Top Horse Camping near Pepin, WI

Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Pepin. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. It's easy to find Pepin campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. These scenic and easy-to-reach Pepin campsites are perfect for equestrian campers.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Pepin, WI (10)

    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Afton State Park

    1. Afton State Park

    36 Reviews
    93 Photos
    199 Saves

    Located on the St. Croix River, just 20 miles east of Saint Paul, Afton State Park is great for those looking for camping near Minneapolis and is 1600 acres of rolling prairies, oak woodlands, and limestone river canyons amid an ancient glacial landscape. The land for the park was acquired in 1967, but it took almost 15 years of planning revisions and compromises with local residents before the park finally opened in 1982. Little development has gone into Afton State Park in an effort to maintain its natural characteristics, and former farmland atop the bluffs are continuously being restored to their original state. This makes Afton an ideal destination for campers looking to experience the outdoors in a wilder setting. Load up your backpack with all you’ll need for your stay, as camping at Afton State Park requires a hearty, 0.75-mile hike in from the parking area. The year-round campground offers 27 rustic sites with picnic tables and fire pits, with options for pitching your tent in either open or wooded areas. There is drinking water, a vault toilet and firewood is supplied within the camp area. There is also three boat-in campsites, and two group campsites that can accommodate up to 60 people each. If you’d rather not rough it, the park also offers four camping cabins and two yurts, some of which are wheelchair accessible. There are also several picnic areas and restrooms within the park. Campsite rates range from $15–$23/night; cabins range from $55–$70/night, and yurts $50–$65/night. When you’re ready to explore, start at the park’s Nature Store where you can pick up information about the park’s flora and fauna, or join a nature walk. Then choose from more than 20 miles of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails, as well as a short barrier-free path. If you’re visiting in winter, many of these trails are open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Bring your GPS and go on a geocaching treasure hunt, or bring your binoculars and go on safari for a variety of migratory birds, waterfowl, and wildlife, including deer, foxes and badgers. And little ones will love becoming Junior Park Naturalists and learning about bugs, birds, plants and other critters. If you’re looking for a real outdoor adventure, Afton State Park has what you’re looking for.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
    Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge

    2. Highland Ridge

    15 Reviews
    45 Photos
    91 Saves

    Overview

    Highland Ridge overlooks the sparkling Eau Galle Reservoir located in Spring Valley, in western Wisconsin. The area boasts 648 acres of scenery with numerous opportunities for recreation, including fishing, canoeing and plenty of hiking. Horseback riders enjoy the trails around the lush region.

    Recreation

    Hikers can enjoy the 7 miles worth of trails, along with overlook seating areas and a swimming beach. Horseback riders have a variety of trails to choose from. Fishermen cast their reels year-round. Kayaking, canoeing, and electric-motor boating are common.

    Natural Features

    The 35-mile Eau Galle River feeds into 150 acre Eau Galle Lake, which is surrounded by steep hills and bluffs. The campground is opposite the dam on the north side of the small reservoir. The area is set in a heavily wooded area that provides a welcoming habitat for native plants and animals.

    Contact Info

    This location has limited staffing. Please call (715) 778-5562 for general information.

    Nearby Attractions

    Highland Ridge is minutes from Spring Valley Golf Course, Crystal Cave, Cady Cheese Factory, Red Cedar Bike Trial, Vino in the Valley, Nugget Lake, Wakanda Water Park, Maple Leaf Orchard and Goven's Farm.

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • RVs

    $28 - $216 / night

    Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
    Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground

    3. Haycreek Valley Campground

    6 Reviews
    6 Photos
    29 Saves
    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Electric Hookups
    • Phone Service
    • Reservable
    • ADA Access
    • No image available

      4. Whippoorwill Ranch Kampground

      1 Review
      3 Saves
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Reservable
      • RVs
      • Tents
      Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir
      Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir
      Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir
      Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir
      Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir
      Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir

      5. Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir

      5 Reviews
      6 Photos
      36 Saves
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • RVs
      Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park

      6. Chester Woods Park

      5 Reviews
      18 Photos
      50 Saves
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • Reservable
      • ADA Access
      Camper-submitted photo from Pietrek County Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Pietrek County Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Pietrek County Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Pietrek County Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Pietrek County Park
      Camper-submitted photo from Pietrek County Park

      7. Pietrek County Park

      2 Reviews
      19 Photos
      10 Saves
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Electric Hookups
      • Phone Service
      • ADA Access
      • RVs
      • No image available

        8. Zumbro Bottoms West — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

        Be the first to review!
        1 Save

        West Assembly Area is the largest of the three campgrounds at Zumbro Bottoms; it is a primitive campground designed to furnish only the camper's basic needs, vault toilets, and hand-pumped water. Other than two accessible sites, there are no designated campsites in this campground.

