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Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground provides rustic horse camping near Moose Lake, Minnesota, with extensive trail networks in the surrounding forest suitable for day rides. The campground features vault toilets and drinking water but lacks electric hookups or shower facilities. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs with first-come, first-served availability from May through November. Camping costs $17 per night with clean, well-maintained grounds that are more remote than typical state park facilities. The campground is situated along the Tamarack River with ample spacing between individual sites, though no horse-specific corrals or facilities are formally designated. The forest setting offers a true wilderness experience where campers have reported seeing bear, wolf, and coyotes during their stays.
Access to the campground requires navigating gravel roads, with ATV trails nearby though ATVs are prohibited within the campground itself. Visitors should arrive early especially on weekends due to the no-reservation policy. The remote location ensures peaceful camping experiences, particularly midweek when fewer visitors are present. The surrounding area features a beautiful lake and numerous hiking trails. Campers should come prepared for self-sufficient camping as services are minimal. Mosquitoes can be prevalent in early summer, particularly near slow-moving water. Sites are first-come, first-served, making this an ideal destination for equestrians seeking secluded natural experiences without needing hookups or amenities.
"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)."
"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."
from $24 - $68 / night
Check Availability"Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent. The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St."
"This is Minnesota’s largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them. But clean park."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my favorite state parks for last minute camping trips due to its proximity to home."
"There is a modern restroom and shower, it is also located near a nature store."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availability"The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip. A beautiful lake and lots of trails."
from $17 / night
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GuideThis was my first solo tent camping night in June 5, 2020. There were some horse flies when I parked but they didn't seem to hang out in the shade of my campsite. There was a very loud bird making calls until about 1am... Maybe a whip-poor-will. Otherwise a serene spot tucked back in the walk in site.
Directions to the walk in sites were a bit unclear when driving in but I eventually made it there.
GuideRight 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”!
LegendSmaller 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.
GuideA 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.
LegendThis park has a ton of camping available, particularly if you don't need electricity and have a smaller rig because then you can get into more of the campground loops. (There is electricity here, but there are many more sites without.)
The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy. Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent.
The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St. Croix River, plus there are hiking trails, a paved bike path, a fire tower you can climb, an old CCC camp area you can tour, and more. Also, canoe and kayak rentals are available. And this is all within the state park boundary since, at 34,000 acres, the park is the largest in the Minnesota state park system.
Some of the loops have old bathhouses that desperately need to be replaced, but they are in the process of doing so, which means some loops have great new bathrooms and showers. (If you stay in the upper 200s, sites, you'll have one of these new bathrooms right away, but more are being built.) Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting-- don't think about using the web or social media or getting any work done while you're here.
Overall, we enjoyed our weekend at this park and would come back for another getaway if we had the chance and it wasn't a workday.
GuideThis is Minnesota’s largest state park and has over 200 camp sites. But where we were, we were secluded from most people. Not from the mosquitos. You had to defend against them. But clean park. Would go back for sure.
TravelerOur scout troop camped for a weekend her. Our site was very spacious, and had close access to a well maintained outhouse and walking distance to indoor toilets and showers. The main disadvantage to this site was, no trees.
GuideI stayed here last summer (2025)and am planning on staying here this summer as well.
The park is smaller than it's sister park Mille Lacs Kathio, but it definitely has some things that are better about it!
I stayed in the Maplewood campground, which I recommend if you like quiet and privacy. The sites are further apart and give you a more "in the woods" feel. The other campground (lake view) is more traditional RV style camping where the sites are fairly close. However they have some sites (small and close together) that have views directly of the lake, if that's your thing.
I stayed at site 96 which was verrrrry deep and felt pretty private. It's backed up to the woods so you don't have anyone behind you. It has a nice tent pad, and plenty of space for canopies or other equipment. It's a short walk down to the water too, where there's a fishing pier really close by, and a large beach a little further down. I went in very early June and the mosquitoes honestly weren't terrible yet, but the caterpillars were everywhere! There were caterpillars all over my tent, in my sandals I left outside my tent, on my car, etc. When I found one I just relocated them to a safer area in the woods. Lots of deer, you can hear owls at night, squirrels etc. It is bear country, but I didn't see any bears. I kept my food locked up in my car.
