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Best Equestrian Camping near Kensington, MN

67 Reviews

Equestrian Campground at Sibley State Park provides limited accommodations for riders with horses near Kensington. The campground features primitive sites specifically designated for horse camping with vault toilets but no showers or electric hookups. Big rigs can access the area, making it suitable for large horse trailers, though the campground lacks dedicated horse corrals. The park maintains reservable sites with nearby trash facilities. Riders looking for more amenities might consider the main Oak Ridge Campground at Sibley State Park for overnight stays when not riding.

Trail access directly connects equestrians to Sibley State Park's hiking system, which permits horseback riding on designated trails. Located approximately 30 miles south of Kensington, the park provides opportunities for day rides through diverse terrain. Glacial Lakes State Park, while not offering designated horse facilities, features rolling prairie landscapes and wooded areas suitable for day riding excursions. The surrounding region includes crystal clear lakes and glass-like calm waters perfect for cooling off after rides. Trail conditions vary seasonally with spring and fall offering the best riding weather. Visitors should bring all necessary water for horses as direct lake access may be limited. Reservation requirements apply for all overnight camping, with permits needed for some areas of Sibley State Park.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Kensington, Minnesota (5)

    1. Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Carlos, MN
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 852-7200

    "I am from a suburb of Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota and we wanted to go camping with my in-laws who have horses."

    "Lots of screaming kids the weekend we were here, but we found the quiet trails. Lower campground offers no privacy, but a newer shower house and views and access to the lake."

    2. Glacial Lakes State Park Campground

    13 Reviews
    Starbuck, MN
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 239-2860

    "Despite it being a slightly shorter drive than the trip to Duluth from my house, it felt like eternity in comparison. It also felt very very unlike the Minnesota that I’m familiar with. "

    "The trails in the park have nice rolling hills and offer a unique type of beauty. The campground is small, but offers some electric sites as well as some primitive sites."

    3. Pomme De Terre Campground

    4 Reviews
    Chokio, MN
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 208-6500

    "Bathhouse, walking trails, fishing and beautiful lake views. Some sites are a little difficult to get into but not impossible."

    4. Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park

    20 Reviews
    New London, MN
    45 miles
    Website

    "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!"

    5. Equestrian Campground — Sibley State Park

    2 Reviews
    New London, MN
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (320) 347-7810

    $25 / night

    "We thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance. Equestrian camping area is nice and plenty of horse trails too."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Kensington, MN

8 Photos of 5 Kensington Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Kensington, MN

67 Reviews of 5 Kensington Campgrounds

  • Allison K.
    Jul. 11, 2019

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Beautiful but a bit crowded

    I am from a suburb of Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota and we wanted to go camping with my in-laws who have horses. We needed a park that was close and had equestrian camping so we decided to go to Lake Carlos State Park.

    Lake Carlos State Park is roughly 2.5hours from the Twin Cities and is a beautiful getaway for a weekend trip. You can leave after work on a Friday and still have time to make it to the park, set up and still be able to cook dinner and enjoy a s’more or two.

    We booked site H3 in the equestrian campground which was a VERY open site right off the main loop in the equestrian campground. It was very sunny and barely any shade for the horses. The site were in was electric and there were only three non-electric sites in the equestrian campground. The other sites were awesome for shade but were still super open to everyone.

    There were great trails for hiking and horseback riding. They also allowed mountain biking on the trails.

    The staff at the office were super friendly and they talked to us for about 15 minutes. Their store in the office was pretty great and they had everything from toys for the kids to s’mores stuff and stickers specific to the park. The firewood was pretty fast burning and cost 6$ a bundle so it was pretty spendy since we cook only over the fire.

    The main campground was VERY busy and jammed packed. The sites were too close together and open for my comfort.

    The beach was very dirty and there were army worms everywhere crawling on everything.

    We took a little bike ride to the group camp which was an amazing area with a very nice shelter with electric.

    All in all, this is a good park to go to if you are looking for a park close to the twin cities metro area.

  • Stephanie B.
    Jun. 14, 2020

    Equestrian Campground — Sibley State Park

    Mt Tom and new beach area

    We 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!!

  • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 9, 2019

    Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park

    Forest meets prairie

    This 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

  • Krista T.
    Jun. 9, 2020

    Glacial Lakes State Park Campground

    A unique MN state park

    Glacial Lakes is approximately two hours from my home, which makes it an ideal campground to make an impulse day trip if the weather is right. If you are coming from the Twin Cities you pass through a lot of countryside with the occasional house or small town. Despite it being a slightly shorter drive than the trip to Duluth from my house, it felt like eternity in comparison. It also felt very very unlike the Minnesota that I’m familiar with. 

