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Equestrian Camping near Nevis, MN

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    Shell City Equestrian Campground features multiple horse pens set in the woods, offering campers a rustic equestrian experience in Huntersville State Forest. The campground provides fire rings, picnic tables, and a three-stall covered horse stable with three-sided protection. Horse owners can secure their animals at multiple hitching posts located throughout the grounds. Several campsites are available near the entrance with additional sites situated around a large open area designed to accommodate horse trailers. The campground operates on a $16 per night honor system with payment collected via drop box. Drinking water is accessible via a pump that serves both horses and people, and pit toilet facilities are available on site. Tent camping and RVs are permitted, though no hookups are provided.

    Grant Creek Horse Camp connects riders to nearly fifty miles of trails within Headwaters State Forest. Each campsite includes ample parking, picnic tables, fire rings, tent areas, and horse tie-up posts with adjacent grazing space. The campground sits beside the picturesque Grant Creek, providing easy access to the extensive trail network. Water is available by pump, and the grounds include vault toilets for visitor use. The sites accommodate various camping styles including tents, vans, and horse trailers. This free campground is maintained by the Natural Resources program of Beltrami County with assistance from several area horse clubs. The sites remain well-maintained and are available on a first-come, first-served basis for individuals and groups, making it particularly suitable for riding clubs, families, and 4-H groups with horses.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Nevis (5)

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      1. Shell City Equestrian Campground

      5.0(1)13mi from NevisRVs, Tents

      "They are both located off the same road, but the equestrian campground had two ways to get in. Both are equally good, but come from different directions."

      from $14 / night

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      2. Shell City Landing

      5.0(1)13mi from NevisRVs, Tents

      "This camp is off the beaten path, without being "out of the way"."

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      3. Grant Creek Horse Camp

      5.0(1)40mi from NevisRVs, Tents

      "This is a specialized public campground for trailriders and their horses."

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      4. Walter E Stark Horse Campground - Pillsbury State Forest

      5.0(1)45mi from NevisRVs

      "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."

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      5. Webster Lake Campground

      4.0(2)47mi from Nevis16 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This is a small rustic campground on Webster Lake. I arrived here on a Friday afternoon end of July, which should have been peak camping season, and the campground was half empty."

      "It's a campground by a lake with a hiking trail, pit toilettes, and boat launch.  People come here off-roading, fishing, boating, and hunting."

      from $14 / night

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Nevis, MN

    1 Photos of 5 Nevis Campgrounds

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Nevis, MN

    6 Reviews of 5 Nevis Campgrounds

    • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 27, 2018

      Shell City Equestrian Campground

      Ranger Review of Mountain House Beef Stew at Shell City Equestrian Camp

      I've never been to an equestrian camp before, and this was a surprise! I didn't know it was one until I arrived. But surprise or not...it was a happy accident to find the Shell City Equestrian Camp. What a beautiful little place to drop a tent, even if you didn't have a horse! And even though there was snow on the ground and a serious chill in the air, I still had the gitty up and go to make some Mountain House Beef Stew, but this time, with a twist!

      Campground Review:

      Shell City Equestrian Camp (and sister Shell City Camp) are run by Itasca State Park, so any info about this campground can be found under the State Park website. When I set out for the day, I anticipated finding a campground on the river, and I did find one there, but I didn't know they had a sister camp for horses. They are both located off the same road, but the equestrian campground had two ways to get in. Both are equally good, but come from different directions. The road is gravel/dirt and not a bad drive, but being unpaved, it's a bit bumpy. Be gentle when you drive. I visited in the winter, so I had snow on top of bumps and ruts and my all wheel drive was appreciated. I don't think I'd want to drive the 1/2 mile on this road in deeper snow.

      Near the entrance, there are a few campsites with picnic tables and because the road into the campground is off the beaten path, I doubt there would be much traffic to bother anyone. Just past these sites are hitching posts and more campsites around a large, open area that I assume would be for horse trailers and campers (note there are no hookups here). Around the perimeter are more picnic tables, fire rings and a scattering of horse pens set in the woods. Very quaint! There was even a three stall covered horse stable (three sided). The campground also had a pit toilet and water pump for horses and people. Even if I didn't have a horse (and I don't), this would be a lovely place to drop a tent for the night. There were even horse trails to explore. Even though I didn't stay the night here, it was a great little find in the middle of the woods!

