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Best Equestrian Camping near Altura, MN

55 Reviews

Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground accommodates equestrians with horse trails and camping facilities designed for riders. Several sites in the campground are suitable for horse trailers with adequate space for both camping equipment and horse gear. The equestrian loop provides access to miles of horse-friendly trails through the forested landscape. Camp sites are flat and grassy with horse tie-ups available on site. Trail riding opportunities connect directly to the campground, making it convenient for riders to access routes without trailering. The campground fills quickly during peak riding seasons, particularly on weekends when organized trail rides occur.

The extensive trail system at R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest includes the Oak Ridge/Wet Bark Recreation Area, a small horse-friendly campground that serves primarily as a base for trail riders. Located within a network of bridle paths, this primitive camping area provides basic amenities for equestrians exploring the southeastern Minnesota terrain. No water hookups or electricity are available at the horse campsites, so riders must bring their own water supply for themselves and their horses. The campground remains relatively quiet except during hunting season when usage increases. Nearby Zumbro Bottoms offers additional horse camping options with more developed facilities including drinking water access and picnic tables at campsites. Trail connections throughout the area allow for multi-day rides between camping locations, creating opportunities for extended horseback touring through the hardwood forests.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Altura, Minnesota (12)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Altura, MN

2 Photos of 12 Altura Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Altura, MN

55 Reviews of 12 Altura Campgrounds

  • TyAnn J.
    Aug. 23, 2018

    Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    Family friendly adventures await among the tall oakes and maples

    Mystery Cave State Park is surrounded in in a lush green forest with huge oak and maple trees that hang over the road like a huge living canopy. My new word while we stayed there was “Forresty” due to feeling like we had entered a different world. There are so many activities to do both within the park and surrounding areas, but my most favorite thing to do was walk the endless miles of hiking trails. (Word to the wise, some of the trails are hiking/equestrian so watch your step😂) We didn’t do our homework, but if we would have known, we would have brought our fishing rods as the rivers were full of trout!!

    We arrived at 2:00pm on Saturday, after a long 5 hour drive from northern Minnesota. It was amazing to watch the landscape change from iron ore mining pits to countless acres of corn and potatoes!! Check in time is 4:00pm, but our spot was empty when we arrived, so the park rangers let us set up early (Friendly and most helpful!!) We grabbed a bundle of wood for $6.00 for a campfire while we were at the park office. (that is pretty normal rates as you can’t bring in your own wood at State Parks in Minnesota) There are 3 different loops, an additional equestrian loop, and 5 cabins. We stayed in loop “C” with has bigger sites for RV’s and offers electricity. Loops “A” and “B” have smaller sites (still big!!) and both of those loops are non-electric. None of the sites are “full” hook up, but there is a dump station & fresh water fill right off the park office. The restrooms and showers are just off of the “C” loop, as was the amphitheater, and there are garbage/recycling bins every 4-5th site. The park was very noisy, but that all changed when most of the folks left Sunday. It was very peaceful the rest of the week.

    There are so many things outside the park to do too!! We were not aware, but the Mystery Cave is a short drive from the state park. We took the scenic tour, and our guide Kip was fantastic!!! Hey let everyone ask all the questions they wanted to, and didn’t rush us at all!! The rate is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids 5-12, and kids under 5 go for free. The pictures just don’t do it justice!! The next day we drove to Masonic Park in Spring Valley and we were amazed by the sheer size of the rock face!! There is no charge to picnic or visit there and there is one spot for camping, but you need to get permission from the city before doing so. We also toured Niagra Cave which is a longer drive, but well worth it!! The underground waterfall was super cool!! They charge $16.00 per adult, kids 4-12 are $10.00, and children under 4 are free.

    All in all this was a great get away for our family, and I highly recommend staying at the park:)

  • David E.
    Sep. 10, 2022

    Haycreek Valley Campground

    Outside of City but Not Far for Access

    Nice campground outside of Red Wing, MN with a bar/restaurant and other features. Access to trials for bikes and horses. I stayed in the horse camp without a horse but it was a nice area.

