Elm Creek Horse Camp is located within Elm Creek Park Reserve, approximately 15 miles northwest of Oakdale, Minnesota. The equestrian-focused campground sits at an elevation of 930 feet within the 5,400-acre park reserve. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F, with higher humidity from June through August, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for riders and horses alike.
What to do
Trail exploration with horses: Campsite 2 offers convenient access to nearby trails. "If your dog isn't a fan of our four-hooved friends, you might want to steer clear. But if they're cool with horses and know how to heel when a giant gelding struts by, they'll be just fine," notes a camper at Elm Creek Horse Camp.
Archery practice: The archery range near the horse camp provides an alternative activity. "Tucked away near the archery range(don't worry—nobody's aiming at your pup), this campsite offers a solid patch of peace," shares a visitor describing their experience at Elm Creek.
Swimming at filtered ponds: Several parks in the region offer unique swimming options. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," mentions a camper at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
River tubing opportunities: Within 30 minutes of Oakdale, the Rum River provides recreational water activities. "The tubing is a plus. Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," explains a camper at Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Many equestrian campers appreciate the natural setting of horse campgrounds. "The sites are decently private with good tree cover. Noise seemed to travel between sites, I had some loud neighbors during the day but they settled down before quiet hours," notes a visitor at Wild River State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Horse campers often encounter more wildlife than traditional campers. "Saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," shares a camper describing their experience at Wild River State Park.
Night sky observation: Certain campgrounds offer exceptional stargazing opportunities. "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance," mentions a visitor at Wild River State Park.
Spacious corral setups: Horse campgrounds provide necessary infrastructure for equine companions. "Our site (7) sloped down but leveled out with plenty of room for our campervan at the bottom. All sites are wooded with trees providing separation/privacy between sites," explains a camper at Highland Ridge.
What you should know
Site reservations and fees: Most horse campgrounds require advance booking. "A few bones to pick: There's not much privacy between sites, so if your dog's a talker, your neighbors might get a serenade. And while $16 a night is totally reasonable, the $7.50 reservation fee nips at the budget a bit," advises an Elm Creek visitor.
Terrain challenges: Some sites may present leveling difficulties. "Sites 28-38 are on a loop with a picnic pavilion in the middle with some openings for sun on the road and in the picnic area. Other than that, the rest of the campground is rather dark all the time," warns a visitor describing Highland Ridge.
Fire pit placement: Site layouts vary considerably between campgrounds. "The only reason this isn't a full 5-star banger is the fire ring placement. That thing is doing its own thing like 30 feet from the tent pad—felt like I needed a shuttle to roast a marshmallow," mentions a camper at Elm Creek Horse Camp.
Seasonal considerations: Spring camping may include unexpected weather. "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," reports a camper at Wild River State Park.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some horse campgrounds include family-friendly amenities. "The campground is nice and clean. Good size spaces. The tubing is a plus. Had one issue with power dropping so we had to pull the surge protector off," reports a visitor at Country Camping Tent & RV Park.
Water activities: Families appreciate swimming options near horse trails. "This campground is great for everyone! It's has a heated pool, splash pad area, BIG playground area, indoor game room, HUGE sites!" shares a camper at Country Camping.
Tree coverage for shade: When camping with children, shade becomes important during summer months. "This is a nice, quiet campground with activities nearby. The sites are decently private and there is nice bathrooms/showers. We camped here while our friends used a camper cabin and they loved it too," explains a visitor at Bunker Hills Regional Park.
Nature programs: Educational opportunities enhance family experiences. "Despite many of these things not being anything that I have a slight interest in, this somehow works for the park and it feels like a hidden paradise. I was immediately enthralled by the scenery as we drove into the park," notes a Bunker Hills visitor.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: RV campers at horse campgrounds should prepare for uneven terrain. "Many sites are placed on on incline. They got the sites are pretty flat, but it's still on a hill. Not a whole lot to do at the campground. Trails are in poor shape," warns a camper at Highland Ridge.
Power availability: Electrical hookups vary between horse camping facilities. "Some sites on the short loop (28-38) are a bit smaller and slope down from the road, so be careful of the site's size when booking. Our 29' trailer would have been a challenging fit in some of those sites," advises a Highland Ridge visitor.
Shade considerations for solar: Tree coverage affects solar panel efficiency. "It's completely in the woods, and sites are FULLY shaded. This is not a good place for solar panels, but almost all sites are electric," notes a Highland Ridge camper.
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