      Cost for this spot was $16/night on the honor system at a drop box near the entrance.

      Product Review:

      As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I occasionally have the opportunity to test amazing products from incredible companies and this time, I had the pleasure of trying out Mountain House Beef Stew, but on top of the product testing, I had a culinary challenge! I was asked to create a new dish from this freeze dried meal, and my tastebuds were rewarded!

      This beef stew is a medley of tummy pleasing comfort foods wrapped into a meal that's perfect for a blustery day. Beef, potatoes, carrots and peas with a gentle sprinkle of spices. Seriously yummy by itself as long as you have enough patience to give it the time it needs to absorb the hot water. These meals are fully cooked, but since they are freeze dried, they take time to re-hydrate, so add the water, zip up the special bag that allows you to "cook in the bag" and walk away. Set up your tent. Hang your hammock. Go to the bathroom. Just wait...and stir...and wait. And then YUM! Absolutely worth having a little patience.

      But then there's more...

      I turned mine into East Indian Couscous Stew.

      I was asked to take this meal and turn it into something else to tempt the tastebuds, and I wanted to keep it simple so that it could be done on the trail. What better way to keep the body nourished than to keep the flavors interesting so you actually want to eat it? I found a simple recipe at home to make an East Indian Spice Blend and then added in some plain couscous. Here's how I modified the prepared meal.

      Indian Spice Blend: (mix all together and put in a little shaker)

      2T Curry powder

      2T Cumin powder

      2 t Turmeric powder

      2 t Coriander

      1 t Ginger powder

      1/2 t Cardamom powder

      1/2 t Cinnamon powder

      Recipe: I opened the Beef Stew package and added 1/2 cup of plain couscous and 1 T of spice blend. Then I added about 4 oz of extra water (beyond what the package called for) to compensate for the re-hydration of the couscous. Then, follow the package directions and that's it. Voila! Tummy yummy goodness! I served it with tortillas to bulk up the meal a bit.

      note I had a little trouble with the zipper on this bag. I don't know if it ripped, or if the cold outside made the zipper brittle, but I couldn't get it zipped back up for the required "sitting" time. So I kept spilling the water while trying to agitate the bag. No harm, just a little frustrating.

      The package says it contains 2.5 servings, but I don't know any "half" people, so I'll say two servings, and I'll say that's probably two hungry women. Especially since the couscous adds more bulk to the meal. A very hungry man could probably eat this alone, but you'll need to make sure you can divide this up in one sitting, because extra leftovers won't keep well on the trail. But I've never been hiking or camping when I couldn't find a willing guinea pig needing free food!

      Great little campground, hot, filling meal on a chilly, snowy day. Perfection!

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jul. 6, 2018

      Grant Creek Horse Camp

      Happy Trails at Grant Creek

      This is a specialized public campground for trailriders and their horses. It is maintained as a recreational opportunity by the Natural Resources program of Beltrami County, within the Headwaters State Forest. Several area horse clubs assist in the maintanence of this campground, which is available on a first come first served basis to individuals and groups. Camping here is free, but donations are gladly accepted. The campground is uniquely set up to accommodate people, tents, vans, and horse trailers, every site having ample parking, picnic tables and fire rings, tent sites, and horse tie-up posts with grazing area. There are vault toilets and water available by pump. The campsites are well maintained and set by the picturesque Grant Creek, next to a trailhead for a maze of nearly fifty miles of trails for riding. This is a very nice camping experience for horseback riders, 4-H groups, families or riding clubs!

    • 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.

    • Amy G.The Dyrt PRO User
      Nov. 16, 2018

      Shell City Landing

      Sits right on the river with a gorgeous view and wind in the trees

      Shell City Campground is in the Huntersville State Forest. If you want to camp in the woods, you want to be in the woods. Even if you are in a city. This camp is off the beaten path, without being "out of the way". Making your way there in any season without snow is certainly going to be easier, but even if there is a little snow, you'll be fine as long as you have all wheel drive. And it was really quiet! Such a pretty view!n I didn't get a chance to stay here (it's winter right now), but with only a small amount of snow on the ground, it made it easy to get a really good feel for how it might be.

