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St. Croix State Park does not offer dedicated equestrian facilities in its camping areas. Reviews indicate that Old Logging Trail, Riverview Campground, and Boulder Campground in St. Croix State Forest do not have horse corrals or designated equestrian camping sections. Visitors note that while the park has a variety of accommodation options including tent sites, RV spots with electric hookups, and cabin rentals, none specifically cater to horse owners. The campgrounds provide standard amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water, and restroom facilities, but lack specialized horse infrastructure.
The park contains multiple trail systems suitable for day hiking rather than horseback riding. Boulder Campground in St. Croix State Forest allows pets but has no horse-specific accommodations. Visitors have reported significant mosquito activity, particularly in June and after rainfall periods. The parks feature clean facilities with some loops having newer bathrooms and showers. Cell service is spotty throughout the area, making it difficult to use internet-dependent applications. Though beautiful natural surroundings exist with wildlife viewing opportunities, including bear and wolf sightings in the state forest areas, horseback riding enthusiasts should contact the park office directly to inquire about any special arrangements for horses before planning a visit.
"The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip. A beautiful lake and lots of trails."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent. The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St."
"This is Minnesota’s largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them. But clean park."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my favorite state parks for last minute camping trips due to its proximity to home."
"There is a modern restroom and shower, it is also located near a nature store."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $19 - $130 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis was my first solo tent camping night in June 5, 2020. There were some horse flies when I parked but they didn't seem to hang out in the shade of my campsite. There was a very loud bird making calls until about 1am... Maybe a whip-poor-will. Otherwise a serene spot tucked back in the walk in site.
Directions to the walk in sites were a bit unclear when driving in but I eventually made it there.
LegendThis park has a ton of camping available, particularly if you don't need electricity and have a smaller rig because then you can get into more of the campground loops. (There is electricity here, but there are many more sites without.)
The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy. Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent.
The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St. Croix River, plus there are hiking trails, a paved bike path, a fire tower you can climb, an old CCC camp area you can tour, and more. Also, canoe and kayak rentals are available. And this is all within the state park boundary since, at 34,000 acres, the park is the largest in the Minnesota state park system.
Some of the loops have old bathhouses that desperately need to be replaced, but they are in the process of doing so, which means some loops have great new bathrooms and showers. (If you stay in the upper 200s, sites, you'll have one of these new bathrooms right away, but more are being built.) Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting-- don't think about using the web or social media or getting any work done while you're here.
Overall, we enjoyed our weekend at this park and would come back for another getaway if we had the chance and it wasn't a workday.
GuideThis is Minnesota’s largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them. But clean park. Would go back for sure.
TravelerOur scout troop camped for a weekend her. Our site was very spacious, and had close access to a well maintained outhouse and walking distance to indoor toilets and showers. The main disadvantage to this site was, no trees.
TravelerThe drive into the park was absolutely beautiful!! Stayed at old logging trail campground. I was initially worried because I didn't realize the site was right next to a vault toilet, but besides for the occasional flashlight at night, it felt secluded. It was very buggy, so be prepared for that. I can't wait to go back so I can explore more of the park!
ScoutThe site we had was isolated nicely and the ground was easy for a tent set up. There was some mosquitos, but the disappeared at night which was nice. The trail near by was nice, but driving into the park and finding a trail were better. The fire tower was also cool!
GuideFor $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids. Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served. The campground was clean and in better shape than any state park campgrounds I have been to.. The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip. A beautiful lake and lots of trails. There are many ATV trails on the way in, but the ATVs are not allowed in the campground. Most likely on busy weekends you were going to hear them in the distance. Mid week it was quiet and there was only three other people there and this remote campground.
GuideOur family went up and rented Guest House 1. The house was great! It had everything we needed in the kitchen, a grill out front, picnic tables, fire ring, plenty of sleeping for our extended family. However, the second we walked out the door, you had at least 5 ticks on you. If you spent any extended amount of time outside, there were 20+. It was terrible, as my sister was pregnant and didn't want to risk it and we had a 1, 2, and 4 year old. We spent a large part of the weekend searching each other like primates and picking bugs off. Since the weather wasn't the best, we didn't feel as bad missing out on being outside.
