Camden State Park Campground and Garvin County Park provide primary equestrian camping options near Lake Benton, Minnesota. The region features prairie landscapes transitioning to wooded river valleys, creating diverse trail experiences for horse riders. Most horse camping areas operate seasonally from late spring through early fall, with limited winter accessibility depending on snowfall conditions.
What to do
Trout fishing access: The Redwood River at Camden State Park Campground offers dedicated fishing spots. "Great trout stream, swimming, tubing, camping, horse trails, hiking... my kids loved it," notes Emma V.
Trail riding opportunities: Horse trails extend through both prairie and woodland areas with varied terrain. Kyle B. mentions, "Great hiking and biking trails, swimming pond and right on the redwood river. The Camden Regional Trail is 14 miles of paved trails between Camden State Park and Marshall, MN."
Swimming and beach time: Several parks maintain swimming areas for cooling off after trail rides. "The swimming area looked nice, but it was too cold to use," reports Shelly E., suggesting seasonal water activities are temperature-dependent.
Disc golf courses: Garvin County Park maintains disc golf facilities as an alternative activity. As Sarah O. notes, "There were a lot of trails to hike and a river/stream that they said you could wade/swim in, but we didn't go into it."
What campers like
Campground layout options: Camden offers distinctly different camping experiences within the same park. "There are two campgrounds in this park - the upper one is on the prairie while the lower one is situated among trees along the river," explains Makayla B.
Bathroom facilities: Most equestrian camping areas maintain clean restroom facilities. Shelly E. comments, "The bathroom was well taken care of. There are train tracks really close to the campground. The trains didn't seem long nor did they blow the horns."
Family reunion potential: The spacious layout works well for large group gatherings. Anne G. shares her experience: "My family does a annual family reunion camping once a year! We stayed here and it was beautiful! Perfect for all the kids off all ages, adults, grandparents...we had a really good time."
Secluded wooded sites: Oakwood Lakes State Park Horse Campground offers camping with good tree coverage. Pete H. describes Camden as having "Nice, secluded and wooded sites," making it suitable for those seeking more privacy.
What you should know
Train proximity: Railway lines run near some camping areas but cause minimal disturbance. "There are nearby train tracks and trains ran by several times a day, though luckily they don't blow the horn so we didn't notice them much," reports Makayla B.
Site grading issues: Some campsites have uneven terrain that affects setup. Lynn A. C. warns about the upper camping area at Camden: "Upper camp, not much to see, plus our site was really steep."
Seasonal condition changes: Water features may become less appealing during certain times. Samantha H. observes, "The swimming pond is very gross. Lots of weeds. They really need to clean it out. You can even see the spring anymore it's so overgrown."
Out-of-state fees: Skooter's Place and other regional campgrounds may charge differential pricing. Tony H. notes at another regional park: "Also not real expensive but you do need a park pass and they do charge out of stators $10 more for campsites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple play areas accommodate different age groups. Sarah O. mentions, "There were a lot of playgrounds, and one really huge one the kids wanted to play on, but with COVID-19 still going strong, we didn't use it."
Horse interaction opportunities: Children can observe horses in designated areas. "We stayed in the Upper Campground in the site closest to the equestrian campground. The kids loved being able to meet & visit with the horses," shares Sarah O.
Water activity options: Streams and swimming ponds provide water-based recreation. Anup Ś. describes Camden as "Pretty spacious seperated by lots trees, good place for camping with kida as well. has a swimming pond and beach. Clean restrooms."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Lower elevation sites may experience drainage issues during rain. Makayla B. cautions, "Our site, 30, sloped away from the parking pad. You wouldn't be able to set up chairs under your awning at this site and the picnic table sat in a low spot that got muddy after 2 straight days of rain."
Sanitation facilities: Most equestrian camping areas provide dump stations and water hookups. Tony H. appreciates the cleanliness standards: "The bathrooms and showers were very clean. Also, the campsites are very clean beach areas and boat ramps were very clean... garbage and fill stations and dump station."
Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between camping areas. "Sites in the lower campground are fairly close together and we didn't have cell service (Verizon), which wasn't a big deal," notes Makayla B.
