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St. Croix State Park offers horse-friendly camping options at both the Old Logging Trail and Riverview campgrounds. The park spans 34,000 acres, making it Minnesota's largest state park, with sites that accommodate tents, RVs, and cabins. While specific horse facilities are not detailed in the available information, the park provides numerous trails suitable for riding. Sites at Old Logging Trail campground feature fire rings and picnic tables, with some offering more privacy through vegetation between sites. Riverview campground has more open sites with less privacy but includes electric hookups for RV campers. The campgrounds maintain clean bathroom facilities and showers, with some loops featuring newer bathhouses.
The extensive trail system throughout St. Croix State Park connects riders to various natural features, including the St. Croix River. Both paved and unpaved trails provide diverse riding experiences through the forested landscape. Boulder Campground in Saint Croix State Forest offers a more rustic alternative with no electric hookups or showers, operating on a first-come, first-served basis from May to November. Visitors should prepare for seasonal conditions, particularly regarding insects, as multiple reviews mention significant mosquito activity during summer months, especially June. The park's remote location results in limited cell service, so visitors should download maps or entertainment before arrival. Trailer parking is available, though specific horse-related amenities such as corrals or wash stations are not mentioned in the available data.
"Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent. The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St."
"This is Minnesota’s largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them. But clean park."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my favorite state parks for last minute camping trips due to its proximity to home."
"There is a modern restroom and shower, it is also located near a nature store."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availability"The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip. A beautiful lake and lots of trails."
from $17 / night
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GuideThis was my first solo tent camping night in June 5, 2020. There were some horse flies when I parked but they didn't seem to hang out in the shade of my campsite. There was a very loud bird making calls until about 1am... Maybe a whip-poor-will. Otherwise a serene spot tucked back in the walk in site.
Directions to the walk in sites were a bit unclear when driving in but I eventually made it there.
LegendThis park has a ton of camping available, particularly if you don't need electricity and have a smaller rig because then you can get into more of the campground loops. (There is electricity here, but there are many more sites without.)
The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy. Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent.
The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St. Croix River, plus there are hiking trails, a paved bike path, a fire tower you can climb, an old CCC camp area you can tour, and more. Also, canoe and kayak rentals are available. And this is all within the state park boundary since, at 34,000 acres, the park is the largest in the Minnesota state park system.
Some of the loops have old bathhouses that desperately need to be replaced, but they are in the process of doing so, which means some loops have great new bathrooms and showers. (If you stay in the upper 200s, sites, you'll have one of these new bathrooms right away, but more are being built.) Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting-- don't think about using the web or social media or getting any work done while you're here.
Overall, we enjoyed our weekend at this park and would come back for another getaway if we had the chance and it wasn't a workday.
GuideThis is Minnesota’s largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them. But clean park. Would go back for sure.
TravelerOur scout troop camped for a weekend her. Our site was very spacious, and had close access to a well maintained outhouse and walking distance to indoor toilets and showers. The main disadvantage to this site was, no trees.
TravelerThe drive into the park was absolutely beautiful!! Stayed at old logging trail campground. I was initially worried because I didn't realize the site was right next to a vault toilet, but besides for the occasional flashlight at night, it felt secluded. It was very buggy, so be prepared for that. I can't wait to go back so I can explore more of the park!
ScoutThe site we had was isolated nicely and the ground was easy for a tent set up. There was some mosquitos, but the disappeared at night which was nice. The trail near by was nice, but driving into the park and finding a trail were better. The fire tower was also cool!
GuideFor $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids. Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served. The campground was clean and in better shape than any state park campgrounds I have been to.. The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip. A beautiful lake and lots of trails. There are many ATV trails on the way in, but the ATVs are not allowed in the campground. Most likely on busy weekends you were going to hear them in the distance. Mid week it was quiet and there was only three other people there and this remote campground.
GuideOur family went up and rented Guest House 1. The house was great! It had everything we needed in the kitchen, a grill out front, picnic tables, fire ring, plenty of sleeping for our extended family. However, the second we walked out the door, you had at least 5 ticks on you. If you spent any extended amount of time outside, there were 20+. It was terrible, as my sister was pregnant and didn't want to risk it and we had a 1, 2, and 4 year old. We spent a large part of the weekend searching each other like primates and picking bugs off. Since the weather wasn't the best, we didn't feel as bad missing out on being outside.
