1 campground with availability this weekend
Shell City Equestrian Campground accommodates horses and riders with several hitching posts, picnic tables, and fire rings positioned around a large open area designed for horse trailers. Located in Huntersville State Forest near Menahga, this primitive campground includes a three-stall covered horse stable with three sides for protection from the elements. Several horse pens are set within the surrounding woods, creating a quaint atmosphere for equestrians. The campground provides pit toilets and a water pump suitable for both horses and people. Camping costs are $16 per night on the honor system at a drop box near the entrance. Even without horses, the campground offers a pleasant setting for overnight tent camping with picnic tables and fire rings. The wind in the pines creates a pleasant soundscape throughout the campsite.
Horse trails lead directly from the campground into the surrounding forest, allowing for immediate riding access without trailering. Walter E Stark Horse Campground in Pillsbury State Forest offers similar amenities with hitching posts predominantly positioned in shaded areas, though not all posts have shade coverage. This campground separates into two distinct sections with ample space for horses and trailers. The primitive setup includes vault toilets, spigots for running water, and communal firewood in the center area. Black flies can be problematic during summer months, particularly along the forest trails. The numerous raspberries growing alongside the roads provide natural snacks during rides. The campground features clear signage warning other trail users not to spook horses, which creates a safer riding environment.
"This camp is off the beaten path, without being "out of the way"."
"They are both located off the same road, but the equestrian campground had two ways to get in. Both are equally good, but come from different directions."
from $14 / night
"Several rangers directed us here so we stopped in before we left Minnesota. The ranger was very helpful and set us up with a quiet campsite."
"We had electric hook up, fill with water near the dump station. Our site was big and private on Grass lake facing west so we saw great sunsets sitting in our site."
Available this weekend
from $24 - $34 / night
"It is very sufficient for what you need if you are staying with your horses. It is a primitive campground with running water out of spigots and vault toilets."
"The walk is an easy walk. There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site. Also there is a picnic table and a vault toilet. Surprisingly there was toilet paper there!"
from $22 / night
"They have electricity, heat, ceiling fans and a private dock on Beers Lake. There is a vault toilet & water spicket nearby. Each cabin has its own fire pit and picnic table area."
from $80 - $85 / night
"This is a specialized public campground for trailriders and their horses."
GuideStayed at knoll loop. I enjoyed the privacy of these sites. Road in is a little rough. The showers are at the main campground with plenty of parking. I wouldn't walk that far for the showers. Great place to stay.
RangerFor established camping, this park is lovely and spots are spacious. The place is bumpin’ with people but trees provide some sense of privacy but large, louder group was definitely in our vicinity—we couldn’t enjoy the birdsongs as we’d have liked (over 150 species can be found here). Staying at Grass Lake, we might have been able to launch our paddleboards from our site, but would have been a little tricky. Energy was better spent on keeping a fire tended with onslaught of unavoidable mosquitoes. Also, park doesn’t permit burning of found woods in the pits…
TravelerTake the Maplewood church road into the site. There is enough room to park 1 (maybe 2) vehicles. The walk is an easy walk. There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site. Also there is a picnic table and a vault toilet. Surprisingly there was toilet paper there!
ScoutSites are very spacious, but some are pretty slanted. Beautiful area, just wish the campsites were closer to the beach.
ScoutWe don’t have much of an experience, booked online an electric site that showed full shade and plenty of grass. Got there and no good place to pop up a roof top tent, all dirt, no electric. We had to leave and go get a hotel room
LegendClose to fargo and moorhead if you're looking for things to do in the area! Like the other state parks you can get firewood at the office and sites come with a fire ring and table.
Traveler92,000 acres and a chill vibe. Sites at Knoll Campground are nicely spaced out. I can see the lake and hear loons calling. I only wish there were more swimming .
LegendWe were staying in the area so we took a look at the campground. It is very sufficient for what you need if you are staying with your horses. It is a primitive campground with running water out of spigots and vault toilets. Some excess firewood in the middle and plenty of space for your horses. The hitching posts were mostly in the shade but not all were. It is separated in two different parts but for the most part you can find shade unless this gets completely full.
