2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Several horse-friendly campgrounds surround Wapello, Iowa, offering varied facilities for equestrians. River Valley Horsecamp in Farmington provides electrical hookups, water access, and amenities specifically designed for horse campers. The campsites are positioned near the Des Moines River with well-kept grounds and suitable accommodations for both riders and horses. Lick Creek Unit in Shimek State Forest features both upper and lower equestrian campgrounds with 30/50 amp electrical hookups, water connections, and sewer hookups. The primitive sites are located in southeast Iowa's rolling countryside, offering level parking areas for horse trailers adjacent to camping areas.
The extensive trail system at Shimek State Forest connects directly to both Lick Creek equestrian campgrounds, allowing riders easy access to miles of wooded paths. Scott County Park's South East Corner Campground provides basic equestrian camping with hard-surface parking for vehicles and trailers, tie-up areas for horses, and non-potable water access. Most sites include picnic tables and grills under shade trees. Campground hosts at these facilities are generally helpful and knowledgeable about local riding conditions. Open sites near local roads are primarily for overnight stays, while barn accommodations at some locations offer additional protection for horses during inclement weather. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends when these horse-friendly campgrounds experience higher visitation.
"Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out."
"The only downside is the lake was filled with algae. So if you’re wanting to fish or swim, this isn’t the place for you!"
from $15 - $20 / night
"Located in Muscatine County in southeast Iowa, this rec area offers well-maintained campgrounds, hiking trails, fishing, kayaking/canoeing and seasonal hunting. There are three separate campgrounds."
from $15 - $20 / night
"CG has nice corral with day use and camping sites: shelter available, elect pull in sites fire rings, wood available in park, tables, trails Lake George for fishing, paddling, boat rental."
from $20 - $26 / night
"I stayed at the RV section right next to the rodeo arena. Full hookups for only $20 per night with a self-service registration box. I forgot to count but looked like maybe 20 spots max."
from $20 / night
"close to the river with lots of fun history and shops to keep you busy."
"Historical walking bridge that is amazing. No wifi.. poor Internet although I did have one bar so could be worse .I have total by Verizon."
"There is a playground, a few nice hiking trails, and a lake with a nice sandy beach. Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends."
"Very nice park and not to near a train. Very modern facilities that were clean."
from $8 - $50 / night
"Tucked away in the southeast corner of Scott County Park – yes, the same park that already has more campgrounds than a camping catalog – lurks a little-known equestrian primitive campground."
"Site is located in the very SE corner of the park with: charcoal grill, fire ring, outhouse, picnic table, recycle station adjacent, tie-up, hard surface for RV. No water onsite. Trails available."
from $15 / night
"Good sights, great horse trails, awesome camping"
"We had a wonderful time camping and riding thw trails."
from $14 / night
"Open sites near the Des Moines river and local road meant spots were just for sleeping. Excellent barns, accommodations, well-kept grounds and animals. Nearby locals kind and welcoming."
from $14 / night
LegendThis campsite has a hard parking lot surface, picnic table, charcoal, grill, firing, and a pit toilet, horse tie up. Trail access starts here, recycling station is adjacent, and Scott County Park Road is just to the south.
LegendTucked away in the southeast corner of Scott County Park – yes, the same park that already has more campgrounds than a camping catalog – lurks a little-known equestrian primitive campground. It’s the sort of place that feels like you stumbled onto a secret level in a video game: no hookups, no frills, just you, your horse and the occasional squirrel judging your life choices. If SOC-Fox is the Brady Bunch middle child (see my review for this CG), this one is the mysterious cousin who shows up at family reunions in cowboy boots and doesn’t say much.
The sites? Bare-bones, as expected. You’re not here for 'glamping.' You’re here for space to tie up your horse, throw up a tent and feel like you’ve traveled back to 1883 (minus the dysentery). Fire rings are your only luxury item here, and if you’re expecting bathhouses with spa vibes, forget it. You’ll find pit toilets that are … serviceable. Let’s call them ‘character-building.’ Roads in here are gravelly but manageable if you take it slow, but you don’t really want to be coming here if you’re toting a 5th wheel or driving an RV as this area is really more geared for mi tent pitchin’ bredren who want the opportunity to ‘rough it’ ... ideally with their noble steeds.
What makes it shine, though, are the equestrian trails. Miles of riding paths crisscross through woods, open meadows and rolling hills. Even if you’re not on horseback, you can hike them and pretend you’re in a Western where the budget ran out before they gave you an actual horse. And because this campground is the least famous of the seven, you’re more likely to get actual peace & quiet. No cannonballing kids, no RV generators humming in the night, just plenty of crickets, the odd, stray coyote and your horse deciding 2 a.m. is the perfect time to shuffle around loudly.
Insider Tips? Giddy-up, here’s a few: (1) Bring your own water as there’s no magic spigot here; (2) If you want solitude, this is the place. It’s basically the anti-aquatic center; (3) Hungry after a day on the trail? Eldridge’s Grille on the Green dishes out hearty comfort food, and you won’t even have to tie your horse out front; and (4) If you need supplies, hit the Tractor Supply in nearby Eldridge. They won’t blink when you walk in smelling like hay and campfire.