We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger. That being said, we have had several conversations with others who have also said it was the worst tick experience they have ever had and will not choose to go back again.
ScoutWe camped with our in laws and 3 kids this past weekend at St. Croix state Park, we were in the riverview campground on site 36 (no hook ups). Sites were pretty open but small. There were HOARDS OF MOSQUITOS. We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites. The paved walking trails were nice. The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool. There is a playground but we didn't use it. We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids! There is kayak and canoe rental on the weekend. The showers and bathrooms were very clean.
St. Croix State Park spans over 34,000 acres, making it Minnesota's largest state park. Located near Holyoke, the park features a mix of forest and riverside terrain with elevations ranging from 800-900 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 70-85°F during daytime hours, with cooler evening temperatures dropping to 50-60°F.
Hiking trails: Old Logging Trail has multiple trails for day hiking through diverse forest landscapes. "There is a 100' fire tower you can climb up and get an epic view. Cool buildings from the CCC era as well as some signs talking about camp life," notes Scott G. about the historical features.
Water activities: The St. Croix River provides excellent canoeing opportunities. "Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer. A great way to spend a weekend," shares Tony J. from Old Logging Trail campground. Rental services operate primarily on weekends.
Wildlife viewing: Saint Croix State Forest offers exceptional wildlife spotting opportunities. "We like camping in state forest for the wild life experience. We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Yote's. This is nature at it's finest," reports Scot L. from Boulder Campground.
Privacy between sites: Many campsites at Old Logging Trail offer natural screening. "The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy. Site 207 was especially tucked in," reports Ari A.
Clean facilities: The newer bathroom facilities receive high praise. "Some of the loops have old bathhouses that desperately need to be replaced, but they are in the process of doing so, which means some loops have great new bathrooms and showers," explains Ari A. from Old Logging Trail.
Remote experience: Boulder Campground provides a more primitive camping experience. "For $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids. The campground was clean and in better shape than any state park campgrounds I have been to," shares Daniel H.
Mosquito populations: Heavy mosquito presence, especially after rainfall. "St. Croix SP: was quite buggy due to a lot of recent rain. Highly recommend fogging your site or having a bug enclosure to help ward of the mosquitos," advises Tori K. from Old Logging Trail.
Limited cell service: Connectivity is minimal throughout the park. "Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting," warns Ari A.
No equestrian camping: Horseback riders seeking equestrian camping near Holyoke, Minnesota should note that while the state forest has trails, dedicated equestrian facilities are unavailable. None of the campgrounds at St. Croix State Park or surrounding areas offer horse corrals or designated equestrian camping areas.
Beach access: Riverview Campground offers a swimming beach for family enjoyment. "The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool," notes RK M., adding that easy shore fishing was great for kids: "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels."
Ranger programs: Educational opportunities abound for children. "We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger," shares Sara P. from Riverview Campground.
Weather preparation: Pack for potential temperature swings and storms. "We experienced the most intense and violent thunderstorm of my life. One lightning strike hit within 100 yards of our site. All of the campers were talking about it in the morning," recounts Duncan G. from Riverview Campground.
Site selection: Choose carefully for larger rigs. "This park has a ton of camping available, particularly if you don't need electricity and have a smaller rig because then you can get into more of the campground loops," advises Ari A. from Old Logging Trail.
Electric hookups: Most electrical sites are concentrated in one area. "The Riverview loop is 1 of 3 at St. Croix State Park. This loop is where 90% of the electric sites are, but it is also a very open campground," explains Amber Z.
Limited shade: Tree coverage is minimal in some loops. "Because of a large wind storm several years ago, there is very limited tree coverage in the campground. As a result, the sites get very little shade and protection from the hot summer sun," warns ERolf P. from Riverview Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Holyoke, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Holyoke, MN is Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Holyoke, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Holyoke, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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