Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Kick back and relax with your four-legged pal at Brushy Creek Lake State Recreation Area -- a lush, green nature retreat where you can focus on the simpler things in life. The terrain here is diverse, made up of grassy prairies, forests, and the lake area, of course. Because of the variety in scenery, exploring this recreation area is a favorite pastime of many.

At the camp, you'll get to pick from 254 sites, some featuring basic hookup options, others geared towards parties who have equine members with them. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find a campground that caters to its horse guests better, as there are hitch rails at every equestrian site along with a small arena where you can keep your large camping buddy. Regardless of what type of lot you need, all of them come equipped with a picnic table, a fire ring, and access to drinking water.

Rates for the campsites start at $9 per night for a small site during the off-season, going all the way up to $38 for an equestrian buddy lot in the middle of summer. While the camping area is open year-round, the flush toilets and hot showers are not, so plan accordingly.

To fill the daylight hours, many take to the lake and its long stretch of accessible shoreline. While paddling around or taking things slowly on a motorized boat, remember not to stir up any kind of wake -- fast boating is prohibited here! Fishing, on the other hand, is not, so grab your gear and get casting lines. If dry activities are what you seek, head out on the 35+ miles of trail that rambles around these woods -- including one that leads right down to the water.

Your fur-baby is welcome to camp here with you; just remember, as in all Iowa State Parks, you need to keep them on-leash during your visit. Also, make sure that all pet waste has been cleaned up and properly disposed of. 

If this lakeside getaway sounds like the perfect place to camp, be sure to check out Bushy Creek State Recreation Area for your next outdoor trip!