Equestrian camping near North Shore, Minnesota offers trail access through diverse landscapes from prairie to forest. State forests and parks in the region maintain designated horse camping areas with basic amenities like hitching posts, vault toilets, and picnic tables. Seasonal operation typically runs from spring through fall, with many facilities closing by October 31 due to Minnesota's harsh winter conditions.
What to do
Trail riding on designated paths: Sibley State Park's Equestrian Campground provides access to approximately 12 miles of horse trails. "We thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance. Equestrian camping area is nice and plenty of horse trails too," notes one Equestrian Campground visitor.
Sunset hiking with views: Several campgrounds offer sunset viewing opportunities along river trails. At Crow Wing State Park, campers report, "Love doing a sunset hike, this trail is just over two miles, all along the river, with pretty much continual sunset views if you take the trail East to West. It's a loop, which is always preferred I think."
Swimming in clear lakes: Many parks feature swimming beaches for post-ride refreshment. "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm," says a visitor at Glacial Lakes State Park.
What campers like
Spacious corrals and shade: Walter E Stark Horse Campground offers practical features for equestrians. "It is very sufficient for what you need if you are staying with 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," notes a Walter E Stark Horse Campground visitor.
Historical features: Many campgrounds include historical components adding interest to your stay. "Historic signs describing the old town are along the beginning part of the trail near the picnic area. Kinda fun to read about and feel what old settlements were like!" shares a Crow Wing State Park camper.
Winter options: Some facilities offer year-round access with unique seasonal activities. Lake Carlos State Park maintains "1 site (electric) available in the winter. We had room for a truck bed camper and a pop-up clam ice fishing tent... It stayed pretty cozy!" reports a Lake Carlos State Park camper.
What you should know
Tick prevalence: Prairie areas especially can harbor ticks during warm months. "Due to the grass, there were many ticks, pets should be treated for ticks ahead of time. We didn't stay overnight due to the amount of them," warns a Glacial Lakes camper.
Variable site privacy: Campground layouts differ significantly. "The campground closest to the lake isn't very private but the sites are spacious," notes a camper at Sibley State Park's Oak Ridge Campground.
Water level fluctuations: Lake access can vary by season and rainfall. "The lake was really high when we visited, which led to a useless campground fishing pier and a boat dock that you had to swim to to use. There was no beach, but there may have been if the water level was normal," reports a Glacial Lakes visitor.
Limited resources: Many equestrian-specific sites have minimal amenities. "It is a primitive campground with running water out of spigots and vault toilets," explains a Walter E Stark Horse Campground user.
Tips for camping with families
Look for educational opportunities: Parks with nature centers enhance the family experience. "Nature center is really good and all of the staff are great and friendly. Definitely worth checking out," shares a Lake Carlos visitor.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds get louder than others. "We stayed here last year and it was fun although if you like quiet nights I would not recommend it. It does get loud into the night," warns a visitor to El Rancho Manana, a popular horse camping destination.
Seek out family-specific activities: Look for parks with organized programming. "Every weekend have something different going on to do," notes an El Rancho Manana camper, referencing the campground's regular scheduled activities.
Check beach conditions: Swimming areas vary significantly between parks. "Good lake, had a great swimming beach. Our campsite wasn't private but there are some that are surrounded by trees and private," reports a Lake Carlos State Park visitor.
Tips from RVers
Check site dimensions: Many horse-friendly sites accommodate RVs but with limitations. "The sites are close side-to-side, but trees line the outside sites and there is good back-to-back space between the inner sites," explains a Crow Wing State Park camper.
Look for dump station details: Facilities vary between campgrounds. "There was not water supply at the dump station to rinse out the tank," notes a Glacial Lakes visitor, highlighting an important consideration for RV campers.
Consider electrical options: "We are camping/glamping in a 30' fifth wheel. The sites here are spacious and cozy at the same time. Feels like we are deep in the forest but civilization is close enough for WiFi!" reports a Lake Carlos State Park camper.
Plan for weather conditions: Minnesota seasons can impact camping comfort. "We tent camped in the non electric sites in the Lower Campground. They were shady thank goodness, but not very flat or large. Your tent will be on rocks, not grass," shares a Glacial Lakes camper.
