DIANNE T.
Guide
GuideHigh Island Creek Park
Quiet and creek is beautiful
Had a great time walking the river. W dog
Equestrian Camping near Robbinsdale, MN
5 campgrounds with availability this weekend
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Elm Creek Horse Camp features 5 primitive campsites with equine corrals and direct trail access, located in Elm Creek Park Reserve about 10 miles northwest of Robbinsdale. Each site accommodates up to two tents or small RVs and includes a picnic table, fire ring, and a horse corral. Potable water and vault toilets are available, though the campground lacks electric hookups, showers, and dump stations. The sites have minimal privacy between them, making them better suited for group horse camping experiences. The $16 nightly fee is reasonable for the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, though there is an additional $7.50 reservation fee. Horse owners find the ground mostly level with adequate space for trailers at each site.
The campground provides direct access to over 20 miles of natural surface trails throughout Elm Creek Park Reserve, with routes suitable for both novice and experienced riders. Most trails wind through wooded areas offering shade during summer months, with several stream crossings and open meadows along the way. Riders should be aware that some trails are shared with hikers and mountain bikers, requiring proper trail etiquette. The campground's location near the park's archery range means occasional activity nearby, though it rarely disturbs equestrian campers. Trails remain open from April through October, weather permitting, with some seasonal closures possible during wet conditions. The campground's proximity to Minneapolis makes it popular for weekend trips, so reservations are recommended during peak summer months.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Robbinsdale (15)
1. Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
"Baker Park near Minneapolis Minnesota was a our camp choice for inexpensive camping on the last leg of our Minnesota vacation in 2017."
"The beaches are some of the best in Minnesota. The bike trails are nearby and plentiful."
208 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $25 - $164 / night
2. Bunker Hills Regional Park
"I was very happy with the trails and accommodations available to me, during my stay."
"It has a golf course, a restaurant is on the grounds, there is a stable with horses/ponies that you can take guided trail rides on, a water park(it is called The Beach, which was very confusing for us"
Check Availabilityfrom $20 - $32 / night
3. Lake Elmo County Park Reserve
"For a County Park, Lake Elmo has an impressive list of amenities. Before we even get to the campsite let's mention the filtered swimming pond."
"Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families."
Check Availabilityfrom $23 - $80 / night
4. Elm Creek Horse Camp
"If you’re the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree.🌲🐶 Tucked away near the archery range(don’t worry—nobody"
Check Availabilityfrom $18 / night
5. Crow Hassan Park Reserve
"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."
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $131 - $164 / night
6. Lake Rebecca Park Reserve
"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😁"
2 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $104 / night
7. Lake Maria State Park Campground
"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."
8 Sites AvailableAvailable this weekend
from $22 - $80 / night
8. Ann Lake Campground — Sand Dunes State Forest
"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."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $50 / night
9. Wild River State Park Campground
"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."
"Nice park, scenic trails, horses on the way in."
Check AvailabilityCampground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $23 - $90 / night
10. Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River
"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
Check Availabilityfrom $40 - $75 / night
Drive Time
- 10 min from Minneapolis, MN
- 47 min from St. Cloud, MN
- 1 hr 15 min from Mankato, MN
- 1 hr 28 min from Rochester, MN
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Robbinsdale, MN
7 Photos of 15 Robbinsdale Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Robbinsdale, MN
236 Reviews of 15 Robbinsdale Campgrounds
- AAnders H.
ScoutBaker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
First time
We stayed at Baker as a family for our first camping trip, and it was great. Fire pit with swivel grate for cooking, bathrooms, and plenty to explore.
Tori K.
LegendLake Rebecca Park Reserve
Great Trails!
Great trails and close to home! Always a good spot for a last-minute trip for me or a place to test out new gear since it is so close to home!
A S.
TravelerBunker Hills Regional Park
Welcoming
I arrived after the campgrounds closed I was welcomed and was very happy to be accepted
- A S.Traveler
Bunker Hills Regional Park
Bunker hills
A ranger does nightly rounds of the camps
- PPat Z.Scout
Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve
Baker Park Reserve
Large sites. NO sewer hookups but there is a dump station.
- DIANNE T.Guide
High Island Creek Park
Hidden Gem
This place is spectacular,u have to walk down to the creek. God's work. Beautiful
TTravelerCannon River Wilderness Area
Year round free camping
Been camping here year round for 20+ years. Free, first come first served rustic hike/cart in sites with steel fire ring/grill. There are 4 official sites and 2 more unofficial sites with no fire ring.
If you camp with animals: Sites all sit directly off walking trail very popular with dog walkers.
Sarah D.
RangerWild River State Park Campground
Secluded Backpack/Canoe Site with Sunrise Views
I was looking for a secluded backpack in site where I could have a peaceful 48 hours of prayer and solitude, and this site was perfect! I also wanted one that wasn't too far remote, since I hadn't been on a proper backpacking trip since the pandemic hit. And as a solo female camper, I wanted a reserved site so that there would be a record of my location for safety reasons. I'm so glad I chose the Deer Creek site, and will almost definitely stay here again at some point!
This site is accessible by either hiking or canoe. It took me about 30 minutes to hike in from the visitor center parking lot. There is easy access to river water to boil or filter from the canoe landing.