      Only a short distance off the main road, this isn't hard to find as long as you follow the signs. And don't get distracted by the "horse camp" sign like I did. Yes, there is a horse camp there, but if you drive just past the horse camp, you'll find a very clearly marked path to the regular tent camping sites. They are only a hop, skip and a jump apart, though, so they are easy to get to one from another.

      This campground is accessible from the road if you are driving and the river if you are canoeing (and I suppose if you happen to be hiking in the area, it's easy to get to as well). If you came off the river, it's a very easy "in" from the water. Two entrances are available. One is a dirt landing that you ease into (boat landing style with a little, tiny lot for a car to pull into) and...you're there! The other comes up to about 6 wooden stairs, but nothing hard about it at all. If by car, the road winds down a tiny path and into the campsites. Easy breezy.

      There is room for RVs, the sign says, and they are the same price as tents.

      Tents are $14 (or you can put a camper on the site for the same price, but no hookups), or you can rent it as a "group site" for $28 (20 people max). Now I'm not sure what that means, but $28 seems awfully cheap to rent the entire place. It's not a giant campground, but there's plenty of room. All pads are within view of the river and there are plenty of trees (mainly pine) for hammocks. And the wind in the trees is divine! Ever so often you can hear a bit of road noise, but it's incredibly minimal. Especially if the wind is blowing.

      There were several pit toilets. Very unusual to have more than one in a camp of this size, but nice, nonetheless! There was also a water pump for drinking water that was very easy to pump. The sites have picnic tables and fire pits too. The view of the river was my absolute favorite because it's at a bend in the river, so you can see both ways. This time of year, the ice was forming, but the water was still moving. It made for very pretty photos!

      I can't wait to pitch a tent here in the spring!

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 25, 2018

      Webster Lake Campground

      Quiet camping at Webster Lake

      This is a small rustic campground on Webster Lake. I arrived here on a Friday afternoon end of July, which should have been peak camping season, and the campground was half empty. Its a bit off the beaten path, the lake is not huge, and the campsites are simple so maybe the campground is not on many peoples radar. However, the lake is pretty and the fishing isnt bad, the lakeside campsites are fairly nice, and there are some interesting trails into the bogs around the lake. Supposedly it is most busy during fall hunting season, so for a quiet camping experience and wildlife wAtching it is probably best to come in mid to late summer. Early summer is also probably not the best time as the surrounding bogs are probably great mosquito breeding grounds!

    • SmallRVLifestyle V.
      Sep. 5, 2020

      Webster Lake Campground

      Quiet Campground In The Middle Of The Forest

      I saw the sign for a campground on the road and I thought I check it out. It's a campground by a lake with a hiking trail, pit toilettes, and boat launch. 

      People come here off-roading, fishing, boating, and hunting.

      I was visiting in September, Labor day weekend, and half of the sites were empty. I got a really nice, large spot on the lake. It's a primitive campground, with no any sort of electricity or even garbage service. First come first serve, there is an envelope stand at the entrance.

      Depending on what way you are coming from, you have to drive a few miles on gravel forest roads. It's not bad though.

      I did try the trail that goes around the lake, it's about 3.5 miles long. It goes through the forest mainly, not a very exciting trail, very easy. There is a place where you can walk on the bog and sit down on a bench for a nice view. That was the pretty part.

      So many mosquitos though, you better spray yourself before going on the hike. I forgot and bugs were chasing me. I couldn't stop at all, I was rushing through the trail.

      Overall, a nice National Forest Campground, quiet it's perfect for an outdoorsy weekend.

      I had a strong AT&T signal, enough to run Netflix and do online surfing.

    Guide to Nevis

    Shell City Equestrian Campground and Grant Creek Horse Camp provide specialized accommodations for horseback riders near Nevis, Minnesota. Located within state forests, these equestrian-focused sites offer dedicated facilities for both riders and their horses throughout the recreation season. The campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems with varying terrain suitable for different riding skill levels.

