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Equestrian Camping near Genoa, WI

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    Yellow River State Forest offers two equestrian campgrounds near Genoa, Wisconsin. Frontier Equestrian Campground features spacious sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and tie-ups at each campsite. The campground includes self-registration, manure disposal stations with tools, and accommodates both tent and RV camping. Creekside Equestrian Campground provides similar amenities with electric hookups, fifty-amp service, and water hookups for campers with horses. Both campgrounds are rated highly by equestrians, with Frontier receiving perfect 5-star ratings from visitors who appreciate the well-maintained facilities and direct trail access.

    The extensive trail system from the campgrounds includes stream crossings through trout streams, making Yellow River State Forest popular for multi-day rides. Trails from the campgrounds are multi-user, connecting riders to various terrain throughout the 8,500-acre forest. Riders access trails directly from their campsites without hauling to separate trailheads. The trail network accommodates various riding abilities with both flat and challenging routes. Most equestrian campers stay 2-3 days to fully explore the trail system. During peak season, reservations are recommended as the equestrian campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends when group riding events are common.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Genoa (8)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Reno Horse Campground — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

      5.0(1)3mi from GenoaTents

      "There are many hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River."

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      2. Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

      4.5(12)27mi from Genoa27 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Many different trails for hiking, biking or equestrian. Camp sites are mostly grass. Beautiful park"

      "There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included."

      from $16 / night

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      3. Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground

      4.6(21)34mi from GenoaRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "NOTE; Google maps makes it look like the campground and landing are near each other. They are not."

      "Proximity to potable water, vault or modern toilets and designated parking are all within 400 yards of all sites. "

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      4. Oak Ridge / Wet Bark Recreation Area — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

      2.5(2)24mi from GenoaTents
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      5. Money Creek & Vinegar Ridge — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

      3.7(3)27mi from GenoaRVs, Tents

      "no shower) Horses are allowed. Fairly close together sites, but a beautiful area to get into nature or go camping at a reasonable price."

      "Access to Root River trail close by."

      from $17 / night

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      6. Frontier Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest

      5.0(1)27mi from Genoa18 sitesRVs, Tents

      "In Yellow River State Forest,-Very nice spacious sites for horses/riders including tie-ups, fire rings, tables at each site."

      from $20 / night

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      7. Creekside Equestrian Campground — Yellow River State Forest

      4.0(1)27mi from Genoa14 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Clean, well kept sites with tie-ups, tables, fire rings, manure station and tools, multiuser trails including stream crossings. Trout fishing is good with seasonal stockings."

      from $20 / night

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      8. Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

      4.3(18)50mi from Genoa133 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Mystery Cave State Park is surrounded in in a lush green forest with huge oak and maple trees that hang over the road like a huge living canopy."

      "Has horse tie ups and great trails"

      from $25 - $90 / night

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Genoa, WI

    59 Reviews of 8 Genoa Campgrounds

    • Crystal B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Mar. 27, 2026

      Oak Ridge / Wet Bark Recreation Area — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

      Rustic equestrian friendly campsites in bluff country near Houston MN.

      Located on state forest land there are 2 separate areas right next to each other. The first loop is for smaller vehicles and tents and the larger area should be reserved for larger vehicles with horse trailers. There are hiking and equestrian trails present into the state forest land. There is one vault toilet. No other amenities. Beautiful area!

    • Brian O.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 13, 2023

      Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground

      the best river for canoeing / kayaking in Wisconsin

      This was our second visit to this park. On both occasions we wanted to canoe the scenic Kickapoo river. Our first trip was five years ago and we got portage service for our canoe from Titanic Rentals in Ontario. We went from there (bridge 1) to bridge 12 Which took nearly all day, but we were able to have lunch at the park's Wildcat landing, the only real and equipped picnic site along the river. NOTE; Google maps makes it look like the campground and landing are near each other. They are not. It's three miles of very steep roads, so don't think you're going to fetch anything you left behind.
       The campground is on top of the ridge, which means in the morning you will look out over a fog shrouded valley through the trees. The views from the overlooks, which are a short hike, are worth checking out. Campsite 15 is the only one with a clear view.
      There are walk in sites and the paths are wide and clear. The park provides large carts for your stuff so you can really pack stuff in and get away from it all. But the family tent and RV sites generally well spaced, check the map as some are more private than others.
       Our second trip was in August, 2023 and we canoed from bridge 12 to LaFarge (bridge 21). It was later in the season than our previous trip, and in the slightly less scenic stretch of the river. As a result, we didn't see any other boaters.
      Campsites have basic fire ring, and there are pit toilets as well as one Full facility with running water and hot showers. Firewood is available at the Ranger station.
      There's also Equestrian camping elsewhere in the park and lots of trails for both hikers and horses.
       The town of Ontario has a good general store and a couple bars, but this is pretty much wilderness and small farms. Two unique places however are Wild Things Furrier near bridge twelve. Want a coonskin cap or some smoked trout? This is the place.
       More unique than that if you want to treat yourselves, go 34 miles south to the St. Frances Hermitage restaurant. It's run by a small order of French Monks and Nuns who raise their own animals and grow the vegetables they serve. Their bakery is also delicious. This is not fast food, this is a gastronomic experience.