This site was incredibly spacious. It includes a fire ring and picnic table overlooking the creek and river. It also includes 2 large tent pads (look out for widow makers, one of the tent pads is under a dead tree!). It also has a spot nestled in some pine trees that could fit a smaller tent, canoe storage, or I found it to be the perfect spot to hang my hammock! (This would be a great site for hammock camping.) So if you're camping with a small group of people this would be a great site. It also includes a trail to a fairly private latrine, and a bear box (the park ranger warned me that there are bears in the park although I did not see any.) I also found plenty of dead down and dry wood and birch bark on the ground for building fires.
This site is great for a one nigjt stay on a longer backpacking or canoeing trip, but also great for camping out at for a couple of nights. I stayed for two, and it connects to all the major trails in the park, so I was able to use it as a great base for hiking and seeing the beautiful changing leaves. In the morning I hiked North to do the Riverside trail and looped back through the woods. Then in the afternoon I did the Deer Creek loop, which is a shared horse and hiking trail. It was so nice to he able to hike out to some of the best trails in the park directly from my site.
This site felt remarkably remote for being only an hour from the twin cities and a mile from the parking lot! I stayed there Thursday -Saturday, and after leaving the parking lot on Thursday did not see another human being for the rest of the day, and Friday not until I hit the main trails! There was no one else staying within at least a mile of me. I was even able to see fantastic stars Friday night. There was amazing wildlife - a blue heron frequented the site, and I heard all types of owls. Two bald eagles had a nest across the river so I got to see and hear them the whole trip, too- it was absolutely magical!
This site has a great view of both sunrise and sunset. Thursday night there was a gorgeous sunset over the woods reflected in deer Creek. Both mornings I woke up to watch the sunrise while drinking my coffee next to the fire (it was freezing!!!). Watching the sun rise over the river and fog roll over th water and evaporate while eagles soared was truly magical. Having an easy backpack in site surrounded by water on two sides and with views of the sunrise and sunset like this was so incredible!!!
Guide to Robbinsdale
Elm Creek Park Reserve offers dedicated equestrian camping about 10 miles northwest of Robbinsdale in a protected natural area spanning over 4,900 acres. The 20-mile trail system traverses diverse terrain including maple-basswood forest, oak savanna, and restored prairie at elevations ranging from 850 to 1,000 feet. Seasonal restrictions apply from April through October with trail closures common after heavy rain to prevent erosion damage.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Elm Creek Park Reserve contains diverse habitats supporting white-tailed deer, foxes, and numerous bird species. "This has an amazing beach. Great Trails. Sweet single track for mountain biking," notes one visitor to Lake Rebecca Park Reserve, located just west of Robbinsdale.
Archery practice: The park reserve includes a designated archery range near the horse camp area. "The campground's location near the park's archery range means occasional activity nearby," according to one camper at Elm Creek Horse Camp, who noted, "If you're the kind of camper who measures a site by how many tail wags it inspires, then Campsite 2 at Elm Creek Horse Camp is barking up the right tree."
Mountain biking: Several parks in the region offer dedicated single-track trails. A visitor to Bunker Hills Regional Park explained, "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."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: While Elm Creek Horse Camp offers minimal privacy between sites, other campgrounds in the area provide more seclusion. A camper at Bunker Hills Regional Park reported, "This campground was big with privacy between the camp spots. There were nice trails to help explorer the regional park."
Trail accessibility: Direct access to trail systems ranks high on camper preferences. At Lake Maria State Park Campground, a visitor appreciated that "Site B6 is close enough to Lake Maria's best hiking trails and just a short walk to the lake itself, where you can sit on a log and watch wood ducks paddle past and listen to the frogs in full chorus at night."
Reasonable pricing: Camping fees throughout the region remain moderate compared to other recreational areas. For Baker Campground, visitors noted good value for the facilities: "This campground is a gem so very close to the Twin Cities. The sites are good sized, and the bathroom/showers are great."
What you should know
Seasonal bug issues: The region experiences significant mosquito and black fly activity, particularly in summer. A camper at Lake Maria State Park Campground warned, "First step onto the grassy trail exploded in a cloud of mosquitos. Walking along the kids all looked like Pig-Pen from Peanuts. Even though we'd sprayed everyone down the bugs must have felt safety in numbers."
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds in the area require advance bookings, especially for weekend dates. "Weeknights are $70 and weekends/holidays are $85. This seems like a huge steal considering how many people these sites can accommodate," noted a visitor to Crow Hassan Park Reserve.
Trail conditions: Natural surface trails throughout the region may close following wet weather. Ann Lake visitors observed, "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."
Tips for camping with families
Pack extra lanterns: Site layouts at some campgrounds place amenities at distances from each other. A Baker Campground visitor mentioned, "Now… 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."
Bring poison ivy treatment: Several campgrounds in the area have significant poison ivy growth. At Ann Lake, a camper warned, "Sites are large with varying degrees of privacy. Well spaced out, just some have less undergrowth. Be aware that the undergrowth is at least 25% poison ivy."
Consider camping on weekdays: Family sites fill quickly during weekends and holidays. "We went with a ground of friends (all families with young kids). It was the perfect place to easily get in, set up, hangout, and just relax," shared a Baker Campground visitor. "The sites are fairly large, but very open (which was ok with a group of us, not our style when it's just us though)."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Robbinsdale, MN?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Robbinsdale, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Robbinsdale, MN is Baker Campground - Baker Park Reserve with a 4.5-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Robbinsdale, MN?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Robbinsdale, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Robbinsdale, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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