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Equestrian Campground at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park offers designated camping areas for horse owners traveling with their animals. Located 6.5 miles from the main campground, the Equestrian Campground features primitive sites for both tent and RV camping with space for horse trailers. While the campground does not have electric hookups or water connections directly at the sites, vault toilets are available for camper use. The grounds include open areas for horses with space to set up portable corrals or highlines. Sites are reservable through the Minnesota State Park reservation system, allowing riders to secure their space in advance. Recent changes to park regulations require riders to bring their own feed and water for horses, as natural grazing is restricted to protect native vegetation.
Trail access from the equestrian camping area connects directly to the park's extensive trail network, with several routes designated for horseback riding. The bridle paths wind through mixed hardwood forests and open meadows, with some trails offering views of the Rum River. Most horse trails within the park are well-maintained with clear markings and relatively level terrain suitable for riders of various experience levels. Trail maps are available at the park office indicating which routes permit horses and which are limited to hikers. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring often bringing muddy sections and fall offering the most favorable riding weather with fewer insects. Park regulations require that horses remain on designated equestrian trails and that riders carry proof of negative Coggins test results during their stay at the campground.
"A nice surprise We had site #50 in Lakeview Campground, this site is located on the rise and had nice breezes, close to showers, lake and playground."
"Right on Lake Mille Lacs, one of Minnesota’s largest. Walking distance from the bakery and bar! Newer, updated facilities. Boat access. Lake side sites (if you book early enough)."
from $24 - $68 / night
Check Availability"Stayed in Petaga (drive in) spot #52."
"This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 / night
Check Availability"Excellent map signage on the hiking trails too. Clean and tidy vault toilets. There is access to the extended bike path from this state park as well."
"Tent camp here once and a while, but finally got around to officially doing the hiking club trail."
from $24 - $80 / 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 was a one night stop over on the way to Grand Portage and Isle Royale. It is a nicely maintained campground with lots of open space and nicely constructed rustic bath houses."
"This is one of my favorite state parks for last minute camping trips due to its proximity to home."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availability"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
from $40 - $75 / night
Check Availability"Lots of hiking and close to the river for some kayaking etc."
from $19 - $34 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $60 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $19 - $130 / night
Check Availability
GuideA nice surprise We had site #50 in Lakeview Campground, this site is located on the rise and had nice breezes, close to showers, lake and playground.
Town of Isle is very close by along with other small towns dotted around the lake. Casino within 30 minutes.
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.
GuideRight on Lake Mille Lacs, one of Minnesota’s largest. Walking distance from the bakery and bar! Newer, updated facilities. Boat access. Lake side sites (if you book early enough). You can hit Mille Lacs State Park if you want to knock them both out on one trip! This park seems to attract a lot of long term campers, as I’m sure it’s pretty reasonable to stay at the lake all summer. We went mid-July I think and the trees were literally raining caterpillars… it was tough to want to hang out in our tree canopy-covered site. Sooo.. we ventured outside of the park more at this one.
There was a festival going on in a town west of here that had a couple rides and a really fun patio bar. If you do decide to venture out at night, ask the bartender for the limo driver’s number; he’s the city’s “uber”!
LegendSmaller sites and a little privacy in the lake campground. The ones next to the waters edge have a nice view and are more completely in the shade. The inner sites have more sun. The beach is long and rocky but ample enough to swim in. It is a busy place because of its location close to the cities and other areas up there. The electric hook ups were well maintained. Bathrooms were nice and clean and vault toilets are scattered throughout the park. Trails are there to hike and walk. Water to swim and plenty of bike paths.
Maple grove is the more primitive site and lots more coverages between camp sites.
GuideStayed in Petaga (drive in) spot #52. The spots were pretty private - the surrounding campsites were definitely visible through the trees, but there was plenty of distance so you weren't overhearing everyone's conversations or anything. The site was very roomy! It was a short walk to the bathrooms, water was nearby. The paths to the overlooks on the Rum River were close as well. The inner campsites are RV hookup sites, and the sound definitely carried when someone came later at night to set up their RV. We lucked out with great weather, and bugs were not bad (some mosquitoes but not overwhelming). Campsites have easy access to the trails that connect to the west interpretive center. Some things were closed due to COVID (including the fire tower), but bathrooms were open. No boat rentals right now either, but the river looked like a great, calm spot to kayak.
LegendCrow Wing State Park is a good choice if you are looking for something close to the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota. with this park being just under two hours away from the Twin Cities metro area it’s an easy choice for a nice weekend getaway. If you’re looking to stay for a long extended time it’s also a good choice as it offers electric and water. The electric sites are pretty open and close together so if you like to be secluded and not see other campers from your campsite I wouldn’t use this park. The electric sites are really on top of each other and don't feel like you are camping to me. The non-electric sites are pretty nice and secluded from each other which would make this park a park I would bring my tent to instead of my travel trailer. There is also a group camp That is separate from the main camping area.
