Sibley State Park offers equestrian camping facilities near Glenwood, Minnesota with direct access to dedicated horse trails. Located in prairie and woodland terrain, the park sits at an elevation of approximately 1,350 feet. Summer temperatures average 70-85°F with frequent evening thunderstorms during July and August.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Sibley State Park's Equestrian Campground connects riders to approximately 12 miles of designated horse trails. "Very nice quiet horse camp. Could use more horse trails, only about 12 miles worth of trails for horses," notes Cody T. of the Equestrian Campground.
Paddleboarding and kayaking: Lake Andrew at Sibley State Park has clear, calm water perfect for paddlesports. "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm," according to Tessa Z. who visited Glacial Lakes State Park Campground.
Mount Tom hiking: The highest point in the area offers panoramic views. "We enjoyed skiing the hiking club trail and ended up hitting almost every trail in our stay. I assume this park would be equally beautiful in the summer. What a beautiful state park!" writes Joanna B. who camped at Lake Carlos State Park.
What campers like
Prairie landscape views: The rolling grasslands create unique camping experiences. "Beautiful park with rolling prairies. Oak Ridge campground is prettier, quieter, and more private than the Lower campground. Site 28 and 30 don't have tree cover, but have beautiful views of the rolling hills," reports Mike O. from Glacial Lakes State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes and river systems support multiple fishing spots. "Overlooks the Pomme De Terre River, free to camp, wayside rest and with canoe drop in," says Jaime N. about Pomme De Terre Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The mixed prairie and woodland habitats support diverse animal populations. "We saw beavers swimming; They were not fearful of campers," notes Joe W. who camped at Glacial Lakes State Park.
What you should know
Bug preparation essential: Insects can be intense during summer months. "Site was a bit buggy, but very manageable with bug spray and a Thermacell. The bugs on the hiking trails were unrelenting even with lots of deet bug spray - I was planning to hike 5 miles but had to stop after 2," warns Mike O. about his experience at Glacial Lakes.
Water access varies: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water on-site. For the horse camps especially, water containers are necessary. "No water (even though youre 100 yards from lake, there is no way to access to get water to filter. Hike in all your water," advises Bryan P. from Glacial Lakes' backcountry site.
Wind conditions: Lake exposure can create challenging camping conditions. "The strong wind off the lake made fishing from shore nearly impossible," reports Dave T. about his stay at Oak Ridge Campground in Sibley State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Beach facilities: Lake Andrew's swimming area has been recently updated. "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!!" shares Stephanie B. about visiting Sibley State Park's Equestrian Campground.
Cabin options for mixed weather: Several parks offer cabin accommodations when tent camping isn't ideal. "Had a great stay, everything was as expected with a camper cabin. Beautiful park with great trails and a beautiful lake! Our cabin was a long ways from the shower facility which I knew going into the weekend," notes Samuel V. who stayed at Glacial Lakes.
Proximity to amenities: Some campgrounds offer easy access to nearby towns. "We did go into Starbuck which is 5 miles away. Very impressive beach, groceries and a DQ all an easy drive away," mentions Lisa H. after camping at Glacial Lakes State Park.
Tips from RVers
Camping pad terrain: RV sites vary in levelness and ground conditions. "We tent camped in the non electric sites in the Lower Campground. They were shady thank goodness, but not very flat or large. Your tent will be on rocks, not grass," warns Lisa H. about Lake Carlos State Park Campground.
Dump station locations: Some campgrounds have inconvenient dump station placements. "The water fill and dump stations are on the opposite side of most campers which was the only downside. There was not water supply at the dump station to rinse out the tank," notes Amanda M. from Glacial Lakes State Park.
Alternative equestrian options: El Rancho Manana in Richmond provides another option for horse camping with more amenities. "On site horseback riding was great. Unfortunately, during COVID, the bar was not available. Can't wait to stay during one of the music events," mentions Jesse H. from El Rancho Manana.
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