We walked some trails and went up to lost lake...disappointed to see someone took apart a camper and left it there in a pile. The black flies were bad on our walk, but it did have some nice views along the way. Loads of raspberries along the road so we stopped in the shade and had a couple snacks. Lots of trails to hike and ride in the area and plenty of signs to warn you not to spook the horses which I think is good.
We did stop in at the local ranch and asked about the programs they offered. We are thinking to come back in the winter when they have sleigh rides.
GuideWe only stayed overnight while traveling through, but this was a really nice spot. Not the most private sites but big enough. Families seemed to be having a lot of lake fun.
Shell City Equestrian Campground in Huntersville State Forest provides primitive camping for horse riders at a cost of $16 per night. Several equestrian-focused campsites are available near Horton, Minnesota, offering various amenities for both horses and riders. These facilities typically include basic accommodations such as hitching posts, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, with some providing water pumps suitable for both people and horses.
Trail riding access: The Walter E Stark Horse Campground connects directly to multiple riding trails. "Loads of trails to hike and ride in the area and plenty of signs to warn you not to spook the horses which I think is good," notes one camper who appreciated the safety signage.
Fishing opportunities: Beers Hike-In Site offers a walk-in camping experience with fishing access. "There is a nice fire pit and good area for fishing right at the site. Also there is a picnic table and a vault toilet," reports a visitor who found the site suitable for families.
Hiking exploration: Trails throughout the area accommodate both riders and hikers. At Maplewood State Park Campground, you'll find extensive hiking options. One visitor notes it's "Easily a contender for best hiking trails in the MN state parks state system. This western park offers miles of hiking with the North Country Trail weaving throughout."
Secluded natural settings: The primitive campgrounds offer genuine forest experiences. At Shell City Landing, campers appreciate the natural surroundings: "Shell City Campground is in the Huntersville State Forest. If you want to camp in the woods, you want to be in the woods... This camp is off the beaten path, without being 'out of the way'."
River access: Some sites feature water access adding to the appeal. Shell City Landing offers "a very easy 'in' from the water. Two entrances are available. One is a dirt landing that you ease into (boat landing style with a little, tiny lot for a car to pull into) and...you're there!"
Wildlife viewing: The horse campgrounds near Horton allow visitors to observe local wildlife. Many campers report hearing loons at Maplewood State Park: "Very nice and peaceful with the loons singing in the morning," shares one visitor who found the experience tranquil.
Seasonal considerations: Black flies can be problematic during summer months, particularly in forested areas. A visitor to Walter E Stark Horse Campground mentioned "The black flies were bad on our walk, but it did have some nice views along the way."
Primitive facilities: Most equestrian campgrounds offer basic amenities only. Grant Creek Horse Camp provides "vault toilets and water available by pump. The campsites are well maintained and set by the picturesque Grant Creek, next to a trailhead for a maze of nearly fifty miles of trails for riding."
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites may be challenging in certain conditions. One camper at Maplewood State Park noted "Stayed at knoll loop. I enjoyed the privacy of these sites. Road in is a little rough."
Easy access sites: Choose locations with shorter walking distances to facilities. At Beers Hike-In Site, "The walk is an easy walk" according to one visitor, making it manageable for families with children.
Nature snacking opportunities: Some trails feature wild edibles during certain seasons. At Walter E Stark Horse Campground, one visitor mentioned "Loads of raspberries along the road so we stopped in the shade and had a couple snacks."
Site selection for privacy: When camping with children, consider site location. At Maplewood State Park Campground, "The sites without any hookups are more private and secluded, great for tent camping."
Limited hookup options: Most equestrian sites lack electrical or water hookups. Shell City Landing accommodates RVs at the same price as tents, but visitors note there are "no hookups" available.
Parking considerations: Some sites have limited parking areas. Shell City Campground has spaces where "RVs are $14 (or you can put a camper on the site for the same price, but no hookups)," according to a visitor.
Site layouts: At Maplewood State Park, "The sites with electrical hook up are less private, but it's a family camping site so it's very friendly," notes one RVer who found the trade-off acceptable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Horton, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Horton, MN is Shell City Landing with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Horton, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Horton, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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