13 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Minnesota Valley Recreation Area Equestrian Camp offers one of the few horse-friendly camping options near Hutchinson. Located in Jordan, approximately 30 miles from Hutchinson, this established campground accommodates horses year-round with primitive facilities. The campground provides toilet facilities but lacks amenities like picnic tables, trash collection, or fire pits. Pets are allowed at this equestrian-focused site. While no specific horse corral information appears in the data, the campground is designed specifically for equestrian use. The campsites are reservable, making advance planning possible for riders traveling with their horses. The campground maintains a 4-star rating among visitors who appreciate the year-round availability.
Fort Ridgely State Park Campground, located near Fairfax, serves as another option for horse enthusiasts within driving distance of Hutchinson. The park features electric hookups, water access, and more developed amenities including showers and toilets. Trails suitable for horseback riding wind through the park's wooded areas and open fields. The horse camp includes electric hookups and water at each site, with bathrooms and showers located directly in the horse camp area. A small creek runs behind some sites, providing natural water access and recreational opportunities. The trail system, while not extensive, offers decent riding paths through varied terrain. Visitors note the park maintains its horse camp well, though some mention wishing for additional trail mileage for longer rides.
"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
"The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."
from $21 - $29 / night
Check Availability"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
from $22 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Near Henderson, MN which is one of a kind small town well worth the visit for all. This is rustic with no hookups except very clean portapotty and hand lever water jack."
"Gulley that a large creek runs through surrounded by trees and large forested hills."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Ridgley horse camp. Very nice horse camp, with electric hookups, and water at every site."
"It's a great park in an area of Minnesota that is not well traveled. There's also a lot of history here with an interesting museum on the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862."
from $24 - $85 / night
Check Availability"Away from the lake is another campground in the oak savanna section of the park, and this campground seems quieter with more spacious sites, although they are more open."
"Sibley State Park isn't the most amazing park in Minnesota, however it's still a very nice little campground!"
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels. "
"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
"Off the beaten path..so lots of peace & quiet to enjoy..beautiful rustic camping spots throughout the park..picnic table & fIrepit at each spot & bathrooms nearby..can camp right next to the"
"We also did a handful of different hiking trails and each one gave us a different beautiful and experience. The paths are not super well marked in all places, but you can find your way through."
"Great place to snowmobile, hike, bike or rideas horse!"
"So as a result the Riverbend group equestrian campground is now the parking lot for day visitors through at least August. "
"This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed."
from $15 / night
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GuideWe thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance. Equestrian camping area is nice and plenty of horse trails too. 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!!
LegendDuring these COVID times everyone wants to get out and about more, which means that the main parking lot for the park that used to be mostly designated for horse trailer parking is now overrun with family vehicles. So as a result the Riverbend group equestrian campground is now the parking lot for day visitors through at least August.
In normal times you can rent this group campsite for$70-$80 a night, which is ridiculously cheap considering that you can fit quite a bit of horse trailers on here. The information for this site states you can put 10 horse trailers on this lot, but I have definitely seen groups camp here with more. The barn stalls are available for use (unlike the Blue Stem horse site), otherwise there are overhead horse hitch lines.
This campground is nicely maintained and has nice mature trees that a lot of people set up hammocks in. The vault toilet near the barn is nice, there are no showers. Be aware that the road into this group site only is wide enough for one vehicle at a time, so far I’ve been lucky to not encounter another vehicle as I’m entering or leaving.
