Lake Icaria County Park and Hacklebarney Woods County Park provide the main equestrian camping options near Villisca, Iowa. This southwestern Iowa region sits within the rolling Loess Hills landscape, with elevations ranging from 900-1,500 feet. Campgrounds typically remain open from April through October, though weather conditions can extend or shorten seasons depending on rainfall amounts and temperature patterns.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Lake of Three Fires State Park features approximately 10 miles of equestrian trails with varying terrain. One visitor noted, "There are beautiful views of the lake from the far side where you can see clear across to the campgrounds," while another mentioned, "The trails range from nice and flat to a bit more steep."
Fishing opportunities: Lake Icaria County Park offers excellent fishing with multiple access points. A camper shared, "One of the best campgrounds in the SW Iowa, the lake is great, nice beach and boating!" The park provides fishing jetties and cleaning stations for anglers.
Hiking exploration: The trail systems at Waubonsie State Park offer scenic views of the Missouri River valley. As one visitor explained, "We took one of the more scenic trails and took us over the top of some of those beautiful Loess Hills." The park maintains distinct hiking-only trails where bikes aren't permitted.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many equestrian campers appreciate the generous sizing at horse camping areas. At Lake of Three Fires State Park, a visitor reported, "There are 23 equestrian sites (some electrical) and 1 equestrian buddy site along with plenty of holding stalls and tie outs for horses."
Clean facilities: The shower houses receive consistent praise at most campgrounds. One camper at Hacklebarney Woods noted, "Has surprisingly nice shower room for the size of the park," while another at Lake of Three Fires mentioned, "Clean well-kept shower and bath building as well."
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings provide opportunities to observe local wildlife. A visitor to Waubonsie State Park warned, "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."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds recommend advance booking, especially during summer months. For Lake of Three Fires, a camper advised, "Many of the camp sites, cabins and shelters are available to reserve online at the Department of Natural Resources website—however there are some that are first come first serve."
Campground entrances: Finding the correct entrance can be challenging at some parks. For Hacklebarney Woods County Park, a visitor cautioned, "Be careful not to drive by Hucklebarney Woods, if you're not careful you will pass it by. There is a sign but it is not very visible."
Weather considerations: The region experiences seasonal storms that can affect camping plans. One camper at Lake of Three Fires noted, "The park rangers came around to warn campers of possible severe storms coming through the area, but if a tornado warning happened, we would have no notification."
Tips for camping with families
Beach access: Mozingo Lake County RV Park provides family-friendly water recreation. A visitor shared, "This is a great kid friendly place. We always have a blast when we go. Kids absolutely love it, easy access to the water, quiet, and very nice!"
Playground equipment: Several parks maintain play areas for children. A camper at Lake Icaria mentioned, "It's busy in summer, but well kept. They had people cleaning the bathrooms constantly which was great for tent camping with a large group! It's quiet, beautiful lake, great boating, great swim spot, fun park for kids."
Frisbee golf: Some parks offer additional recreational options beyond standard camping activities. A visitor to Lake of Three Fires explained, "It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing. The beach sandy and clean for a refreshing dip on a hot afternoon."
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Nodaway Valley County Park provides standard electrical connections for RVs. A camper noted, "The camp sites are nice and large—easy to get into and each one had its own water and electric. There are 11 on what we call the upper circle and 4 on the lower circle."
Site selection: RV campers should consider specific site features when booking. At Lake Icaria, one visitor recommended, "Full hook up spots were very nice. Easy to get into, plenty of space, fire pit, picnic table, friendly & helpful park officers."
Dump station access: Several parks offer convenient dump stations for RVs. A camper at Nodaway Valley observed, "There is a dump station centrally located that you can easily pull up to on your way out."