    It was a relief to get Lake Minnewaska, which is enormous and the little lake community gives you something to gape at. It also means that you are almost there- thank goodness. Glacial Lakes is relatively unknown considering its proximity to the twin cities, and the scale of its facilities definitely reflect that. 

    The entrance station was closed when we were there, but it looked nice and it is on the newer side. The parking area at the end of the road is not expansive, so come early if you are doing a day trip on amazingly nice days. I didn’t see the the group campsite or the Lower Campground(or the cabins that are in it) because the road was closed off to it, so I can’t speak on the quality of those campsites, but I’m assuming that they are nice because there is actually a restroom/shower building there. 

    I would not camp at the Oak Ridge Campground. The sites were rarely level and generally on top of each other with minimal privacy. There are also a handful of hike-in sites. Kettle Lake hike-in campsite is the iconic image of camping at this park thanks to the two little lakes that butt up right next to each other right at your campsite. I also wouldn’t camp here because there is no shade and I would cart-in, but NOT hike-in to a shadeless campsite. 

    Reviews of this park also mention a lot of ticks, so keep that in mind. There is also horse camping! Minimal shade here too, but there were some young trees. The road to the horse camping is NOT wide enough for two vehicles to pass, so if you are coming here with your equine friends cross your fingers that you don’t encounter anyone on that road. 

    We visited for the very first time on a nice day in March. The main parking area is in a wooded area, so you have to hike through quite a bit of hilly woods to get to the prairie section. This meant that there were a few treacherous icy and/or muddy spots despite the surrounding areas being snow-free. It also meant wading over a boardwalk that was covered in water that got higher on our way back from all the melting ice. 

    The prairie part was definitely beautiful and I will definitely visit again when the spring flowers are in bloom or on a nice fall day when the grass changes color. I don’t think it will be a park that I frequent often though, mostly because of the never-ending drive. We did the High Peak Trail, which was a nice point with a strong wind that almost ripped my beanie off the day that we visited.

  • Keith L.
    Oct. 30, 2021

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Nice campground with one problem.

    There are plenty of campsite in the lower area that are very close to the water and good for RV people who do not care for privacy (like camping on a golf course).  If you want privacy, go for the upper area which is completely forested with plenty of trees and brush between sites.  I was in site 17 and was totally pleased... With one exception.

    I paid full price for this site.  But, the restrooms. showers, and water were shut off.  If I am paying full high season rates, I want full services!!!!!!  I appreciate there is no padlocked gate keeping people out in the off season.  But, if it easy to turn off the water, showers, and bathrooms, it should also be easy to create a reduced rate for reduced services.  Some other County, State, and Federal campgrounds charge nothing for no services off season camping.  What is Minnesota's problem?  Give people what they pay for!!!

    This is purely a ripoff.  It left me with a very unpleasant memory of this area and Minnesota.

  • Jill W.
    Sep. 29, 2020

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Busy park, quiet trails

    Lots of screaming kids the weekend we were here, but we found the quiet trails. Lower campground offers no privacy, but a newer shower house and views and access to the lake. Upper campground has a handful of sites that are tucked into the woods and are really quite lovely.

  • Makayla B.
    Oct. 1, 2020

    Lake Carlos State Park Campground

    Busy park with great lake access

    The lower campground has electric sites and is situated along Lake Carlos but there is little privacy between sites (126 and 127). We camped with another family so it was nice to have the open space between our sites where the kids could play and run. The boat launch was quite busy and there seemed to be a lot of people not staying in the campground who use the park for the day. The hiking trail along the lake was busy but once we got a little farther out the trails were quiet and peaceful. The highway outside the park was loud at night, it sounded like people were drag racing the Friday and Saturday nights we stayed.

  • Anne G.
    Jul. 6, 2017

    Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park

    Tower Lookout

    Sibley State Park isn't the most amazing park in Minnesota, however it's still a very nice little campground! We came a little too early in spring so the trees weren't quite green yet, but I'm sure we will be back in the fall to see the beautiful colors from the tower lookout! I would definitely recommend going up the tower, it's pretty easy not allot of stairs and you have quite the view up there! Also nearby is the small town of New London, I would check it out! The Goat Ridge Brewery is fairly new and is definitely worth the stop!! They have a back patio right along the river near the dam with fire pits back there to enjoy your brews! They brew a pretty good root beer too for the kids!

Guide to Kensington

Horse camping in Minnesota offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the scenic trails.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and facilities

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Tips for equestrian camping near Kensington, Minnesota

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Kensington, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Kensington, MN is Lake Carlos State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 28 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Kensington, MN?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Kensington, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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