Equestrian camping opportunities near Winton, Minnesota are largely limited to primitive sites that accommodate horses without dedicated equestrian facilities. The northeastern Minnesota region features forested terrain with elevations ranging between 1,300-1,700 feet and rocky soil conditions that can create challenging terrain for horse trailers. Most camping areas require self-sufficiency for horse containment and waste management during the May-September season.
What to do
Trail riding access: Finland State Forest Campground connects to several multi-use trails that permit horses. "This is likely my favorite campground in the state. There are minimal amenities (pit toilets and I can't remember if there is a spigot), but the location is wonderful, the sites are mostly private and wooded, and the Baptism River runs right through. You are close to excellent climbing, hiking, fishing, and the Finland Co-op," notes Lacey F.
Fishing opportunities: Campgrounds near the Baptism River provide easy access for anglers with horses. "There is a river that runs next to the campsite and has some great views at sunset, it looks like it may have good fishing as well," reports Spencer F. about Finland State Forest Campground.
Seasonal timing: Plan horse camping trips in fall for cooler temperatures and fewer insects. "Impeccable campground. Primitive, so no electricity. Clean, secluded, and beautiful! It was the perfect place to stay while we tripped the North Scenic Route," writes Ber M.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Most sites can accommodate horses and trailers without designated equestrian facilities. "This campsite is first come, first serve which is great for people who are last minute like me 😊 I go up the North Shore quite often and this was my first time going to this campsite. It was very clean, very wooded and the campsites were nice and big," shares Adriana E. about Finland State Forest Campground.
Water access: Many sites feature river access for watering horses. "At night you hear the Baltism River as you gently fall asleep.. we have an exped duo mattress and sleep like babies!" says Susan H.
Privacy between sites: Wooded sites provide separation beneficial for horse camping. "Beautiful area up above the river with a few trails going down. I stayed at the Sawbill trail, Tofte, mn not the the campground by lake Superior just wanted to clarify, best decision ever!" notes Cherie J. about Temperance River Campground.
What you should know
Limited facilities: No dedicated horse camping amenities exist in the immediate Winton area. "Right now the campground looks a little worse for wear. They did extreme tree clearing do to moth damage. The cons: ATV noise, the tree clearing. Paying for the site can be confusing. I paid at tettegouche, QR code didn't work and yodel didn't work either," cautions Lauren M.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds permit ATVs which may disturb horses. "What was really annoying was the noise from a bunch of drunk middle aged folks down at the group site on the night of Oct 8, 2021. I had my own drunken moments at parties, but their behavior was pathetic. Their loud voices carried throughout the campground, including some loud f-bombs," reports Fred S. about Finland State Forest Campground.
Reservation system: Most horse-accessible campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. "This campground is first come, first serve which is great for people who are last minute like me," confirms Adriana E.
Tips for camping with families
River activities: Plan activities along the Baptism River for children and horses. "We have camped as a group or shown on this outing, alone in winter! This campground never disappoints. The reason why we enjoy it so much is because it is can you get a located near some of the best hiking trails, climbing, and scenic vistas north of Duluth," explains Susan H. about Finland State Forest Campground.
Extra space requirements: Select larger sites when camping with horses and families. "The campsites are large and spacious and have good fire grills and picnic tables, but the facilities are outhouses so more geared toward primitive or self sufficient camping," notes Janet R.
Weather preparation: Pack for variable conditions, especially at higher elevations. "In summer, the business of the campground is not appealing; in winter there are few campers so I would be concerned about security issues, plus being at higher elevation there is a lot more snow up here so winter campers should be prepared!" warns Janet R.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Select sites carefully for trailer parking as terrain varies. "Level sites. Vault toilets. Trash bins. Some privacy between sites. I would recommend staying here overnight if the nearby state parks are full," suggests Fred S. about South Egge Lake Camping.
Generator restrictions: Plan for limited or no generator use at most campgrounds. "Since there are no electric hookups, there is some noise from generators for the big RVs," notes Fred S.
Size limitations: Large horse trailers may find access challenging at some sites. "Really nice wooded sites, some can accommodate big rigs," mentions Fred S., but availability for larger rigs is limited.