    • Joanna B.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 16, 2020

      Reno Horse Campground — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

      Dispersed camping

      5/30/20-5/31/20

      We went camping on a whim and headed to the state forest since dispersed camping is open. We backpacked to the quarry and found a large open area, perfect for multiple tents. The sandstone bluffs were in the background. There are multiple handmade rock fire pits, some rock chairs, tables and lots of space.

      There are many hiking trails, including a trail that goes on top of the bluff with views of the forest and of Wisconsin and the Mississippi River. There is also hiking within this unit and a horse campground. The bugs weren’t too bad, no ticks, no critters and no road noise. It was very quiet and peaceful. I’d highly recommend this section of RJD forest.

    • TyAnn J.
      Aug. 23, 2018

      Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

      Family friendly adventures await among the tall oakes and maples

      Mystery Cave State Park is surrounded in in a lush green forest with huge oak and maple trees that hang over the road like a huge living canopy. My new word while we stayed there was “Forresty” due to feeling like we had entered a different world. There are so many activities to do both within the park and surrounding areas, but my most favorite thing to do was walk the endless miles of hiking trails. (Word to the wise, some of the trails are hiking/equestrian so watch your step😂) We didn’t do our homework, but if we would have known, we would have brought our fishing rods as the rivers were full of trout!!

      We arrived at 2:00pm on Saturday, after a long 5 hour drive from northern Minnesota. It was amazing to watch the landscape change from iron ore mining pits to countless acres of corn and potatoes!! Check in time is 4:00pm, but our spot was empty when we arrived, so the park rangers let us set up early (Friendly and most helpful!!) We grabbed a bundle of wood for $6.00 for a campfire while we were at the park office. (that is pretty normal rates as you can’t bring in your own wood at State Parks in Minnesota) There are 3 different loops, an additional equestrian loop, and 5 cabins. We stayed in loop “C” with has bigger sites for RV’s and offers electricity. Loops “A” and “B” have smaller sites (still big!!) and both of those loops are non-electric. None of the sites are “full” hook up, but there is a dump station & fresh water fill right off the park office. The restrooms and showers are just off of the “C” loop, as was the amphitheater, and there are garbage/recycling bins every 4-5th site. The park was very noisy, but that all changed when most of the folks left Sunday. It was very peaceful the rest of the week.

      There are so many things outside the park to do too!! We were not aware, but the Mystery Cave is a short drive from the state park. We took the scenic tour, and our guide Kip was fantastic!!! Hey let everyone ask all the questions they wanted to, and didn’t rush us at all!! The rate is $15.00 for adults, $10.00 for kids 5-12, and kids under 5 go for free. The pictures just don’t do it justice!! The next day we drove to Masonic Park in Spring Valley and we were amazed by the sheer size of the rock face!! There is no charge to picnic or visit there and there is one spot for camping, but you need to get permission from the city before doing so. We also toured Niagra Cave which is a longer drive, but well worth it!! The underground waterfall was super cool!! They charge $16.00 per adult, kids 4-12 are $10.00, and children under 4 are free.

      All in all this was a great get away for our family, and I highly recommend staying at the park:)

    • Kim The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 3, 2020

      Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground

      Wonderful cart in sites

      The cart in sites are fantastic at Wildcat Mountain! Each site is spacious with most heavily treed for shade. Each site has a nice large flat pad for a tent or two, fire ring, bench and picnic table. Proximity to potable water, vault or modern toilets and designated parking are all within 400 yards of all sites. 

      The park is located in the Kickapoo valley area where the driftless area is amazing to hike. You can kayak or tube down the river that is flanked by high limestone bluffs. The hiking trails are well maintained. There is also extensive horse trails, a beautiful outdoor ampitheater for viewing sunsets and access to the river right in the park. 

      The campers were respectful and quiet. Our campsite was fairly clean when we arrived. Contactless registration due to covid 19. That made getting set up quick and easy!  The cart provided was fairly big for less trips. I would happily camp here again!

    • Mary S.
      Aug. 19, 2018

      Big Paint Campground — Yellow River State Forest

      Small campground has nearby hiking and fishing

      This review is for Yellow River State Forest's Big Paint Campground which consists of sites 35 through 61. Big Paint is a couple miles from Little Paint, a larger campground with 70+ sites. There are two equestrian campgrounds (Creekside and Little Frontier with sites numbered 1 through 34) as well as hike in campgrounds for backpackers. A photo of an area map is included.

