Looking to head to Horse Lake via ep23 week of 7/22-7/31. Have seen lots of posts saying this is a busy lake but have not been able to determine just how busy.

Heading in on a Saturday, will we be at a severe disadvantage for a site on Horse? Is ep23 a permit that may require me to enter the lottery?

Fourtown is a fine 2nd option but after reading trip reports etc. we are really hoping for Horse. Any info would be a great help.

I would figure one party for each campsite.

We haven't had a problem getting a site on Horse any of the three times we've based there, but we were entering on a Sunday or mid-week and settling in by noonish. It did seem like all of the sites on the lake did eventually fill each day. Entering on Saturday may prove a disadvantage for you here, with a combination of folks making their first stop after entering and other folks making it their last stop before heading home on Sunday.

There is no lottery for the Mudro EP. I do recommend that you get online and secure your permit there right away on the day that general reservations open - 9:00 am Jan 27.

We've been to Horse Lake twice and neither time did we have a problem finding a site. One time the two campsites at the North end of the lake were open all three days we were there. However, this was late June/early July.

Thank you for the responses, I will certainly get our permit ASAP on the 27th. Seems like Horse is certainly a busy lake, so might as well have a backup plan. I have seen some posts stating that Tin Can Mike lake is a good one, or we can always go to Fourtown if needed.

It's nice to hear though that it won't be impossible to get a site on Horse. Some people (myself included) head out on Saturdays so that Sunday is a day of rest before work.