        There are fire rings, picnic tables, picket lines, and manure bunkers in the campground. There is a lot of open space, and campers can set up as they wish, keeping in line with these rules:

        Portable pens must be 75 feet from the road to minimize damage to the grass and not be around trees.
        Horses cannot be tied to trees.
        Keep the size of your campsite reasonable. To allow for other campers to use only the amount of space you need.
        All camping is first-come, first-serve. Do not block off space for friends who will be arriving later.
        Clean up your campsite when you leave. Put all garbage in the dumpster and all hay and manure in the bunkers provided.
        This is a popular camping area and on busy weekends can accommodate 100 + camping units.
        Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m. (this includes no generator use). Please be considerate of others around you.

        Highlights: Zumbro Bottoms offers access to 44 miles of horseback riding trails. The trails have been marked with brown signs showing appropriate uses.

        • Fires
        • RVs
        • Tents
        • Equestrian
        • Standard (Tent/RV)
        • Dispersed

        $22 / night

        • No image available

          9. Zumbro Bottoms Central — R.J.D. Memorial Hardwood State Forest

          Be the first to review!
          1 Save

          Central Assembly Area is moderate in size; it is a primitive campground designed to furnish only the camper's basic needs, vault toilets, and hand-pumped water. There are fire rings, picnic tables, picket lines, and manure bunkers in the campground.

          There are no designated campsites in this campground, and campers can set up as they wish, keeping in line with these rules:

          Portable pens must be 50 feet from the road to minimize damage to the grass and not be around trees.
          Horses cannot be tied to trees.
          Keep the size of your campsite reasonable. To allow for other campers to use only the amount of space you need.
          All camping is first-come, first-serve. Do not block off space for friends who will be arriving later.
          Clean up your campsite when you leave. Take all garbage with you and put all hay and manure in the bunkers provided.
          This is a popular camping area and on busy weekends can accommodate about 20 camping units.
          Quiet hours are between 10:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m. (this includes no generator use). Please be considerate of others around you.

          Zumbro Bottoms offers access to 44 miles of horseback riding trails. The trails have been marked with brown signs showing appropriate uses.

          • Fires
          • RVs
          • Tents
          • Equestrian
          • Standard (Tent/RV)
          • Dispersed

          $14 - $16 / night

          Camper-submitted photo from Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center

          10. Camp Spring Lake Retreat Center

          1 Review
          1 Photo
          6 Saves
          • Pets
          • Fires
          • Phone Service
          • Reservable
          • ADA Access
          • Tents

          $50 / night


        Recent Equestrian Reviews In Pepin

        35 Reviews of 10 Pepin Campgrounds


        • J
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Oct. 13, 2024

          Highland Ridge

          Beautiful in the fall

          This is a smaller Corps of Engineers park, lots of primitive sites and lots electric sites too. A smaller lake but no gas motors. Cell service with Verizon was ok.

        • JThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Jul. 20, 2024

          Highland Ridge

          Clean and relatively quiet

          Lots of RV campers, but none were obnoxious. T-mobile service is almost non-existent depending on location. The showers and bathrooms were spotless. Firewood is available at several roadside stands just outside the entrance.

        • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Aug. 7, 2023

          Highland Ridge

          Wow Spacious Sites and Peaceful

          Highland Ridge, WI - COE east of Minneapolis. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good (70 yr olds in 17’ trailer) Overall Rating: 4.5 Price 2023: $12/ night w senior pass Usage during visit: 60 - 70% during weekdays Site Privacy: GOOD - not a fence forest, but tremendous spacing makes up for it.
          Site Spacing: VERY GOOD Site surface: Gravel and level Reservations: Yes. Can reserve on line at the cg Campground Noise: None Road Noise: None Through Traffic in campground: None Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Yes, at the bathrooms. Generators: Not needed. Bathroom: kept VERY clean. Shutdown for cleaning every morning at about 6 AM. Showers: Yes. Clean Pull Throughs: I think all are back ins. Cell Service (AT&T): Good Setting: Forest with no understory Weather: 80s Bugs: Not too bad.
          Solar: Forest canopy would interfere , but not needed. Host: Yes. They are around and offer free beach passes. They are super. Rig size: Large RVs. Sites: All sites are very nice in loop 1 -24. I understand that Loop 28+ is less private.

        • D
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Jun. 16, 2023

          Highland Ridge

          Peaceful Campground Under a Canopy of Shade

          Nice Campground under an almost complete canopy of shade. Older shower house but clean. Friendly staff and hosts. Long spread apart spots.

        • David E.
          Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
          Sep. 10, 2022

          Haycreek Valley Campground

          Outside of City but Not Far for Access

          Nice campground outside of Red Wing, MN with a bar/restaurant and other features. Access to trials for bikes and horses. I stayed in the horse camp without a horse but it was a nice area.

