14 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
El Rancho Manana near Richmond features on-site horseback riding trails and equestrian accommodations approximately 30 miles northwest of St. Joseph. The campground allows personal horses and maintains trail access for riders throughout the property. Every weekend offers different activities for horse enthusiasts, with riding options connecting to the surrounding countryside. Camping options include both tent and RV sites with horse-friendly accommodations. Water hookups and trash services are available for equestrians setting up camp. The property includes areas where horses can be safely kept during overnight stays. Visitors often mention that the campground gets lively in the evenings, with recreational opportunities extending beyond riding.
Horseback riding trails at El Rancho Manana are well-maintained and provide scenic routes through central Minnesota's natural landscape. Riders access multiple trail options directly from the campground without having to trailer horses to separate trailheads. Trail difficulty varies, allowing both novice and experienced riders to enjoy appropriate terrain. Horse owners need to follow established guidelines for manure management and containment of animals at campsites. The campground's location provides convenient access for equestrians from the St. Joseph and Minneapolis areas seeking weekend riding getaways. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with summer offering optimal riding weather. Trail riding is the primary horse-related activity, with guided rides available for those without personal horses. Drinking water access points serve both campers and horses throughout the property.
"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"You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."
"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"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."
from $21 - $29 / 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"Stayed in Petaga (drive in) spot #52."
"This is one campground in Minnesota that offers a handful of electric hookups for winter camping."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Nice river nearby canoeing swimming pool fireplaces and little store for treats."
from $40 - $75 / night
Check Availability"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 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😁"
"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
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.
GuideIf 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’s aiming at your pup), this campsite offers a solid patch of peace where dogs can sniff, stretch, and settle in by the fire. The ground is mostly level—perfect for a tent and a sturdy dog bed—and the trails? Chef’s kiss. Plenty of new smells, shaded stretches, and squirrels for days. Now, to be clear—this is a horse camp first and foremost. So 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. 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—especially if you’re staying more than a couple nights. Still, Campsite 2 hits all the right notes: trails close by, fire ring ready, and enough space for a tent, a camp chair, and a dog who thinks every stick is a gift from heaven.🦴 Would we come back? Absolutely. My dog already packed his leash! what
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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.
GuideStayed in Petaga (drive in) spot #52. The spots were pretty private - the surrounding campsites were definitely visible through the trees, but there was plenty of distance so you weren't overhearing everyone's conversations or anything. The site was very roomy! It was a short walk to the bathrooms, water was nearby. The paths to the overlooks on the Rum River were close as well. The inner campsites are RV hookup sites, and the sound definitely carried when someone came later at night to set up their RV. We lucked out with great weather, and bugs were not bad (some mosquitoes but not overwhelming). Campsites have easy access to the trails that connect to the west interpretive center. Some things were closed due to COVID (including the fire tower), but bathrooms were open. No boat rentals right now either, but the river looked like a great, calm spot to kayak.
El Rancho Manana Campground near Richmond serves as a primary equestrian destination approximately 30 miles northwest of St. Joseph, Minnesota. Located in the central lakes region at an elevation of 1,100 feet, the area experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 82°F and cold winters dropping to 2°F in January. The surrounding countryside contains over 40 miles of connected horseback riding trails through wooded terrain with sandy soil that drains well after rainfall.
Explore hiking trails: Lake Maria State Park features secluded backcountry campsites accessible via wooded hiking paths. "Backpack sites only. Love this park as it offers many backpacking sites with some being very short hikes in and some being longer hikes. Some are lake front and some are more woodsy sites," notes Tori K. about the varied terrain options.
Visit historical sites: Crow Wing State Park offers more than just camping with its preserved 1890s town site. "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 HollyRose M. after exploring the interpretive trail.
Water activities: Mille Lacs Kathio State Park provides access to both lake and river recreation. "Canoes are available for rental, which allow for fishing in the Rum River. There is also an observation platform- the climb can be intimidating, but the views are well worth it!" mentions Brian C. about the varied water-based options.
Privacy at walk-in sites: Lake Maria State Park offers more secluded camping experiences away from the crowds. "Site B6 feels like a secret woodland sanctuary — set up on a slight rise, tucked beneath a cathedral of towering oaks and maples... It's close enough to Lake Maria's best hiking trails and just a short walk to the lake itself," writes Alison O., highlighting the balance of seclusion and access.
Sandy beaches: Ann Lake in the Minnesota Sand Dunes State Forest offers water recreation with natural shoreline. "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," advises Emily H. about planning beach visits.
Group camping options: Several parks near St. Joseph offer specialized group sites. "Sarah Creek group campsite can accommodate 80 people and it has a barn and hitching posts... Weeknights are $70 and weekends/holidays are $85. This seems like a huge steal considering how many people these sites can accommodate," notes Krista T. about the value of group reservations at Lake Rebecca.
Seasonal insect conditions: Bug populations vary dramatically by season and location at parks near St. Joseph. "We went in the middle of Summer. High bug season... The black flies were dive bombing the car like a scene from Armageddon. We prepared the kiddos for a quick grab and run and jumped out of the car," warns Steph H. about summer camping at Lake Maria.
Terrain challenges: Sibley State Park features varied terrain that impacts campsite selection. "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," cautions Kari P. about site conditions.
Horse trail access: Crow Hassan Park Reserve provides specific equestrian facilities. "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. Do a 180 on the trail and she is happy to trot away from the trailer," shares Krista T. about the quality of the horse trails.
Choose campgrounds with playgrounds: Baker Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "With great fishing, playground, swimming, and biking trails very nearby, the kids were kept as busy as they wanted to be," reports Bryan S. about the activities available for children.
Consider walk-in distance: When selecting sites with children, factor in hiking distance. "Sites close to water or deep in the woods, sites for hammocks and group sites can be reserved. Just about everything you need," advises Chris B. after camping with his son at Ann Lake.
Pack for climate fluctuations: Central Minnesota weather can change rapidly, requiring preparation. "Bring extra lanterns, chairs, and a good sense of humor if you want to hang by the fire after dark," suggests Alison O. about evening temperature drops at Baker Park Reserve.
Access limitations: Country Camping Tent & RV Park accommodates larger vehicles better than state parks. "This place does have 30amp and 50amp hook ups and has pull through spots and sewer sites so that needs to change on this app. Max trailer length that I've seen here is 70'. Anyone can fit in here!" explains Spencer C. about the RV-friendly facilities.
Low clearance alerts: Some parks have access roads with height restrictions. "30' class C motor home. Some overhanging branches on the road in scrape the top and sides," warns Andy L. about approaching Ann Lake campground with taller vehicles.
Generator policies: Be aware of generator rules at each campground. "During 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," explains Krista T. about changing parking conditions at Crow Hassan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near St. Joseph, MN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near St. Joseph, MN is Lake Maria State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near St. Joseph, MN?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near St. Joseph, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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