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Horseshoe Lake Campground in Washburn, Wisconsin serves primarily as an equestrian camping area, designed for riders exploring the extensive trail system in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest region. The campground provides spacious sites that accommodate both horses and camping equipment. Campers report this is a quiet location in a remote setting, making it ideal for those seeking a peaceful horse camping experience. The campground is clean and well-maintained despite its rustic nature, with sites that can accommodate tents, small trailers, and some RVs. This is a primitive camping area intended for equestrians, with no electric hookups, drinking water, or shower facilities available.
The campground connects to many miles of established horse trails through northern Wisconsin forests. Trail riders can access multiple interconnected paths directly from their campsites, allowing for varied riding experiences from short loops to full-day excursions. The trails wind through quiet forest areas where riders frequently observe wildlife. The camping season runs from mid-May through October 31, providing approximately five months for equestrian camping opportunities. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservation system in place. Horse owners should bring all necessary supplies, including water for their animals, as the campground's remote location means limited access to services. The primitive nature of the facilities appeals to experienced equestrians who appreciate natural surroundings over amenities.
"The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip. A beautiful lake and lots of trails."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"The drive into the park was absolutely beautiful!! Stayed at old logging trail campground."
"The trail near by was nice, but driving into the park and finding a trail were better. The fire tower was also cool!"
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is one of my favorite state parks for last minute camping trips due to its proximity to home."
"There is a modern restroom and shower, it is also located near a nature store."
from $25 - $95 / night
Check Availability"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."
GuideThis was my first solo tent camping night in June 5, 2020. There were some horse flies when I parked but they didn't seem to hang out in the shade of my campsite. There was a very loud bird making calls until about 1am... Maybe a whip-poor-will. Otherwise a serene spot tucked back in the walk in site.
Directions to the walk in sites were a bit unclear when driving in but I eventually made it there.
GuideThis is a quiet campground in the middle of nowhere. 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. There are many miles of trails that can be ridden on horseback. It is a very clean campground especially if you want a quiet place. Also spacious campsites.
TravelerOur scout troop camped for a weekend her. Our site was very spacious, and had close access to a well maintained outhouse and walking distance to indoor toilets and showers. The main disadvantage to this site was, no trees.
TravelerThe drive into the park was absolutely beautiful!! Stayed at old logging trail campground. I was initially worried because I didn't realize the site was right next to a vault toilet, but besides for the occasional flashlight at night, it felt secluded. It was very buggy, so be prepared for that. I can't wait to go back so I can explore more of the park!
ScoutThe 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. The trail near by was nice, but driving into the park and finding a trail were better. The fire tower was also cool!
GuideFor $17 a night you can't beat a state forest campgrounds. This is real camping for the kids. Get there early in the day because there are no reservations and it's first come first served. The campground was clean and in better shape than any state park campgrounds I have been to.. The sites are spaced out and although it is a long drive in from the tar and gravel, it's worth the trip. 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. Most likely on busy weekends you were going to hear them in the distance. Mid week it was quiet and there was only three other people there and this remote campground.
LegendThis 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. (There is electricity here, but there are many more sites without.)
The sites in the Old Logging Campground were close together but many had vegetation between them offering some privacy. Site 207 was especially tucked in but it's a tight spot, so probably best for a van or tent.
The park itself has a lot to offer being right on the St. Croix River, plus there are hiking trails, a paved bike path, a fire tower you can climb, an old CCC camp area you can tour, and more. Also, canoe and kayak rentals are available. And this is all within the state park boundary since, at 34,000 acres, the park is the largest in the Minnesota state park system.
Some of the loops have old bathhouses that desperately need to be replaced, but they are in the process of doing so, which means some loops have great new bathrooms and showers. (If you stay in the upper 200s, sites, you'll have one of these new bathrooms right away, but more are being built.) 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.
Overall, we enjoyed our weekend at this park and would come back for another getaway if we had the chance and it wasn't a workday.
GuideOur family went up and rented Guest House 1. The house was great! It had everything we needed in the kitchen, a grill out front, picnic tables, fire ring, plenty of sleeping for our extended family. However, the second we walked out the door, you had at least 5 ticks on you. If you spent any extended amount of time outside, there were 20+. It was terrible, as my sister was pregnant and didn't want to risk it and we had a 1, 2, and 4 year old. We spent a large part of the weekend searching each other like primates and picking bugs off. Since the weather wasn't the best, we didn't feel as bad missing out on being outside.
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. That being said, we have had several conversations with others who have also said it was the worst tick experience they have ever had and will not choose to go back again.
ScoutWe camped with our in laws and 3 kids this past weekend at St. Croix state Park, we were in the riverview campground on site 36 (no hook ups). Sites were pretty open but small. 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. The paved walking trails were nice. The swimming beach is a couple mile drive but the water was nice and cool. There is a playground but we didn't use it. 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! There is kayak and canoe rental on the weekend. The showers and bathrooms were very clean.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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."
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."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gordon, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gordon, WI is Saint Croix State Forest Boulder Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Gordon, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Gordon, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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