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Best Equestrian Camping near Prairie du Chien, WI

46 Reviews

Yellow River State Forest offers dedicated equestrian camping facilities through two specialized campgrounds. The Frontier Equestrian Campground and Creekside Equestrian Campground both accommodate horse campers with electric hookups, water access, and designated areas for horses. These campgrounds provide picnic tables and fire rings at each site while maintaining access to the forest's extensive trail system. The campgrounds feature fifty-amp and thirty-amp hookups suitable for RVs and trailers, allowing equestrians to camp near their animals. Both locations require reservations and permit pets, making them suitable for family trips with both horses and other animals.

Located approximately 30 miles north of Prairie du Chien in northeast Iowa, Yellow River State Forest encompasses over 8,500 acres with trails specifically designed for horse riding through diverse terrain. The forest's trail system connects directly to the campgrounds, allowing riders immediate access to wooded ridges, open meadows, and scenic overlooks. Horse campers can access the Paint Creek Unit trails which wind through forested hillsides and valleys. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed in the facilities, the equestrian campgrounds are specifically designed to accommodate horses and their trailers. The Reno Horse Campground in nearby R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest provides an additional primitive camping option for those seeking a more rustic experience, though it offers fewer amenities than the Yellow River facilities.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (7)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Prairie du Chien, WI

46 Reviews of 7 Prairie du Chien Campgrounds

  • Jeannie B.
    May. 23, 2021

    Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

    Many things to do here

    Backbone is a very diverse area. There are miles of trails. Is hiking your thing? What about equestrian? Maybe mountain bike trails? You can even take the family for a nice leisurely walk on the easier trails. Exploring is fun at this park because there is so much to see. The Trout stream was busy the weekend we were there. You might even want to play a round of Gulf. We have solar on our trailer so we stayed in the Six Pines campground and it was beautiful. We listened to the night animals for hours.

  • Joanna B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 16, 2020

    Reno Horse Campground — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

    Dispersed camping

    5/30/20-5/31/20

    We went camping on a whim and headed to the state forest since dispersed camping is open. We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background. There are multiple handmade rock fire pits, some rock chairs, tables and lots of space.

    There are many hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River. There is also hiking within this unit and a horse campground. The bugs weren’t too bad, no ticks, no critters and no road noise. It was very quiet and peaceful. I’d highly recommend this section of RJD forest.

  • Mary S.
    Aug. 19, 2018

    Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    Small campground has nearby hiking and fishing

    This review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.

    Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?

    It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.

    Activities

    Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.

    Amenities

    Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.

    Cost

    You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.

    https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&page=siteresult&contractCode=IA&parkId=610130

  • James M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2022

    Frontier Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    Very nice equestrian CG near trout streams

    In Yellow River State Forest,-Very nice spacious sites for horses/riders including tie-ups, fire rings, tables at each site. Self registration, trails from/ camp including stream crossings in trout streams. Manure station with tools. Some trails are multiuser.

  • Ashley D.
    Aug. 23, 2018

    Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

    Fun for the whole family

    This campground has many things to do. This place has tent, rv and cabin camping, you can choose modern or non modern camping. Fun activities include fishing, swimming in a lake and also ground fed springs, boat rentals on the lake, hiking also horse trails, rock climbing, caves, playgrounds shelters for events and parties. I am sure there are even more things to do that I didnt have the time for.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 4, 2020

    Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

    Great park!

    I tent camped at Six Pines Campground for 3 nights in August. The park has two campgrounds and this one is non electric with pit toilets and water. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring with a really nice grill. The sites are large and flat and the ones on the outside of the loop are well shaded. Two trails can be accessed from the tent campground - Six Pines trail and West Lake trail. There are two shower houses that you can use at the RV campground but it takes about 15-20 minutes to drive across the park to that campground. The park is very large with about 20 miles of trails. There is a spring fed creek and, if you stay away from the trout fishing area, you can play and wade in the creek. It has a sandy/rocky bottom and sandy banks. It felt wonderful on a hot day. There is a swim beach on the lake but it was closed due to E. coli in the water. There’s a small camp store too. At night in this campground there are no lights except in the registration kiosk so it’s perfect for star gazing. The Field of Dreams movie site is just 45 minutes away and makes for a fun side trip. There is a town about 10 minutes away with a couple restaurants and coffee shops. The Six Pines trail can be taken from the campground to the Backbone trail. The Backbone trail is along a rocky ridge. There are side trails down to the base of the cliffs and lots of rock climbing to do. Very fun to explore the side paths and climb up the rock walls.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2020

    Six Pines Campground — Backbone State Park

    Many different camping options

    There are two campgrounds at this park (the first state park in Iowa): a primitive one and a “modern” one. The primitive one (Six Pine) only has a pit toilet and each site has a fire grate and a picnic table. The modern campground (South Lake) has 30 amp, 50 amp, and tent sites. The electric sites are very close together (too close for our liking) so we opted for a tent site. We were in a loop with about six sites, and while the site size was generous and spaced a decent distance apart, there was no delineation between sites and no specific place to park your vehicle (and you cannot park on the road). These sites were also decidedly bumpy and not level; it took us about 15 minutes of maneuvering our van around to find a reasonably level spot. 

