Highland Ridge Campground offers designated equestrian camping near Glenwood City, Wisconsin. The equestrian section sits at an elevation of approximately 900 feet above sea level in Wisconsin's Driftless Area. This region features rolling hills with elevation changes of 100-300 feet, creating diverse terrain for trail riders and hikers alike. Winter temperatures often drop below 10°F while summer highs reach the mid-80s.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: Horse owners can access riding trails directly from the Highland Ridge Campground equestrian section. "We've now camped here 4 times…. This is a beautiful, densely wooded campground with fairly well spaced sites," notes a repeat visitor who appreciates the natural surroundings for riding.
Kayaking on the reservoir: Paddling opportunities await on Eau Galle Reservoir, a short drive from camp. One camper reports, "There are no amenities (rentals, etc.) offered at the lake but it is small and beautiful, and we enjoyed a peaceful paddle." For boaters seeking more options, Lake Wissota State Park Campground offers "Nice beach that is a walkable distance from the sites" and "Several stairways down to the lake."
Winter recreation: For cold-weather campers, the area offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. At Wild River State Park Campground, one winter visitor described, "We snowshoed and skied. 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."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers frequently mention site spacing as a highlight. "All sites are gravel/dirt (except for the ADA-accessible site), and most are very generous in size," notes one Highland Ridge visitor. Another adds that sites have "trees providing separation/privacy between sites."
Clean facilities: The campground maintains high cleanliness standards. A visitor mentions, "They were very clean, and I especially appreciated the fact that they were cleaned daily before 6 am, a shout out to the camp host!" This attention to detail enhances the camping experience.
Accessibility: Many appreciate the convenient location. At Haycreek Valley Campground, visitors note the proximity to recreation: "We really enjoyed the bike trail that was so close, paved and had lots of tree cover to keep us cool. Very nice ride to Red Wing right from our site!" The campground's location makes it a practical base for exploring the region.
What you should know
Cellular service varies: Connectivity differs throughout Highland Ridge. One camper reports: "We have AT&T and had no problem getting signal and cellular data to complete the process" for online reservations. Another notes service is "spotty throughout the park with either 1 or 2 bars, although in the spring and fall when there's few leaves on the trees, service is fine."
Heavy shade impacts solar power: The dense tree cover affects solar charging. "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. This is not a good place for solar panels, but almost all sites are electric."
Water temperature varies: Shower conditions can change with campground occupancy. A visitor at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve mentions, "The shower was great– warm water and great flow, although our friends (who arrived two days before we did) had cold showers when the campground was full."
Tips for camping with families
Beach options: Families with children enjoy the swimming areas. "They have a home made lake that has a sand bottom but it has chlorine like a pool so no weeds. Great for swimming," says a visitor about Lake Elmo County Park Reserve. Another campground offers "a small swimming area" at the reservoir.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children can observe local animals. "We saw sooooo many deer some even walking right through campsites! You can hear coyotes, raccoons and very loud owls," reports one family at Wild River State Park Campground.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play facilities. Highland Ridge includes "a nice, modern playground" near the interpretive center. Lake Wissota State Park Campground provides "free yard games that can be checked out at the visitor center" for additional entertainment.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for rig size: Larger RVs should carefully choose sites. At Highland Ridge, "some sites on the short loop (28-38) are a bit smaller and slope down from the road, so be careful of the site's size when booking. Our 29' trailer would have been a challenging fit in some of those sites."
Dumping facilities: A convenient dump station is available at the campground entrance. "There is a little dump station near the entrance where we got potable water and will dump on the way out," notes one RVer who appreciated the easy access.
Leveling considerations: Many sites require adjustment. One camper reports, "Our site (7) sloped down but leveled out with plenty of room for our campervan at the bottom." Come prepared with leveling blocks for more challenging sites.
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