LegendThis state park uniquely showcases an ecologic transition zone between hardwood forest, savannah, and prairie. There are also local history connections. As a bird watcher, I was very excited to see birds here that I dont usually see at home in northern Minnesota, and to learn a bit more about glaciation in this area and about prairie and savannah habitats. The park has self guided hikes, educational nature programs, and learning kits for birding and more that you can check out at the ranger station. The lakeshore is pretty, and the lakeside campground is green and leafy with mature trees but the campsites are very close together, and the beachfront and bath house are currently closed for renovation which puts a damper on waterfront activities. Away from the lake is another campground in the oak savanna section of the park, and this campground seems quieter with more spacious sites, although they are more open. The park’s camper cabins are located here and are in a very pretty setting tucked into a little hill, though a bit of a walk to the bathrooms and showerhouse. At both campgrounds there are nice ADA sites which are level, spacious and accessible, and also close to the bathrooms. I was at a conference in nearby Willmar, and this park is a good alternative for lodging if you need to be in the area. If you are really into learning more about prairies and local glacial geology, the nearby Prairie Environmental Learning Center is fantastic to visit, and lots of prairie pothole WMAs are also closeby for waterfowl watching
ScoutOff the beaten path..so lots of peace & quiet to enjoy..beautiful rustic camping spots throughout the park..picnic table & fIrepit at each spot & bathrooms nearby..can camp right next to the creek..fun fishing for kids..trails throughout the park for walking..horse camping avail also..beautiful place to relax and have some fun!
LegendThis is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed. Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer. Horse camping is available in two locations in the park, even though once when I was there a family was camping in the parking with their horses. Apparently they got the cops called on them by some other park patrons who didn't believe that this was an option. At the time it was marked as a camping location on the map, but that may have changed.
The best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails, the wooded areas are nice but you may want to hustle out of there if you don't have enough bug protection. For non-horse riders some parts of the trail out in the open prairie might be a bit sandy. Also important to note- bikes are NOT allowed on the trails. Absolutely gorgeous in the fall. Pit toilets are available and there is water available at the entrance off of Park drive, not sure about the other locations.
GuideIf you’re the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree.🌲🐶 Tucked away near the archery range(don’t worry—nobody’s aiming at your pup), this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire. The ground is mostly level—perfect for a tent and a sturdy dog bed—and the trails? Chef’s kiss. Plenty of new smells, shaded stretches, and squirrels for days. Now, to be clear—this is a horse camp first and foremost. So if your dog isn’t a fan of our four-hooved friends, you might want to steer clear. But if they’re cool with horses and know how to heel when a giant gelding struts by, they’ll be just fine. A few bones to pick: There’s not much privacy between sites, so if your dog’s a talker, your neighbors might get a serenade. And while$16 a night is totally reasonable, the$7.50 reservation fee nips at the budget a bit—especially if you’re staying more than a couple nights. Still, Campsite 2 hits all the right notes: trails close by, fire ring ready, and enough space for a tent, a camp chair, and a dog who thinks every stick is a gift from heaven.🦴 Would we come back? Absolutely. My dog already packed his leash! what
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TravelerWe stayed at Ft. Ridgley horse camp. Very nice horse camp, with electric hookups, and water at every site. Bathrooms and showers right in horse camp, and a nice little creek about 50 ft behind our site, that our boys loved playing in!! Nice trails, I wish there were a few more miles, but over all very decent. We had a great time.
TravelerVery nice quiet horse camp. Could use more horse trails, only about 12 miles worth of trails for horses.
TravelerNice clean campground very well maintained and free. Near Henderson, MN which is one of a kind small town well worth the visit for all. This is rustic with no hookups except very clean portapotty and hand lever water jack. Pick where to park in nice large grassy areas. A few areas are next to wild and deep ravines. Very nice large new play areas with slides for kids. Popular with a few horse trailers and riders on weekends because of COVID get to gather worries elsewhere. Friday morning before week end is best to get there in case of horse trailers to get nicer spot. Sometimes only a few campers are there. Call ahead to stay overnight so sheriff is aware. Not a lot of people know about it and is at end of long gravel road for peace and quiet. No problem for 5th wheels and tents both, pick your spot. Want to relax, chill out and visit your neighbors. This is worth the visit.
Camping options near Hutchinson, Minnesota range from developed state parks to rustic county facilities within a 30-mile radius. The landscape features a mix of prairie and woodland areas at approximately 1,060 feet elevation, with summer highs averaging in the low 80s°F. Most campgrounds in the region remain open from April through October, though select locations offer year-round availability.