        • Deb M.
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Jul. 25, 2022

          Highland Ridge

          Nice getaway close to the Twin Cities

          We’ve now camped here 4times…. This is a beautiful, densely wooded campground with fairly well spaced sites. 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. Make sure to enter “Highland Ridge Campground” into your GPS instead of “Eau Galle Rec Area. (That’s the day use area of the park that’s about a 20 minute drive around the lake from the campground) AT&T 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. The campground is well maintained and the bathrooms are clean, and only an hour from our home in the northern suburbs. Will definitely be back! One change from our last visit: there have been quite a few trees taken out at the end of the main loop, so now sites 18-20 are VERY open. (At least now it’s a nice view of the reservoir….)

        • Corey P.
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Jun. 24, 2022

          Highland Ridge

          Great experience

          Fairly level, clean, wooded sites. Clean showers. Friendly Hosts and Rangers. Great trails.

        • KThe Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park
          Jun. 13, 2022

          Chester Woods Park

          Large sites

          Nice place but it is a campground not an rv park, 30 & 50 amp service but no water hookup (fill when you come in) and dump tanks when leaving,

        • Justin S.
          Camper-submitted photo from Pietrek County Park
          Jun. 5, 2022

          Pietrek County Park

          Well maintained

          Nice big tent sites down by the river. Walking trails were nice but recommend pants as the grass was long in spots. Plenty of wildlife and could not hear the cars from the highway.

        • M
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Apr. 12, 2022

          Highland Ridge

          Easy to get to and quiet!

          We were just passing through and had a difficult time finding somewhere to stay since it’s early April. This site was easily accessed off the highway and incredibly convenient to reserve online! $20 for a non-electric site got you a quiet, private site, perfect for a good night’s sleep on the road. Would stop here again due to convenience and comfortability!

        • T
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Mar. 31, 2022

          Highland Ridge

          Really nice campground

          Out of about 20 campgrounds we've stayed at this year so far, this was one of our favorites. There is a lot of space between sites, there are a lot of trees, it's very quiet at night, and there are trails from the campground. The camp host was very friendly and helpful. There is a dump station on the way in to fill up with water as there are no water or sewer hookups. We had one bar of service with Verizon and 3 bars with AT&T. Further up the loop the Verizon signal was much better.

        • M
          Camper-submitted photo from Whippoorwill Ranch Kampground
          Oct. 18, 2021

          Whippoorwill Ranch Kampground

          Mature crowd and tons of fun!

          We had a fabulous experience at BJ's this weekend. Mark, Sheri and the staff are good people who work hard to make sure you have a great time. The food is excellent and comes out SO FAST; bravo to the kitchen staff! Bartenders are very attentive; Tasha took excellent care of us! The campsites are well kept and spacious. There are no picnic tables in the sites, but we got along just fine without. We can't wait to go back!

        • Mark N.The Dyrt PRO User
          Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park
          Sep. 25, 2021

          Chester Woods Park

          Nice County Park

          Nice park for everyone’s type from tents, cabins and all size RV’s. Electric only at the camp sites but have water and dump station on site. Clean bathrooms and showers. Best value I’ve seen for fire wood. Has many walking trails that you can take your dog on and just a couple that you can’t.

        • L
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge
          Sep. 10, 2021

          Highland Ridge

          Easy access from highway, good stop for quick overnight

          Came here without a reservation while driving cross country. It is only a few miles from the highway but is a beautiful and quiet, natural environment with lots of trees. We got here around 6pm on a Thursday evening and there were lots of available sites. It was a little confusing to begin with, because every single site has a sign that says “reserved,” and the hosts were off-duty. We drove around and found a relatively level site with a very long driveway, then went online to recreation.gov to check it’s availability and reserved/paid for it. We have AT&T and had no problem getting signal and cellular data to complete the process. We accidentally selected a site without electric, but if we had taken more time to use the website and enter search criteria, we could have found one with electric. The site itself was very nice, and we only had to level front-to-back. There were mosquitos, but with a little repellant it wasn’t too bad. We were close to a restroom but didn’t use it and can’t speak to the cleanliness or whether there were showers. There is a little dump station near the entrance where we got potable water and will dump on the way out. Someone had firewood for sale in front of their house as you drive toward the park, there is no firewood for sale at the campground when we were there. Overall, this was a great stop for a short overnight, for only $20 and absolute quiet for a good night’s sleep.

        • Erik O.
          Camper-submitted photo from Chester Woods Park
          Sep. 8, 2020

          Chester Woods Park

          Awesome campgrounds

          The campground is very clean and nice.

