Elm Creek Horse Camp features 20 miles of dedicated bridle trails within Elm Creek Park Reserve. The primitive camping area accommodates equestrians with both tent and RV options, though no electricity is available. Located 21 miles northwest of Lilydale, this specialized facility operates from spring through mid-fall when trail conditions permit.
What to do
Trail riding at Elm Creek Horse Camp: Camp near the archery range at site 2 and access direct trail connections. "This campsite offers a solid patch of peace... The trails? Chef's kiss. Plenty of new smells, shaded stretches, and squirrels for days," notes Alison O.
Swimming at Baker Campground: Enjoy the man-made swimming area with a sand bottom. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," reports Timothy S.
Hiking at Lake Maria State Park: Explore forested trails from walk-in sites that require minimal hiking. "Site B6 is about a half-mile walk from the parking area, and the journey in is half the magic: winding wooded trails, wildflowers, and glimpses of the lake through the trees," writes Alison O.
What campers like
Privacy between campsites: Wild River State Park offers secluded camping options. "The campground was very nice. The sites are private, couldn't see any neighbors as there are a lot of trees. The park rangers were very helpful and informative," shares Stephanie H.
Family-friendly activities: Many campgrounds offer recreational options beyond horseback riding. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," says Bryan S. about Baker Park Reserve.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds provide chances to spot local animals. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," reports Kate H. from Wild River State Park.
What you should know
Seasonal bug concerns: Minnesota's warm months bring insects to many campgrounds. Krista T. advises about Bunker Hills Regional Park: "If you simply look at the list of amenities this park has, nature lovers would be quick to turn their nose up at it as an overly-commercialized playground... Pack light and bring permethrin-treated clothes during bug season."
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds require advance booking, especially on weekends. For Sand Dunes State Forest Ann Lake, Chris B. notes: "You need a state parks pass to stay here plus the overnight fee. 15.00 a night is worth it for the size of your site and room to enjoy."
Trail conditions vary by season: Wet weather affects trail access. At Wild River State Park, Joanna B. reports: "The park is huge and beautiful. We snowshoed and skied. I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve provides entertainment for children. "Great campground, sites are spacious and spread out, electric hookups at all sites, swim pond is great for kids, and other amenities like an archery range and hiking trails are fantastic for kids," reports John H.
Educational programs: Some parks offer organized activities. Tina H. mentions about Lake Elmo: "On Saturday nights they have a campgound program for the kids and families to watch. Very organized and clean facilities."
First-time camping spots: Baker Park provides an accessible introduction to camping. "For our first time camping, this was a great site! It was very clean, had friendly staff, and was close to a really fun park for our kids. We will be back!" shares Heather V.
Tips from RVers
Electrical hookup availability: Not all equestrian campgrounds offer electrical service. At Baker Park, Robert B. notes: "Really convenient location. No problems. Facilities were really well maintained. We didn't see the sites in daylight hours but appreciated the cleanliness of the park. We stayed the last night of their camping season and were able to utilize water and electric hookups."
Seasonal operating dates: Most equestrian facilities in Minnesota operate from spring through fall. Lynsey M. mentions about Highland Ridge: "Water fill stations readily available so we loaded up prior to continuing out west. Easy late check in with campsite hosts. Lots of site options from open field options to pretty tree covered areas."
Site selection for larger rigs: Choose carefully when bringing larger RVs. Deb M. advises about Highland Ridge: "Some sites on the short loop (28-38) are a bit smaller and slope down from the road, so be careful of the site's size when booking. Our 29' trailer would have been a challenging fit in some of those sites."
Legend