Birding trails: Baker Park Reserve offers extensive opportunities for wildlife observation. "I love birding here as well," notes one visitor about this park located approximately 40 miles from Hutchinson.
Hiking trails: Explore the varied terrain at Lake Maria State Park, which features wooded trails with moderate difficulty. A camper describes: "The hike itself is rather hilly, and the site is about a quarter mile off of the main path."
Swimming options: Oak Ridge Campground at Sibley State Park provides water recreation approximately 30 miles from Hutchinson. "Swimming was great! Cute little store by the beach," reports a reviewer. Another notes the "beautiful swimming beach short walk from campground."
Creek exploration: At Beaver Falls County Park, families can enjoy simpler water activities. A visitor mentions: "Can camp right next to the creek..fun fishing for kids..trails throughout the park for walking."
Privacy levels: Lake Maria offers secluded camping sites. "This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness," reports one visitor.
Clean facilities: Baker Campground receives high marks for maintenance. A recent visitor stated: "The bathroom/showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!"
Natural soundscapes: High Island Creek Park provides auditory isolation uncommon in the region. "I'm spending three nights here. I'm writing my review after my second day. The campground is kept up very well. It has garbage cans and porta pottys. When I got here it was empty. Nice open spots and a good amount of tree cover."
Historical elements: Fort Ridgely State Park Campground offers camping with historical context. "It's a great park in an area of Minnesota that is not well traveled. There's also a lot of history here with an interesting museum on the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862."
Seasonal considerations: Mosquitos and ticks can be problematic in warmer months. At Lake Maria, one camper advised: "To be fair I'd like to preface this review with a word of caution. We went in the middle of Summer. High bug season."
Water access: Many campgrounds offer creek access rather than lake swimming. At High Island Creek Park, a visitor noted: "I took my two dogs and we hiked to a nearby river. We cooled off and enjoyed the peace and quite. The only downside is no potable water and lots of mesquites."
Terrain challenges: Fort Ridgely sites can require preparation for uneven ground. "We stayed at site 21 in late August of 2019. It's obvious that the park had some heavy flooding earlier in the year. A lot of the waterfront sites became sandy."
Reservation requirements: At horse campgrounds near Hutchinson, Minnesota, reservations are highly recommended. At Minnesota Valley Recreation Area Equestrian Camp, spaces are limited and fill quickly during summer weekends.
Playground access: Baker Park Reserve provides substantial play areas. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," reports one family camper.
Educational opportunities: Sibley State Park offers learning experiences. "Nice campground. Bathrooms clean but dated. Beautiful swimming beach short walk from campground. Good hiking trails. Good biking trails nearby."
Beginner-friendly sites: Crow Hassan Park Reserve offers accessible camping for families new to outdoor recreation. "The campground is nicely maintained and has nice mature trees that a lot of people set up hammocks in."
Cell service considerations: Fort Ridgely has limited connectivity. "There isn't any cell phone coverage at the campground but there is service around the historical site," notes a visitor, which can be important for families needing to stay connected.
Site selection: At Baker Campground, RV site positioning matters. "The sites at Baker Park Reserve are larger than average. This is a big campground with a lot of paved bike trails and a nice lake a short walk away."
Hookup availability: Fort Ridgely offers partial hookups for RVs. "We stayed at Ft. Ridgley horse camp. Very nice horse camp, with electric hookups, and water at every site," notes one equestrian camper.
Access challenges: For RVers seeking equestrian facilities near Hutchinson, Minnesota, be aware of road conditions. "Be aware that the road into this group site only is wide enough for one vehicle at a time," cautions a visitor to Crow Hassan.
Seasonal operating dates: Most campgrounds in the region have limited seasons. Baker Park operates "Apr 30 - Oct 20" according to park information, making advance planning necessary for RV travelers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hutchinson, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hutchinson, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 38 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hutchinson, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Hutchinson, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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