One night it was kind if windy and you could hear the waves on the lake from the tent, so that was kinda cool.
I have t mobile and had decent service here as well.
GuideThis was a nice campground on the lake. Spots are not very private in the lakeside campground. Nice hiking trails and large beach. Cell phone coverage was good.
Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground offers rustic equestrian accommodations in heavily wooded terrain approximately 24 miles northeast of Moose Lake, Minnesota. The campground sits at 1,100 feet elevation along the Tamarack River in an area characterized by second-growth pine and hardwood forests. Winter temperatures regularly drop below zero while summer daytime highs reach into the mid-80s with high humidity levels common during June and July.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Saint Croix State Forest provide excellent wildlife watching opportunities. One camper noted, "We like camping in state forest for the wild life experience. We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Yote's" at Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground.
Hiking trails: Many of the state parks have interconnected trail systems. At St. Croix State Park, a visitor shared, "Lots of trails for hiking. Cool buildings from the CCC era as well as some signs talking about camp life. There is also a 100' fire tower you can climb up and get an epic view."
Fishing: Shoreline fishing is accessible at several locations. At Riverview Campground, a family reported, "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!"
Water recreation: Boating and paddling options exist on lakes and rivers throughout the region. At Father Hennepin State Park, "Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer. A great way to spend a weekend."
Secluded sites: Many horse campers prefer the spacing between sites at state forest campgrounds. At Boulder Campground, a reviewer mentioned, "The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip."
Natural setting: Riverview Campground provides access to natural areas despite being more developed. A camper noted, "The paved walking trails were nice. The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool."
Reasonable pricing: State forest camping typically costs less than state parks. One camper stated, "For $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids."
Clean facilities: The maintained facilities receive positive comments. A visitor to Old Logging Trail Campground mentioned, "The site we had was isolated nicely and the ground was easy for a tent set up. There was some mosquitos, but the disappeared at night which was nice."
Bug pressure: Insect activity can be intense, particularly in early summer. A camper at Riverview explained, "We were in the riverview campground on site 36 (no hook ups). There were HOARDS OF MOSQUITOS. We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites."
Cell service limitations: Don't count on reliable connectivity. A reviewer at Father Hennepin State Park noted, "Cell service is fairly spotty here so come with podcasts or shows downloaded ahead of time!"
Reservation requirements: Most state park campgrounds require advance booking. An experienced camper advised, "In Minnesota, reservations are required. We've found that if you make them in advance, and then decide to cancel the day of the reservation, there are cancellation fees and first night fees."
Variable shade: Tree cover differs between campgrounds. A camper reported, "Because of a large wind storm several years ago, there is very limited tree coverage in the campground. As a result, the sites get very little shade and protection from the hot summer sun."
Playground access: Some campgrounds have play areas for children. At Riverview, "There is a playground but we didn't use it. We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!"
Ranger programs: Educational activities can entertain children. A visitor to Riverview shared, "We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger."
Heat preparation: Summer camping requires heat management strategies. One camper at Riverview recalled, "Spent two nights at the campground. Night one was extreme heat and humidity and night two was extreme storms."
Tick prevention: Bring appropriate insect protection. A family staying at Riverview Campground reported, "However, the second we walked out the door, you had at least 5 ticks on you. If you spent any extended amount of time outside, there were 20+."
Site selection: Choose sites based on your rig size and needs. At Father Hennepin State Park, "My site unfortunately did not have a view of the river, but it was still nice and private!! Each campground is pretty similar (it's really more like separate loops of the same campground as opposed to actually separate campgrounds."
Limited hookups: Come prepared for minimal services. A camper at Boulder Campground advised, "Heads up! No hook up's. Vault bathrooms only."
Campground access: Some state forest roads require careful navigation. One visitor to Boulder Campground noted, "Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served."
Electric site availability: For those requiring power, some campgrounds offer more options. A camper observed, "The Riverview loop is 1 of 3 at St. Croix State Park. This loop is where 90% of the electric sites are, but it is also a very open campground."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Moose Lake, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Moose Lake, MN is Father Hennepin State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 21 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Moose Lake, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Moose Lake, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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