Lake Elmo Park Reserve near Hastings, Minnesota features over 2,000 acres of natural terrain with prairie and wooded areas suitable for equestrian trail riding. The horse-friendly campground connects directly to designated bridle paths. Located about 20 miles from Hastings, the campground offers both modern sites with hookups and more rustic options for horse owners wanting convenient trail access.
What to Do
Fishing opportunities: Baker Park Reserve offers good fishing access for campers. As one visitor noted, "There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground" according to Steph H.
Biking excursions: Haycreek Valley Campground provides excellent biking options close to camp. "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. The paved trails make for easy day trips.
Swimming and water recreation: Families can enjoy swimming at several campgrounds. Timothy S. describes the unique swimming area at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve: "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming."
What Campers Like
Spacious sites: Many campers appreciate the generous sites at Highland Ridge. Mary S. explains, "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."
Natural surroundings: The wooded settings create a secluded feeling even when parks are full. At Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir, visitors enjoy the wildlife: "Great campground and been here many times. Plenty of wildlife and can hear the owls talking to each other," shares David G.
Accessibility from cities: Bunker Hills Regional Park offers a convenient getaway. "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious," writes Doug B., making it a good option for equestrian campers near Hastings seeking weekend trips.
What You Should Know
Site selection matters: Some sites have challenging layouts. At Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir, "Many sites are placed on an incline. They got the sites are pretty flat, but it's still on a hill," warns John W. For horse trailers, look for sites with level ground.
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance booking, especially for equestrian sites. "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," explains Mary S. about Highland Ridge.
Seasonal considerations: Water access varies seasonally. Tracy O. notes at Sakatah Lake State Park: "It was mid April so no water at the sites but had electric in ours. We were able to get potable water at the entrance."
Tips for Camping with Families
Check for kid-friendly activities: Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve has numerous options for children. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," says Bryan S.
Consider noise levels: Some parks are quieter than others. Jeff F. notes, "This is a smaller Corps of Engineers park, lots of primitive sites and lots electric sites too," making Highland Ridge a good choice for families seeking a peaceful environment for horse camping near Hastings.
Look for parks with educational programs: Some parks offer learning opportunities. Tina H. describes Lake Elmo: "On Saturday nights they have a campground program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities."
Tips from RVers
Site access challenges: Horse trailers and larger RVs require careful site selection. At Sakatah Lake State Park, Tim B. advises: "Very nice park if your RV is not to big. I put our 38 foot 5th wheel in a site but you better be on your game here. Lots of shade and big trees."
Hookup variations: Electric service is available at most parks, but water and sewer connections vary. At Kamp Dels, Dale Y. notes an important correction: "Be aware however…The Dyrt is wrong. There are no sewer hookups at this campground. They have a dump station and will pump for a fee."
Campsite positioning: RV sites often have specific layouts for utilities. Karin W. shares this experience at Haycreek Valley: "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."
