Highland Ridge Campground is the primary equestrian camping destination near Spring Valley, Wisconsin, situated at approximately 930 feet elevation in the rolling hills of western Wisconsin. The region experiences warm summers with average July temperatures around 83°F and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the ideal camping seasons. Trail conditions vary seasonally with spring often bringing muddy paths following snowmelt.
What to do
Horseback riding on varied terrain: Highland Ridge offers multiple trail options connecting to the Eau Galle Reservoir area. "Beautiful Amish country, green, green, green, beside the lake...this place is a little off the beaten path, but a great place to stay while driving through WI," notes Chelsie N. about Highland Ridge.
Paddle on Eau Galle Reservoir: The reservoir is approximately a 10-minute drive from the campground. "There are no amenities (rentals, etc.) offered at the lake but it is small and beautiful, and we enjoyed a peaceful paddle. We saw a couple of people fishing on the lake and there is a small swimming area," shares Lee D. from Highland Ridge Campground.
Hiking available year-round: Seasonal changes affect trail conditions, with fall offering colorful views. "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," mentions Jeff F. about fall visits to Highland Ridge.
What campers like
Spacious equestrian camping areas: The equestrian sites provide ample space for trailers and equipment. "The equestrian campground area (sites E1-E10) is located about a half mile before the main campground entrance. You may camp in the equestrian area (E1-E10) without a horse if the main area is full," explains Mary S. from Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir.
Clean facilities with early maintenance: The campground prioritizes cleanliness throughout the facilities. "They were very clean, and I especially appreciated the fact that they were cleaned daily before 6 am, a shout out to the camp host! The shower was great– warm water and great flow," reports Lee D.
Privacy between sites: The campground layout provides good separation between neighboring campers. "This campground is well maintained and a beautiful park within the woods. Great for hiking and kayaking/canoeing is near by," says David E. about Highland Ridge - Eau Galle Reservoir.
What you should know
Equestrian section access: Non-horse campers can use equestrian sites when the main campground is full. "We were able to reserve a site in there a couple days ahead of time because the main campground was full. It was just us and one other family on a Saturday night, and neither of us had a horse," notes Mary S.
Heavily wooded with limited sun exposure: Sites receive minimal direct sunlight due to the dense tree cover. "First thing you need to know: It's completely in the woods, and sites are FULLY shaded. Sites 28-38 are on a loop with a picnic pavilion in the middle with some openings for sun on the road and in the picnic area," advises Mary S.
Seasonal insect activity: Bug populations vary by season, with August typically having more insects. "Aside from the plentiful bugs (in August), we enjoyed our two-night stay at this campground!" mentions Lee D. from Highland Ridge.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities available: The campground offers recreation options for younger visitors. "There is an interpretive center for Saturday evening ranger programs and a playground next to it," explains Mary S. about Lake Elmo County Park Reserve.
Playground facilities: Lake Elmo County Park Reserve provides additional family-friendly amenities within driving distance. "Lake Elmo County Park in Washington County Minnesota is a great park for families. There are a bunch of things to do including hiking, horseback riding, swimming in their filtered pond, boating and an insane playground," shares Steph H.
Seasonal temperature considerations: Plan for changing weather, especially in spring and fall. "Stayed during a severe storm, and the wind through the trees was just massive! The bath houses are very nice and there's a playground for the kids," reports Chelsie N. about Highland Ridge.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Some sites may be challenging for larger RVs to access. "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," warns Deb M. from Haycreek Valley Campground.
Electric hookup locations: Plan for potential connection challenges at some sites. "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," shares Karin W.
Reservation planning: Sites are reservable online through recreation.gov. "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," notes Laurel from Highland Ridge.
