Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers equestrian camping opportunities approximately 30 miles west of Denmark, Minnesota. The 2,000-acre park features a mix of natural terrain types from wooded areas to open prairies, creating diverse riding conditions. All campsites include electric hookups and potable water access points, with sites spaced to provide adequate distance between neighboring campers.
What to Do
Filtered swimming pond: Lake Elmo offers a unique swimming experience with a chlorinated pond. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," explains Timothy S. about the Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Archery range: Practice your target shooting at dedicated archery facilities. "They have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and an archery range and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved," notes Arielle P. at Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Wilderness trails: Explore miles of equestrian-friendly trails at Wild River State Park. "The park is huge and beautiful. We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise," writes Joanna B. about Wild River State Park Campground.
What Campers Like
Spacious campsites: Sites provide ample room for horse trailers and equipment. "Our modern site 40 was in a great open location with a shaded edge. We had plenty of room to play, park the camper or set up tents," reports Steph H. about Baker Campground.
Privacy between sites: Most equestrian camping areas offer good separation. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees," says Stephanie H. about Wild River State Park.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and shower buildings are consistently noted. "This was one of the cleanest campgrounds I have ever stayed at. The sites are large and very well shaded for privacy," shares Courtney C. about Highland Ridge.
What You Should Know
Permit requirements: Washington County parks require daily or annual passes. The current fee structure is $7 for daily passes and $30 for annual permits.
Limited season: Most equestrian campgrounds operate from April through October, with specific opening dates varying by park. "We arrived after 8pm and the check-in processes was a little unclear and they were out of maps, which was only challenging because it was dark and we had not been to the site before," notes Alyssa T. about Lake Elmo.
Varying amenities: Not all horse campgrounds offer the same facilities. "The camp office was so easy and friendly! Well placed sites nestled near lovely walking trails - Very nice water hook ups and electric- well maintained," shares Kimberly L. about Lake Elmo.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Several parks feature play equipment for children. "Great campground, 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 for kids," explains John H. about Lake Elmo.
Educational programs: Look for ranger-led activities. "This park has awesome sites that fit the needs of just about anyone. 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," shares Tina H. about Lake Elmo.
Beginner-friendly horse trails: Haycreek Valley Campground offers suitable trails for new riders. "We have been going to Haycreek for over 15 years for horse camping. The trails are shaded, no bugs, friendly campers and staff," writes Olivia R.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose carefully based on hookup locations. "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 so we ended up backing up the hill to get next to the water and filled our tank for the weekend," warns Karin W. about Haycreek.
Level pads: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Many sites are placed on an incline. They got the sites pretty flat, but it's still on a hill," cautions John W. about Highland Ridge.
Convenience factor: Consider proximity to amenities. "Stayed here due to its proximity to Minneapolis airport...had an early flight the next morning. Really convenient location. No problems. Facilities were really well maintained," notes Robert B. about Lake Elmo.
Legend
