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Equestrian Camping near Empire, MN

19 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features trail riding opportunities through prairie and wooded areas. The park maintains horse trails that connect to a wider network of hiking paths spanning over 2,000 acres with two lakes. Sites are spacious with good tree coverage for shade, though the rustic campground section is located near the horse trailer parking lot. The park prohibits dogs in the campground area despite allowing them elsewhere in the park, which affects equestrians traveling with both horses and canine companions.

    Trail riders can access multiple trail types including paved and grass paths that wind through varied terrain. The extensive trail system rarely feels crowded except on weekends when visitor numbers increase substantially. Horse owners should note that while Lake Elmo provides ample trail riding opportunities, the park does not feature dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine camping facilities. Water access is available throughout the park, and the trails vary from prairie sections to wooded areas, offering diverse riding experiences. The large property provides enough space for extended rides without leaving park boundaries, making it suitable for day trips with horses or overnight stays for those with appropriate containment systems.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Empire (19)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

      4.5(37)22mi from EmpireRVs, Tents

      "For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."

      "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."

      from $23 - $80 / night

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      2. Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center

      2.0(1)7mi from EmpireTents

      from $50 / night

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      3. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

      4.5(39)39mi from EmpireRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      4. Haycreek Valley Campground

      4.3(7)26mi from EmpireRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Nice campground outside of Red Wing, MN with a bar/restaurant and other features. Access to trials for bikes and horses. I stayed in the horse camp without a horse but it was a nice area."

      "We have been going to Haycreek for over 15 years for horse camping. The trails are shaded, no bugs, friendly campers and staff."

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      5. Cannon River Wilderness Area

      3.7(3)23mi from EmpireTents

      "We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river."

      "If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers."

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      6. Sakatah Lake State Park Campground

      4.2(25)40mi from Empire63 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Great park if you’re not looking to drive too far to enjoy a bit of nature. Wonderful hiking paths and biking paths. Our site was nice a secluded and right next to the trail heads."

      "Sites are wooded and shady but some are close to neighboring sites. Not too many mosquitos or flies for August in Minnesota! Sakatah Singing Hills paved trail runs through the park. "

      from $24 - $85 / night

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      7. Bunker Hills Regional Park

      4.6(16)40mi from EmpireRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      8. Highland Ridge

      4.3(15)41mi from Empire59 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Services: There are full services at this campground - flush toilets, sinks, showers, trash receptacles, and drinking water/dump station near the entrance."

      "T-mobile service is almost non-existent depending on location. The showers and bathrooms were spotless. Firewood is available at several roadside stands just outside the entrance."

      from $24 - $280 / night

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      9. Kamp Dels

      3.6(12)40mi from EmpireRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "We reserved a spot right next to the pool area. It was a tight fit to back the camper it, but I was able to do it. They have cement pads for a patio area and a fire ring."

      "The one drawback, in my opinion, is that the lake it is right next to doesn’t have a beach for swimming. That was a little disappointing for me."

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      10. High Island Creek Park

      4.7(13)47mi from EmpireRVs, Tents

      "Near Henderson, MN which is one of a kind small town well worth the visit for all. This is rustic with no hookups except very clean portapotty and hand lever water jack."

      "Gulley that a large creek runs through surrounded by trees and large forested hills."

      from $10 / night

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Empire, MN

    5 Photos of 19 Empire Campgrounds

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Empire, MN

    188 Reviews of 19 Empire Campgrounds

    • Mary S.
      Sep. 2, 2018

      Highland Ridge

      Nice campground but be prepared for shade...all the time

      First thing you need to know: It's completely in the woods, and sites are FULLY shaded. Sites 28-38 are on a loop with a picnic pavilion in the middle with some openings for sun on the road and in the picnic area. Other than that, the rest of the campground is rather dark all the time; there aren't as many sunlight openings on the road to the other sites. This is not a good place for solar panels, but almost all sites are electric.

      Nice price: Cost is $20/$16 for electric/non-electric. This is an Army Corps of Engineers park which means you pay $10/$8 if you have an NPS Lifetime Senior Pass.

      Services: There are full services at this campground - flush toilets, sinks, showers, trash receptacles, and drinking water/dump station near the entrance. There is an interpretive center for Saturday evening ranger programs and a playground next to it.

      Roomy sites: This campground is small, but almost all sites are large. There are 38 sites plus walk in tent sites A through G and a group site. It looks like sites 28-38 can be rented for a group; the entrance was blocked off when we were there.

      Equestrian section may be open to campers without a horse: There is an equestrian campground about a half mile before the main campground entrance. You may camp in the equestrian area (E1-E10) without a horse if the main area is full. We were able to reserve a site in there a couple days ahead of time because the main campground was full. It was just us and one other family on a Saturday night, and neither of us had a horse. We moved to the main area on Sunday morning because lots of sites were open on Sunday.

    • Krista T.
      Jul. 1, 2020

      Crow Hassan Park Reserve

      Close to the cities

      During 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.

    • David E.
      Sep. 10, 2022

      Haycreek Valley Campground

      Outside of City but Not Far for Access

      Nice campground outside of Red Wing, MN with a bar/restaurant and other features. Access to trials for bikes and horses. I stayed in the horse camp without a horse but it was a nice area.

