Best Equestrian Camping near Minneapolis, MN

Elm Creek Horse Camp provides dedicated accommodations for equestrians camping with their horses in Minneapolis's northern suburbs. The campground features individual corrals where horses can be safely contained overnight. The rustic sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, with campfire rings and picnic tables at each site. Facilities include vault toilets and trash collection, though the campground lacks electric hookups, showers, and water connections at individual sites. Drinking water is available at common areas. The campground maintains a policy allowing alcohol and pets, with reservations required for overnight stays. Campsites remain relatively primitive while providing essential amenities for horse owners staying overnight with their animals.

Trail access directly from the campground connects riders to the extensive network within Elm Creek Park Reserve. Riders find a mix of wooded and open terrain suitable for various skill levels. The park's trail system offers designated bridle paths separate from hiking and biking routes, reducing potential conflicts with other recreational users. Water access for horses is available at specific points throughout the trail system. Trailer parking accommodates various sizes, with ample room for loading and unloading horses. The campground's location provides convenient access for Twin Cities residents seeking nearby equestrian camping without traveling far from urban areas. Proper manure management is expected, with designated disposal areas available to maintain campground cleanliness. The surrounding trails remain popular with local riders for day use, offering a mix of terrain and scenery throughout the riding season.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Minneapolis, Minnesota (17)

    1. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

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

    $23 - $80 / night

    "Well placed sites nestled near lovely walking trails - Very nice water hook ups and electric- well maintained! Loved this Camping Site!"

    "Stayed here due to its proximity to Minneapolis airport...had an early flight the next morning. Really convenient location. No problems. Facilities were really well maintained."

    2. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

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

    $21 - $29 / night

    "This is just the best campground that is close to Minneapolis! Peaceful, quiet, with spacious sites that are situated in a staggered way, so you never feel like you’re on top of each other."

    "Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."

    3. Bunker Hills Regional Park

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

    $20 - $32 / night

    "For being in the middle of the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, this park and campground is surprisingly woodsy, secluded and spacious."

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

    4. Three Rivers Park District Baker Campground

    3 Reviews
    Maple Plain, MN
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 694-7662

    "Tons of trails and camping. 🏕"

    5. Elm Creek Horse Camp

    1 Review
    Dayton, MN
    18 miles
    Website

    $16 / night

    "If you’re the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree.🌲🐶 Tucked away near the archery range(don’t worry—nobody"

    6. Lake Maria State Park Campground

    34 Reviews
    Silver Creek, MN
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (763) 878-2325

    "Closer to other sites than I was hoping but overall a great oasis less than an hour from Minneapolis."

    "This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."

    7. Crow Hassan Park Reserve

    3 Reviews
    St. Michael, MN
    23 miles
    Website

    $15 / night

    "So as a result the Riverbend group equestrian campground is now the parking lot for day visitors through at least August. "

    "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed."

    8. Wild River State Park Campground

    45 Reviews
    Taylors Falls, MN
    47 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."

    9. Ann Lake

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

    $15 - $17 / night

    "We stopped for one night while traveling through Minneapolis area. Found several open sites on Saturday, first weekend in June."

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

    10. Lake Rebecca Park Reserve

    3 Reviews
    Rockford, MN
    25 miles
    Website

    "This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels. "

    "Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Minneapolis, MN

233 Reviews of 17 Minneapolis Campgrounds


  • J
    Aug. 15, 2021

    Lake Maria State Park Campground

    BP11 with kiddos

    Site was great. Good shade cover, room for 4 hammocks and a small tent. Closer to other sites than I was hoping but overall a great oasis less than an hour from Minneapolis.

  • S
    Jul. 16, 2024

    Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    Favorite spot

    This is just the best campground that is close to Minneapolis! Peaceful, quiet, with spacious sites that are situated in a staggered way, so you never feel like you’re on top of each other. The lake was a bit reedy and silty but overall a fantastic and easy option.

  • 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.

  • Joe R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve

    City camping gem.

    Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017. After reading a lot of Pinterest reviews I’m glad we stayed at this camp. Managed by ThreeRiversParks.org (make your reservation here) this is one of the cleanest camps I’ve ever stayed at. It was crowded with RV’s and tents alike but it never seemed loud or cramped. The shower house was very clean and roomy and an easy walk from the camp sites. We didn’t take advantage of the nearby lake or other numerous activities because we used it as a base camp for the Mall of America. You’ll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I’d say almost all of them were booked. The camp staff are very friendly and you’ll need to get checked in before 9pm I believe because they close it off to paid guests after that. The camp was pretty quite for as full as it was. I did notice that local law enforcement did patrol the camp a couple of times each night but it felt very safe to me. I’d definitely recommend this camp and the next time we stay we will check out the hiking trails, lake, and playground for sure.

