12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Limited options exist for equestrian camping in the Clearwater, Minnesota area. Among nearby campgrounds, El Rancho Manana in Richmond provides primitive sites that can accommodate riders with horses, though none of the facilities offer dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine amenities. The park does permit horse camping with appropriate containment that campers must provide themselves. Most sites feature standard amenities like fire rings, picnic tables, and access to drinking water. The mosquitos can be problematic during summer months at many of these locations, particularly in low-lying areas near water.
Trails in the region connect to larger networks suitable for day rides. Water access points along trails allow horses to drink, though riders should verify seasonal availability. Lake Maria State Park features hiking trails that, while not specifically designated for equestrian use, provide scenic wooded routes through varied terrain with moderate hills. Proper trail etiquette is essential when sharing paths with hikers and other recreational users. Winter camping is available at some locations, allowing for year-round access with proper preparation for cold weather conditions. Most parks require advance reservations, especially during peak season from May through October when availability becomes limited.
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
from $22 - $80 / night
Check Availability"There are no reservations for the regular sites (although I do think they might take reservations for the equestrian and group sites)."
"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
"The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."
from $21 - $29 / night
Check Availability"You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."
"So as a result the Riverbend group equestrian campground is now the parking lot for day visitors through at least August. "
"This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels. "
"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has 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(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
from $20 - $32 / night
Check Availability"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
from $40 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Away from the lake is another campground in the oak savanna section of the park, and this campground seems quieter with more spacious sites, although they are more open."
"Sibley State Park isn't the most amazing park in Minnesota, however it's still a very nice little campground!"
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance. Equestrian camping area is nice and plenty of horse trails too. 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!!
LegendDuring these COVID times everyone wants to get out and about more, which means that the main parking lot for the park that used to be mostly designated for horse trailer parking is now overrun with family vehicles. So as a result the Riverbend group equestrian campground is now the parking lot for day visitors through at least August.
In normal times you can rent this group campsite for$70-$80 a night, which is ridiculously cheap considering that you can fit quite a bit of horse trailers on here. The information for this site states you can put 10 horse trailers on this lot, but I have definitely seen groups camp here with more. The barn stalls are available for use (unlike the Blue Stem horse site), otherwise there are overhead horse hitch lines.
This campground is nicely maintained and has nice mature trees that a lot of people set up hammocks in. The vault toilet near the barn is nice, there are no showers. Be aware that the road into this group site only is wide enough for one vehicle at a time, so far I’ve been lucky to not encounter another vehicle as I’m entering or leaving.
LegendThis state park uniquely showcases an ecologic transition zone between hardwood forest, savannah, and prairie. There are also local history connections. As a bird watcher, I was very excited to see birds here that I dont usually see at home in northern Minnesota, and to learn a bit more about glaciation in this area and about prairie and savannah habitats. The park has self guided hikes, educational nature programs, and learning kits for birding and more that you can check out at the ranger station. The lakeshore is pretty, and the lakeside campground is green and leafy with mature trees but the campsites are very close together, and the beachfront and bath house are currently closed for renovation which puts a damper on waterfront activities. Away from the lake is another campground in the oak savanna section of the park, and this campground seems quieter with more spacious sites, although they are more open. The park’s camper cabins are located here and are in a very pretty setting tucked into a little hill, though a bit of a walk to the bathrooms and showerhouse. At both campgrounds there are nice ADA sites which are level, spacious and accessible, and also close to the bathrooms. I was at a conference in nearby Willmar, and this park is a good alternative for lodging if you need to be in the area. If you are really into learning more about prairies and local glacial geology, the nearby Prairie Environmental Learning Center is fantastic to visit, and lots of prairie pothole WMAs are also closeby for waterfowl watching
LegendThis is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed. Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer. Horse camping is available in two locations in the park, even though once when I was there a family was camping in the parking with their horses. Apparently they got the cops called on them by some other park patrons who didn't believe that this was an option. At the time it was marked as a camping location on the map, but that may have changed.
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. For non-horse riders some parts of the trail out in the open prairie might be a bit sandy. Also important to note- bikes are NOT allowed on the trails. Absolutely gorgeous in the fall. Pit toilets are available and there is water available at the entrance off of Park drive, not sure about the other locations.
