Best Equestrian Camping near Hartford, WI

Kettle Moraine State Forest offers specialized horse camping facilities at two distinct locations. The Southern Unit Horseriders Campground near Palmyra features electric and non-electric campsites designed for equestrians, with shared corrals positioned every four to five sites and animal waste collection areas throughout the grounds. The campground includes a large shelter with roll-up sides for group gatherings, a communal fire pit with fixed seating, and convenient mounting blocks for beginners or young riders. Sites along one side of the park provide more seclusion within a pine forest setting, while pull-through sites make trailer access easier for those uncomfortable with backing in or out. The campground maintains a clean shower building with flush toilets alongside several pit toilets distributed throughout the property.

Direct access to extensive horse trails throughout the Kettle Moraine State Forest begins at both the Southern Unit and the Northern Unit New Prospect Horseriders Campground near Campbellsport. The Northern Unit campground features well-maintained trails and thoughtfully designed rigging areas for horses. Both locations accommodate tents and RVs with trailer parking. The trails offer varied terrain through different landscapes, connecting riders to scenic viewpoints and natural features characteristic of the kettle moraine topography. Equestrians frequently spot wildlife including eagles during evening rides. Reservations are recommended, particularly for weekend stays during the peak season from May through October. The Southern Unit campground operates from April to November, while the Northern Unit is available from the first weekend in May to the last weekend in October.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Hartford, Wisconsin (14)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Hartford, WI

1 Photos of 14 Hartford Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Hartford, WI

129 Reviews of 14 Hartford Campgrounds


  • Julie L.
    Mar. 20, 2017

    Mauthe Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit-Iansr

    Mauthe-Lake Northern Kettle Morraine

    I live very close to this park and camp here often. It is a nice family type campground with a nice swimming beach and playground for children. There is only 1 bath house here and MANY pit toilets that are surprisingly clean and not real stinky. It is part of the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine and there are great hiking and biking trails as well as horse trails with a horse camp nearby. Every once in a while you can spot an eagle soaring around dinner time. There are sites very near the lake, but I prefer the ones up the hill. Mosquitos are present in the early summer and the breezes topside keep them at bay.

  • Josh F.
    Dec. 3, 2020

    Southern Unit Horseriders Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    If I had a horse, I'd definitely camp here

    Driving on country roads to this campground, I drove past many many horse ranches. So it's no surprise that there is a dedicated campground for horseback riding in this state park. 

    Built for Large Gatherings

    There are a number of COVID-era regulations that as of this writing are in place, see photos of the signs posted. This campground is clearly built for large groups to hang out together. There is a large shelter with picnic tables and very convenient roll-up sides that can be used to protect people during inclement weather. There is also a large grill that would be great for serving many, and a very nice fire pit with fixed seating for a large group. 

    Ammenities

    There are also nice touches, such as a small stair-step for beginners or young people to mount their horse. And the campground has a little free library. There are electric and non-electric campsites, all seem to have a picnic table and fireplace. There are ample places to bridle horses and shared corrals every four or five campsites. There are also animal waste collection areas throughout the campground. There are several pit toilets throughout the campground, and one building with flush toilets and showers. It's a very nice and fairly new building.

    Group Campsite

    The group campsite has six sites and they are not pull through for trailers. There is a fire pit with fixed seating around it centrally-located in the group campsite. The group campsite does not have electric units. 

    And no surprise, there is easy access to horse trails throughout the state forest. 

    My Top Picks

    There are several sites along one side of the park that are a little more secluded and in a pine forest. They have picnic tables and fire pits like the others, they include 409, 410, 411, 412, 413. There's also a series of pull-through sites that would make it easier for those who don't care to back trailers in or out of the site. These include electric sites 405, 404, 403, 402, and 401.

    There's a nice couple of campsites at the end of one of the loops that affords a little bit of privacy, the only problem is they abut the main road and are a little noisy with car traffic. However, they are sweet sites. They include 427 and 428. Unfortunately, they camping here you would hear all of the car traffic while all the other campsites are much further away from the road.

  • A
    May. 31, 2019

    Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Fine camp for hikers on the Ice Age trail.

    A good campground for tents and trailers in a pine forest.  It is close to the Ice Age trail and the Scuppernong trail, and a short drive from Ottawa Lake.  Nearby is some excellent mountain biking in hilly terrain at the Emma Carlin and John Muir trails.  You can almost feel like you're away from it all, but there is a small highway in the distance.

