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Equestrian Camping near Willmar, MN

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    Sibley State Park offers an Equestrian Campground designed specifically for visitors traveling with horses. Located in the northern section of the park, this horse-friendly camping area provides drive-in access for horse trailers and accommodates both tent and RV camping. The campground features toilets, trash collection, and big-rig friendly sites for larger horse trailers. While the park doesn't have designated horse corrals, the spacious sites allow for portable corrals or highlines. Reservations are required for the equestrian sites, and pets are allowed throughout the camping area. The horse trails at Sibley State Park cover approximately 12 miles, making it suitable for day rides but somewhat limited for extended trail adventures.

    Located about 15 miles from Willmar, the equestrian trail system at Sibley State Park winds through diverse terrain including prairie sections and wooded areas. Trails connect riders to scenic viewpoints including Mount Tom, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. The trail system is moderately challenging with some rolling hills and varied terrain that provides good exercise for horses. Riders should be prepared for changing conditions as prairie sections can be buggy during summer months, particularly when temperatures rise. The equestrian campground remains quieter than other camping areas in the park, creating a more relaxed atmosphere for horse owners. Water access is available in the main campground areas, though not directly at the equestrian sites, requiring some planning for horse care during overnight stays.

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    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Willmar (8)

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      1. Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park

      4.1(20)14mi from Willmar56 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "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

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      2. Equestrian Campground — Sibley State Park

      3.5(2)14mi from Willmar9 sitesRVs, Tents

      "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

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      3. Glacial Lakes State Park Campground

      4.0(13)36mi from Willmar55 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "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

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      4. Fort Ridgely State Park Campground

      4.1(12)49mi from Willmar48 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Ridgley horse camp. Very nice horse camp, with electric hookups, and water at every site."

      "It's a great park in an area of Minnesota that is not well traveled. There's also a lot of history here with an interesting museum on the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862."

      from $24 - $85 / night

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      5. Beaver Falls County Park

      4.3(3)37mi from WillmarTents

      "Off the beaten path..so lots of peace & quiet to enjoy..beautiful rustic camping spots throughout the park..picnic table & fIrepit at each spot & bathrooms nearby..can camp right next to the"

      "We also did a handful of different hiking trails and each one gave us a different beautiful and experience. The paths are not super well marked in all places, but you can find your way through."

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      6. El Rancho Manana

      3.5(4)40mi from WillmarRVs, Tents

      "You can spend extra money to go horseback riding on trails. The sites are very close together not much privacy."

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      7. Pomme De Terre Campground

      4.5(4)50mi from WillmarRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Bathhouse, walking trails, fishing and beautiful lake views. Some sites are a little difficult to get into but not impossible."

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      8. Lac qui Parle County Park

      4.0(2)45mi from WillmarRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Trails to nearby river. Some gravel roads to get to site, but well-maintained. Suggested fee of $20/night. Ideal for one-night stay while en route."

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Willmar, MN

    4 Photos of 8 Willmar Campgrounds

    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Willmar, MN

    60 Reviews of 8 Willmar Campgrounds

    • Janet R.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 9, 2019

      Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park

      Forest meets prairie

      This 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

    • Stephanie B.
      Jun. 14, 2020

      Equestrian Campground — Sibley State Park

      Mt Tom and new beach area

      We 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!!

    • T
      Apr. 29, 2021

      Beaver Falls County Park

      Great Camping 🏕️

      Off the beaten path..so lots of peace & quiet to enjoy..beautiful rustic camping spots throughout the park..picnic table & fIrepit at each spot & bathrooms nearby..can camp right next to the creek..fun fishing for kids..trails throughout the park for walking..horse camping avail also..beautiful place to relax and have some fun!

    • Cody T.
      Jul. 24, 2017

      Fort Ridgely State Park Campground

      Ft. Ridgley horse camp

      We stayed at Ft. Ridgley horse camp. Very nice horse camp, with electric hookups, and water at every site. Bathrooms and showers right in horse camp, and a nice little creek about 50 ft behind our site, that our boys loved playing in!! Nice trails, I wish there were a few more miles, but over all very decent. We had a great time.

    • Krista T.
      Jun. 9, 2020

      Glacial Lakes State Park Campground

      A unique MN state park

      Glacial 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.

    • Nicole L.
      Aug. 29, 2019

      Fort Ridgely State Park Campground

      Nice getaway

      We stayed at site 21 in late August of 2019. It’s obvious that the park had some heavy flooding earlier in the year. A lot of the waterfront sites became sandy. The sites are close together and not very many mature trees between sites. There isn’t any cell phone coverage at the campground but there is service around the historical site. Only restrooms are single stall vault toilets. No showers. However I think the horse campground has upgraded restrooms and showers but I never checked it out because it was so far away. Mosquitoes were bad, everyone came home covered in bites. Kids had a blast playing in the creek. There was also people out on their horses offering rides to kids and educating about horse ownership.

    • Anne G.
      Jul. 6, 2017

      Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park

      Tower Lookout

      Sibley State Park isn't the most amazing park in Minnesota, however it's still a very nice little campground! We came a little too early in spring so the trees weren't quite green yet, but I'm sure we will be back in the fall to see the beautiful colors from the tower lookout! I would definitely recommend going up the tower, it's pretty easy not allot of stairs and you have quite the view up there! Also nearby is the small town of New London, I would check it out! The Goat Ridge Brewery is fairly new and is definitely worth the stop!! They have a back patio right along the river near the dam with fire pits back there to enjoy your brews! They brew a pretty good root beer too for the kids!

    • Jason S.
      Jun. 9, 2016

      Fort Ridgely State Park Campground

      Hidden Gem of a Park

      It's a great park in an area of Minnesota that is not well traveled. There's also a lot of history here with an interesting museum on the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862.

    Guide to Willmar

    Sibley State Park's equestrian trail system covers approximately 12 miles of mixed prairie and wooded terrain situated at elevations between 1,200 and 1,350 feet. The horse camping area remains operational from May through October, closing during winter months due to snow conditions. Weather patterns typically bring warm summers with temperatures averaging 80°F in July and higher humidity levels that affect both riders and horses.

    What to do

    Mount Tom hiking: Take the trail to the summit at 1,375 feet elevation for views of the surrounding countryside. "We thoroughly enjoyed the hiking trails here. Plenty of space to socially distance. Equestrian camping area is nice and plenty of horse trails too," notes Stephanie B. from Equestrian Campground — Sibley State Park.

    Paddleboarding on clear lakes: Rent equipment at Glacial Lakes State Park for water activities. "Our favorite part of this trip was renting stand up paddle boards. The lake water was crystal clear and glass like calm," shares Tessa Z. from Glacial Lakes State Park Campground.

    Historical site exploration: Visit Fort Ridgely State Park to learn about the 1862 U.S.-Dakota Conflict. "The historical fort site has lots of great information and signage around the excavations. There is a fee to enter the museum," explains Liz H. from Fort Ridgely State Park Campground.

    What campers like

    Peaceful equestrian areas: Horse campers appreciate the dedicated facilities. "Very nice quiet horse camp. Could use more horse trails, only about 12 miles worth of trails for horses," mentions Cody T. from Equestrian Campground.

    Swimming beaches: Lake access provides cooling relief during hot summer days. "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!!" explains Stephanie B. from Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park.

    Creek camping: Several sites offer streamside locations for natural sound barriers. "Campsite 37 is right on a bend in the river and has an amazing view! Most others along the river don't have the view but you can still sleep to the sound of running water," shares Ken F. from Fort Ridgely State Park Campground.

    What you should know

    Bug preparation: Insect populations vary by season and location. "The weekend we camped it was scorching hot. Most of the hiking trails in the park were through the prairie grass," reports Tessa Z. from Glacial Lakes State Park Campground.

    Water access planning: Horse owners need to transport water at some locations. "Off the beaten path..so lots of peace & quiet to enjoy..beautiful rustic camping spots throughout the park..picnic table & firepit at each spot & bathrooms nearby..can camp right next to the creek," shares Trudi from Beaver Falls County Park.

    Cell service limitations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "Best part: no cell reception there (but there's an app to help you not get lost that doesn't require cell reception," notes Ken F. from Fort Ridgely State Park Campground.

    Tips for camping with families

    Water activities: Multiple parks offer swimming areas for children. "Nice campground. The water in the lake is nice and clear. The swimming area isn't awesome, but I have seen much worse," mentions Tony S. from Glacial Lakes State Park Campground.

    Educational opportunities: Historical sites provide learning experiences. "The building on the hill was closed so, I figured I better just find my campsite for the night. Found a campsite and realized once again, no cell phone reception," shares Charyle C. from Fort Ridgely State Park Campground.

    Kid-friendly fishing spots: Several locations offer easy access for young anglers. "Fun fishing for kids..trails throughout the park for walking..horse camping avail also..beautiful place to relax and have some fun!" reports Trudi from Beaver Falls County Park.

    Tips from RVers

    Site selection for privacy: Choose camping areas based on exposure preferences. "The non electric sites are very wooded and private. The electric sites are very open and offer little privacy," advises Liz H. from Fort Ridgely State Park Campground.

    Electric hookup locations: Plan based on utility needs at equestrian camps. "We stayed at Ft. Ridgley horse camp. Very nice horse camp, with electric hookups, and water at every site. Bathrooms and showers right in horse camp," reports Cody T. from Pomme De Terre Campground.

    Weekend atmosphere considerations: Some campgrounds have different noise levels based on day of week. "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," warns Courtney C. about El Rancho Manana Campground.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Willmar, MN?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Willmar, MN is Oak Ridge Campground — Sibley State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 20 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Willmar, MN?

    TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Willmar, MN, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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