GuideIf you’re the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree.🌲🐶 Tucked away near the archery range(don’t worry—nobody’s aiming at your pup), this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire. The ground is mostly level—perfect for a tent and a sturdy dog bed—and the trails? Chef’s kiss. Plenty of new smells, shaded stretches, and squirrels for days. Now, to be clear—this is a horse camp first and foremost. So if your dog isn’t a fan of our four-hooved friends, you might want to steer clear. But if they’re cool with horses and know how to heel when a giant gelding struts by, they’ll be just fine. A few bones to pick: There’s not much privacy between sites, so if your dog’s a talker, your neighbors might get a serenade. And while$16 a night is totally reasonable, the$7.50 reservation fee nips at the budget a bit—especially if you’re staying more than a couple nights. Still, Campsite 2 hits all the right notes: trails close by, fire ring ready, and enough space for a tent, a camp chair, and a dog who thinks every stick is a gift from heaven.🦴 Would we come back? Absolutely. My dog already packed his leash! what
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TravelerVery nice quiet horse camp. Could use more horse trails, only about 12 miles worth of trails for horses.
TravelerThis 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).
I highly recommend the walk-in-sites for the most private tent camping experience. The walk from the car isn’t far, but the sites are off the road and in the pines. If you like to have your car at your site, you’ll find some sites with nice long driveways that can accommodate multiple cars, or even a truck with a boat/trailer. The beach is nice and private, but it’s a bit of a hike from the campsites. I’d recommend just hopping in the car and driving over if you’ve got young kids with you.
There is no store or firewood sold at the campground, so you’ll have to haul your own in from an approved vendor.
ScoutI was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay. There are park pavilions and a water park connected to the campsite, a gold course nearby, and shops, too - - but the actual campsite, bike/walking/horse trails make you forget all of that. The temperature was COLD the first night, but perfect the rest of the week. Absolutely loved the experience, and I will go again.
LegendThe park
Disclaimer: I did not actually camp here. There are two group campsites that are available, but considering that my friends aren’t big campers I wasn’t willing to pay $85 a night for a campsite (and I’m pretty sure these get booked up quickly on the weekends). I’ll talk more about the two group sites later.
I really liked this park, it felt like there was something available for everyone. When I first pulled in I checked out the single track trail area first and the parking lot was full of mountain bikers. This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels.
There are two water access points- one for Lake Rebecca and one for the nearby Crow River. There are also boat rentals available, I’ll attach a pic of this season’s current rates. There are also two fishing docks located not too far from the main beach area. I didn’t get in the water so I have no idea how clean it is, but there were many happy swimmers. Keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty.
In addition to the single track unpaved trail there is also a horse trail and a paved trail that looks in good condition- I’m hoping to bring my horse to check out the former and my roller blades to check out the latter. This park has always been relatively nearby to where I have lived, but I have never actually been before my visit this weekend since other horse riders have always had cautionary tales about how bad the bugs are here. I am not sure how they are on the horse trails, but I set up my hammock in a wooded area and I didn’t think that the amount of mosquitos that approached me was anything note-worthy.
I haven’t been to the group campsites yet to scope them out, someday soon hopefully, but these are the descriptions that I was able to track down online. My one gripe about the Three Rivers park district is that finding information about the campgrounds isn't as straight forward as it should be.
Sarah Creek group campsite can accommodate 80 people and it has a barn and hitching posts. The amount of horses that it can support is unknown. There is a volleyball net, grill, fire ring, water pump and latrines (so I’m guessing rustic).
The South group campsite seems to be geared more towards mountain bikers since it has a garage-esque structure that I’m guessing you would store your bikes in. It can accommodate 50 people, has a grill, water pump latrines, fire ring, and horseshoe pit.
Weeknights are $70 and weekends/holidays are $85. This seems like a huge steal considering how many people these sites can accommodate!!!
Product Review
As a Dyrt ranger, I received a gift card to REI for participating in a recent campground review contest. I recently became obsessed with hammocks, and thanks to a BOGO from Trek Light I now have two. One of the hammocks I received was part of a bundle and came with ropes already, but the other didn’t. Before I bought a second pair of the same ropes I decided I wanted to see how well they worked before I spent another $20 on just basic ropes that aren’t terribly long.