  • Brenton S.
    Jul. 1, 2020

    Elkhorn Campgrounds

    Affordable and friendly!

    Such a great little place to escape to or visit if you're just passing through. Nothing crazy fancy but hook-ups and fire pits available if needed. Within walking distance to downtown Elkhorn, EAHS, and the horse areana. You might even be able to catch a show or two on site at the fair grounds, depending on the time of year.

  • Jay W.
    Jul. 19, 2018

    Mauthe Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit-Iansr

    Great Camping in the Middle of Kettle Moraine Forest

    Mauthe Lake Campground is located in the Northern Kettle Moraine Forest in East/Centreal Wisconsin. This is one of my frequent visited campgrounds in the state given all the recreational trails for hiking and bicycling. The campground is clean and spread out. This campground offers some of the cleanest showers I have encountered on my camping trips. The Lake to Lake bike trail connects Long Lake Campground and Mauthe Lake Campground which is abut an 8 mile trip one way. This trail is a mix of paved, dirt, and gravel and travels through different landscape . There is a short hiking trail around Mauthe Lake that you should be able to complete in an hour at a average pace. The Ice Age Trail also runs through the park as part of its 1200 plus miles through the state. Ice cream and restaurants are close by, just follow the Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive, which takes you on a scenic rout through the North Kettle and Southern Kettle Moraine Forest. Be prepared for LOUD FROGS when attempting to sleep, if you can sleep through this noise the campground won't let you down.

  • C
    May. 12, 2018

    Kettle Moraine South Camping — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    We love camping at Kettle...

    We go there every year. The campsites are large with lots of foliage for privacy. It's so pretty in the fall. Red Trail, Paradise Trail,Rice Lake are all great hikes. Great views of Lake Ottawa.

    The close by town of Oconomowoc has a nice place to eat, Burkes Lakeside.

    About 20 minutes northeast of the campground is Lapham Peek Park with a walk up tower offering great views of the area.

  • Jen L.
    Aug. 23, 2018

    Pinewoods Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit

    Mixed Bag

    The Pinewoods Campground is an odd mix. The comfort station (ie flush toilets with sinks and baby changing station) and shower facility is well maintained and centrally located to the camp ground with nearby playground, field area, and a little free library. The bathrooms located closest to the campsites are pit toilets that are lit at night, toilet paper provided, and hand sanitizer. The individual campsites are good sized (some with electric hookup for RVs) with dirt/pine needle ground instead of gravel areas which are more comfortable for tents. The tall trees keep the area shaded and cool even on hot summer days. The shade limits ground growth which pro - limits mosquitoes, but con - leaves clear eye-lines from one site to the neighbors. Kettle Moraine Forest - South as a park area has miles of trails for hiking, biking, skiing, and horse back riding. But individual trail areas are spread miles apart and driving or biking between sites is often required.

    Overall its a great area for families or inexperienced/unsure campers but if you're looking to get out into nature and away from civilization this isn't the place for you. Also if you are a family with young children then loop 1 (campsites 1-36) which is a 24hour quiet zone should not be your first choice.

  • Matt N.
    Jun. 24, 2020

    Menomonee Park by Waukesha County Parks

    Great county park

    I would say sites are average size for a county park. All sorts are mostly wooded and offer good shade. There are miles of nice hiking trails, a nice beach, pavilions to rent, horse riding trails, archery range and I’m sure I’m missing more. There are pit toilets by the sites but a nice shower house with flush toilets about a 1/4 mile walk away. We have camped there several times and plan on coming back.

  • Matt N.
    Apr. 19, 2021

    Lake Kegonsa State Park Campground

    Fun state park

    A nice state park. Clean bathrooms with showers. Good sized site with nice privacy. Good hiking around the lake and mostly dog friendly. Nice play ground with horse she pits.


Guide to Hartford

Wisconsin offers a fantastic experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with several campgrounds providing excellent amenities and access to scenic trails.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like corrals

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Mauthe Lake Campground allows pets, making it a convenient choice for horse owners who want to bring their dogs along.
  • Sundance Farm Campground is known for its clean facilities and reliable water/power hookups, ensuring a comfortable stay for both horses and their owners.
  • Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit offers a variety of amenities, including firewood and ice available at the camp store, making it easy to prepare for a great camping experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hartford, WI is Mauthe Lake Campground — Kettle Moraine State Forest-Northern Unit-Iansr with a 4.4-star rating from 43 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Hartford, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.