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Horseshoe Lake Campground offers a quiet retreat for horse enthusiasts in the Washburn area, approximately 110 miles northeast of Solon Springs, Wisconsin. This rustic campground primarily caters to equestrian campers with horses, providing spacious campsites where riders can set up tents or small trailers alongside their animals. The campground serves as a starting point for numerous riding trails that wind through the surrounding forest. Many miles of maintained bridle paths extend from the campground, allowing for extensive day rides through diverse northern Wisconsin terrain. This is a particularly clean campground with ample space between sites, making it ideal for those traveling with horses who need extra room for their equipment.
The trails around Horseshoe Lake Campground connect to a larger network of riding paths in the area, offering varied terrain and scenery for all skill levels. Riders should bring their own water and feed for horses as limited amenities exist at this primitive site. The campground operates seasonally from mid-May through October 31, with the best riding conditions typically occurring in late spring and early fall when temperatures are moderate and insects are less prevalent. The location feels particularly remote, situated away from major roads and offering a genuine wilderness experience for horse campers. Trail riders seeking multi-day excursions can use this campground as a base camp, returning each evening after exploring different sections of the trail system. Proper trail etiquette is essential as these paths are shared with other recreational users.
"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"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"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 serves equestrian campers seeking wilderness trails in northern Wisconsin. Located approximately 110 miles northeast of Solon Springs, this primitive camping area sits within the Washburn region at an elevation of around 1,200 feet. The campground remains open seasonally from May 13 through October 31, catering primarily to horse riders but also accommodating tent campers and small trailers.
Explore extensive trail networks: The St. Croix State Park area features numerous hiking opportunities beyond the horse trails. According to one visitor at St. Croix State Park, "Lots of trails for hiking. Cool buildings from the CCC era as well as some signs talking about camp life. There is also a 100' fire tower you can climb up and get an epic view."
Fishing in nearby waters: Local waterways provide fishing opportunities for various species. A camper at Riverview Campground noted, "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!"
Water activities during summer months: Canoe and kayak rentals are available seasonally. "Canoe outfitters in park during most of the summer. A great way to spend a weekend," mentions a visitor at St. Croix State Park.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The forests surrounding horse campgrounds near Solon Springs, Wisconsin offer chances to spot diverse wildlife. A camper at Boulder Campground shared, "We like camping in state forest for the wild life experience. We seen Bear, Wolf, and plenty of Yote's. This is nature at it's finest."
Clean facilities at nearby campgrounds: Despite the primitive nature of many sites, visitors appreciate maintenance standards. One reviewer at Boulder Campground stated, "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."
Spacious camping areas: Sites at Horseshoe Lake and nearby equestrian campgrounds provide ample room. As noted by a visitor, "It is a very clean campground especially if you want a quiet place. Also spacious campsites."
Insect preparation essential: Mosquitoes can be problematic, especially in early summer. A camper at Riverview Campground warned, "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."
Limited amenities at forest campgrounds: Most horse-oriented sites offer minimal services. A Boulder Campground visitor explained, "For $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."
Weather considerations: Summer storms can develop quickly. One camper recounted, "We also experienced the most intense and violent thunderstorm of my life. One lightning strike hit within 100 yards of our site. All of the campers were talking about it in the morning."
Bring alternative activities: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region. A visitor to Old Logging Trail advised, "Cell service is fairly spotty here so come with podcasts or shows downloaded ahead of time!"
Check trail conditions beforehand: Trail difficulty varies seasonally. One camper shared, "It was very buggy, so be prepared for that. I can't wait to go back so I can explore more of the park!"
Plan for nighttime darkness: Remote locations have minimal light pollution. A camper noted, "On days that the moonlight is not out bring flashlights because when the moon is not shining it's pitch black."
Limited hookup availability: Most equestrian campgrounds near Solon Springs offer primitive camping only. A visitor to Horseshoe Lake Campground explained, "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."
Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Newer facilities exist at some nearby campgrounds. One camper at Riverview noted, "The loop I was in had one of the new bathrooms and it was impressive....definitely an A rating."
Site selection impacts experience: Open sites lack shade and privacy. A visitor reported, "Because of a large wind storm several years ago, there is very limited tree coverage in the campground. As a result, the sites get very little shade and protection from the hot summer sun, and the lack of vegetation means that sounds from around the campground can be heard throughout."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Solon Springs, WI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Solon Springs, WI is Old Logging Trail Campground — St. Croix State Park with a 4.1-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Solon Springs, WI?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Solon Springs, WI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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