Lake of Three Fires State Park Campground offers 23 equestrian campsites with electrical hookups and one equestrian buddy site for group camping. Located in Bedford, Iowa, approximately 60 miles from Maryville, the campground provides holding stalls and tie-outs for horses alongside standard camping amenities. The equestrian camping area is situated east of the main campgrounds but remains within walking distance to the lake. Clean restroom and shower facilities serve all campers, and the sites are spacious enough to accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers. Horse owners can reserve their preferred sites online through the Department of Natural Resources website, with maps showing exact site locations, electrical voltage, and length specifications. Campground data and reviews near Maryville, Missouri is regularly updated on The Dyrt.
Ten miles of trails intertwine around Lake of Three Fires, offering extensive riding opportunities for equestrians. Some trails are specifically designated for horseback riding while others accommodate multiple uses, all providing beautiful views of the 85-acre lake from various vantage points. Trail maps with "you are here" markers help riders navigate the network of paths that snake around each other, allowing for different route discoveries during each visit. The trails connect to a 220-acre public hunting ground to the north and 160 acres to the south, expanding riding territory for equestrians staying at the campground. During winter months after significant snowfall, some of the equestrian trails become available for snowmobiling. The campground maintains clean sites with fire pits featuring excellent grate systems for cooking, making it particularly suitable for extended equestrian camping trips.
"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."
"Nice sites close to the lake with electricity water and wifi."
$14 - $75 / night
"The actual lake is only 85 acres but has excellent fishing and is surrounded by 691 acres of beautiful trees with hiking and equestrian trails, fishing jetties and a sandy beach."
"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."
$25 - $30 / night
"There are plenty of camping sites around the park no matter your style, even spots for horses! I prefer the hike in spots myself."
"The park is huge and takes you along an hour long historic trail that has old settlements, ruins of workshops and beautiful view-points of the Missouri river from the bluff edges."
$30 / night
"The tent sites have an area with showers and in door plumbing but there are also many tent sites speckled around the park, some have vault toliets and others are primitive."
"The trails are great. Beautiful scenery and our camp site was spacious. I wish the horse trail rides weren’t closed for the year and the main trail."
"A Missouri conservation area, a mile off the road. a gravel road gives you access to many multi use trails. see map attached. there were 5 or so nice camping spots with picnic tables and fire rings along"
"It was a little close to the highway so got a little highway noise, but not bad. No trains😊 Only one other camper so plenty of room.
Pit toilet, no water."
$15 - $110 / night
"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."
"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."
"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"
"This lake has multiple campgrounds spread throughout. It one of the only lakes in Iowa where you can drive your boats fast. Great fireworks show on the 4th of July."
"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."
ScoutLake 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.
GuideThere is a legend about how the Lake of 3 Fires got its name. The legend says that the “Fire Nation”, which was a local Pottawatomi tribe, lived in the area around Southwest Iowa. Later 2 other tribes decided to join the “Fire Nation” and the 3 became known as “Three Fires”. The Tribes burned 3 fires atop hills to signify that as long as the 3 fires were burning the tribes were together. Now on the spot where the fires burned, is said to be the Iowa State Park “Lake of 3 Fires”
Located in Southwest Iowa just north of the county seat of Bedford Iowa, is a little hidden treasure for outdoor enthusiasts and campers. When looking for a campground everyone has an opinion on what amenities and activities they want- fishing, hiking, boating, and horseback riding are some of the more popular choices and the Lake of Three Fires has all these and more. The actual lake is only 85 acres but has excellent fishing and is surrounded by 691 acres of beautiful trees with hiking and equestrian trails, fishing jetties and a sandy beach.
For those who are planning more than a day trip to the Lake of 3 Fires there are several options available. Located only a very short walk from the Lake are two modern campgrounds nestled in trees. There are over 100 site options for campers. For the RV or trailer enthusiasts there are 24 standard electric sites and 63 non-electric sites, plus 3 buddy sites. In addition, there are 23 equestrian sites (some electrical) and 1 equestrian buddy site along with plenty of holding stalls and tie outs for horses. They are located just east of the main camping grounds but still close enough to walk down to the lake. There are nice clean restroom and shower facilities, children’s play areas and a trailer dump station. Some of the campsites have also been made handicap accessible.
For those families who don’t have a camper or RV but want to experience camping at the Lake of 3 fires there are 6 family cabins which can accommodate 4- 6 people. They are heated and cooled with the basic essentials- stove, microwave and refrigerator. There are also open shelters and a youth group area that offer a place to rent for large group gatherings. There are picnic areas available that are first come first serve. There are plenty of tables and grills if you are just making a day trip but camping is the way to go at the Lake of 3 Fires so you have time to experience everything.
