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Best Equestrian Camping near Lake Elmo, MN

207 Reviews

Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers very limited facilities for equestrians within its 2,000-acre landscape of lakes, prairies, and woodlands. While the park maintains horse trails for day use riding, the campground itself does not provide dedicated corrals, stalls, or other horse-specific amenities. The campground data indicates there are no horse corrals available in the camping areas. Visitors consistently note the spacious campsites and privacy between sites, with most campsites nestled among trees providing shade and separation from neighboring campers. The modern campground offers electric hookups and water access, though no sewer connections are available at individual sites.

Horseback riders can access designated equestrian trails throughout the park during daytime hours, but must trailer their horses in and out daily rather than keeping them overnight at campsites. The trail system connects various terrains including prairie, wooded areas, and lakeside paths. Washington County maintains strict regulations regarding pets and animals in the campground, with reviews confirming that dogs are not permitted in the camping areas despite being allowed elsewhere in the park. For overnight horse camping facilities, equestrians need to consider alternative locations such as Wild River State Park or other Washington County parks that specifically accommodate horses with appropriate corrals and overnight facilities. The park's swimming pond, playground amenities, and hiking opportunities make it popular for regular camping, but those seeking true equestrian camping should look elsewhere.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Lake Elmo, Minnesota (17)

    1. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    37 Reviews
    Lake Elmo, MN
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (651) 430-8370

    $23 - $80 / night

    "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."

    "For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."

    2. Bunker Hills Regional Park

    16 Reviews
    Coon Rapids, MN
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 862-4970

    $20 - $32 / night

    "I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."

    "It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"

    3. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    38 Reviews
    Maple Plain, MN
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-7662

    $21 - $29 / night

    "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."

    4. Wild River State Park Campground

    45 Reviews
    Taylors Falls, MN
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 583-2125

    $35 / night

    "This is a big park with a diversity of hiking, equestrian, and canoeing options. Since the park runs along the St. Croix, there are beautiful river-side walks to be had."

    "Nice park, scenic trails, horses on the way in."

    5. Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center

    1 Review
    Rosemount, MN
    17 miles
    Website

    $50 / night

    6. Highland Ridge

    15 Reviews
    Spring Valley, WI
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 778-5562

    $24 - $280 / night

    "Services: There are full services at this campground - flush toilets, sinks, showers, trash receptacles, and drinking water/dump station near the entrance."

    "T-mobile service is almost non-existent depending on location. The showers and bathrooms were spotless. Firewood is available at several roadside stands just outside the entrance."

    7. Ann Lake

    23 Reviews
    Zimmerman, MN
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 878-2325

    $15 - $17 / night

    "There are no reservations for the regular sites (although I do think they might take reservations for the equestrian and group sites)."

    "Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."

    8. Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir

    5 Reviews
    Spring Valley, WI
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (715) 778-5562

    "Great for hiking and kayaking/canoeing is near by."

    "Stayed middle of the week found local firewood from farms nearby. Also a creamery is a short drive from camp."

    9. Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River

    7 Reviews
    Cambridge, MN
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 444-9626

    $40 - $75 / night

    "Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."

    10. Haycreek Valley Campground

    8 Reviews
    Hay Creek, MN
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (651) 388-3998

    "Nice campground outside of Red Wing, MN with a bar/restaurant and other features. Access to trials for bikes and horses. I stayed in the horse camp without a horse but it was a nice area."

    "We have been going to Haycreek for over 15 years for horse camping. The trails are shaded, no bugs, friendly campers and staff."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Lake Elmo, MN

7 Photos of 17 Lake Elmo Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Lake Elmo, MN

207 Reviews of 17 Lake Elmo Campgrounds

  • Steph H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2017

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    Modern Campground with Room

    Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families. There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground. Our modern site 40 was in a great open location with a shaded edge. We had plenty of room to play, park the camper or set up tents. I can imagine in the heat of summer the lack of shade trees may be a hindrance to avoiding the noon day sun but there's always the amazing filtered swimming pond to go cool off in. Directly behind the site was a hiking trail that led us through woods, fields and prairie. The water source was just a couple campsites down but the bathrooms were a little farther so when coming with just tents you may want to search for a closer campsite. Overall clean and open.

  • Steph H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2017

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    Great for the kiddos

    For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond. This man made pond is a sandy bottom and surrounded by a nice sand beach. Large built in umbrellas are available for sun coverage and there is a concession stand and bathrooms with showers. And yes, as I mentioned the water is filtered! No gross goose poop or green algae to deal with! Next to the swim pond is a giant playground with fun for the big and little kids. Other amenities include archery, horse trails, paved and grass trails, camper spots, rustic spots and hike in camping spots. In winter the xc ski trails are lit for evening skiing. Or let's be honest early afternoon. It is Minnesota and the suns down by 4 In the Winter! They also have a newer Nordic center that's open all year round and includes a locker room with showers. The hike in camp spot we chose was on a small lake so it had a nice breeze and made it easy to bring a kayak or paddleboard and hop right in. There is also a boat launch for your larger toys! The trails in the park are quite impressive for its size. We enjoyed a 5 mile loop off the Nordic center and right past the camp spot. A picnic table and fire pit as well as nice flat tent pad were provided. If you're coming in from out of town then you're just a 5 minute drive from Woodbury and all the amenities you'd ever need but the park feels miles away from it all.

