Best Equestrian Camping near Mora, MN

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.

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”!

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.

This campground is on a first come, first serve basis. There are no reservations for the regular sites (although I do think they might take reservations for the equestrian and group sites).

I highly recommend the walk-in-sites for the most private tent camping experience. The walk from the car isn’t far, but the sites are off the road and in the pines. If you like to have your car at your site, you’ll find some sites with nice long driveways that can accommodate multiple cars, or even a truck with a boat/trailer. The beach is nice and private, but it’s a bit of a hike from the campsites. I’d recommend just hopping in the car and driving over if you’ve got young kids with you.

There is no store or firewood sold at the campground, so you’ll have to haul your own in from an approved vendor.

Baker Park Reserve — A Peaceful Lakeside Retreat Just Outside the Cities

If you’re looking for a clean, quiet, and well-maintained campground near the Twin Cities, Baker Park Reserve is it! We recently camped at sites G1, C1, and C10, and each one had something special to offer. • G1 is a spacious group-friendly site with great tree cover and privacy. It’s flat and perfect for multiple tents, with a solid fire pit and picnic table. Bathrooms and water access were super close but still discreetly tucked away. • C1 is right near a lovely trail that leads to the lake. It’s peaceful and just far enough from the main loops to feel secluded without being isolated. Perfect for early risers who want to stroll to the water and watch the sunrise. • C10 was our sunniest site — ideal for those who want to catch some rays but still have a little shade from the mature trees. It’s centrally located, close to the store, beach, and bike trails.

The whole park is packed with amenities: great beaches, boat access, miles of trails, and clean facilities. Bonus points for the friendly staff and how well the sites are cared for. Wildlife was abundant — we saw deer, owls, songbirds, and even a cheeky raccoon that tried to sneak a marshmallow!

Pro tip: Sites in loops G and C offer a nice mix of wooded seclusion and convenience. Definitely worth checking out during peak season — just book early, they go fast!

We’ll absolutely be returning to Baker Park. Can’t beat the proximity to the Cities with the feel of being hours away.

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.

We recently camped at Site 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp and had a decent experience, but there are a few things future campers (and park staff) should be aware of.

First, the site itself is spacious and nicely shaded, which is great for horses and tents alike. The tie rail was sturdy, and the picnic table and fire ring were functional. The proximity to the trail system is definitely the highlight here — miles of beautiful, well-marked riding trails right out of camp made for some really lovely rides through prairie and woodland.

That said, the site could use some TLC. The ground was uneven in spots and muddy even after a light rain, which made setup tricky. The manure bin was full during our stay, and water access was farther than expected. Vault toilets were clean but in need of a refresh. There was also less privacy than we’d hoped — the sites are closer together than they appear in the maps.

Overall, Site 2 works in a pinch, especially if you’re here for the riding, but don’t expect luxury or solitude. With a little extra upkeep, it could be a solid 4-star experience. We’d return, but we might try a different site next time.