Equestrian camping areas near Goodview, Minnesota feature varying terrain with forested valleys, challenging trails, and elevation changes ideal for horse riding. In the R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest, camping areas connect directly to established horse trails, while some campgrounds include special amenities like horse arenas and high-line ties. Most equestrian sites remain uncrowded except during peak hunting seasons.
What to do
Explore mystery caves: Forestville Mystery Cave State Park offers guided cave tours with knowledgeable staff. "The cave was around 12-13 miles long and there was water and different formations. The floor was really wet so bring shoes you won't slip in," notes kevin T. from Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground.
Fish for trout: Maple Springs Campground borders excellent fishing streams. "There is also a lovely trout stream on the edge of the property," says Todd W., while another camper mentions the campground has "duck races" in the river that runs alongside the property.
Ride bikes on paved trails: The Haycreek Valley area connects to paved bike paths. "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!" reports Karin W. from Haycreek Valley Campground.
Visit historic sites: The region contains preserved historical areas worth exploring. "On top of that it has this awesome living history 1800's village managed by the Minnesota Historical Society," shares Jason S. about Forestville's historic town, though another camper warns it can be "really really creepy" at night.
What campers like
No mosquitoes: Multiple campgrounds in this region report unusually low mosquito populations. "Quiet and mosquito free campground on the root river in beautiful SE MN. Near Forestville State Park and great gravel riding," states Kim H. about Maple Springs Campground.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained shower houses are frequently mentioned. "The shower house is the newer style - individual shower rooms and then a separate mens/women/handicapped bathroom. Showers were clean," reports jim C. from Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground.
Spacious horse sites: Horse camping areas typically offer more room. "Nice camping for going on the horse/hiking trails in the Zumbro River valley. Many large sites equipped for the equestrians whom need space for horses and equipment," explains Crystal B. about Zumbro Bottoms West.
Campground events: Some locations organize community activities. "Memorial weekend, they had a very nice pot luck lunch and pork chops on a stick, all free and great food," mentions ANDY C. about Maple Springs, while another camper noted they offered "a hayride, movie for the family in the old red barn, and a church service in that same barn on Sunday."
What you should know
Limited cell service: Be prepared for connectivity challenges. "Be aware however... there is NO CELL SERVICE in the campground - no Verizon, ATT or T-Mobile. Wifi down at the ranger office," warns jim C. about Forestville Mystery Cave. Others mention "little to no phone service unless you have a cell booster."
Seasonal conditions: Weather can affect campground conditions dramatically. "It was very wet, standing water in the grass from lots of rain," reports ANDY C. about camping at Whippoorwill Ranch Kampground, while another camper experienced unexpected snow in spring.
Limited hookups: Many campgrounds offer electric only. "Only electric hooks ups at each site. They do have a fresh water filling station and a dump station," notes Kirk J. about Chester Woods Park. Even campgrounds advertising full hookups sometimes have limitations: "The Dyrt is wrong. There are no sewer hookups at this campground. They have a dump station and will pump for a fee."
Primitive facilities at forest sites: State forest campgrounds typically have minimal amenities. "Not much to this place," notes Michael V. about Oak Ridge, while another camper describes the sites as "decent but primitive."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas for children. "The beach was great and clean," says Erik O. about Chester Woods Park, where families can enjoy both swimming and fishing from the same location.
Evening activities: Some campgrounds organize family-friendly events. "We had a nice fire after dinner listening to the water and birds," shares Jen M., while Todd W. mentions Maple Springs offers "a movie for the family in the old red barn."
Playground access: Parks with play areas keep children entertained. "It has a campground and man-made lake with hiking trails, a horse trail, picnic shelters, a beach, and a playground," explains Brian K. about Chester Woods Park.
Trail difficulty considerations: When hiking with children, consider terrain challenges. "Walking trails were nice but recommend pants as the grass was long in spots," advises Justin S. about Pietrek County Park's trails.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement issues: Check site layouts before selecting. "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," warns Karin W. about Haycreek Valley Campground.
Level site availability: Some campgrounds offer better leveling conditions. "Good level campsite and in walking around all the ones in the electric loop looked pretty level," notes jim C. about Forestville Mystery Cave State Park.
Campground layout considerations: Arrangement of sites affects privacy and experience. "Some of these sites are set up back to back in an open field, which is not very appealing," cautions Annie C. about campground layouts, while another camper mentioned the benefit of sites "along the edge of the campground" for more privacy.
