Sibley State Park's Equestrian Campground sits at an elevation of approximately 1,200 feet amid the rolling glacial terrain of central Minnesota. Trail riders can access about 12 miles of designated bridle paths winding through both woodland and prairie ecosystems. Unlike more developed camping areas, this specialized campground maintains a primitive character focused on functionality for horse owners.
What to do
Mount Tom hiking: Reach the highest point in Sibley State Park for panoramic views across the surrounding landscape. "We thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance. Equestrian camping area is nice and plenty of horse trails too," notes a visitor to Equestrian Campground.
Lake activities: Rent kayaks or fish from the pier at Lake Andrew. "The biggest hit for me was the newly remodeled beach area on Lake Andrew. Plenty of space and a nice 'fishing' pier to hang out at. They rent kayaks there too!!" shares a camper from Equestrian Campground.
Winter recreation: Experience seasonal activities like snowshoeing on illuminated trails. At Lake Carlos State Park Campground, one visitor reports: "I stayed here with a few friends in the winter when the park was doing their lantern-lit snowshoe trail. They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter."
What campers like
Clear water swimming: The lakes near Alexandria offer excellent water quality for swimming. At Glacial Lakes State Park Campground, campers appreciate that "The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm" and "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards."
Spacious sites: Many campgrounds provide ample room between sites. One camper at Oak Ridge Campground notes: "Camping spot was shaded with plenty of room. Nice shower house and plenty of bathrooms."
Winter camping options: Year-round camping opportunities exist with varying amenities. "We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent. A couple and their 2 dogs stayed in the truck camper and me and another friend stayed in the clam with an electric space heater going in addition to our 0 degree bags. It stayed pretty cozy!" shares a Lake Carlos State Park visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal bug concerns: Different insects present challenges throughout the season. At Pomme De Terre Campground, campers should be prepared for potential flooding: "We stayed on the Pittsburgh side and found the campground amazing! Until it flooded. We were evacuated and moved to higher ground."
Lake water levels: Water conditions can change dramatically, affecting facilities. "The lake was really high when we visited, which led to a useless campground fishing pier and a boat dock that you had to swim to to use," notes a visitor to Glacial Lakes State Park.
Site selection: Not all sites offer equal privacy or features. "If you're looking for a bit of privacy, I'd recommend any of the sites before 96. If you're looking for ease of access to multiple camping spots (for a family get together with extended family) sites after 94 would be great for that," advises a camper at Oak Ridge Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Nearby towns: Take advantage of proximity to local communities. Near Lake Carlos State Park, one camper notes: "Close to downtown Alexandria where there are a variety of things to do: breweries and restaurants, shopping, other parks and trails."
Nature programs: Educational opportunities exist for children at park nature centers. "Nature center is really good and all of the staff are great and friendly. Definitely worth checking out," shares a visitor to Lake Carlos State Park.
Beach access considerations: Swimming areas vary by location and season. At El Rancho Manana, a camper reports: "It has a swimming beach that is ok. You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: When horseback riding near Alexandria, choose sites that accommodate trailers. At El Rancho Manana, equestrian campers benefit from "On site horseback riding was great."
Winter hookups: Limited electric sites remain available during winter months. A Lake Carlos camper shares: "They have 1 site (electric) available in the winter. We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent."
Campsite privacy varies: Some campgrounds offer more secluded options than others. "The sites are very close together not much privacy," notes an El Rancho Manana visitor, while Oak Ridge Campground has sites that are "shaded with plenty of room."
