The best campgrounds near Charles City, Iowa with horseback riding

Looking to go camping near Charles City, Iowa in the United States? Look no further than Hipcamp, where you'll find over 140 options to choose from. Whether you prefer a Windy Goat Acres with 208 reviews, Daniel's Cabin Retreat with 108 reviews, or n*Everland Barnyard Camping with 81 reviews, you'll find the perfect campsite for your adventure. With popular amenities like cooking equipment, showers, and pet-friendly options, you'll have everything you need to enjoy your stay. And with activities like wind sports, paddling, and surfing, there's never a dull moment. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

97% (41)

Top-rated campgrounds

Looking to go camping near Charles City, Iowa in the United States? Look no further than Hipcamp, where you'll find over 140 options to choose from. Whether you prefer a Windy Goat Acres with 208 reviews, Daniel's Cabin Retreat with 108 reviews, or n*Everland Barnyard Camping with 81 reviews, you'll find the perfect campsite for your adventure. With popular amenities like cooking equipment, showers, and pet-friendly options, you'll have everything you need to enjoy your stay. And with activities like wind sports, paddling, and surfing, there's never a dull moment. So pack your bags and get ready for an unforgettable camping experience!

97% (41)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Cedar Springs

93%

(21)

47mi from Charles City · 2 sites · Lodging · Decorah, IA

The property has been in my family for over 40 years and was originally settled in the mid 1800's. It is about 10 acres and is primarily wooded with Cedar, Oak, Maple, Hickory and Birch. The topography is diverse, having steep heights, easy flats and everything in between; which makes hiking fun and interesting. The lower College Drive side features a historic limestone homestead and quarry, also a fossil rich creek-bed and rustic (4WD) road to the top. The upper property (Hwy. 52 access) offers a secluded forest as well as a spacious meadow. The woods are filled with birds and many other indigenous wild animals. We are only a half mile from towns edge and two miles from its center (also a five minute drive from Luther College). The Decorah area is well known for its scenic natural beauty and has extensive hiking trails, biking trails, cross-country ski routes, rivers, creeks and hunting areas. People come here year round for our outdoor recreation and beauty. Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Tubing, X-country skiing, and Trail Riding are very popular activities around here. Bring a side-by-side or ATV and have a blast both on the property and around the area. Decorah has several museums, a movie theater, 2 golf courses and bowling alley in addition to dozens of charming shops and several restaurants. You'll never get bored staying at Cedar Springs.

2. Roy's Acres

100%

(25)

41mi from Charles City · 4 sites · Tents, RVs · Randalia, IA

Our expansive 360-acre farm, in the family for nearly 80 years, has undergone significant transformation. What was once a grove of trees and a borrow pit for highway construction has evolved into a welcoming campground. Amidst this landscape, we've erected two buildings, one of which is a shop equipped with a restroom and a charming porch. Nestled on this porch, my wife and I delight in evenings spent observing the deer and other wildlife, fostering a serene atmosphere for relaxation. Originally conceived as a space for family enjoyment and camping, we've now decided to extend this hospitality to others, embarking on further campground development. Our campground offers a variety of spots, some equipped with electricity for convenience, while others offer a more primitive experience, allowing guests to disconnect and embrace the tranquility of nature. While relaxation is our specialty, we have other outdoor activities to enjoy. With a pond for fishing and paddle boating, as well as close access to the Volga River for canoeing and kayaking, there’s plenty to explore. The Volga River State Recreation Area is only 10 miles away and offers more fishing, boating and hiking opportunities.

3. Oakwood RV Park

37mi from Charles City · 21 sites · Clear Lake, IA

Nestled in the heart of Clear Lake, Oakwood RV Park stands out as a premier destination for those seeking an upscale camping experience. Established in 1987, this privately owned RV park has become a beloved fixture in the community, offering a unique blend of comfort and nature. Our park features spacious premium pull-through sites designed for easy accessibility, making it ideal for larger RVs. Guests can choose between pull-through or back-in sites, both equipped with full hookups and complimentary Wi-Fi to ensure a convenient stay. In addition to our top-notch amenities, Oakwood RV Park is surrounded by a wealth of outdoor activities and natural attractions. Visitors can explore nearby swimming holes, hiking trails, and local parks, while also enjoying access to a variety of restaurants and shops in the area. Whether you're looking to relax or embark on an adventure, Oakwood RV Park is the perfect base for your Clear Lake getaway.

4. Lake Louise State Park

100%

(1)

39 sites · Le Roy, Minnesota

Discover the natural charm of Lake Louise State Park.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

5. Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

100%

(2)

135 sites · Wykoff, Minnesota

Discover the allure of Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

6. Pilot Knob State Park

100%

(1)

60 sites · Forest City, Iowa

Pilot Knob State Park is a go-to for seasoned campers.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

7. Volga River State Recreation Area

82 sites · Fayette, Iowa

Discover the natural splendor of Volga River State Recreation Area.

Pets

Electrical Hookup

Toilets

Public campgrounds near Charles City

100%

(1)

Lake Louise Campground

33mi from Charles City · 39 sites · Tents, RVs · in Lake Louise State Park

100%

(2)

Forestville Campground

45mi from Charles City · 135 sites · Tents, RVs · in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park

100%

(1)

Pilot Knob Campground

46mi from Charles City · 60 sites · Tents, RVs · in Pilot Knob State Park

Lakeview Campground

47mi from Charles City · 37 sites · Tents, RVs · in Volga River State Recreation Area

Albany Campground

48mi from Charles City · 45 sites · Tents, RVs · in Volga River State Recreation Area

Stories from the community

K

Kasra

October 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Roy's Acres

Steve and Ellen were absolutely amazing during the entirety of our stay. Their help and welcoming personality gave us the best weekend getaway. Steve was generous and allowed us to use his paddle boat on the beautiful pond and wood for the campfire. Keep a good eye out at night for a clear sky of stars. Had a great time on this acre, fishing, camping, cooking, and all. Highly recommend!

T

Tony

September 2025

16 ft car

With pets

Weekend Trip to Roy's Acres

Loved camping at this location, host is awesome and helpful. Can’t wait for the showers to be built!!

Doug

September 2025

31 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Roy's Acres

We loved camping at roys acres. It was so peaceful and quiet all weekend. The wife and dogs really enjoyed relaxing around the fire. And the stars were amazing out there.

g

garrett

August 2025

16 ft car

1 night at Roy's Acres

Mr steve was friendly, place was quiet and well Kept. Would definitely stay again if in the area.

B

Brian

May 2025

15 ft travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Roy's Acres

Beautiful campsite. So quiet and peaceful. Really enjoyed the large space we had all to ourselves. Would highly recommend to anyone staying in the area. We will definitely be back.

Matrice

May 2025

Weekend Trip to Cedar Springs

My fiancé and I loved staying here! The views were gorgeous, the greenhouse was beautiful and warm, especially for the colder night we stayed here in. Directions were easy to follow, the outhouse was clean and so was the whole grounds. The owners were extraordinarily kind, and people help make the place. This was a perfect first Glamping experience and we can’t wait to come back!

P

Paul

April 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Cedar Springs

Definitely the most unique property I've stayed at on Hipcamp! Stopped just for the night and I loved the little greenhouse experience and now I am spoiled because I had a whole rock quarry to myself! On top of all that they were very accommodating and got the spot ready for me last minute, I look forward to seeing this property in the future and would come back to this area to explore just to see this place again.