Enjoy 120 grassy, shaded sites welcoming tents, RV's and everything in between. We offer rustic family camping with all the amenities including full sewer services, electric and water on site. We also offer two full bath houses, 3 small bath houses, 14 showers (regular & handicap accessible) as well as coin-operated laundry facilities.
Join us for special theme weekends, arts & crafts and family-friendly activities. You can also enjoy the sandy swimming beach on Long Lake, fish off the many docks available, hike or bike the 25 miles of trails or just relax at the Ranch House bar. The rental of the Ranch House, beach pavilion, amphitheater stage or large event tent is available by special request as well.
Join us for special theme weekends, arts & crafts and family-friendly activities. You can also enjoy the sandy swimming beach on Long Lake, fish off the many docks available, hike or bike the 25 miles of trails or just relax at the Ranch House bar. The rental of the Ranch House, beach pavilion, amphitheater stage or large event tent is available by special request as well.
Services
El Rancho's 1208 acres is the place for you. With 25 miles of trails through rolling hills, meadows, creeks, ponds, vast hardwoods, and an abundance of nature we invite you to bring your horse for the day or camp for the night in our designated horse camping area. Rates include 2 adults, immediate children (under 18), 1 rig, 1 horse & trail access during your stay.
With 1,208 acres of wooded rolling scenic hill to explore you will enjoy a campground with a beautiful sandy beach of Long Lake. With traditional style family campground with something for the entire family, no matter what your style of camping. Enjoy a day of hiking, fishing, swimming from our sandy beach, a game of volley ball or horseshoes, playground, boating, or just relaxing in your campsite among the tall trees.
We offer horseback riding guided trails on the ranch's horses. This is guided walking trail ride on 1,208 acres with 25 miles of senic wooded trails in Central Minnesota. The Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Festival is the largest and most respected bluegrass event in the Upper Midwest. It features a blend of national and regional professionally touring performers.
From company parties & corporate retreats to saddle clubs & bachelor/bachelorette events, scout groups & wedding parties, ERM has something for everyone. We offer group rates for horseback riding, camping and venue rentals along with a variety of spaces on the grounds suitable for groups of all sizes.
Enjoy a walking, guided trail ride on some of our 25 miles of scenic trails led by one of our experienced trail staff. Reservations can be made by calling 320-597-2740. Long pants & close-toed shoes are recommended for your comfort during your horseback ride. Enjoy a scenic trolley or wagonette ride while spending time with family & friends.
Reviews (10)
Mary Legatt
Sep 21, 2021
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Beautiful place to horse back ride with lots of trails and plenty of space in the meadow for our horse trailer to park/camp! Lots of rolling hills and views to rival anywhere in MN. Saw some good looking rental horses taking guided groups out.
I was surprised there weren't more riders out on a gorgeous weekend. I'm thinking it's one of those hidden jewels.
We brought our own horses and were prepared to keep checking the maps so we wouldn't get lost.
Lots of trail signs but the maps didn't show many of them so we will be using GPS next time.
I was surprised there weren't more riders out on a gorgeous weekend. I'm thinking it's one of those hidden jewels.
We brought our own horses and were prepared to keep checking the maps so we wouldn't get lost.
Lots of trail signs but the maps didn't show many of them so we will be using GPS next time.
Caron Theis
Aug 25, 2021
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We were at this campsite for Minnesota old time bluegrass festival there is so much going on fun stuff. The folks that put this show on, to them I must say bravo you have thought of Everything. Amazing place and ALL the volunteers are very helpful . we had a very nice time. So much talent and so fun to be out amongst fellow music lovers. I can't wait to go back and check out the camping by the lake. Everything everywhere was so warm and cozy. I would recomend to many friends
Russ Copeland
Jul 25, 2021
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Had a good time relaxing the 4 day weekend there. Got to observe turkeys, deer, a fox, and I can't forget about the horses. Staff was friendly and accommodating. Horse ride was nice with my kids. Only 4 stars as there isn't a very entertaining playground for the amount of kids that were there, but the beach did keep them occupied during the July heat. I'll be back.
Jessica Calvin
Apr 20, 2021
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Last year we had an "ok" experience. The trails and horsebacking riding were nice; however, we would often not receive responses when we would reach out with questions, requests etc. The owner is extremely nice and helpful; however, the other employees become difficult after that. After this last year, we debated on returning to purchase another seasonal location and finally about a month ago decided to give El Rancho another shot. We left numerous messages within the month with no return call. We finally we received a return call this last week and was advised that they had limited seasonal reservations
Brent M.
Apr 15, 2021
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El Rancho is mediocre at best. This place has to have the worst staff ever. Stayed their all last year as a seasonal. Constant issues with the campground enforcing their own policies. Had other campers constantly in our space like it was theirs. This included other campers dogs running wild and attacking our dog who was secured on our site. Adults and kids damaging our personal property and when you would call for assistance you got a 16 year old kid saying I don't know what to do. Lake attached is small with no fish, boat docks are a disaster with a horrible landing, bathrooms are unkempt non
Justin S.
Jan 08, 2021
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It is pretty nice place to go out with families . However, the granting experience doesn’t turn out the way I imagine ! It is like tenting in a busy supermarket ! Not very quiet to tent at night ! They even set firework till 10:30 pm at night ! If you try to catch sleep early , it is a bummer ! Anyway, It is still nice despite the tenting ! If you are night owl , you can go !
Samantha Rule
Oct 24, 2020
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Morgan B.
Sep 29, 2020
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Our horseback riding guides were super unfriendly and borderline rude. We had a group of 8 with reservations. There was no welcome or greeting just rules right away. We were snapped at repeatedly for doing exactly what they said to do. It was confusing and we felt extremely unwelcome. It was like they were miserable to have us..they were friendly to the 2 other people in the group that weren’t with us. It was bizarre- we won’t be back and will not recommend this place to anyone.
Kathy Crosswhite
Sep 02, 2020
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I think the docks where the boats park needs all replacing and the weeds gone by the boats and swimming area, there should be rope as to how far swimmers can go and that the boats coming in dont get to close to the people. Our area we had was nice, playground could use some more play things for the kids, a slide etc.
Place needs a little TLC. I would go again.
Place needs a little TLC. I would go again.
Jenny Hoppe
Jun 26, 2020
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Great place to bring the family or friends for a great get away weekend! 1200 acres of trails to horseback ride on, go swimming or boating on the lake, or just hangout by a campfire. The Wild West show in June is always a blast and the Bluegrass festival in August is so big and fun with amazing food vendors! I've been camping here since I was little and met my now Husband here at the Wild West show. Such great memories for the both of us here at El Rancho over the years.
