9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Sibley State Park offers dedicated horseback riding opportunities through its Equestrian Campground, located in a separate section from the main camping areas. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with sites designed specifically for horse owners. While the park doesn't have permanent horse corrals, the camping area provides ample space for portable corrals and trailer parking. Basic amenities include vault toilets, trash collection, and a sanitary dump station. Sites are reservable and pet-friendly. The campground received a user rating of 3.5 on The Dyrt, with reviewers noting the quiet, peaceful setting ideal for campers with horses. The campground is big-rig friendly and maintains a clean, well-organized layout for equestrians.
The horse trail system at Sibley State Park offers approximately 12 miles of designated bridle paths through diverse terrain including prairie, forest, and near Lake Andrew. Riders can access trails directly from the Equestrian Campground without having to transport horses. Trails are well-marked and maintained, though some users mention they would prefer more extensive riding options. The park permits horseback riding on designated trails only, keeping horses separate from hiking paths. Riders can enjoy scenic views from Mt. Tom, the highest point in the park. The Equestrian Campground typically operates seasonally, with higher availability during weekdays than on busy summer weekends. The nearby El Rancho Manana Campground also offers on-site horseback riding opportunities for campers who don't bring their own horses.
"You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."
"This park is only about 50 minutes away from me, and for hiking/camping I only think it is worth a trip in the fall."
"I chose Lake Maria for a solo camping excursion because it was close to the Cities, but still offered the level of seclusion I wanted."
from $22 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Away from the lake is another campground in the oak savanna section of the park, and this campground seems quieter with more spacious sites, although they are more open."
"Sibley State Park isn't the most amazing park in Minnesota, however it's still a very nice little campground!"
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"There are no reservations for the regular sites (although I do think they might take reservations for the equestrian and group sites)."
"Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love."
from $50 / night
Check Availability"We thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance. Equestrian camping area is nice and plenty of horse trails too."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Despite it being a slightly shorter drive than the trip to Duluth from my house, it felt like eternity in comparison. It also felt very very unlike the Minnesota that I’m familiar with. "
"The trails in the park have nice rolling hills and offer a unique type of beauty. The campground is small, but offers some electric sites as well as some primitive sites."
from $22 - $150 / night
Check Availability"This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels. "
"Great for birding and walking trails! One of my favorite places to go near home😁"
"So as a result the Riverbend group equestrian campground is now the parking lot for day visitors through at least August. "
"This is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed."
from $15 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $60 / night
Check Availability
GuideWe thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance. Equestrian camping area is nice and plenty of horse trails too. The biggest hit for me was the newly remodeled beach area on Lake Andrew. Plenty of space and a nice “fishing” pier to hang out at. They rent kayaks there too!!
LegendDuring these COVID times everyone wants to get out and about more, which means that the main parking lot for the park that used to be mostly designated for horse trailer parking is now overrun with family vehicles. So as a result the Riverbend group equestrian campground is now the parking lot for day visitors through at least August.
In normal times you can rent this group campsite for$70-$80 a night, which is ridiculously cheap considering that you can fit quite a bit of horse trailers on here. The information for this site states you can put 10 horse trailers on this lot, but I have definitely seen groups camp here with more. The barn stalls are available for use (unlike the Blue Stem horse site), otherwise there are overhead horse hitch lines.
This campground is nicely maintained and has nice mature trees that a lot of people set up hammocks in. The vault toilet near the barn is nice, there are no showers. Be aware that the road into this group site only is wide enough for one vehicle at a time, so far I’ve been lucky to not encounter another vehicle as I’m entering or leaving.
LegendThis state park uniquely showcases an ecologic transition zone between hardwood forest, savannah, and prairie. There are also local history connections. As a bird watcher, I was very excited to see birds here that I dont usually see at home in northern Minnesota, and to learn a bit more about glaciation in this area and about prairie and savannah habitats. The park has self guided hikes, educational nature programs, and learning kits for birding and more that you can check out at the ranger station. The lakeshore is pretty, and the lakeside campground is green and leafy with mature trees but the campsites are very close together, and the beachfront and bath house are currently closed for renovation which puts a damper on waterfront activities. Away from the lake is another campground in the oak savanna section of the park, and this campground seems quieter with more spacious sites, although they are more open. The park’s camper cabins are located here and are in a very pretty setting tucked into a little hill, though a bit of a walk to the bathrooms and showerhouse. At both campgrounds there are nice ADA sites which are level, spacious and accessible, and also close to the bathrooms. I was at a conference in nearby Willmar, and this park is a good alternative for lodging if you need to be in the area. If you are really into learning more about prairies and local glacial geology, the nearby Prairie Environmental Learning Center is fantastic to visit, and lots of prairie pothole WMAs are also closeby for waterfowl watching
LegendThis is my all-time favorite park to bring my horse to, and it's her favorite trail too. Seriously, when we head back to our trailer she will stop and refuse to proceed. Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer. Horse camping is available in two locations in the park, even though once when I was there a family was camping in the parking with their horses. Apparently they got the cops called on them by some other park patrons who didn't believe that this was an option. At the time it was marked as a camping location on the map, but that may have changed.