  • 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.

  • Kimberly L.
    May. 25, 2021

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    Gorgeous terrrain ! Fun for families!

    The camp office was so east and friendly! Well placed sites nestled near lovely walking trails - Very nice water hook ups and electric- well maintained! Loved this Camping Site! Conveniently located between Wisconsin and Minneapolis/St Paul airport .

  • Robert B.
    Jan. 26, 2021

    Lake Elmo County Park Reserve

    Camel Trek - Night 3

    Stayed here due to its proximity to Minneapolis airport...had an early flight the next morning. 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.

  • 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.
    Jul. 16, 2018

    Crow Hassan Park Reserve

    This is an equestrian paradise

    This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed. Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer. Horse camping is available in two locations in the park, even though once when I was there a family was camping in the parking with their horses. Apparently they got the cops called on them by some other park patrons who didn't believe that this was an option. At the time it was marked as a camping location on the map, but that may have changed.

    The best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails, the wooded areas are nice but you may want to hustle out of there if you don't have enough bug protection. For non-horse riders some parts of the trail out in the open prairie might be a bit sandy. Also important to note- bikes are NOT allowed on the trails. Absolutely gorgeous in the fall. Pit toilets are available and there is water available at the entrance off of Park drive, not sure about the other locations.


Guide to Minneapolis

Elm Creek Horse Camp provides dedicated equestrian facilities north of Minneapolis where riders can camp with their horses. Located in Maple Plain, the campground features 20 miles of designated bridle paths on mixed terrain. Winter use continues with some trails maintained for sleigh rides through the snow-covered landscape.

What to do

Horseback riding on extensive trails: The trails at Elm Creek Horse Camp connect riders to diverse terrain. One visitor notes, "This campsite was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness."

Swimming and water recreation: The man-made swimming lake at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve offers unique water features. According to Timothy S., "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming."

Trail hiking and wildlife viewing: Many equestrian areas also permit hiking, though sometimes on separate paths to avoid conflicts. At Crow Hassan Park Reserve, visitors appreciate the natural setting: "I never tire walking the dog park circle along the crow river! Great for birding and tons of beautiful trails!"

What campers like

Privacy between sites: Despite being near urban areas, many horse camps maintain good spacing. At Bunker Hills Regional Park, campers appreciate that "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."

Natural surroundings: The mix of prairie and woodland creates habitat diversity. One camper at Sand Dunes State Forest noted, "Sites are large with varying degrees of privacy. Well spaced out, just some have less undergrowth."

Accessible trail systems: Trail access directly from camping areas allows riders to start their day without trailering. At Baker Campground, a visitor experienced "Clean, Well managed. I grew up going to baker park! Tons of trails and camping."

What you should know

Insect preparation required: Like many Minnesota outdoor spaces, biting insects can be numerous. A visitor to Wild River State Park advised, "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."

Poison ivy awareness: Plant identification skills help avoid contact with irritating vegetation. At Ann Lake, one camper warned, "Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy. Sites are large so they are clear. If you're susceptible, not for you."

Seasonal considerations: Winter use differs dramatically from summer options. According to a visitor, "The campsite was plowed out and had a nice spot for the tent. The sites were far enough apart and it looked like it would be more private when the leaves come in."

Tips for camping with families

Water activities for hot days: Children appreciate cooling off after trail rides. A visitor to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve remarked, "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking. The best kids park at any campground I've been to."

Playground access: Many equestrian facilities include play areas for children. One camper shared, "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, several playgrounds, archery, an event center, frisbee golf."

Educational opportunities: Wildlife viewing enriches the experience for young visitors. A camper noted, "We saw pileated woodpeckers, red squirrels, and a chorus of chorus frogs. Nature feels close here — in the best way."

Tips from RVers

Site selection for larger rigs: Not all equestrian camps accommodate larger trailers. One RV camper advised, "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking."

Hookup availability: Most horse camps offer limited or no hookups. A camper reported, "The rustic sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, with campfire rings and picnic tables at each site."

Parking logistics: Space for both living quarters and horse trailers requires careful planning. According to a visitor, "Trailer parking accommodates various sizes, with ample room for loading and unloading horses."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis, MN?

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