Equestrian camping options near Brooklyn Center, Minnesota range from dedicated horse camp facilities to mixed-use state parks. Located in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities metro area, this region features sandy soil, glacial terrain, and oak savanna landscapes. Most equestrian camping facilities open from April through October, with many trails becoming muddy during spring thaw and after heavy rainfall.
What to do
Trail riding on sandy terrain: Lake Rebecca Park Reserve offers extensive trail systems through varied landscapes. "Big park! Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home," notes one visitor. The park maintains separate horse trails that connect to other recreational areas.
Mountain biking adjacent to camp: The Bunker Hills Regional Park maintains an extensive single-track trail system for mountain bikers. A camper reports, "Close to a top 10 disc golf course if that's your thing" while another mentions "Lots of site options from open field options to pretty tree covered areas."
Guided trail rides: Near equestrian campsites, some parks offer guided horseback experiences for visitors without their own horses. "There is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on," notes a visitor to Bunker Hills, making it accessible even for those not traveling with horses.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Lake Elmo Park Reserve provides spacious campsites with natural separation. One camper noted, "Sites are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic."
Waterfront proximity: Wild River State Park offers riverside camping with views. "Backpack site Buck Hill is right on the river, beautiful view to the east. Circled by flowers (goldenrod in the late summer), brush and trees," writes one visitor, highlighting the natural settings available.
Barn facilities: At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, equestrians appreciate the permanent structures. "The barn stalls are available for use (unlike the Blue Stem horse site), otherwise there are overhead horse hitch lines," explains a camper, noting the practical structures that complement camping areas.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campsites require advance booking, especially for weekends. The Ann Lake Campground operates differently: "This campground is on a first come, first serve basis. There are no reservations for the regular sites (although I do think they might take reservations for the equestrian and group sites)."
Poison ivy awareness: Several parks have significant poison ivy growth. At Ann Lake, a camper warns: "Sites are large with varying degrees of privacy. Well spaced out, just some have less undergrowth. Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy."
Seasonal bug activity: Different parks experience varying levels of insect activity. "The best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails, the wooded areas are nice but you may want to hustle out of there if you don't have enough bug protection," advises a rider at Crow Hassan.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Baker Park Reserve offers multiple water recreation options. "The lake is nice. There are 2 swimming beaches: 1 for the campground and one for all of the day visitors. You can rent canoes, paddle boats and SUP boards," notes a family camper.
Playground access: Several parks feature dedicated play areas for children. "The swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids," reports a Lake Elmo visitor.
Short trail options: For families with young children, look for campgrounds with brief trail loops. "We were able to get out a bit after applying a few more layers of repellant. Our site was on a short private trail off the main loop and opened up to a decent space," describes a visitor to Lake Maria State Park.
Tips from RVers
Limited campground access: Many horse camps have narrow entry roads. At Ann Lake, one RVer noted: "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking."
Cell service considerations: Signal strength varies considerably across equestrian camping areas. An RVer at Ann Lake warns: "2 bars of 4g service made it a little difficult to pay online over the phone. No reception in lower elevation sites. Pay immediately or the camp host will nag you even if you have to walk to higher elevation to get signal."
Water and electrical hookups: While most horse camps have water for equines, RV hookups are limited. "Easy late check in with campsite hosts. Lots of site options from open field options to pretty tree covered areas. Fire grates and restrooms available. Your reservation fee does NOT include the daily parks fee of 7 dollars just FYI," advises a Bunker Hills visitor.