The best place to be bug-free happens to be the sandy prairie trails, the wooded areas are nice but you may want to hustle out of there if you don't have enough bug protection. For non-horse riders some parts of the trail out in the open prairie might be a bit sandy. Also important to note- bikes are NOT allowed on the trails. Absolutely gorgeous in the fall. Pit toilets are available and there is water available at the entrance off of Park drive, not sure about the other locations.
LegendGlacial Lakes is approximately two hours from my home, which makes it an ideal campground to make an impulse day trip if the weather is right. If you are coming from the Twin Cities you pass through a lot of countryside with the occasional house or small town. Despite it being a slightly shorter drive than the trip to Duluth from my house, it felt like eternity in comparison. It also felt very very unlike the Minnesota that I’m familiar with.
It was a relief to get Lake Minnewaska, which is enormous and the little lake community gives you something to gape at. It also means that you are almost there- thank goodness. Glacial Lakes is relatively unknown considering its proximity to the twin cities, and the scale of its facilities definitely reflect that.
The entrance station was closed when we were there, but it looked nice and it is on the newer side. The parking area at the end of the road is not expansive, so come early if you are doing a day trip on amazingly nice days. I didn’t see the the group campsite or the Lower Campground(or the cabins that are in it) because the road was closed off to it, so I can’t speak on the quality of those campsites, but I’m assuming that they are nice because there is actually a restroom/shower building there.
I would not camp at the Oak Ridge Campground. The sites were rarely level and generally on top of each other with minimal privacy. There are also a handful of hike-in sites. Kettle Lake hike-in campsite is the iconic image of camping at this park thanks to the two little lakes that butt up right next to each other right at your campsite. I also wouldn’t camp here because there is no shade and I would cart-in, but NOT hike-in to a shadeless campsite.
Reviews of this park also mention a lot of ticks, so keep that in mind. There is also horse camping! Minimal shade here too, but there were some young trees. The road to the horse camping is NOT wide enough for two vehicles to pass, so if you are coming here with your equine friends cross your fingers that you don’t encounter anyone on that road.
We visited for the very first time on a nice day in March. The main parking area is in a wooded area, so you have to hike through quite a bit of hilly woods to get to the prairie section. This meant that there were a few treacherous icy and/or muddy spots despite the surrounding areas being snow-free. It also meant wading over a boardwalk that was covered in water that got higher on our way back from all the melting ice.
The prairie part was definitely beautiful and I will definitely visit again when the spring flowers are in bloom or on a nice fall day when the grass changes color. I don’t think it will be a park that I frequent often though, mostly because of the never-ending drive. We did the High Peak Trail, which was a nice point with a strong wind that almost ripped my beanie off the day that we visited.
TravelerVery nice quiet horse camp. Could use more horse trails, only about 12 miles worth of trails for horses.
TravelerThis 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.
LegendThe park
Disclaimer: I did not actually camp here. There are two group campsites that are available, but considering that my friends aren’t big campers I wasn’t willing to pay $85 a night for a campsite (and I’m pretty sure these get booked up quickly on the weekends). I’ll talk more about the two group sites later.
I really liked this park, it felt like there was something available for everyone. When I first pulled in I checked out the single track trail area first and the parking lot was full of mountain bikers. This newly developed trail is 13.25 miles long, so a nice option close to the city for those who are inclined to adventurous biking. Different loops are available for varying skill levels.
There are two water access points- one for Lake Rebecca and one for the nearby Crow River. There are also boat rentals available, I’ll attach a pic of this season’s current rates. There are also two fishing docks located not too far from the main beach area. I didn’t get in the water so I have no idea how clean it is, but there were many happy swimmers. Keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty.
In addition to the single track unpaved trail there is also a horse trail and a paved trail that looks in good condition- I’m hoping to bring my horse to check out the former and my roller blades to check out the latter. This park has always been relatively nearby to where I have lived, but I have never actually been before my visit this weekend since other horse riders have always had cautionary tales about how bad the bugs are here. I am not sure how they are on the horse trails, but I set up my hammock in a wooded area and I didn’t think that the amount of mosquitos that approached me was anything note-worthy.
I haven’t been to the group campsites yet to scope them out, someday soon hopefully, but these are the descriptions that I was able to track down online. My one gripe about the Three Rivers park district is that finding information about the campgrounds isn't as straight forward as it should be.
Sarah Creek group campsite can accommodate 80 people and it has a barn and hitching posts. The amount of horses that it can support is unknown. There is a volleyball net, grill, fire ring, water pump and latrines (so I’m guessing rustic).
The South group campsite seems to be geared more towards mountain bikers since it has a garage-esque structure that I’m guessing you would store your bikes in. It can accommodate 50 people, has a grill, water pump latrines, fire ring, and horseshoe pit.
Weeknights are $70 and weekends/holidays are $85. This seems like a huge steal considering how many people these sites can accommodate!!!
Product Review
As a Dyrt ranger, I received a gift card to REI for participating in a recent campground review contest. I recently became obsessed with hammocks, and thanks to a BOGO from Trek Light I now have two. One of the hammocks I received was part of a bundle and came with ropes already, but the other didn’t. Before I bought a second pair of the same ropes I decided I wanted to see how well they worked before I spent another $20 on just basic ropes that aren’t terribly long.
