Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding
See the Minnesota River Basin in a whole different way that harks back to a time before automobiles.  Some of the best places to ride horse can be found at Rush River Park near Henderson and the two state parks – Upper Sioux Agency (near Granite Falls) and Fort Ridgely (south of Franklin).  Check out the Minnesota Valley Trail with its multi-use trail running from Shakopee to Belle Plaine.  Enjoy spectacular views of the valley from the back of a horse (Photo below by Ron Bolduan).

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minnesota_valley/index.html  Located in the Lower Minnesota River Watershed between Shakopee and Chaska, this state recreation area has 30 miles of horseback riding trails and a Horse Camp (hitching rails and four fire rings).

Lac qui Parle State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/lac_qui_parle/index.html  Situated at the south end of the lake, this state park has 5 miles of flat trails in the Lower Unit.

Sibley State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/sibley/index.html  North of Willmar, this state park has 7 miles of horseback riding trails starting at the Horse Trail Center.

Glacial Lakes State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/glacial_lakes/index.html  On the far northwest edge of the basin, this state park has 8 horse camp sites.

Camden State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/camden/rec.html  Close to Marshall, this state park has 10 miles of horseback trails and a horse campsite.

Upper Sioux Agency State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/upper_sioux_agency/index.html  Located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Yellow Medicine rivers, this state park has 16 miles of trails and a horseback  riding campground.

For Ridgely State Park - http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_ridgely/index.html  On the east side of the Minnesota River, this state park has 10 miles of trails.

Rush River Park - http://www.co.sibley.mn.us/public_works/rush_river_park.html - Southwest of Henderson, this Sibley County Park is a favorite spot for horseback riders.