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. It is very convenient and easy to reserve your spot online. Highly recommended if you plan on traveling any distance- a guaranteed spot of your choice is worth the few minutes it takes to go online and reserve. You can even look at a map of the campsites and pick where you want your site to be. You can see not only where your site will be but it tells you the electrical voltage, the length and other important information about the site you are choosing.
The camp sites are kept clean, well maintained and are big enough you don’t feel like you are right on top of your neighbor. The bathhouses are centrally located in the campground and offer clean bathroom and shower facilities for campers.
Once you have your camper set and are ready to enjoy your weekend it will be hard to decide where to start. The Lake itself offers many activities. There are 2 boat ramps if you want to go out on the ‘no wake” lake. There are plenty of fish to be caught including bluegill, largemouth bass and channel catfish. If you don’t have a license to fish you can run into town and pick one up at the courthouse or the Bedford Country Store located right on Hwy 2, very easy to find! There is a dock where you can fish and it also has a cleaning station also available. There are several fishing jetties where you can take a chair and set up to find the perfect spot. From your spot on the lake you might catch a glimpse of some people enjoying a beautiful day on the lake on their canoes or kayaks.
For the hunters, there is a 220 acre public hunting ground to the north and 160 acres to the south. You would of course want to check with the DNR for hunting and gaming regulations.
Not into hunting and fishing? Prefer something a bit more relaxing? Well head down to the beach area which is just a short walk from the camp grounds. There you find a small but very nice beach area for swimming. Not in the mood to swim? Then grab some friends for a game of sand volleyball or perhaps pitch horseshoes. The beach area is perfect place to relax with a good book or play some games with friends. The best part is to get there from the campgrounds you take a beautiful short scenic walk.
Perhaps one of the best parts about the Lake of 3 Fires is the 10 miles of trails the intertwine around the entire Lake. There are some specific trails for hiking but some others that offer horseback riders an amazing view of the lake. The great thing about the trails is how they snake around each other- you could discover a new path every time you go. The trials are nicely marked with “you are here “maps so you don’t get lost. There are beautiful views of the Lake from the far side where you can see clear across to the campgrounds. In the winter after a good snow, they say snow mobiles can also use the trails.
Bedford is only a few miles away so you can run into the local Hy-Vee for Groceries or stop by Dollar General if you forgot something. There are 2 gas stations in town as well that both have pizza, drinks and snacks if you need to stock up.
Getting to the Lake of 3 Fires isn’t hard at all From Bedford just go east out of town for about 1/2 mile on Hwy 2. Then turn north on Lake Road, keep going for about 3 miles and Lake of Three Fires is located on the west side. The roads are a bit windy but everything is paved including the main roads of the park. For a short weekend getaway of a weeklong camping adventure, the Lake of 3 Fires has plenty to offer everyone in your camping group.
GuideTo be perfectly honest we camp at Nodaway often- but that because of its location - close to work and such. However there are limited activities at Nodaway.
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. The bath house is located at the far end so if you are on the lower circle or at the end it can be a walk. It isn't fancy by any means- a single sink, toilet, and shower in the same room- one for each sex. It gets the job done- but it is no frills. There is a dump station centrally located that you can easily pull up to on your way out.
The park is big- lots of trails for hiking and horses. They are usually very well maintained- they keep them mowed in nice wide paths and the trails range from nice and flat to a bit more steep.
There is a little pond but there are no fish in it and it could use some work- lots of moss and such.
There are several different picnic areas and a second bathroom away from the campgrounds. The playground is outdated but there is a large area where kids can play soccer or tag and while the equipment is old it is not in bad shape.
There is a beautiful look out area (away from the camprounds) that looks over Clarinda and is very nice to watch the annual 4th of July fireworks from the Clarinda A's baseball team.
We love Nodaway not because of the amenities but because we can all get together and be close to work/school/home. Camping here does require some yard games and activities for entertainment- but you are just a couple minutes from the store if you forget something!
TravelerThis 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.
TravelerA Missouri conservation area, a mile off the road. a gravel road gives you access to many multi use trails. see map attached. there were 5 or so nice camping spots with picnic tables and fire rings along the tree line soon after entering, but no gravel off road parking areas. signs said we must stay on gravel, so we couldn't camp there with our trailer without blocking the road. we found a handicapped site by the the one vault toilet. and one campsite at the end of the road. Both were not available. we set up in the parking area near the vault toilet, stayed hooked up to our truck. the outhouse was clean and had paper, but could use a new seat. it was a pretty area with lots of trees just changing into Fall colors. We didnt hike on the trails due to hunters present. it worked well as a quick stop over
RangerNice rolling hills. Some easy and moderate hiking trails, horses welcome, most of the activity is out on the lake so if you don’t have a boat you’ll be sad. Also learn about some of the Native American history of the area.