  • Krista T.
    Sep. 25, 2022

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    Eagle point lane section- Nice metro park for RVs/camper trailers or groups

    We went on a day trip to the eagle point section of the Lake Elmo park district. This is set in a lush rolling prairie with lots of hiking trails in addition to other attractions like an archery range and swimming pond. 

    The modern campground is built for non-tent campers, which is kind of a bummer because it is so much nicer than the “rustic” tent campground. Could you set up a tent there? Sure, but most of the site is devoted to a gravel parking pad. 

    The rustic campground is an offshoot of the horse trailer parking lot. The sites for the most part are not spacious or private. Only portapotties. I think the best camping opportunity I saw was the group campgrounds, which had more modern outhouses. This will continue to be a great day trip location for us.

  • Larry O.
    Jun. 7, 2018

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    Great Park. Glad we stayed there.

    We’ve stayed at Lake Elmo a couple of times. My son now lives in the Cities, so I expect we’ll be back more often. Super-friendly staff and Camp hosts. Nice playground and activities for the kiddos, AND large enough that you can camp farther away from the playground if you choose. Nice swimming area, lots of trails to hike. If you’re in the area, it’s a great park. Requires daily or annual county park pass in addition to camping fees. But still very reasonable. Some electric is 20 Amps, some is 30 Amps. Double check when making reservations that it will meet your needs.

  • A
    Aug. 19, 2017

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    Field Fun at Lake Elmo

    We had a wonderful stay at Lake Elmo at the rustic site. There was plenty of flat space for our tent. They provide a fire ring and picnic bench. We arrived after 8pm and the check in processes was a little unclear and they were out of maps, which was only challenging because it was dark and we had not been to the site before.

  • Mary S.
    Sep. 2, 2018

    Highland Ridge

    Nice campground but be prepared for shade...all the time

    First thing you need to know: It's completely in the woods, and sites are FULLY shaded. Sites 28-38 are on a loop with a picnic pavilion in the middle with some openings for sun on the road and in the picnic area. Other than that, the rest of the campground is rather dark all the time; there aren't as many sunlight openings on the road to the other sites. This is not a good place for solar panels, but almost all sites are electric.

    Nice price: Cost is $20/$16 for electric/non-electric. This is an Army Corps of Engineers park which means you pay $10/$8 if you have an NPS Lifetime Senior Pass.

    Services: There are full services at this campground - flush toilets, sinks, showers, trash receptacles, and drinking water/dump station near the entrance. There is an interpretive center for Saturday evening ranger programs and a playground next to it.

    Roomy sites: This campground is small, but almost all sites are large. There are 38 sites plus walk in tent sites A through G and a group site. It looks like sites 28-38 can be rented for a group; the entrance was blocked off when we were there.

    Equestrian section may be open to campers without a horse: There is an equestrian campground about a half mile before the main campground entrance. You may camp in the equestrian area (E1-E10) without a horse if the main area is full. We were able to reserve a site in there a couple days ahead of time because the main campground was full. It was just us and one other family on a Saturday night, and neither of us had a horse. We moved to the main area on Sunday morning because lots of sites were open on Sunday.

  • Krista T.
    Jul. 1, 2020

    Crow Hassan Park Reserve

    Close to the cities

    During 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.

  • Erik R.
    Apr. 5, 2025

    Wild River State Park Campground

    Camping in Spring snow

    Well, it snowed … in late March. I stayed in the campground in late March, 2025. This is a big park with a diversity of hiking, equestrian, and canoeing options. Since the park runs along the St. Croix, there are beautiful river-side walks to be had. There are also Oak Savanna trails. Several trails are for horses, but that isn’t my scene. I stayed in the campground for two nights. It was cold, rainy, and that turned into 5” of snow. Like many MN State Park campgrounds, you are close to your neighbors with no real private offerings. I stayed in site 66e. It was a typical site with nothing bad nor special about it. The hike to the former Dam site is the neatest thing about the park. I recommend reading the historical information at the site of the dam. Having been here once, I see no reason to come back.

  • David E.
    Sep. 10, 2022

    Haycreek Valley Campground

    Outside of City but Not Far for Access

    Nice campground outside of Red Wing, MN with a bar/restaurant and other features. Access to trials for bikes and horses. I stayed in the horse camp without a horse but it was a nice area.

Guide to Lake Elmo

Horse camping in Minnesota offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a great choice for horse lovers looking to explore the state's beautiful landscapes.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • At Haycreek Valley Campground, enjoy access to scenic trails perfect for horseback riding, along with a bar and restaurant for post-ride relaxation.
  • Crow Hassan Park Reserve features beautiful trails that are ideal for equestrian adventures, allowing riders to immerse themselves in nature.
  • The Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers a variety of hiking trails that can be enjoyed on horseback, providing a peaceful escape close to the city.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Haycreek Valley Campground provides electric and water hookups specifically designed for horse campers, ensuring a comfortable stay.
  • At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, equestrian facilities include hitching posts and barn stalls, making it convenient for horse owners.
  • Lake Rebecca Park Reserve features ample space for horse trailers and easy access to trails, enhancing the camping experience for equestrians.

Tips for equestrian camping near Lake Elmo, Minnesota

  • When visiting Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, be mindful that pets are not allowed, ensuring a quieter environment for horse camping.
  • At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, plan your visit during weekdays to avoid crowds, especially during peak seasons when equestrian trails can get busy.
  • Make sure to check the availability of amenities at Haycreek Valley Campground before your trip, as some features may vary by season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lake Elmo, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lake Elmo, MN is Lake Elmo County Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 37 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Lake Elmo, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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