Horseback ride at Lake of Three Fires or stay by Viking Lake while camping near Bedford.
Two hours outside Des Moines, Bedford provides a quiet retreat in southwestern Iowa. Embrace the serenity at a private campsite near Viking Lake, or up the comfort for the evening and reserve a cozy bed in a historic Iowa farmhouse. Public campgrounds are also available at Viking Lake State Park, where 1,000 acres of natural parkland are home to deer, ducks, and beavers. Enjoy a light hike on the Burr Oak Nature Trail, swim on the lake’s sandy beach, and sleep by the shore in the full-service waterfront camping area. Just a few miles outside Bedford, Lake of Three Fires State Park offers more water activities like bluegill fishing and boating, as well as snowmobiling for year-round fun. Studio cabins and electric campsites make it easy for every camper to stay comfortable for a few days. Lake of Three Fires is also a favorite for equestrians and includes a variety of group and single campsites that allow horses and provide easy access to the trails.