  

  Jun. 28, 2021

  Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

  Gem But Could Be Better

  As tent campers we found a lot to love at Lake of Three Fires, but also found ourselves wanting more. It’s got a gorgeous lake, and some camping sites are out of this world, but it can be inconsistent and there’s not a lot to do.

  Pros: -While the electric hookup sites were full, primitive campers had their pick of the campground even during the middle of the summer. Plenty of open non-electric sites to choose from.
  -Site 55 is an absolute GEM. Spacious and right on the water! We didn’t have any neighbors so it was like we had the whole place to ourselves. -Good fishing at the lake, and plenty of quiet spots to fish from -The lake is quiet and relatively calm -Excellent (and clean!) modern bathrooms, by far the best we’ve encountered

  Cons: -There’s not a lot to do other than fishing and hanging out by the campsite -The trails are quite poorly marked and seem to only have entry and exit points at each end of the point, so unless you want to commit to the full 8 miles, you’ll have to turn back at some point -The sites can be inconsistently sized. We found some tent sites that were less than half the size of our site, and they were packed like sardines. -A lot of the sites are sloped, so even ground can be hard to find. -The park is pretty rural, so if you need to make an emergency grocery or supplies run you might be out of luck. -No firewood on site, so you’ll have to come prepared or hope you can find some in town.

• 

  Emily M.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 20, 2021

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Fun in the Bluffs

  Grew up camping and hiking here. Not many amenities but the bathrooms are clean and the trails are fantastic. The view is great from the side bluff train. Close to Nebraska city. Tent sites are not too close together. Can get pretty busy on weekends in the summer.

• 

  Isaac F.

  Scout

  

  Apr. 20, 2021

  Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

  Had the lake to ourselves!

  Although there were RVers and a nice group of Boy Scoutspaet of the time, there was no one else in our tent camping side. We had chilly weather, but marvelous views of the water with a rare flock of pelicans! Some of the trails were muddy, but there plenty of others to choose from. Red buds and flowers were starting to bring the forest to life.

  All fire pits have an incredible grate system for cooking. There's an over abundance of limbs and twigs for firewood, although a saw would come in handy. Clean, quiet, and as beautiful as ever- that's our lake!

• 

  Tony B.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 27, 2020

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Second time back, and a stone throw away from Nebraska City

  This is my second review, because second time is a charm. Even though the campsites are closer together than I am use to. We actually took 2 sites, one for us and one for my oldest sons site. This worked out and gave a little more space needed. This also gave us time to really explore those trails I was drooling over. We took one of the more scenic trails and took us over the top of some of those beautiful Loess Hills. I still believe it us a great hiking park, and is only a hour away from Omaha for us.

• 

  Tony B.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 20, 2020

  Waubonsie State Park Campground

  Great hiking park

  First off let me make it clear, I like this park. But for me this is not the greatest camping area. The sites just are to close for me as a tent camper. The could almost use some of the day use picnic area as primitive sites. The rest of this park is great. For one it is clean, and maintained. The hiking trails are not for bikes, and they have several different levels or skills levels. The look out was pretty cool as well. We will return, and do some more hiking. I am not sure the campsites were fall, but it could be because the applejacks festival going on across the river in Nebraska City.

• 

  Tony B.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 12, 2020

  Pony Creek Co Park

  Like the lake, but not much camping

  Been coming to this lake for years. It's a beautiful setting, right in the middle Loess Hills in sw Iowa. The fishing has always been good here. But this camp area is not much at all. The spaces are really small, and not really one view of the lake. There is a new visitor center right by the entrance of the camping area. There also a really small pond by the entrance as well. This place would probably work for a over night stay, but not a destination. But I still love the areas wildlife, and the lake. Or maybe it's just the nostalgia for me.

• 

  Tony B.

  Legend

  

  Sep. 12, 2020

  Lake Icaria Co Park

  One of the best sw Iowa Lakes

  I will first off stay I have not been to a lot of Iowa parks. But I will say the ones I have been to, that this is the nicest or one of them. They have concessions, boat rentals, boating of all types, fishing, and trails. There are very nice picnic areas, and the bathrooms or restroom facilities are clean. This place is fantastic and offers a lot to anyone. So give it a try.

• 

  CM

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 8, 2020

  Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

  Great trip!

  Nicely maintained. Nice clean no-wake lake. Gets very quiet at 10:30 curfew. Clean showers/bathroom once the night bugs were cleared out.

• 

  Deb W.

  Guide

  

  Aug. 21, 2020

  Hacklebarney Woods County Park

  Quiet and Secluded

  Three separate campgrounds one even for horseback with corrals. Very secluded but nice.

• 

  Kayla F.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 15, 2020

  Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

  Pretty Decent Campground

  The bathrooms and showers were well kept. Was lucky and got a campsite under some shade, but quite a few weren't so lucky. Ended up with site 60, right in front of the showers and bathrooms, which was great but also sucked. As soon as the bathroom doors opened the fans came on, which late at night was kind of annoying. Firewood is not sold on the campground, so you can burn what's on the ground or head to Hyvee for some wood in town. Unfortunately we got there late the first day so Hyvee had just closed and we had to try to find sticks in the dark. There are no signs showing what numbers were in that area or to the beach area, bathrooms, or garbage so you just have to explore to find it. Also there are lots of deer in the area at all hours of the day, so keep an eye out for them when traveling to and from town,

  Overall it was a great weekend and will probably be back. The only thing I really wish, was that the firepit be cleaned before we got to the site. We had to try and dig out all the burnt cans and foil with sticks.

• 

  Deb W.

  Guide

  

  Apr. 15, 2020

  Lake Icaria Co Park

  Beautiful

  One of the best campgrounds in the SW Iowa, the lake is great, nice beach and boating!

• 

  Ashley B.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 24, 2019

  Hacklebarney Woods County Park

  Close to home

  Hacklebarney is very close to home so it makes for a great quick camping trip destination. Has surprisingly nice shower room for the size of the park.

• 

  Spence C.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 10, 2019

  Mozingo Lake County RV Park

  The cool breeze through your clothes as you walk down the beach. the wet sand in your toes.

  Ill do my best to imagen this setting in the best way

• 

  Mike S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 3, 2019

  Lake Icaria Co Park

  Great place that wasn’t crowded

  Very nice place. Full hook up spots were very nice. Easy to get into, plenty of space, fire pit, picnic table, friendly & helpful park officers, lots of activities (hiking, boating, boat rentals, beach, bait shop, close to a race track in Corning, etc). We went the weekend after Memorial Day & there were plenty of spots. Quiet & family friendly. Even have food trucks that serve over by the beach!

• 

  Tara K.

  Traveler

  

  Apr. 26, 2019

  Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground

  Lots of trees!

  This campground ovvers a lot of shaded with trees hookup sutes and beautiful grassy non hookup sites. Frisbee golf course, playground, horse shoe pits and samdy heach area groomed daily. No wake lake perfect for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Clean well-kept shower and bath buidling as well. Horse area for those who bring horses for the ridiing trails.