Overview: Horseback Riding in Iowa

Iowa rewards the rider who looks beyond the agricultural plain of the central corridor to discover the geological and ecological treasures preserved in its corners and river valleys. The Yellow River State Forest in the Driftless Area of the northeast — where the last glaciation never reached — preserves rugged limestone ridge and valley terrain with clear-water trout stream crossings, sugar maple and basswood forest, and the fine-grained backcountry character of a northeastern Iowa landscape unlike anything else in the state. The Loess Hills State Forest along the Missouri River bluff in western Iowa is one of the most geologically extraordinary landscapes in North America, with knife-edge ridge crests rising 100 to 300 feet above the river valley with views across the Nebraska plains.

The Backbone State Park and Pikes Peak State Park bluff systems of the northeastern river corridor, the Ledges and Dolliver sandstone canyon parks of the central Des Moines River, the Stephens State Forest and Lake Rathbun corridor of the south, and the Des Moines metropolitan area’s active equestrian community collectively make Iowa one of the most varied and most underappreciated riding destinations in the upper Midwest.

A Brief History of Horseback Riding in Iowa

Iowa’s relationship with horses predates European contact and encompasses one of the richest equestrian traditions in the upper Midwest. The Iowa (Ioway) people, the Sauk, Meskwaki, Potawatomi, Sioux, and Otoe-Missouria nations all acquired horses through trade networks extending northward from Spanish colonial settlements in the Southwest, with horses reaching the upper Mississippi and Missouri river regions by the early eighteenth century. The Sioux peoples of the western Iowa prairie developed an equestrian culture of extraordinary sophistication that shaped the entire subsequent history of the Great Plains. The Meskwaki people, whose contemporary Meskwaki Settlement in Tama County represents the only tribally-owned land in Iowa purchased through private treaty with the state, maintained equestrian traditions in the river valley and forest edge terrain of the central Iowa interior.

The breaking of Iowa’s tallgrass prairie — converting the deep-rooted grass communities of the central corridor to the corn and oat fields that define the state’s agricultural character — was accomplished primarily with horse and mule power. The working Belgian, Percheron, and Clydesdale draft breeds dominated the Iowa farm economy through the early twentieth century. The Iowa State Fair, established in 1854, developed its draft horse competition into one of the most significant equestrian showcases in the Midwest — check iowastatefair.org for current year programming.

Where to Ride: Iowa’s Major Regions

What to Wear, Pack & Know

An ASTM/SEI-certified riding helmet is essential for every Iowa ride. The state’s trail terrain includes the rocky limestone ridge trails of the Driftless northeast where rattlesnakes may be on the trail surface, the dangerous steep loess slopes of the western hills, and the clay-heavy upland trail systems that become severely slippery after rain throughout the state. Iowa law requires properly fitted protective helmets for equestrian riders under 18 at organized equestrian activities and most licensed operations require them as standard policy.

• ASTM/SEI-certified riding helmet — essential for all riders of all ages; fall and spook hazards from rattlesnake encounters and loess slope footing failures require head protection on every Iowa ride
• Boots with solid one-inch heel — smooth-bottomed riding soles preferred over heavily lugged soles that pack with Iowa clay
• Permethrin-treated riding clothes — apply before the season; reapply periodically; essential March through October for deer tick protection across all Iowa woodland terrain
• DEET-based insect repellent — apply to all exposed skin before every woodland ride March through October; also effective against mosquitoes and deer flies active in Iowa summers
• Light-colored long pants tucked into boots — tick visibility on Iowa’s woodland trails is critical; deer tick nymphs can be nearly invisible on dark clothing
• Current Loess Hills weather check — do not ride Loess Hills ridge or slope terrain within 48 hours of any significant rain; check the forecast and recent precipitation before every Loess Hills ride
• Loess Hills trail condition contact — call the Loess Hills State Forest management before any Loess Hills visit if there is any doubt about current conditions
• Flexible layering system — Iowa’s four-season climate ranges from spring mud season through summer heat and humidity to cold October and November riding; carry a packable rain shell for the frequent afternoon thunderstorms of summer
• Blaze orange vest — required for any Iowa public land ride during deer gun season (typically November)
• Confirmed campground reservation — for any October Yellow River State Forest or Loess Hills equestrian camping visit; do not arrive without a confirmed reservation during peak fall season
• At least two liters of water per rider for any ride over an hour; more in summer heat and humidity

Creek crossing management: In the Yellow River State Forest and the Driftless terrain, approach creek crossings at a walk, assess depth and current, and cross perpendicular to flow on the firmest bottom. After significant spring rain, the Yellow River and its tributaries can rise quickly to levels that make normally easy fords impassable — check with the state forest management for current crossing conditions before setting out on any crossing-heavy route.

Trail etiquette: Horses have the right of way over hikers and cyclists on Iowa’s multi-use trails. Dogs must be leashed when horses are present in Iowa state parks and state forests. Blaze orange is required on all public land during deer gun season, typically in November. In the Yellow River State Forest and Loess Hills, remain on designated equestrian trails to avoid introducing invasive plant species and to protect the sensitive loess and limestone terrain.

Beginner Ride Ideas in Iowa

Intermediate Ride Ideas in Iowa

Equestrian Events in Iowa

The Iowa State Fair in Des Moines is one of the most celebrated state fairs in the country and a showcase for the full breadth of Iowa’s horse culture — draft horse hitch and halter competition, open horse show programming, harness racing, 4-H and FFA youth horsemanship, and western performance events. The Iowa State Fair’s draft horse competition, reflecting the state’s deep connection to the working draft breed tradition, is among the most significant in the Midwest. Check iowastatefair.org for current year dates and equestrian programming.

Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona near Des Moines is Iowa’s primary active live racing facility, hosting a mixed thoroughbred and quarter horse meet that provides the most accessible professional live racing experience in the state. Check prairiemeadows.com for current meet schedule — racing dates vary annually. The Iowa county fair circuit harness racing tradition is one of the most authentically grassroots racing experiences in the country, with county fair tracks throughout the state operating harness racing programs as centerpiece events of the agricultural fair season.

The Iowa Trail Riders Association organizes group rides, benefit trail events, and equestrian camping weekends throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons at Yellow River State Forest, the Loess Hills, and other public land trail systems across the state — check iowtrailriders.com for the current event calendar. The Kalona area horse sales in Washington County provide a window into Iowa’s Amish working draft horse culture.

Riding Vacations & Weekend Getaways in Iowa

Sample Three-Day Itinerary — Yellow River State Forest and Driftless Fall Ride: