Elm Creek Horse Camp sits in the Elm Creek Park Reserve near Maple Grove, Minnesota, about 40 miles east of Dresser, Wisconsin. The equestrian-focused campground features individual corrals at each campsite and direct access to trail systems designed for horseback riding. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with some routes becoming challenging after rainfall.
What to do
Trail riding on dedicated paths: Access miles of bridle trails directly from Highland Ridge through diverse terrain. "Beautiful Amish country, green, green, green, beside the lake...this place is a little off the beaten path, but a great place to stay while driving through WI. We stayed during a severe storm, and the wind through the trees was just massive!" notes Chelsie N.
Explore river systems: Horse campgrounds near Dresser, Wisconsin often connect to waterways for swimming and fishing. At Wild River State Park Campground, "I really enjoyed the snowshoe hike along the St Croix River and watched the full moon rise. The ski trails were groomed and there were miles of trails," explains Joanna B. The park offers canoe and kayak access for riders seeking water activities.
Nighttime stargazing: Many equestrian sites provide clear night sky views. Katherine T. mentioned at Wild River State Park that "The star gazing area was great! Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Equestrian campgrounds often feature better spacing than standard campgrounds. At Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park, "The site we had was isolated nicely and the ground was easy for a tent set up. There was some mosquitos, but the disappeared at night which was nice," reports Adam.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Horse trails often travel through prime wildlife habitat. Kate H. observed at Wild River State Park: "This campground is massive! Our campsite was on the farthest loop and was very private! We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls."
Winter accessibility: Several horse campgrounds maintain winter trail access. "2/8/20-2/9/20. #91 First time to this park. It's a nice distance from the cities, not too far. We planned on attending their candlelight ski and decided to camp," shares Joanna B. about Wild River State Park's winter activities.
What you should know
Mosquito preparation essential: Insect protection is crucial for both horses and riders. At Riverview Campground, "We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites," explains RK M.
Variable cell service: Many equestrian camping areas have limited connectivity. Katherine T. notes at Wild River State Park: "Intermittently had 1-2 bars of T-Mobile with LTE Internet. Wi-Fi is available at the park entrance."
Seasonal facility limitations: Services vary throughout the year. Robert B. experienced this at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve: "We stayed the last night of their camping season and were able to utilize water and electric hookups."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several horse campgrounds include play areas for children. At Lake Elmo County Park Reserve, Steph H. observed: "There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground."
Swimming options: Look for equestrian sites with swimming access. Jeff C. mentions that at Lake Elmo, "Theres alot of hiking trails, the rustic sites are very nice, swim pond, fishing pier."
Educational programs: Many horse-friendly parks offer ranger-led activities. Sara P. shares her experience at Elm Creek Horse Camp: "We DID have fun doing some of the activities like hunting for insects/animals in the pond with the ranger, hiking to the ranger tower, playing at the playground, and trying to catch butterflies with the ranger."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup availability: Many equestrian campgrounds offer basic services. Mary S. notes about Highland Ridge: "Cost is $20/$16 for electric/non-electric. This is an Army Corps of Engineers park which means you pay $10/$8 if you have an NPS Lifetime Senior Pass."
Reservation strategies: Book early for equestrian sites, especially during peak season. Spencer C. advises about Country Camping Tent & RV Park on the Rum River: "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!"
Site selection considerations: Choose sites based on shade and accessibility needs. Mary S. explains about Highland Ridge: "It's completely in the woods, and sites are FULLY shaded. Sites 28-38 are on a loop with a picnic pavilion in the middle with some openings for sun on the road and in the picnic area. Other than that, the rest of the campground is rather dark all the time."
Legend