We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger. That being said, we have had several conversations with others who have also said it was the worst tick experience they have ever had and will not choose to go back again.
ScoutWe camped with our in laws and 3 kids this past weekend at St. Croix state Park, we were in the riverview campground on site 36 (no hook ups). Sites were pretty open but small. There were HOARDS OF MOSQUITOS. We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites. The paved walking trails were nice. The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool. There is a playground but we didn't use it. We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids! There is kayak and canoe rental on the weekend. The showers and bathrooms were very clean.
St. Croix State Park encompasses 34,000 acres of wilderness terrain at the confluence of the St. Croix and Kettle Rivers in east-central Minnesota. Located approximately 35 miles from Carlton, the park's unique ecosystems transition between coniferous and deciduous forests. The park rebuilt many facilities after a severe 2011 windstorm that damaged over 13,000 acres and removed much of the tree canopy in camping areas.
Climb the fire tower: The 100-foot observation tower provides panoramic views across the expansive park landscape. "There is also a 100' fire tower you can climb up and get an epic view," notes Scott G. about Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park.
Explore CCC historic sites: Tour the restored Civilian Conservation Corps camp buildings from the 1930s. "Cool buildings from the CCC era as well as some signs talking about camp life," reports a visitor to Old Logging Trail.
Wildlife viewing: The remote forest areas offer opportunities to spot diverse wildlife. According to one camper at Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground, "We like camping in state forest for the wild life experience. We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Yote's."
Fishing from shore: Fish directly from the riverbanks without a boat. One family at Riverview Campground reported, "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!"
Privacy between sites: Many sites at Old Logging Trail feature natural screening. "The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy. Site 207 was especially tucked in," notes Ari A.
Clean facilities: The park maintains well-kept bathroom facilities. "Nice modern bathrooms as well," mentions a reviewer at Old Logging Trail, while another notes "The showers and bathrooms were very clean" at Riverview Campground.
Remote location feel: The separation from urban areas creates a true wilderness experience. A camper at Riverview Campground — St. Croix State Park commented, "It's very very secluded from the near by town. On days that the moonlight is not out bring flashlights because when the moon is not shining it's pitch black."
Trail system variety: The park offers extensive hiking options. "Lots of trails for hiking," reports Scott G., who appreciates the varied terrain throughout the park.
Seasonal mosquito populations: June typically has the highest mosquito activity. "Do Not Camp In June... Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster," warns Lili R. about her experience at Old Logging Trail.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is minimal throughout the park. Tori K. advises, "Cell service is fairly spotty here so come with podcasts or shows downloaded ahead of time!"
Rustic options available: For those seeking a more primitive experience, Boulder Campground offers no-frills camping. "For $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids," explains Daniel H. from Boulder Campground.
Campground differences: Riverview is more open while Old Logging offers more vegetative screening. "Very open, lawn like, no vegetation between or bordering sites," describes Mike P. about Riverview Campground.
Ranger programs: Take advantage of educational activities led by park staff. Sara P. recalls, "We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger."
Bug protection strategies: Pack appropriate insect repellents and treatment options. One camper at Riverview shares their approach: "We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites."
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Children can enjoy shore fishing success with minimal equipment. RK M. notes, "The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool... We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!"
Weather preparedness: Summer storms can be intense in this region. Duncan G. reports from Riverview, "We also experienced the most intense and violent thunderstorm of my life. One lightning strike hit within 100 yards of our site."
Electric site availability: Most electric hookups are concentrated in specific areas. "The Riverview loop is 1 of 3 at St. Croix State Park. This loop is where 90% of the electric sites are, but it is also a very open campground," explains Amber Z.
Reservation strategy for non-reservable sites: First-come, first-served areas require early arrival. For Boulder Campground, Daniel H. advises, "Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served."
Site angles for parking: The design of sites facilitates easy RV positioning. Scott G. observes at Old Logging Trail, "Campsites were nicely angeled for easy parking."
Horse campgrounds near Carlton, Minnesota: While St. Croix State Park offers equestrian camping options, specific horse facilities are limited to the designated horse campground areas. Most sites are designed for general camping rather than specialized horse accommodation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Carlton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Carlton, MN is Old Logging Trail Campground — St. Croix State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Carlton, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Carlton, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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