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Best Equestrian Camping near Little Falls, MN

91 Reviews

Walter E Stark Horse Campground in Pillsbury State Forest offers primitive equestrian camping with hitching posts mostly situated in shade. The campground provides sufficient space for horses and trailers, with the area divided into two separate sections. Vault toilets and water spigots serve the basic needs of campers, though no electric hookups are available. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping from April 1 to October 31. Horse trailer parking is ample, with the layout designed specifically for equestrian access. Sites cannot be reserved in advance and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The black flies can be problematic during summer months, particularly along the trails.

Numerous trails throughout Pillsbury State Forest connect riders to Lost Lake and other scenic areas. The Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Equestrian Campground offers another option for horse camping in the region, featuring big-rig friendly sites with picnic tables and toilets. Both locations maintain trails with appropriate signage warning hikers not to spook horses. El Rancho Manana Campground near Richmond provides a more developed alternative with electric hookups, water, and shower facilities for those seeking additional amenities. Winter visitors to the area can find sleigh rides at local ranches when the horse trails close for the season. Horse camping reservations are required at most state park equestrian campsites but not at the Walter E Stark facility.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Little Falls, Minnesota (8)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Little Falls, MN

8 Photos of 8 Little Falls Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Little Falls, MN

91 Reviews of 8 Little Falls 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.

  • Andrea S.
    May. 19, 2018

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Great getaway from the city

    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). 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”!

  • Scott M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Walter E Stark Horse Campground - Pillsbury State Forest

    Plenty of Space

    We were staying in the area so we took a look at the campground. It is very sufficient for what you need if you are staying with your horses. It is a primitive campground with running water out of spigots and vault toilets. Some excess firewood in the middle and plenty of space for your horses. The hitching posts were mostly in the shade but not all were. It is separated in two different parts but for the most part you can find shade unless this gets completely full. 

    We walked some trails and went up to lost lake...disappointed to see someone took apart a camper and left it there in a pile. The black flies were bad on our walk, but it did have some nice views along the way. Loads of raspberries along the road so we stopped in the shade and had a couple snacks. Lots of trails to hike and ride in the area and plenty of signs to warn you not to spook the horses which I think is good. 

    We did stop in at the local ranch and asked about the programs they offered. We are thinking to come back in the winter when they have sleigh rides.

  • Scott M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 19, 2021

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Great Area

    Smaller 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.

  • Allison K.
    Aug. 1, 2019

    Crow Wing State Park Campground

    Nice smaller State Park

    Crow 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!

  • K
    Aug. 30, 2020

    Mille Lacs Kathio Petaga Campground — Mille Lacs Kathio State Park

    Great spot not too far from the Cities

    Stayed 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.

  • 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.

  • Jeff G.
    Jun. 29, 2019

    Father Hennepin State Park Campground

    Nice spot on the lake

    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.

    Town of Isle is very close by along with other small towns dotted around the lake. Casino within 30 minutes.

  • 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.

Guide to Little Falls

Horse camping in Minnesota offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

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Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Little Falls, MN?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Little Falls, MN is Crow Wing State Park Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 26 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Little Falls, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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