Stony Brook Horse Campground, Cook, MN

Introduction / Overview

For Minnesota's dedicated horseback riding community, finding a campground that perfectly balances remote wilderness with purpose-built equestrian amenities is key to a successful 'Up North' adventure. Stony Brook Horse Campground, nestled within the vast George Washington State Forest and managed under the Minnesota DNR, is exactly that place. Known for its primitive charm, quiet atmosphere, and exceptional access to miles of riding trails, Stony Brook is a treasured destination for local riders seeking an authentic escape with their horses.

The campground is classified as a "primitive" site, meaning it provides the fundamental necessities—a cleared area, fire ring, and table—while requiring campers to be somewhat self-sufficient. This design philosophy helps maintain the remote, peaceful setting that visitors have come to cherish. Reviews from long-time users consistently note the tranquil environment, often punctuated only by the sounds of coyotes and wolves, which enhances the feeling of true wilderness immersion that Minnesota residents value.

Location and Accessibility

Stony Brook Horse Campground is situated in a particularly beautiful and rugged part of northern Minnesota, officially addressed to the Cook, MN 55723 area. More specifically, the camp is located near Side Lake, MN, deep inside the George Washington State Forest. Its remote nature is a highlight for those seeking solitude, but it does require careful attention to driving directions, especially when hauling a horse trailer.

Local riders are advised to plan their route carefully. Directions often involve taking St. Louis County Road 5 north from Side Lake, turning onto the Snake Trail Forest Road, and continuing to the campground entrance. User reviews caution against relying solely on certain digital maps or taking unmaintained dirt roads (like one across Beatrice Lake), underscoring the importance of following official DNR directions or using high-quality forest maps. Despite its remote location, the site is designed to accommodate equestrian traffic, featuring campsites that can handle large living-quarter trailers (LQ trailers), making it accessible for multi-day trips.

Services Offered

Stony Brook Horse Campground provides specialized services tailored to meet the needs of riders and their horses, while maintaining a primitive, low-impact camping style.

Vault Toilets: Clean and well-maintained vault toilet facilities are available on-site.
Potable Water Access: Drinking water is available from a hand-pumped well. User reviews note that the water can sometimes be challenging to pump, and the facility allows visitors to hook up their own generator (a 2500-watt minimum is often suggested) to the well for easier water access.
Individual and Group Sites: The campground offers 17 individual horse campsites and one larger group campsite, all on a first-come, first-served basis.
Equestrian Amenities: Each campsite is equipped with specialized features including picket lines and space for portable corrals or electric fencing (provided they do not encircle trees). Manure bunkers are also provided for proper waste management.
Campsite Essentials: Every campsite includes a cleared area for tents, a picnic table, and a fire ring for campfires.
Day-Use Area: A separate day-use area is available, which includes parking, a vault toilet, picket lines, and picnic tables for riders not staying overnight.

Features / Highlights

The core attraction of Stony Brook Horse Campground is the quality and extent of the surrounding trail system, cementing its status as a premier riding base in Northern Minnesota.

Extensive Trail Network: The campground offers direct access to over 30 miles of dedicated multi-use trails, including those that connect into McCarthy Beach State Park trails. These trails are suitable for various skill levels and feature diverse terrains, including forests, rivers, meadows, and scenic hidden lakes.
Multi-Use Trail System: The trails are shared with other users, such as ATVs, hikers, and bikers, but are wide enough in many sections to accommodate multiple horses comfortably (some noted as wide enough for nine horses across).
Trail Connectivity: Stony Brook is an integral part of the regional equestrian network, linked by a 13-mile trail segment to the nearby Togo Horse Campground, providing options for multi-camp riding adventures.
Beautiful Wilderness Scenery: Riding in this area, especially during the fall season, is described as spectacular, featuring rolling hills and a mix of grass-covered and dirt tracks, with minimal rocky areas.
Dedicated Equestrian Facilities: The availability of two high-lines at each site, along with pull-through access for large trailers, makes this a truly rider-friendly base camp.
Year-Round Appeal: While the main riding season typically runs from May 1 to November 1, the campground is noted as being open year-round, allowing local enthusiasts to use the area for various winter activities like snowmobiling.

Contact Information

Stony Brook Horse Campground is located within the George Washington State Forest. For the most current information regarding trail conditions, fees, and operations, local users should contact the management unit.

Address: Cook, MN 55723, USA (General Area)

Phone: The facility is managed by McCarthy Beach State Park, and their contact number is often the best resource for official information: (218) 254-7979.

Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For Minnesota residents who are passionate about horseback riding, Stony Brook Horse Campground is an indispensable local resource. It offers a specialized and remote experience that is difficult to find elsewhere in the region. The sheer volume of well-maintained, multi-use trails—over 30 miles—means local riders can return repeatedly and explore new routes, making it a perfect base for weekend trips or longer equestrian holidays. The quiet, remote setting, which is occasionally visited by local wildlife like wolves and coyotes, provides the profound sense of wilderness and escape that Minnesotans often seek when they head "Up North."

The essential, dedicated amenities—from picket lines to trailer-friendly sites and the community feel of fellow riders—ensure that the focus remains on the joy of riding and camping, not on struggling with unsuitable facilities. For the local equestrian community, Stony Brook is more than just a place to pitch a tent; it is a reliable, beautiful, and vast playground that celebrates the unique bond between horse and rider in the heart of the George Washington State Forest.