    • Steph H.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 26, 2017

      Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

      Great for the kiddos

      For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond. This man made pond is a sandy bottom and surrounded by a nice sand beach. Large built in umbrellas are available for sun coverage and there is a concession stand and bathrooms with showers. And yes, as I mentioned the water is filtered! No gross goose poop or green algae to deal with! Next to the swim pond is a giant playground with fun for the big and little kids. Other amenities include archery, horse trails, paved and grass trails, camper spots, rustic spots and hike in camping spots. In winter the xc ski trails are lit for evening skiing. Or let's be honest early afternoon. It is Minnesota and the suns down by 4 In the Winter! They also have a newer Nordic center that's open all year round and includes a locker room with showers. The hike in camp spot we chose was on a small lake so it had a nice breeze and made it easy to bring a kayak or paddleboard and hop right in. There is also a boat launch for your larger toys! The trails in the park are quite impressive for its size. We enjoyed a 5 mile loop off the Nordic center and right past the camp spot. A picnic table and fire pit as well as nice flat tent pad were provided. If you're coming in from out of town then you're just a 5 minute drive from Woodbury and all the amenities you'd ever need but the park feels miles away from it all.

    • Krista T.
      Jul. 16, 2018

      Crow Hassan Park Reserve

      This is an equestrian paradise

      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. 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.

    • Alison O.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 1, 2025

      Elm Creek Horse Camp

      Campsite 2 – Elm Creek Horse Camp, Dayton MN

      If 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

      #ElmCreekHorseCamp#MNStateParks#DogFriendlyCamping#TrailDogApproved#HorseCampAdventures#Campsite2#ElmCreekParkReserve#HikingWithDogs#DogCampingVibes#PawfectCampground#TheDyrtDogPack#MinnesotaCamping#ArcheryRangeNeighbors#TailsOnTrails#WagMoreBarkLess

    • O
      Jun. 30, 2020

      Haycreek Valley Campground

      Our favorite campground

      We have been going to Haycreek for over 15 years for horse camping. The trails are shaded, no bugs, friendly campers and staff. They have electric and water hookups for horse campers, and they have overflow for horse campers. The trails here are amazing.

    • Nick G.
      Sep. 4, 2021

      Cannon River Wilderness Area

      Perfect place Found a great site

      For free the area is awesome right by the river. We found a site tucked away from people which is what we like. We set up hammocks right next to the river. The hike from parking is not bad at all about a 10 minute walk from parking to the farthest site.

    Guide to Empire

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers horseback riding trails located 30 minutes east of Empire, Minnesota. The park spans over 2,000 acres with a mix of prairie and wooded terrain that changes dramatically with seasons. During summer months, mosquitoes can be abundant on shaded trails, so riders should prepare with appropriate repellent. Winter months see trails transformed for cross-country skiing with separate designated paths for different user groups.

    What to do

    Trail exploration on horseback: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features an extensive trail system that connects to wider networks. One visitor noted, "we loved briding here as well," while emphasizing the varied landscape that provides different riding experiences through both open prairies and wooded areas.

    Swimming in chlorinated lake: Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center has unusual swimming options for hot summer days. A camper mentioned, "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming." This provides a unique compromise between natural setting and pool-like cleanliness.

    Biking on paved trails: Haycreek Valley Campground offers excellent access to regional bike paths. A visitor reported, "We really enjoyed the bike trail that was so close, paved and had lots of tree cover to keep us cool. Very nice ride to Red Wing right from our site!" These connecting trails allow cyclists to explore the surrounding communities without needing to drive.

    What campers like

    Well-maintained facilities: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve receives consistent praise for its upkeep. One camper noted, "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" This attention to maintenance makes extended stays more comfortable, especially for those with children.

    Affordability for horseback riders: High Island Creek Park offers free camping with equestrian access. According to a camper, "Nice clean campground very well maintained and free... Popular with a few horse trailers and riders on weekends." The lack of fees makes this an economical option for overnight equestrian trips.

    Range of sites for different preferences: Equestrians appreciate the variety of camping options near Empire. One camper at Haycreek Valley mentioned, "We have been going to Haycreek for over 15 years for horse camping. The trails are shaded, no bugs, friendly campers and staff. They have electric and water hookups for horse campers."

    What you should know

    Reservation requirements: Many parks require advance planning, especially for equestrian camping. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, a camper advised, "The sites are about as private as the typical state park, so not very, but that is offset by all the other positives this campground has to offer."

    Seasonal considerations: Campers should check opening and closing dates carefully. One visitor to Lake Elmo noted, "We were able to utilize water and electric hookups. We stayed the last night of their camping season."

    Horse facilities limitations: While several parks allow horses, dedicated equine facilities vary. A Lake Elmo visitor observed that while trails accommodate horses, "the park does not feature dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine camping facilities," requiring riders to bring appropriate containment systems.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Empire, MN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Empire, MN is Lake Elmo County Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Empire, MN?

    TheDyrt.com has all 19 equestrian camping locations near Empire, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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