I purchased a set of ENO Atlas hammock straps for $29.95 and they are well worth the $10 price difference. The ENO straps are 9 feet long each and together can hold up to 400 pounds. Instead of fiddling with tying knots and retying them to get the perfect adjustment, I can just move the hook on my hammock between the pre-stitched rings as necessary. The extra length and the quick adjustments are greatly appreciated by someone who is still new to hammocks and isn’t great at eyeballing things. ENO does have a set of longer straps that are each 13.5 feet long, but I figure that if I find myself in a situation where the trees are too far apart for these straps I can just attach my ropes to the Eno straps and take advantage of the double capacity feature of my hammock. So Far I’m really impressed with how easy these are to loop around the trees and adjust the tension of my hammock.
TravelerI've been camping here since I was a little kid. My family used to host large family camping trips here. Lots of close camp sites for larger groups near the entrance. The further back you go on the road, the more spread out sites get. There are a few walk-in sites that I absolutely love. Show up early on weekends if you want one of the better spots. Pluses: The trails are a lot of fun.. lots to see. The outhouses are kept up well and pump water road side. 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.
I still get up once a year, early summer.
Sibley State Park's equestrian facilities sit at approximately 1,350 feet above sea level, in the rolling hills of central Minnesota about 7 miles south of Richmond. The area features glacial moraine landscape with a mix of oak woods and restored prairie. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-85°F with higher humidity levels in July and August when mosquitoes are most active on the trails.
Trail riding from camp: Riders at El Rancho Manana Campground can access on-site horseback riding without bringing their own horses. "You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails," notes Courtney C., making it convenient for families wanting to try riding. The campground offers guided trail rides through wooded terrain.
Swimming after rides: Cool off at Lake Andrew after trail riding at Sibley. "The biggest hit for me was the newly remodeled beach area on Lake Andrew. Plenty of space and a nice 'fishing' pier to hang out at. They rent kayaks there too!!" shares Stephanie B. about the Equestrian Campground.
Explore Mt. Tom: The highest point in Sibley State Park offers panoramic views accessible via hiking trails. "The park has everything from bike trails, hiking trails, look out tower at the top of Mount Tom, to swimming and fishing," explains Colleen D. about Oak Ridge Campground.
Peaceful horse-friendly setting: The equestrian areas at Sibley provide a quiet environment away from main camping areas. "Very nice quiet horse camp. Could use more horse trails, only about 12 miles worth of trails for horses," reports Cody T. about the setup at Sibley's Equestrian Campground.
Weekend activities: Horse campers appreciate structured events at nearby facilities. "Every weekend have something different going on to do," mentions Andy R. about El Rancho Manana, which offers regular weekend programming for visitors with horses.
Spacious campsites: Lake Maria State Park Campground offers secluded sites for those seeking privacy after busy trail days. "This site was nearly surrounded by a lake which lended to a lot of bugs, but was absolutely gorgeous! We could see one other camper in a different site, but it still felt like you were in the wilderness," shares Lydia N.
Bug protection essential: Horse trails can have significant insect activity during summer months. "To be fair I'd like to preface this review with a word of caution. We went in the middle of Summer. High bug season," warns Steph H. about Lake Maria. Bring appropriate repellent for both humans and horses.
Seasonal water availability: Water access varies at horse campgrounds near Richmond. "Drinking water was not available when we were there," reports Susan W. about Ann Lake, so plan to bring adequate water supplies for horses during certain times.
Poison ivy awareness: Several equestrian areas have poison ivy along trails and near campsites. "The undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy. Sites are large so they are clear. If you're susceptible, not for you," cautions Kari P. about Ann Lake.
Bring kids to weekend events: El Rancho Manana offers family-friendly activities throughout the summer. "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. It has a swimming beach that is ok," shares Courtney C.
Consider camper cabins: For families new to horse camping, cabins provide comfort while exploring equestrian opportunities. "I went early in the spring for camping at this park and ended up staying in the cabin... The lake was BEAUTIFUL at sunset," writes Andrea S. about Oak Ridge Campground at Sibley.
Pack for varied weather: Glacial Lakes State Park Campground experiences significant temperature shifts. "The weekend we camped it was scorching hot. Most of the hiking trails in the park were through the prairie grass. The High Peak Trail did have some lovely views though!" notes Tessa Z.
Access considerations: Horse trailer access requires planning at some campgrounds. "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides. Campsites are nice, mowed, gravel parking," reports Andy L. about the Ann Lake campground.
Site selection for privacy: Choose sites carefully for larger horse rigs. "Some sites with nice long driveways that can accommodate multiple cars, or even a truck with a boat/trailer," explains Emily H., noting that walk-in sites offer the most private experience for tent camping after horseback riding.
Generator awareness: Some equestrian areas limit generator use. "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," mentions Chris D. about Ann Lake, suggesting selecting sites further from RV areas if seeking quiet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Richmond, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Richmond, MN is El Rancho Manana with a 3.5-star rating from 4 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Richmond, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Richmond, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