Yay: shady and private sites, all pretty close to the lake, lots of trails, some cabins (would be great for family reunions).
Nay: middle of nowhere and not really worth a detour, but if you’re near Bedford it’s a great little place.
Surprise: there is hunting open to the public so enjoy and/or be careful!
LegendBe 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 and you may have to hit your brakes pretty hard, so be careful.
The first entrance to the park is an equestrian campground that was closed when I arrived. Don't stop there, keep driving another 300 yards and you will find the main entrance to the park.
For a county park with limited resources it meets expectations. The biggest detractor is all of the goose poop but I suppose you can live with that, especially if you are pulling a camper. You can't swim in the pond but the views are nice. I would honestly say that this is not where I would choose to camp but it is a great place to stop and have a picnic.
LegendStayed 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.
LegendThis 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.
Lake of Three Fires State Park offers horseback riders extensive trail access across varied terrain, with connecting paths to additional hunting grounds north and south of the main park. The equestrian camping area provides specialized facilities east of the main campgrounds but remains accessible to lake amenities. Sites accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers, with access to clean restroom facilities.
Fishing opportunities: Mozingo Lake County RV Park offers extensive fishing options with lake views from every campsite. "Nice lake with views from every site," notes Eric A., while Dave M. mentions the "nice sites close to the lake with electricity water and wifi."
Paddling and boating: The 85-acre lake at Lake of Three Fires supports non-motorized water activities. "The lake is perfect for canoeing and fishing, overall nice place," writes Julie C. Small watercraft are ideal as Caralee D. explains, "It has a good sized lake for fishing and kayaking, but not too big for large speed boats."
Disc golf: Recreation options extend beyond water activities at several parks. "It has a great frisbee golf course that my boys loved playing," shares Caralee D. about Lake of Three Fires, making it a versatile destination for active visitors seeking land-based recreation.
Peaceful atmosphere: Lake Icaria Co Park receives praise for its tranquil setting. "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," reports Nicole B., who also appreciated the "beautiful trees and hiking especially in the fall."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness stands out to visitors throughout the region. At Lake Icaria, one camper was impressed that "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!"
Wildlife viewing: Honey Creek Conservation Area offers secluded camping with natural encounters. "This is a beautiful wooded conservation area," writes Sayler O., adding "we stayed at camp area 3 which is way more wooded and deep inside the conservation area with access to the river right on the site."
Reservation systems vary: While Lake of Three Fires allows advance site selection, not all nearby campgrounds offer this option. Nodaway Valley County Park operates differently, as Kimberly W. explains: "There are 11 on what we call the upper circle and 4 on the lower circle. The bath house is located at the far end so if you are on the lower circle or at the end it can be a walk."
Seasonal considerations: Fall camping provides unique advantages in the region. Tony B. recommends camping at Waubonsie State Park during autumn, noting "it could be because the applejacks festival going on across the river in Nebraska City."
Terrain variations: Campgrounds near Maryville feature diverse landscapes. "Gorgeous terrain, lake is perfect for canoeing and fishing," Julie C. writes about Lake of Three Fires, while at Waubonsie, Jennifer M. notes: "Trails are beautiful and quiet, with several scenic overlooks."
Playground access: Waubonsie State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "The day use areas looked great," shares Fred S., though he notes camping areas may be "bunched together - offering no privacy and spacing between sites."
Swimming options: Several parks maintain beach areas for summer recreation. At Lake Icaria, Nicole B. reports a "beautiful lake, great boating, great swim spot, fun park for kids," making it particularly suitable for families with children of various ages.
Wildlife precautions: Parents should prepare for wildlife encounters, particularly at Waubonsie where Danni A. warns: "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."
Hookup availability: Hackberry Hollow Campground at Indian Cave State Park provides multiple services for RVers. Shannon G. explains, "We stay in a site that is your basic State Park sites-Electric. In the campground there are vault toilets (not the cleanest, but by far not the worst)."
Site dimensions: RV campers should consider space requirements at each location. Rick K. describes Mozingo Lake: "Concrete Pads with Power and Water at the Site but no Sewer dump, that's Centralized in the Camp."
Seasonal access: Mike S. recommends timing visits to avoid crowds: "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!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Maryville, MO?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Maryville, MO is Mozingo Lake County RV Park with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Maryville, MO?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Maryville, MO, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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