If you like organized activities combined with a lot of fun then join us for our special events....we'll be looking for you.

Special Events


Our goal for the River Valley Lodge and Campground is to provide a quality camping experience for you and your horse. For some, that means peace and quiet. For others, that includes organized events and the potential for a large gathering of horsemen, horsewomen, and horses.

This Special Events page will highlight an organized event open to anyone who would care to participate.

We hope to provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy, either quiet or a busy day of activities. You make the choice. 

We want Happy Campers and Happy Horses!


BOOKING NOW FOR ALL THE FOLLOWING 2023 EVENTS

JUST A REMINDER...if you have already made 2023 reservations in 2022 please confirm these reservations just to be on the safe side. Call Carolyn at 319.878.3888.


Special Just a reminder that you should never assume that the cabins are all taken...give Carolyn a call at 319.878.3888 and find out for sure. Yes, they are usually booked but cancellations do happen so you might well get lucky.



Feb 12th - Super Bowl Party & Super Tack Auction by Rock Ridge Saddles & Tack, Kirk & Stacy Watson - 473.406.5389.


March 24th - 26th - First Wright’s Donkey Sorting Series. Let’s all hope it don’t snow.


March 30th - April 2nd - An instructional retreat called "Cowboy Dressage Clinic". Learn more about Cowboy Dressage and what it has to offer you and your horse. This is an all inclusive event. For details call Sheri Dill-Billings at 641.919.4021.


April 7th - 9th - Working Cowhorse Clinic by Smoking Guns.Contact Audra Turner at 319.850.8593 for info.


April 14th - 16th - First of the Ranch Horse Show Series

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April 15th - Dr. Bill from the Keosauqua Vet Clinic will be providing Vaccinations, Coggins tests, Castrations, etc. at reduced prices on the 15th. Also, both a farrier and an equine dentist will be onsite for your convenience. No appointment is required but would be appreciated. You can call ahead for a no waiting “fast pass”.


April 21st - An instructional retreat called "Cowgirl Backing Clinic". Learn the skills needed to back your own truck and trailer as well as other helpful tips and tricks. This is an all inclusive event. For details call Sheri at 641.919.4021.


April 21st - 23rd - An instructional retreat called "Let's Paint the Trails". A women's all inclusive trail riding and instructional painting weekend. For details call Sheri Dill-Billings at 641.919.4021.


April 22nd - Spring Fling Horse and Tack Sale

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April 23rd -27th - Clinician Kelli Paulson Presents Trail & Obstacle Clinic. Call 402.889.6042 for information.


April 28th - 30th - Carl Bledsoe Gaited Clinic

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May 5th - 7th - Saddle Up for St. Jude. Includes trail rides, auction, dance, poker run, food, and much more.....and it is all for a good cause! Please bring an item for the silent auction. Special camping rates!


May 5th - 7th - Second Wright’s Donkey Sorting Series with barrel racing.


May 6th - Morning: Lockridge Rough Riders Fun Show. Afternoon: Kentucky Derby Party - Ladies wear your best “Derby Hat”.


May 11th - 14th - An instructional retreat called "Camp Gallant". This is the clinic for riders with fear and anxiety. This is an all inclusive event. For details call Sheri Dill-Billings at 641.919.4021.


May 19th - 21st - Second of the Ranch Horse Show series. Jackpot sorting, team roping, barrel racing, food concessions, dance, and more.


June 1st - 6th - 16th Annual Cowboy Fun Colt Starting Competition. 1st prize of $2,000 cash. Peoples Choice Award, dance, wine tasting, food, clinics, and more! Colts will be offered for sale after the event.


June 3rd - New and Used Tack Auction at 4:00 PM. Call Terry at 309.657.1602.


June 4th - 7th - An instructional retreat called "Boot Camp". Get you and your horse off on the right foot with our Boot Camp. This is an all inclusive event. For details call Sheri Dill-Billings at 641.919.4021.


June 9th - 11th - Pony Express Riders of Iowa. Includes trail ride, dances, kids fun show, auctions, poker run, food, and more. A Camp Sunnyside benefit. Special rates for primitive campsites.


