Description

The Crossroads Ranch Campground and Cabins is a lovely equestrian campground set in the beauty of the rural Iowa countryside. The park has sweeping vistas of rolling green hills, timberland, pastures, and crop land. Miles of equestrian and hiking trails wind through the 360 acre property. This big-rig friendly park welcomes both horse campers and non-horse campers. Crossroads Ranch is a great place to go horseback riding, take riding lessons, enjoy team riding/roping/rodeo competitions, go on a cattle drive, or just relax in the natural beauty of rural Iowa.

Location

Crossroads Ranch Campground and Cabins
50526 Hwy 65
Lucas, IA 50151
crossroadsranchlucasiowa.com
Office: (641) 217-1188
Mobile: (515) 321-6623
Latitude: 41.049313 N, Longitude: -93.470227 W, Elevation: 892 ft (272 m)

Details

We stayed for about five and a half months at the Crossroads Ranch Campground and Cabins – from early April through mid September, 2020.

We chose this campground in a rural area near family to ride out the spring/summer months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two days after our arrival in early April the governor of Iowa closed all campgrounds in the state. Fortunately, having long-term reservations and already being on site we were exempt and could stay.

The owner/manager of the campgrounds, Rob, and his family were welcoming and very helpful through our stay. We are very thankful for their hospitality.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response: Good – following State guidelines – primarily open air social distancing. Bathhouse still open, some equestrian events cancelled or cautioned to social distance. Campground closed by state order early in pandemic, then allowed to reopen with restrictions.

Once reopened, campground could still get very busy on weekends or for certain events – no masks evident and guests very careless about gathering in groups with close proximity around campsites.

Cost

We paid a rate of $600 per month – electricity included. There were no additional fees for pets or an extra vehicle.

Ratings (1-5)

Accessibility – 4/5

The campground is easily accessible from highway US-65 via a gravel lane. Park lanes are reasonably well-maintained gravel – although rough and uneven in places. The park has mostly back-in/pull-forward RV sites, a few pull-thru sites, and can accommodate large rigs. The campground bathhouse/office facilities have provisions for Universal access.

Caution – Beware of the Iowa clay/mud – after heavy rains it will be slick and can be virtually bottomless. To drive off the side of a site’s gravel pad after heavy rain is to risk sliding or getting stuck. If you have pulled forward into a site with a trailer, need to leave soon, and rain is in the forecast, then consider repositioning the trailer to pull straight out – or at least have your truck solidly in position on the site’s gravel pad ready to push back.

We experienced this issue just before leaving the campground. We had relocated to a pull-forward site – then came heavy rain and deep mud – we could not position our truck to back our fifth-wheel out. Rob assisted us by using his farm truck in backing out our trailer. (Thanks, Rob!!!)

Facilities/Amenities – 3/5

First thing to note is that this is primarily an equestrian park on a working cattle farm in a rural setting. The park is geared towards horseback riding, riding lessons, horse training, team roping/riding/rodeo events, and working with livestock. Expect horses, livestock, and farm equipment moving through the campground at any time.

The park amenities are no-frills and include full hookup 50/30 amp RV sites, restrooms, showers, playground, two fishing ponds, rental cabins, hitching posts/rails, corrals, horse shelter, barn, and two event arenas. There are miles of riding/hiking trails on the 360 acre property.

Tent camping is allowed on sites and there are large overflow areas for event parking and dry camping during large events. Facilities are clean and reasonably well-maintained. The bathhouse is tastefully decorated in western decor.

Site quality – 3/5 (2/5 on utility issues)

RV sites are full or partial hookup with 50/30 amp electric, picnic table, and fire ring. The park has mostly back-in/pull-forward sites, as well as a few pull-thru sites. Sites are gravel, generally clean, and some have shade trees. Sites along the top-tier of the campground feature corrals and hitching posts/rails at the back of the campsite. Most sites are level, with some exceptions having more slope.

Note that the park has recently expanded number of sites and is having some growing pains – particularly with water and electrical services:

Water service issues: Water quality at the campground is good, but addition of new sites in some sections results in low water pressure at times. Hydrants placed around the park always seem to have great pressure, but pressure at individual sites tends to be low and varies with usage on the line. For instance, if someone is filling a horse bucket at their site, there may be no water pressure at all further down-line. Patience and a full tank of fresh water on board your rig is called for. The campground needs to upgrade the water lines in some sections of the campground.

Electrical service issues: The rural electricity can be unpredictable, with occasional brown-outs, surges, and outages – especially when storms are in the area. Be sure to use a good surge protector to protect your rig’s electrical system.

Addition of extra sites has put more load on campground electrical – often causing low-voltage events on busy weekends when many rigs are in the park. Different sections of the park and several individual sites are on separate circuits and may not experience the heavy loads other sections do.

We invested in a Hughs Autoformer to help smooth out low-voltage events. At times on heavy weekends, though, we still had to turn off shore power and switch to solar/battery/inverter power. Relocating to a site on an isolated circuit eliminated the issue. The campground needs to upgrade the electrical wiring for some sections.

Scenic Value – 5/5

The campground is set in the lovely pastoral Iowa countryside, with grand views of rolling green hills, woodlands, pastures, and placid ponds. There are also miles of riding trails winding through the 360 acre property – perfect for guests to enjoy the fresh air and natural beauty of the country.

Location/Isolation – 5/5

This quiet campground is set in the countryside, far from the noise and bustle towns or cities. Sites are spacious and do not feel crowded. There may be some traffic noise from highway US-65 or the sound of a distant train.

Paws Friendliness – 3/5

The campground is pet friendly, but does not have cleanup stations or an enclosed pet run. Exercise caution in walking your pet when horses and livestock are in the area. The equestrian trails are off-limits to pets for safety reasons due to livestock roaming the pastures and woodlands. The campground is large enough for a fair walk with your pet – several laps required for a long walk.

Overall Rating – 4/5

Overall, Crossroads Ranch Campground and Cabins is a lovely place to stay for the horse camper or for those who enjoy the natural beauty of the rural countryside. We enjoyed our stay and would visit another time.

Additional info

Internet access

We received a weak to moderate 4G Verizon signal at this campground. WiFi is not available in the campground.

Water Quality

The water at this campground tested moderately hard.

Nearby Amenities

A limited selection of grocery stores, restaurants, shopping, automotive and RV services are available nearby in Chariton (14 miles), Osceola (17 miles), or Indianola (25 miles). A wide range of shopping and services are available in Des Moines, Iowa (42 miles).

Nearby attractions

Here are a few local attractions and activities:

• • Horseback riding, fishing, hiking, nature walks/photography
  • Antiquing, hunting, fishing
  • Stephens State Forest
  • John L. Lewis Memorial Museum of Mining and Labor
  • Red Haw State Park
  • East Lake County Park
  • Lake Ahquabi State Park
  • Rathbun Lake
  • Covered Bridges of Madison County
  • National Balloon Museum / U.S. Ballooning Hall of Fame
  • National Balloon Classic
  • Otter Creek Park
  • Milo Locker Meats
  • Summerset Winery
  • La Vida Loca Winery
  • Annelise Winery
  • West Hill Brewing Company
  • Des Moines – Metro Opera, State Capitol Building, Botanical Center, Museums, Art Galleries, Farmers Market, restaurants, shopping, entertainment venues

Photos