I purchased a set of ENO Atlas hammock straps for $29.95 and they are well worth the $10 price difference. The ENO straps are 9 feet long each and together can hold up to 400 pounds. Instead of fiddling with tying knots and retying them to get the perfect adjustment, I can just move the hook on my hammock between the pre-stitched rings as necessary. The extra length and the quick adjustments are greatly appreciated by someone who is still new to hammocks and isn’t great at eyeballing things. ENO does have a set of longer straps that are each 13.5 feet long, but I figure that if I find myself in a situation where the trees are too far apart for these straps I can just attach my ropes to the Eno straps and take advantage of the double capacity feature of my hammock. So Far I’m really impressed with how easy these are to loop around the trees and adjust the tension of my hammock.
Equestrian camping options near Clearwater, Minnesota include several parks within a 35-mile radius. The area features moderately rolling terrain with a mix of hardwood forests, prairie lands, and glacial lakes. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F, with significant mosquito activity from June through August, particularly in wooded campsites near water sources.
Trail riding at Crow Hassan Park Reserve: The park offers extensive horse trails through prairie and woodland settings. "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed. Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer," shares Krista T., who frequents the Crow Hassan Park Reserve.
Beach access for horses: Some campsites provide lake access where horses can cool off. "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," notes a Crow Hassan visitor, highlighting the importance of planning rides around bug conditions.
Mountain biking options: For riders looking to alternate activities, Baker Campground offers extensive trails. "Access to lake independence. A lot of biking trails. Nice clean bathrooms. Nice park for kids just a small hike away. Plus a decent amount of rentals," explains Matt H. about Baker Campground.
Secluded camping spots: Lake Maria State Park offers backcountry sites for a more private experience. "Site B6 feels like a secret woodland sanctuary — set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples. The site is private, quiet, and wonderfully shaded, with just enough open sky for stargazing by the fire," describes Alison O. from Lake Maria State Park.
Rustic horse camping: The equestrian group campsite at Crow Hassan provides excellent value. "In normal times you can rent this group campsite for $70-$80 a night, which is ridiculously cheap considering that you can fit quite a bit of horse trailers on here. The information for this site states you can put 10 horse trailers on this lot, but I have definitely seen groups camp here with more," explains a regular visitor.
Sandy lake bottoms: Country Camping on the Rum River appeals to those wanting water access. "Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," notes David G. about Country Camping Tent & RV Park, a feature important for horses needing reliable footing when accessing water.
Horse containment requirements: El Rancho Manana offers primitive sites for horse camping but with specific restrictions. "Every weekend have something different going on to do," shares Andy R. about El Rancho Manana, which hosts regular equestrian events but requires riders to bring their own horse containment systems.
Poison ivy prevalence: Many sites have significant poison ivy growth. "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. Sites are large so they are clear. If you're susceptible, not for you," warns Kari P. about Ann Lake campground.
Seasonal challenges: Early spring and late fall offer reduced bug pressure but variable conditions. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," explains Tori K. about Lake Maria State Park, noting that site selection should consider seasonal factors.
Playground access: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers excellent facilities for children. "Amazing campsites nice trails clean shower's and bathroom's. There's a water park down the road and friendly staff," mentions Krista G. about Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Horse-friendly swimming areas: Some locations offer both equestrian camping and swimming beaches. "Swimming was great! Cute little store by the beach. Sites we're pretty close together but it was still an enjoyable time!" notes Jessica L. about Oak Ridge Campground at Sibley State Park.
Walk-in sites considerations: Lake Maria State Park requires preparation for backpacking gear to sites. "The camp site was pretty awesome. Like others said, nice and secluded. If you're new to hiking, I suggest doing some research if you're going to attempt stuff like this," advises Cheeming Y., who recommends careful planning when bringing children to walk-in sites.
Generator restrictions: Many horse campgrounds limit generator use. "So many generators... Went on a busy summer weekend. Beautiful rustic campsites but even sites that you can't drive directly up to were still too close to all of the RVers with loud generators," reports Chris D. about Ann Lake, highlighting potential noise issues.
Access challenges: Some horse campgrounds have narrow access roads. "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking. Fire rings and picnic tables at each site," explains Andy L., noting that horse-friendly sites may present challenges for larger RVs.
Hookup availability: Many equestrian campsites offer limited or no hookups. "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," suggests a reviewer at Oak Ridge Campground, noting that some sections accommodate groups better than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clearwater, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clearwater, MN is Lake Maria State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clearwater, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Clearwater, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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