The park office offers ice and firewood for sale. Firewood is 6$ a bundle at the park office. The only firewood you can use is the approved firewood in the local area or scrap lumber. See the Minnesota Firewood law. Canoe rentals are offered at the park office for $15 for a half-day and $25 for a full day. There is also a water fill station and a dump station for your travel trailer or RV. This is a good park for hiking and exploring.
If you wanna stay close to the Twin Cities metro area this is a good park for you!
LegendThis was a one night stop over on the way to Grand Portage and Isle Royale. It is a nicely maintained campground with lots of open space and nicely constructed rustic bath houses. Apparently, the bath houses are under renovation. The loop I was in had one of the new bathrooms and it was impressive….definitely an A rating. The site spacing is good but not a lot of landscaping for privacy. The mosquitoes were voracious! That has been my experience throughout MN.
We also 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. My poor dog was a basket case and could not even eat her dinner. Their reservation system could not find St. Croix without the period.
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.
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park provides equestrian camping in a dedicated area separate from the main grounds. While some riders bring their own corrals for horses, others utilize high-line setups. Most trails in this region of central Minnesota maintain moderate elevation changes with sandy soil common near lake shores. The dense northern hardwood forests open to occasional meadows, creating natural rest spots for riders.
Trail riding adventures: From Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Equestrian Campground, riders can access several trail systems. The terrain varies from wooded paths to open meadows. "Most horse trails within the park are well-maintained with clear markings and relatively level terrain suitable for riders of various experience levels," notes a park visitor.
Swimming and water activities: Cool off after a day of riding at nearby beaches. At Father Hennepin State Park Campground, you'll find waterfront options. "There is even a paved trail next to the lake that leads to a floating dock and beyond," shares Amy G. The shorelines often have gradual entries suitable for horses to drink.
Historical exploration: The region has rich Native American history displayed through interpretive signs. One camper mentioned, "There are several places to swim and a big playground for the little ones" at Father Hennepin. Many parks have educational displays about the area's logging and settlement history.
Peaceful natural setting: The horse camping areas provide seclusion from main campgrounds. A visitor to Crow Wing State Park Campground notes, "You can join the hiking club trail straight from the campground, which was nice- I went on a few beautiful sunset walks to watch the sunset over the river." These same trails often accommodate equestrians.
Wildlife viewing: Horse campers frequently spot deer and other wildlife along trails. At Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground, one camper observed, "We loved this camp site. Very clean. The only downside depending on your view are the bears. There was a black bear in our camp 15 minutes after we went to sleep." Wildlife sightings add to the appeal of equestrian camping.
Spacious campsites: The equestrian campgrounds near Isle typically feature larger sites to accommodate trailers and corrals. At Country Camping Tent & RV Park, a camper reported, "HUGE sites! You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak."
Seasonal challenges: Spring and early summer bring mosquitos to horse campgrounds near Isle. One visitor to Riverview Campground warned, "We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites." Bug protection for both humans and horses is essential.
Water access considerations: Some horse campsites require you to bring water for your animals. One camper noted, "The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy." Knowing water sources for horses is critical when planning.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campsites require advance booking. A Father Hennepin visitor shared, "In Minnesota, reservations are required. We've found that if you make them in advance, and then decide to cancel the day of the reservation, there are cancellation fees and first night fees."
Kid-friendly amenities: While equestrian camping focuses on horses, nearby facilities often cater to children. At Old Logging Trail, a visitor reported, "Clean, fairly private sites. Easy to get in and out. Walk in sites available. Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer."
Safety considerations: Teach children proper behavior around horses and campfires. One camper at Father Hennepin mentioned, "Sites were a little close together in some areas, but if you are car camping, it wasn't a big deal." Clear boundaries help keep everyone safe.
Weather preparedness: Central Minnesota weather can change quickly. A Crow Wing visitor shared, "We experienced the most intense and violent thunderstorm of my life. One lightning strike hit within 100 yards of our site." Having weather contingency plans is essential for family camping with horses.
Horse trailer positioning: RVs with horse trailers need particular attention to site selection. At Country Camping, a camper noted, "This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites... Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!"
Utility connections: Many equestrian campgrounds offer limited hookups. A visitor to Riverview Campground observed, "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."
Road conditions: Access roads to horse campgrounds may present challenges for larger rigs. One camper mentioned, "Keep in mind the driveway trail is not lit up but the showers are very clean and up to date." Arriving during daylight hours makes setup easier with horse trailers and RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Isle, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Isle, MN is Father Hennepin State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Isle, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Isle, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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