    What to do

    Trail riding opportunities: Headwaters State Forest offers nearly fifty miles of designated horse trails accessible from Grant Creek Horse Camp. The trail network features varied terrain through forest and near waterways. Janet R. notes, "The campsites are well maintained and set by the picturesque Grant Creek, next to a trailhead for a maze of nearly fifty miles of trails for riding."

    Off-trail exploration: Venture beyond the marked trails at Webster Lake Campground where bog environments create unique ecosystems. "There is a place where you can walk on the bog and sit down on a bench for a nice view. That was the pretty part," describes one visitor who explored the 3.5-mile lake trail.

    Seasonal berry picking: Forest roads near Walter E Stark Horse Campground offer wild raspberry picking opportunities during summer months. According to Scott M., "Loads of raspberries along the road so we stopped in the shade and had a couple snacks."

    What campers like

    River access points: Shell City Landing provides multiple river entry locations for paddlers. Amy G. explains, "Two entrances are available. One is a dirt landing that you ease into (boat landing style with a little, tiny lot for a car to pull into) and...you're there! The other comes up to about 6 wooden stairs, but nothing hard about it at all."

    Natural sounds: The forest environment at Shell City Landing creates a peaceful audio backdrop even with minimal road noise. One camper shared, "And the wind in the trees is divine! Ever so often you can hear a bit of road noise, but it's incredibly minimal. Especially if the wind is blowing."

    Lower crowds: Webster Lake Campground offers solitude even during peak season. "I arrived here on a Friday afternoon end of July, which should have been peak camping season, and the campground was half empty," reports Janet R. Another camper confirmed this trend during a Labor Day weekend visit, noting "half of the sites were empty."

    What you should know

    Accessibility considerations: Forest roads leading to campgrounds may present driving challenges in certain conditions. One visitor to Shell City notes, "The road is gravel/dirt and not a bad drive, but being unpaved, it's a bit bumpy. Be gentle when you drive. I visited in the winter, so I had snow on top of bumps and ruts and my all wheel drive was appreciated."

    Insect preparation: Bug protection is essential, particularly near bog areas. A Webster Lake visitor warns, "So many mosquitos though, you better spray yourself before going on the hike. I forgot and bugs were chasing me. I couldn't stop at all, I was rushing through the trail."

    Payment systems: Campgrounds in the area operate with varying fee structures and collection methods. Shell City Landing costs "$14 (or you can put a camper on the site for the same price, but no hookups), or you can rent it as a 'group site' for $28 (20 people max)," while Grant Creek Horse Camp offers free camping with voluntary donations.

    Tips for camping with families

    Group-friendly sites: Horse camps accommodate family gatherings with spacious layouts. Janet R. recommends, "This is a very nice camping experience for horseback riders, 4-H groups, families or riding clubs!" at Grant Creek Horse Camp.

    Off-season timing: For quieter family experiences with wildlife viewing opportunities, consider timing your visit strategically. One camper advises Webster Lake visitors that "for a quiet camping experience and wildlife watching it is probably best to come in mid to late summer. Early summer is also probably not the best time as the surrounding bogs are probably great mosquito breeding grounds!"

    Connectivity options: Cellular service varies by location and carrier. SmallRVLifestyle V. reports from Webster Lake: "I had a strong AT&T signal, enough to run Netflix and do online surfing," which may be valuable information for families needing to stay connected.

    Tips from RVers

    Trailer parking configurations: Equestrian campgrounds provide specialized parking areas for horse trailers with varying shade coverage. Scott M. observes at Walter E Stark Horse Campground, "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."

    Primitive facilities: RVers should prepare for basic amenities with no hookups. As one camper describes Webster Lake, "It's a primitive campground, with no any sort of electricity or even garbage service," which requires appropriate preparation for self-contained camping.

    Seasonal considerations: Be aware of operating seasons before planning your trip. Walter E Stark Horse Campground operates from "April 1 to October 31," while Webster Lake Campground has a shorter season running from "May 7 to September 3."

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nevis, MN is Shell City Equestrian Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

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