June 10th - 11th - Farmington Strawberry Festival....come camp with us and enjoy the festival.


June 16th - 18th - Third of the Ranch Horse Show series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, dance, food concessions, and more.


June 23rd - 25th - First River Valley Trail Challenge Series. Call Gail at 319.470.4529 for details.


June 23rd - 25th - Third Wright’s Donkey Sorting Series with Barrel Racing.


June 30th - July 2nd - An instructional retreat called "Let's Paint the Trails". A women's all inclusive trail riding and instructional painting weekend. For details call Sheri Dill-Billings at 641.919.4021.


July 7th - 9th - Fourth Wright’s Donkey Sorting Series and Barrel Racing.


July 14th - 16th - The fourth of the Ranch Horse Show series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, wine tasting, food concessions, and more.


July 21st - 23rd - Field of Dreams Dash by the Arabian Horse Distance Riding Assn. Kristine Jubeck 563.542.3611.


July 28th - 30th - Unofficial “Old Cowgirls Never Die Get Together”.


July 28th - 30th - Cowgirl Challenge by Terry Kear. Call 309.657.1602.


Aug 3rd - 6th - An instructional retreat called "Camp Engage". Take your horsemanship to the next level with Camp Engage. This is an all inclusive event. For details call Sheri Dill-Billings at 641.919.4021.


Aug 11th - 13th - Second River Valley Trail Challenge Series. Call Gail at 319.470.4529 for details.


Aug 11th - 13th - Fifth Wright’s Donkey Sorting Series with Barrel Racing.


Aug 18th - 20th - Fifth of the Ranch Horse Show series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, food concessions & more.


Aug 25th - 27th - All Around Ranch Horse Competition. Call Terry at 309.657.1602.


Sept 6th - 9th - Tri State Rodeo and Cinch Shootout at Ft. Madison. River Valley offers quiet camping only 25 miles away.


Sept 9th - Cowboy Dressage Play Day. For details call Sheri Dill-Billings at 641.919.4021.


Sept 15th - 17th - Mule Festival at Kahoka, Missouri. Camp at quiet River Valley and take in this great event that is just across the state line. Entertainment Deluxe!


Sept 15th - 17th - Sixth of the Ranch Horse Show series. Jackpot sorting, roping, barrel racing, food concessions, & more.


Sept 23rd - Annual Fall Horse and Tack Consignment Auction. Contact Terry at 309.657.1602.


Sept 28th - Oct 1st - NO EVENT WEEKEND - Quiet Camping!


Oct 6th - 8th - BFMFRW (Bentler Family Memorial Fall Ride Weekend). Dance, trail ride, wine tasting, food, and more. A special weekend for all families and friends.


Oct 7th - Lockridge Rough Riders Fun Show.


Oct 13th - 15th - Finals of the River Valley Trail Challenge Series. Call Gail at 319.470.4529 for details.


Oct 13th - 15th - Wright’s Donkey Sorting Series and Barrel Racing Finals with Season Awards.


Oct 13th - 15th - Check out the Van Buren Scenic Drive Festival for a great time.


Oct 20th - 22nd - Finals of the Ranch Horse Show series. Don’t miss this final competition and awards.


Oct 27th - 29th - The Spooky Halloween Weekend....trail ride, dance, wine tasting, contests, benefit auction and much more fun.


Nov 10th - 12th - Cornerstone Fellowship Ministry Cowgirl Retreat - All Girls weekend. Call Greta Cummings 319-931-1398.


More events and clinics to be announced as dates and details become available so check back at this website often.


A Special "Thank You" to our Sponsors

Keosauqua Vet Clinic, Dr. Bill Helling D.V.M. - 319.293.3580

Buford Dozing & Excavating - Bonaparte, IA - 319.470.1492

L & M Ranch - Knox City, MO - 660.341.8748

JMW Enterprises - The Original Gooseneck Easy Coupler - 319.931.5727

The Tack Room - Victor and Ashley Munford - Croton, IA - 319.795.4710

Shiloh Outfitters - Mt Pleasant, IA - 319.986.5156

Rhinestones and Rawhide - 319.430.1148


Schedule

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