          The bathrooms and showers we pristine clean and close and easy to walk to.

          The beach was great and clean.

          Fishing was great.

          Would definitely come back

        • Karin W.
          Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
          Jul. 30, 2020

          Haycreek Valley Campground

          Good for biking

          Our site was rather odd as the electric and water post was on the opposite side of our camper. Our standard water hose and electrical cord wouldn’t reach so we ended up backing up the hill to get next to the water and filled our tank for the weekend. Thankfully a neighbor had a 30’ extension that we borrowed. The fire pits were located in very odd spots too - basically unusable unless you wanted to light your rig on fire. 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! Would probably stay here again but would definitely ask for a different site. Great for biking!

        • O
          Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
          Jun. 30, 2020

          Haycreek Valley Campground

          Our favorite campground

          We have been going to Haycreek for over 15 years for horse camping. The trails are shaded, no bugs, friendly campers and staff. They have electric and water hookups for horse campers, and they have overflow for horse campers. The trails here are amazing.

        • L
          Camper-submitted photo from Haycreek Valley Campground
          Sep. 5, 2019

          Haycreek Valley Campground

          Really pleasant

          Really nice campground with activities and a BAR/Restaurant. Pool is also there and is nice. We had a great weekend went to bed a little early on Saturday night because of rain and woke up to snow!!!

        • Courtney  C.
          Camper-submitted photo from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir
          Jun. 21, 2019

          Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir

          Great campground

          This was one of The cleanest campgrounds I have ever stayed at. The sites are large and very well shaded for privacy. Great playground and hiking area. Some sites are difficult to back into if you have a large rig.



        Guide to Pepin

        Camping near Pepin, Wisconsin, offers a fantastic escape into nature with plenty of options for outdoor enthusiasts. From scenic trails to serene lakes, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful area.

        What to do

        • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails available in the area. At Willow River State Park Campground, one camper noted, “Lovely trails, the beach is a large area with a nice park and picnic area.” The park features stunning waterfalls that are a must-see.
        • Water Activities: Enjoy kayaking or canoeing at Perrot State Park Campground. A visitor mentioned, “This park has good access for a kayak/canoe path,” making it a great spot for water lovers.
        • Wildlife Watching: The area is rich in wildlife. One reviewer at Lake Wissota State Park Campground said, “Best trails and lots of wildlife,” highlighting the natural beauty and animal sightings.

        What campers like

        • Privacy: Many campers appreciate the spacious sites. A visitor at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground remarked, “Sites are wooded so you don’t have neighbor issues,” making it a peaceful retreat.
        • Clean Facilities: Campers often mention the cleanliness of the restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Frontenac State Park Campground stated, “Bathrooms are VERY CLEAN,” which is always a plus when camping.
        • Scenic Views: The breathtaking views are a big draw. A camper at Lake Wissota State Park Campground said, “The park staff is great also. Love the price to camp along with the camping areas,” emphasizing the overall experience.

        What you should know

        • Mosquitoes: Be prepared for bugs, especially in warmer months. One camper at Perrot State Park Campground warned, “The mosquitoes were so horrible, I don’t think I could have stayed longer.”
        • Limited Cell Service: Many campgrounds have spotty cell service. A visitor at Whitewater State Park noted, “Spotty cell service,” so plan accordingly if you need to stay connected.
        • Reservations Recommended: Popular spots fill up quickly. A reviewer at Lebanon Hills Regional Park mentioned, “Must reserve months in advance as usually full,” so it’s wise to book ahead.

        Tips for camping with families

        • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for parks with amenities for kids. At William O'Brien State Park Campground, a camper shared, “The trails are well kept and cover woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands,” perfect for family hikes.
        • Secluded Sites: Choose sites that offer privacy. A family at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park Campground appreciated, “Larger and more private than most state parks,” making it easier to relax.
        • Plan for Bugs: Bring plenty of bug spray. One camper at Lake Wissota State Park Campground noted, “Had to pull out the heavy-duty spray right out of the car,” which is a good reminder for families.

        Tips from RVers

        • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Frontenac State Park Campground mentioned, “Plenty of space to park a 21 ft trailer,” which is helpful for planning.
        • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. At Whitewater State Park, a camper appreciated the “good mix of electric and non-electric sites.”
        • Explore Nearby Attractions: Take advantage of local attractions. One RV traveler at Lake Elmo County Park Reserve said, “Great bike trails, lakes a little way’s from campground,” making it easy to enjoy the area.

        Camping near Pepin, Wisconsin, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, you’re sure to have a memorable experience!

        Frequently Asked Questions

        • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Pepin, WI?

          According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pepin, WI is Afton State Park with a 4.6-star rating from 36 reviews.

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

          TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Pepin, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.