Equestrian campgrounds near Ramsey, Minnesota offer horse riders dedicated facilities within a 30-mile radius of the city. The region features sandy terrain in the prairie sections and wooded routes with varied elevation changes. Temperatures range from 65-85°F during the peak summer camping season from May through October, with facilities typically closing by mid-October before winter weather sets in.
What to do
Trail riding at Crow Hassan Park Reserve: The extensive trail system features sandy prairie sections that provide natural bug relief during summer months. Krista T. notes, "This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too... The best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails."
Swimming at Bunker Hills Regional Park: The park offers a large water park with wave pool for cooling off after trail rides or hiking. Arielle P. states, "Something for everyone here! They have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails both paved and unpaved."
Canoe and tube the Rum River: Country Camping Tent & RV Park provides river access with equipment rentals. Rory T. mentions, "Large sites. Great tubing and canoeing," while Spencer C. adds, "You can either relax in the pool or even take a ride down the rum river in a rented canoe, tube, or kayak."
What campers like
Private, wooded sites: Lake Maria State Park offers secluded backcountry camping experiences. Brian C. observes, "This lovely spot is a one mile hike from the parking lot, so be ready to walk if you need to make more than one trip... You could hear voices, but not see anyone. In fact, I went the whole weekend without seeing a single person."
Clean facilities: Baker Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and showers. Jennifer H. reports, "The bathrooms and showers are nice and clean, some of the best I've seen at a campground!" while Joe R. adds, "This is one of the cleanest camps I've ever stayed at."
Family-friendly amenities: Multiple parks offer playgrounds, swimming areas, and recreational facilities. Alison P. shares about Bunker Hills, "Perfect for kids, they have a water park with a wave pool, a disc golf course, a golf course, several pavilions with grills, a few playgrounds and plenty of trails."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campsites require advance booking. At Wild River State Park, Jeff L. recommends, "Wild River State Park is my go-to campground since it is within an hour of my home. I make it my first place to camp every season."
Seasonal challenges: Bug pressure can be intense during peak summer. Johnny H. warns about Ann Lake campground, "Minuses: People leave their camps a mess a lot of the time. I usually spend the first hour cleaning up. TONS of poison ivy. Sand fleas."
Water access points: Many campgrounds offer swimming beaches or river access. David G. from Country Camping notes, "Key thing is the river is very clean and sandy bottom," providing safer swimming conditions for humans and horses alike.
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve features excellent recreation areas for children. Steph H. shares, "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families. There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground."
Swimming options: Several parks offer designated swimming areas with varying features. Tina H. notes that Lake Elmo has "a swimming beach for the hotter days," while Bryan S. adds that Bunker Hills features "The waterpark is a blast and we were able to find discount passes online."
Trail difficulty levels: Consider terrain when planning family hikes. At Ann Lake, Emily H. advises, "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."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: When parking larger vehicles at equestrian campgrounds, check specific site measurements. Andy L. from Ann Lake mentions, "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking... Sites range from open and flat to secluded and a little hilly."
Utility access: Electric availability varies between parks. For Baker Park, Joe R. advises, "You'll need to book for at least two nights and book as soon as you can. There are 200 sites but on the July weekend we stayed, I'd say almost all of them were booked."
Generator restrictions: Be aware of noise regulations at nature-focused campgrounds. Chris D. cautions about Ann Lake, "Went on a busy summer weekend. Beautiful rustic campsites but even sites that you can't drive directly up to were still too close to all of the RVers with loud generators."
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