  • Annie C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2019

    Pietrek County Park

    Nice little county park

    This was an interesting little campground sandwiched between the road and the Trempealeau River. The backstory on the park is that the gentleman who originally owned the land had asked that when he died that it be preserved as a wildlife area. His death came much sooner than anyone thought, and the family worked with the county to donate the land to the county as a park. There are about six tent only sites set back near the river, with three of them in close proximity to each other (I think it is used as a group camping area). When I was there the sites were poorly maintained and only had two fire pits and tables for all six sites combined. There are 25ish RV type sites with either just electric or electric and water. Some of these sites are set up back to back in an open field, which is not very appealing. The grass had been let to grow very long before the recent cutting, so it was like walking through freshly mown hay. There is a horse arena (very muddy when I was there), and it looks like you can camp with your horses on the edge of the RV area. The showers were really nice and fairly new.

  • Hannah H.
    Jul. 10, 2021

    Lake Louise State Park Campground

    Lake Louise Summer

    Good time! It rained and was a little muddy, but it was nice. Site 11 is kind of small for a large tent like we have. The group sites are close by and they were quite loud, but the rest of the park was nice and quiet. There is horse camping here, and the lake is nice for swimming.

  • Brian K.
    May. 7, 2017

    Chester Woods Park

    Great weekend spot!

    Chester Woods is a county park just east of Rochester, MN. It has a campground and man-made lake (created when Bear Creek was dammed for a flood control project) with hiking trails, a horse trail, picnic shelters, a beach, and a playground. The campsites have nice, soft ground for tents, and electrical outlets are available. It can get noisy on the weekend, but the sites are nice along the edge of the campground.

    The lake offers the opportunity to fish for panfish, catfish, and bass. There are a lot of submerged trees from before the Creek was dammed that provide good habitat in deep water, and there is also good shoreline structure and weed beds. There is a fish cleaning house next to the campground which has electric lighting, but no running water.

  • O
    Jun. 30, 2020

    Haycreek Valley Campground

    Our favorite campground

    We have been going to Haycreek for over 15 years for horse camping. The trails are shaded, no bugs, friendly campers and staff. They have electric and water hookups for horse campers, and they have overflow for horse campers. The trails here are amazing.

  • J
    Jun. 2, 2020

    Maple Springs Campground

    Wonderful gem near Forestville state park

    Some girlfriends and I wanted to stay at the camp for the weekend and have a place to social distance ourselves. We rented the horse camp sites and we couldn't have been happier. The sites have water and electric. There are high ties for the horses. The sites have a nice gravel pad with a picnic table and fire ring at each site. There is also a dump station that we were able to use before we left on Sunday. None of us had been at this campground before and love trying new places. We are endurance riders so we are used to early nights and up at dawn for riding. This camp was so nice and quiet! We had a nice fire after dinner listening to the water and birds. There were families with children, couples of all ages and well behaved dogs everywhere! The owner Andy as so gracious answering our many emails and questions. He went the extra mile at every turn. We can't thank him and his employee(who's name I sadly can't remember) we're just absolute delights! We will absolutely be back. And we will always check here first to see if their horse sites are open before checking the state camp. It's a very short road ride to the park trails and the campground and their amenities are first rate. I can't wait to return!!!

  • Megan L.
    May. 26, 2021

    Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    Open land, surrounded by trees

    Campsites are flat and grassy. They back up to each other so good for groups camping together. Has horse tie ups and great trails

  • Annie V.
    Aug. 7, 2020

    Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

    Best Memories of My Childhood

    I’m probably a little biased. My parents started coming to this park to ride horses in the 70s. We spent at least 3wks every year here when I was a kid trail riding, hiking, even tubing down the Root River (there’s no commercial tubing available and you have to get up and walk through rocky shallow spots, so it isn’t ideal for this, but tell my 10yr old self that).

    I stayed here recently in the “people campground.” I hiked 12mi in one day and had a great time. The campsite itself was great—privacy and no loud neighbors. I always make sure to stay in spots without electric if possible to escape the culture and noise that accompanies RV camping. Site #4 isn’t very level, but it backs up to the river and the access trail out of the campground. Forestville never disappoints me—I even randomly ran into my own uncle while hiking!

Guide to Altura

Horse camping in Minnesota offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to saddle up and enjoy nature.

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities for horse lovers

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Most campgrounds have horse-focused activities and trails

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Altura, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Altura, MN is Chester Woods Park with a 4.7-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Altura, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Altura, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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