Happy Camping!
LegendThe site offers a hard service to park on, picnic table, fire, pit, charcoal, grill, outhouse, horse tie up, and equestrian trailhead. There is a recycling dump station nearby, and open space with shaded tree area. The park itself offers trails for hiking and biking, a pool, golf course, campgrounds, historical Pioneer Village, amenities, including firewood, ice, concessions. Pride Lake offers paddling and fishing.
GuideThis site has a large number of mostly cement camper spots, including pull through. There is a large playground and shower house. Primitive camping for single or group spots. Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch, and I saw a sign for primitive cabins, though I didn't have time to check those out. This is the .most full service camp site that I have seen in Iowa so far.
GuideLots of cement camping pads, playground, and shower house. Primitive single and group camping sites. Canoe rental and shooting range.
LegendPrimitive site offers table, fire ring, grill, tie up, outhouse, open space, hard surface parking. Trail is adjacent.
ScoutI stayed at the main site that google maps took me to. Three spots but the park is big there might be more sites around it. It is near skunk river I only stayed there for a night but where I was to get to the river you have to hike or bike to it. I’ve heard you can ride horses here. They have fire rings, picnic tables, and a bathroom that’s deep and composting. No sinks or showers. Bugs were wild at night but it is summer. No one disturbed us and it was free the best park of it all. Hoping to make it back there to go through the trails. I believe you can hike and camp too in the area.
GuideBeautiful river views. Amazing camp hosts. Showers,toilets,30/50/110 power water on sites to share water and dump on property. Mid 1800's town right there and businesses open. There is a blacksmith, a Indian artifact museum and gift shops. Historical walking bridge that is amazing. No wifi.. poor Internet although I did have one bar so could be worse .I have total by Verizon.
GuideI stayed at the RV section right next to the rodeo arena. Full hookups for only $20 per night with a self-service registration box. I forgot to count but looked like maybe 20 spots max. I was here mid-November in town for work and there was no more than four other campers at any point. Pretty basic surroundings though. There's barrel trash cans, didn't see a dumpster. Didn't see any toilet or shower buildings. Hardly any trees near the sites. Decent playground close by though, and a heavily wooded park with trails beyond that.
Equestrian camping options near Wapello, Iowa provide access to some of southeast Iowa's most scenic terrain. Located in the rolling hills along the Des Moines and Cedar Rivers, this area experiences moderate precipitation year-round with summer temperatures averaging 70-85°F. The region's combination of hardwood forests, prairie remnants, and riverside trails creates ideal conditions for horse-based recreation with most equestrian campgrounds operational from April through October.
Trail riding at Shimek State Forest: Lick Creek Unit offers an extensive network of wooded trails that wind through the forest's 9,000 acres. As one camper notes, "We had a wonderful time camping and riding the trails" at the Upper Equestrian Campground, which connects directly to the trail system.
Lake activities at Indian Lake Park: Located 45 minutes from Wapello, this park offers swimming, fishing, and paddling options alongside horse camping. A visitor to Indian Lake Park reports, "A lake with a nice sandy beach. Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends. Hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, bird watching. There are many things to keep you busy here."
Historical exploration in Bentonsport: The historic village near the riverside campground provides cultural attractions within walking distance. A camper at Bentonsport mentions, "The view of the Des Moines River and the Bentonsport Bridge was beautiful, and it is an easy and short walk into town," making it an excellent day trip from Wapello horse camps.
Full-service amenities: Big Hollow Recreation Area offers comprehensive facilities beyond basic horse camping. According to one visitor at Big Hollow Recreation Area, "This site has a large number of mostly cement camper spots, including pull through. There is a large playground and shower house. Primitive camping for single or group spots. Campgrounds also include a shooting range, beach, equestrian trails, canoe rentals, and launch."
Private, wooded sites: Many campgrounds feature secluded spots with natural buffers. One camper at Big Hollow observed, "If you want more privacy and easy access to the lake for kayaking I'd go for 14, 15, and 16. I'm in 32 and it is private and very pretty."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Local horse camps welcome riders of all ages. A visitor to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area shared, "My family enjoyed this campground. Even though some of the campground was slightly flooded during our stay, we still had fun!"
Seasonal flooding concerns: Riverside locations can experience periodic high water. A reviewer at Saulsbury Bridge noted, "The one downfall to this park is the possibility for flooding. When the Cedar River is high, it pushes Chicken Creek out of its banks which can mean potential closure of campgrounds."
Varied site types for different needs: Campgrounds offer diverse accommodations from primitive to full-hookup. At River Valley Horsecamp, a visitor observed, "Open sites near the Des Moines river and local road meant spots were just for sleeping. Excellent barns, accommodations, well-kept grounds and animals."
Reservation recommendations: Most equestrian campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. One camper at Indian Lake Park advised, "Almost empty during the week, but very busy on summer weekends," suggesting midweek visits for quieter experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Wapello, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Wapello, IA is Big Hollow Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Wapello, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Wapello, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