    The restrooms were six separate rooms, each complete with toilet, sink, and shower; they were clean. 

    We drove around the park and saw the balanced rock (meh) and I walked the short distance to the mouth of the cave. There was good signage to find the cave but once there, no information about the cave and its safety (or not) was available so I opted not to explore its dark and wet interior! There are seven trails in the park; the East Lake trail was a treat to hike. It hugs the lake for about two miles and while you can veer off onto the Bluebird Trail, I enjoyed hiking out and back for a different view. You can also hike from the South Lake campground to the beach– about a mile but the trail does start and stop, and you have to walk on the road for a bit. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats but we did not take advantage of this. We also did not swim so I cannot speak to the quality of the lake (other reviewers took issue with this). There is also a CCC museum, but it was not open while we were there. 

    We stayed one night which was sufficient for us. It might have been nice to stay longer if we decided to rent kayaks or hike different trails.

  • Nicholas H.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 23, 2022

    Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

    Location

    The campground name is called big paint. The location is very nice, right next to the river. I wouldn't exactly call it a river though. It's nice and quiet, and very nice trail runs through it as well. The only thing is the sites are very close together

Guide to Prairie du Chien

Yellow River State Forest's equestrian campgrounds sit in northeastern Iowa's Driftless Area, a unique region that escaped glaciation during the last ice age. The terrain features steep valleys, bluffs, and cold-water streams not typical of the Midwest. Equestrian campers can access over 25 miles of designated horse trails that connect directly to both Frontier and Creekside Equestrian Campgrounds, allowing riders to explore the forest's diverse ecosystems.

What to do

Trout fishing in stocked streams: Yellow River State Forest contains several streams regularly stocked with trout throughout the season. "Trout fishing is good with seasonal stockings," notes James M. about Creekside Equestrian Campground, adding that there are "multiuser trails including stream crossings" that allow access to fishing spots.

Hiking to lookout points: The forest offers multiple scenic overlooks accessible by trail. "Visited the 3 lookouts including Iowa only Fire tower. Bird life is colorful. Lots of places to hike. Scenery is lush," shares Tori L. at Big Paint Campground.

Explore nearby cultural sites: The region contains interesting historical and cultural attractions. "Great trails, and interesting cultural sites nearby (indian mounds, Field of Dreams, etc.)," mentions Jen E. about her experience camping at Big Paint Campground.

What campers like

Trail system variety: Riders and hikers appreciate the network of trails throughout the forest. "Very nice spacious sites for horses/riders including tie-ups, fire rings, tables at each site. Self registration, trails from/camp including stream crossings in trout streams," writes James M. about Frontier Equestrian Campground.

Scenic bluff views: The Driftless Area's unique topography creates impressive vistas. "Hilly, much hillier than you'd expect in the midwest, with beautiful river views," notes Jen E. about the terrain surrounding Big Paint Campground.

Well-maintained facilities: Despite being relatively rustic, the campgrounds receive positive feedback for upkeep. "Clean, well kept sites with tie-ups, tables, fire rings, manure station and tools," observes James M. about Creekside Equestrian Campground.

What you should know

Seasonal considerations: The campground availability changes throughout the year. "Was very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November. Not a lot of free parking options in this part of Iowa... Fee was $12. First come first served basis from November through March," reports Stuart O. about Big Paint Campground.

Limited amenities: Many campgrounds in the area are primitive or semi-primitive. "No water, electric, or dump station, so very much like a parking lot overnight from that perspective," states Stuart O., though he adds that Big Paint has "beautiful tall trees, and there are fire rings."

Mobile connectivity: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the forest. "I had no phone service," notes Tori L. about her stay at Big Paint Campground, which is important for planning, especially for those who need to remain connected.

Tips for camping with families

Explore nearby towns: Local communities offer additional activities. "Nearby Harper's Ferry is a neat little town, so be sure to visit there!" suggests Daphne D. after staying at Big Paint Campground.

Choose the right campground: Each camping area has distinct characteristics. "We stayed at the Big Paint Campground and had a nice time. The sites there are pretty spacious and level, but they don't feel very private because this campground is essentially just an open field with line of sight to all other campsites," advises Daphne D.

Consider walk-in sites for more privacy: For those seeking seclusion, walk-in sites offer advantages. "There were walk-in campsites available too which we decided we would try if/when we come back again since they are a bit more secluded and private," recommends Sara S. who camped at Big Paint with extended family.

Tips from RVers

Water and electric planning: RV campers need to prepare for limited hookups. At South Lake Campground in nearby Backbone State Park, Edward B. notes you must "fill water tanks before parking and 30/50 power available" since there are "no full hook ups."

Site selection for levelness: Many campgrounds in the region have varying site conditions. "Was very thankful to find a place to overnight in mid-November... the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass," explains Mary S. after staying at Big Paint Campground.

Reservation systems vary: Some campgrounds require advance planning while others allow spontaneous stays. "All reservable spots...clean bathrooms, showers and spots," reports Edward B. about South Lake Campground, while Big Paint offers some non-reservable sites, particularly in the off-season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Prairie du Chien, WI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Prairie du Chien, WI is Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest with a 4.5-star rating from 12 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Prairie du Chien, WI?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Prairie du Chien, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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