      Why did we choose Big Paint instead of Little Paint?

      It's smaller and that's just our personal preference. There were only 4 sites occupied early Friday afternoon and a few more were reserved. We liked site 35, the first site on the left as you enter. This site is like being in a garden with trees and flowers surrounding the site. It had rained and more rain was coming, so the gravel parking pad on #35 was appealing. Most of the sites are completely on the grass.

      Activities

      Stocked trout streams are an attraction for fishermen; see photo of stocking calendar. We enjoyed hiking despite the mosquitoes and humidity in August and were able to make a 5+ mile loop leaving from the campground. You can also hike from Little Paint, and there are equestrian trails. This would also be a good area for X-country skiing and snowmobiling. A photo of the trail map is included. Caution: hunting is allowed in the non-campground area of the state forest.

      Amenities

      Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Other than that, you can dispose of your trash and use a vault toilet. There's water at the information center (and a camp host site) outside the campground about 100 yards to the left.

      Cost

      You're not getting much (and that's not a bad thing) so the $9 fee seems fair. Pay up front at the entrance station, or make a reservation online at last 2 days ahead of time (and pay a reservation fee). There are 7 non-reservable sites at Big Paint. I doubt that Big Paint fills up; just check the reservation site to see if they get crowded.

      https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/yellow-river-state-forest/r/campsiteSearch.do?search=site&page=siteresult&contractCode=IA&parkId=610130

    • B
      Jul. 27, 2022

      Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground

      Great area for canoeing and kayaking

      Pretty cool state park. Campground is located on the top of the hill. Wish there were more hiking trails. You can also hike on the horse trails if you want. Would highly recommend canoeing or kayaking the Kickapoo River if you are spending a weekend there.

    • Megan L.
      May. 26, 2021

      Forestville Mystery Cave State Park Campground

      Open land, surrounded by trees

      Campsites are flat and grassy. They back up to each other so good for groups camping together. Has horse tie ups and great trails

    Guide to Genoa

    Genoa, Wisconsin sits at the intersection of the Mississippi and Bad Axe rivers with elevations ranging from 630 to 1,200 feet. The area's driftless topography creates unique camping opportunities with limestone bluffs, deep valleys, and spring-fed trout streams. Many campgrounds near Genoa are open May through November, though some offer year-round access despite winter temperatures often dropping below freezing.

    What to do

    Kayak the Kickapoo River: Rent kayaks near Wildcat Mountain State Park Campground for a memorable river trip. "We took the opportunity to kayak down the Kickapoo and had a blast - make sure you do some exploring while you are here," notes Holly W. The river's gentle current makes it suitable for beginners.

    Fishing in trout streams: The region offers excellent fishing in spring-fed streams. At Creekside Equestrian Campground, "Trout fishing is good with seasonal stockings," according to James M. Bring your fishing gear and check local regulations before casting.

    Stargazing: Clear night skies provide exceptional stargazing opportunities. "When I looked up at the sky the first night here, I was astonished by how many stars were visible," writes William K. about his experience at Wildcat Mountain. The limited light pollution creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.

    What campers like

    Scenic overlooks: The bluffs provide remarkable views of the Mississippi River valley. "It has great views from our campsite of the Wisconsin River and Mississippi River," notes Kristen B. at Wyalusing State Park Campground. Several designated lookout points offer photography opportunities.

    Secluded campsites: Many campers appreciate the privacy of sites in this region. Sara S. mentions, "The campground was pretty busy, but we felt comfortable with the seclusion of our sites" at Big Paint Campground. Walk-in sites typically offer more seclusion than drive-up options.

    Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds in the area generally keep their amenities clean. Julie W. comments, "The campsite was clean and available as soon as we arrived. The bathrooms were clean and the showers were hot!" Most established campgrounds offer vault or flush toilets, with shower facilities at select locations.

    What you should know

    Equestrian camping near Genoa, Wisconsin: Several campgrounds cater specifically to horseback riders. At Frontier Equestrian Campground, you'll find "Very nice spacious sites for horses/riders including tie-ups, fire rings, tables at each site," according to James M. These horse-friendly sites often require additional reservation information.

    Weather considerations: Severe weather can develop quickly in this river valley region. Julie W. recounts, "We ended up leaving Saturday evening due to tornado watch, flash flood warnings, and torrential rain. I'm glad we did because I heard on the news the area got 6+ inches of rain that evening." Always check weather forecasts and have evacuation plans.

    Cell service limitations: Many campgrounds have limited or no cell service. Joyce B. notes, "We had quite the exercise going up/down the mountain," when trying to find signal at Wildcat Mountain. Consider downloading offline maps before arrival.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Genoa, WI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Genoa, WI is Reno Horse Campground — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Genoa, WI?

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

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