Horseshoe Lake Campground offers equestrian-focused camping in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest region, approximately 35 miles northeast of Gordon, Wisconsin. The terrain consists primarily of mixed northern hardwood forests with sandy soil that drains quickly after rainfall. Temperatures range from winter lows around 0°F to summer highs in the 70-80°F range, with camping season running mid-May through October.
What to do
Trail riding access: Horseshoe Lake connects to an extensive network of horse trails through the national forest. Al J. notes, "There are many miles of trails that can be ridden on horseback," making it ideal for riders seeking multiple day-long excursions.
Fishing opportunities: Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground provides access to the Tamarack River with its varied fishing spots. According to Scot L., "Beautiful views along the Tamarack river. We like camping in state forest for the wild life experience. We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Yote's."
Canoe and kayak: Old Logging Trail — St. Croix State Park offers water recreation options during summer months. Tony J. confirms, "Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer. A great way to spend a weekend."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The remote forest setting provides opportunities to observe native Wisconsin wildlife. Daniel H. from Boulder Campground shares, "A beautiful lake and lots of trails. There are many ATV trails on the way in, but the ATVs are not allowed in the campground. Mid week it was quiet and there was only three other people there and this remote campground."
Quiet atmosphere: Riverview Campground receives praise for its peaceful setting despite being more developed. Duncan G. describes it as "Clean, Quiet, Peaceful" though warns about mosquitoes being "voracious."
Spacious sites: Many equestrian campgrounds in the region feature larger-than-average campsites to accommodate horse trailers. Al J. describes Horseshoe Lake as having "spacious campsites" and being "a very clean campground especially if you want a quiet place."
What you should know
Insect preparation: Mosquitoes can be intense throughout the Gordon area, particularly in early summer. One visitor to Riverview Campground reported, "We camped with our in laws and 3 kids this past weekend at St. Croix state Park... There were HOARDS OF MOSQUITOS. We used 40% deet spray and fogged our campsite 3x over the 3 days so we could reduce the bites."
First-come availability: Most equestrian campgrounds near Gordon operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Daniel H. advises, "Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served."
Primitive facilities: Horse campgrounds typically offer minimal amenities. Scot L. notes, "Heads up! No hook up's. Vault bathrooms only," which is typical for equestrian camping areas in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Wildlife education: St. Croix State Park offers ranger-led activities appropriate for children. Sara P. shares, "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."
Shore fishing: Accessible fishing opportunities exist for families with children. RK M. reports, "We fished right off the shore and were catching very small catfish and river chub faster than we could set our reels which was great for the kids!"
Seasonal planning: June can be challenging for families with young children due to insects. Lili R. warns, "Unfortunately we chose the peak of mosquitos season and camping next to slow moving water is a recipe for disaster... Within 3 hours of showing up we had to pack up and head home."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most equestrian campgrounds near Gordon offer minimal or no hookups for RVs. Per Al J., "The campground is intended to be used as campers that ride horses can stay at. People who camp in tents or small trailers will also enjoy this quiet place."
Site selection: For RVers visiting non-equestrian campgrounds, site layout varies considerably. Ari A. notes, "This park has a ton of camping available, particularly if you don't need electricity and have a smaller rig because then you can get into more of the campground loops."
Cell connectivity: Be prepared for limited connectivity when camping in horse campgrounds near Gordon. Ari A. advises, "Cell service was incredibly spotty on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Depending on where you're at, you'll get a low signal, but often it was only enough for texting-- don't think about using the web or social media or getting any work done while you're here."
Scout
