Equestrian Campground - Horse Required

4.80

14 reviews

21071 County 118, Preston, MN 55965

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Opens Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota DNR) site

Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

No Pets

Opens Minnesota State Parks (Minnesota DNR) site

Official Website

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

February 2026

Equestrian Campground - Horse Required

No fees available

Campsite Fees

General: campsite fees apply for developed campgrounds; purchase a vehicle permit for unlimited year-long visits to state parks and recreation areas....

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Minnesota State Parks

Provider

888-646-6367; 651-296-6157

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What Campers Say

4.80

Top-Rated

Based on 14 reviews

12 Google reviews

Most mentioned

staffsites

"Available Google reviews are few and overwhelmingly positive; reviewers praise the equestrian campground, trails and staff. One reviewer specifically mentions vault restrooms."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

21071 County 118, Preston, MN 55965

No map location available

Best Time to Camp at Equestrian Campground - Horse Required

Each season paints this equestrian paradise in different colors and offers unique adventures. Spring brings carpets of wildflowers along the trails and ideal riding temperatures, while summer opens up the underground world with cave tours after your ride and long, warm days in the saddle. Fall transforms the oak woodlands into a tapestry of amber and crimson, creating some of the year's most spectacular trail riding, and winter invites the adventurous to explore the landscape on cross-country skis or snowshoes along ungroomed trails. Check specific opening and closing dates for your planned visit, as they vary by season and year.

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Summer suits hiking, horseback riding and trout fishing in spring-fed streams.

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.0 / 5

Steep bluffs and mixed forests likely offer strong fall color and hiking conditions.

Best

Spring(Mar-May)

4.0 / 5

Top 14% in MN

Spring-fed streams, breeding wildlife and mild conditions favor spring visits.

Winter(Dec-Feb)

2.0 / 5

No winter amenities noted; Minnesota winters may limit access and activities.

Planning Tips

About Equestrian Campground - Horse Required

Saddle up for an unforgettable equestrian adventure at this horse-required campground, where you and your four-legged companion can settle in for the night after exploring scenic bluffland trails. With evening park programs and direct trailhead access, you'll experience Minnesota's karst country from horseback, camping among the same limestone ridges and spring-fed streams that make this landscape so distinctive.

Equestrian (horse) campground — intended for campers with horses. Specifics about tent, RV, primitive, group or cabin lodging designations are not explicitly documented in the available sources.

Historical Significance

The park preserves Historic Forestville, an 1850s frontier village, and contains Mystery Cave, discovered in 1937 and noted as Minnesota's longest known cave system. The area combines cultural history with notable geological and biological features.

Weather and SeasonsEach season paints this equestrian paradise in different colors and offers unique adventures. Spring brings carpets of wildflowers along the trails and ideal riding temperatures, while summer opens up the underground world with cave tours after your ride and long, warm days in the saddle. Fall transforms the oak woodlands into a tapestry of amber and crimson, creating some of the year's most spectacular trail riding, and winter invites the adventurous to explore the landscape on cross-country skis or snowshoes along ungroomed trails. Check specific opening and closing dates for your planned visit, as they vary by season and year.

Natural Features and SceneryTowering limestone bluffs rise dramatically above your campsite, their ancient faces riddled with the caves and sinkholes that give this park its mysterious character. As you ride through the landscape, you'll wind through cool ravines carpeted with remnant white pine and oak woodlands, cross crystal-clear trout streams fed by underground springs, and emerge onto open meadows with sweeping views of the blufflands. This is karst country at its finest—a geological wonderland where water has carved both the famous Mystery Cave below ground and the stunning topography you'll explore from the saddle.

Geological RegionKarst limestone blufflands with caves, sinkholes and spring-fed trout streams (steep bluff country).

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Equestrian-focused camping with access to the park's trails and natural features. The park offers horseback riding opportunities and a range of outdoor recreation tied to its blufflands, streams, and cave system.

HikingThe park features an interconnected trail system used for hiking (sources indicate roughly 17 miles of trails, including Palisade, Sandbank, Big Spring and Maple Ridge trails and scenic overlooks).

FishingTrout fishing is available in the park's three converging streams (South Branch Root River and tributaries are noted for trout habitat).

Wildlife viewing

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsSteep and uneven bluff terrain, karst features (including sinkholes and caves), and water hazards in streams. Campfire and invasive pest precautions: light fires only in fire rings or charcoal grills, extinguish fires before leaving, do not burn trash, and use approved or local firewood to prevent spread of forest pests.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

Weather at Equestrian Campground - Horse Required

Reviews

4.8

14 reviews

Top-Rated

Equestrian Campground - Horse Required is top-rated, placing it in the top 15% of campgrounds based on reviews

Available Google reviews are few and overwhelmingly positive; reviewers praise the equestrian campground, trails and staff. One reviewer specifically mentions vault restrooms.

Review Summaries

Based on 14 reviews

What Campers Love

Helpful park staff, pleasant equestrian campsites, good horse trails and scenic surroundings.

Based on 14 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

This site is used for horse camping — plan to bring horses and gear appropriate for an equestrian camp. Reviewers note the campground and trails are especially pleasant on weekdays.

Based on 14 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Always have good time camping with the horses. The staff at Forestville are always helpful."; "Love coming to camp in the equine campground!"; "Vault restrooms…"

Based on 14 reviews

0 review

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Last updated February 17, 2026

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Equestrian Campground - Horse Required