Elm Creek Horse Camp provides dedicated corrals for equestrian camping near Bayport, Minnesota, situated within the broader Elm Creek Park Reserve. The facility connects directly to over 20 miles of bridle paths through diverse terrain including wooded sections, prairies, and water features. Trail availability depends on weather conditions, with some closures after heavy rainfall to prevent damage.
What to do
Trail riding excursions: Take advantage of the diverse terrain at Wild River State Park Campground, where riders appreciate both wooded and riverside trails. "Wild River State Park is my go-to campground since it is within an hour of my home. I make it my first place to camp every season. Love the scenic trails and all the park has to offer. Hiking, biking, kayaking, fishing, exploring," notes Jeff L.
Archery practice: Campers at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve can access dedicated archery facilities during their stay. "They have beautiful hiking trails and a swimming beach for the hotter days. They also have an archery range and on Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch," mentions Tina H.
Winter adventures: For those camping during colder months, consider the seasonal opportunities at Wild River State Park. "We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp. The campground was fully reserved but was empty, the low was 10 so people must have bowed out. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails. The candlelight ski was great and the routes were marked with different colored luminaries," shares Joanna B.
What campers like
Private, wooded campsites: Campers appreciate the secluded nature of sites at Highland Ridge. "This is a beautiful, densely wooded campground with fairly well spaced sites. The campground is well maintained and the bathrooms are clean, and only an hour from our home in the northern suburbs," reports Deb M.
Family-friendly amenities: Families camping at Bunker Hills Regional Park enjoy the range of activities. "Huge waterpark, miles of bike trails," notes Tiffany W., while another camper adds, "They have a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park, several playgrounds, archery, an event center, frisbee golf, and yes a campground."
Star-gazing opportunities: The dark skies at Highland Ridge allow for excellent night sky viewing. "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance," explains Katherine T.
What you should know
Reservation essentials: Make advance bookings for equestrian camping facilities, particularly at Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve during peak seasons. "Sites fill quickly during peak summer weekends and fall color season," and "This campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great," according to Bryan S.
Site selection considerations: Choose your site carefully based on your camping style and equipment. At Highland Ridge, "Some sites on the short loop (28-38) are a bit smaller and slope down from the road, so be careful of the site's size when booking. Our 29' trailer would have been a challenging fit in some of those sites," warns Deb M.
Weather impacts: Trail conditions vary significantly with precipitation. After heavy rain, many bridle paths close to prevent damage. At Wild River State Park, seasonal changes create different experiences, as one camper notes: "We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Kids enjoy the swimming facilities at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," shares Timothy S.
Playground access: Multiple parks offer play structures for younger campers. At Baker Park Reserve, one visitor mentioned, "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be."
Educational opportunities: Look for ranger programs at Elm Creek Horse Camp. "This seems to be the hot spot for horses and if we go back I definitely want to do the horseback riding right outside the park!" notes one family camper, while others appreciate the wildlife viewing opportunities with "sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites!"
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: RV campers appreciate the generous spacing at Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River. "HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak. This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites," reports Spencer C.
Utility placement considerations: Check site layouts before reserving to ensure hookups align with your RV setup. One camper at Haycreek Valley Campground noted, "Our site was rather odd as the electric and water post was on the opposite side of our camper. Our standard water hose and electrical cord wouldn't reach."
Dump station logistics: While some parks offer full hookups, others provide only dump stations. At Highland Ridge, "There is a little dump station near the entrance where we got potable water and will dump on the way out," mentions one reviewer who appreciated this convenience for overnight stays.
Legend
