Best Equestrian Camping near Huron-Manistee National Forests

Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground accommodates riders with 21 spacious sites specifically designed for equestrian use. The campground features multiple hitching posts throughout the grounds, providing convenient places to secure horses while campers set up. Each site includes a fire ring and most have picnic tables, with the layout specifically designed to accommodate vehicles with horse trailers. Water pumps intended for horses are available on site, ensuring animals stay hydrated during their stay. The campground provides clean pit toilets and is well-maintained throughout the season. Sites remain flat and generously sized, allowing ample room for both camping equipment and horse care. The campground operates from May 1 to Labor Day and permits stays up to two weeks at no cost. Campsites have good cellular reception for Verizon users but limited service with T-Mobile.

Several horse trails connect directly to the campground, offering riders immediate access to forest paths without trailering. The pine-forested setting creates a natural environment for horses and riders alike. Located approximately 20 minutes from town, the campground allows easy access to supplies and any needed provisions. Turtle Lake Campground offers another equestrian option in the region with a dedicated horse camping area that includes water and electric hookups. This campground combines family-friendly amenities with equestrian facilities, making it suitable for groups with varied interests. Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp serves as another access point along the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail for horseback riders, providing rustic camping with forest and lake exploration opportunities. Trail camps throughout the Huron-Manistee National Forests region provide essential facilities for riders exploring Michigan's extensive bridle trail network.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Huron-Manistee National Forests (12)

    1. Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground

    5 Reviews
    Manistee, MI
    17 miles
    Website

    "I only spent a night here while passing through, but it's a very nice campground that's specifically suited to equestrians."

    "I wish we had a place to dump our grey water, but otherwise it was an easy drive in and had fresh water."

    2. Turtle Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Honor, MI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 275-7353

    "Turtle Lake is a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade."

    "Family friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake. They have a camp for horses too."

    3. Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    9 Reviews
    Interlochen, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5280

    "We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground."

    "Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir."

    4. Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Fife Lake, MI
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 857-8000

    $25 - $55 / night

    "We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice! Very close to Manistee River and canoe/raft liveries, very fun family togetherness activity."

    5. Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Grawn, MI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 943-4150

    $25 / night

    "Quiet, large sites, like new bath house, 7th nite free, rate$35, good location for northwestern Michigan sites Water on all outside sites. interior sites share water hookups"

    6. Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Kingsley, MI
    30 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5280

    "The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people)."

    "I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents."

    7. Whiskey Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Custer, MI
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 898-2030

    "Activities, trails, fishing, swimming or just relax! One of our family's favorite spots up north."

    8. Whiskey Creek Resort

    1 Review
    Custer, MI
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 898-2030

    "General store ,fuel on site small lake, park has a hilly layout. New showers in camping area, meeting area at club house host are excellent."

    9. Manistee National Forest Condon Lakes West Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area

    1 Review
    Bitely, MI
    39 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 745-4631

    "Got here around 1730 on a Sunday. Have the whole place to myself. Not bad getting into, signal is poor. Lots of wildlife."

    10. Timbers Edge Campground

    4 Reviews
    Hesperia, MI
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 854-0092

    "We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!"

    "A lot of horses and hunters. Price was good for electric and water. Nice for dog walking. Friendly managers. No cell service"

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Huron-Manistee National Forests

1 Photos of 12 Huron-Manistee National Forests Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Huron-Manistee National Forests

43 Reviews of 12 Huron-Manistee National Forests Campgrounds


  • evi L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2021

    Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground

    Everything you need

    I only spent a night here while passing through, but it's a very nice campground that's specifically suited to equestrians. This established and well maintained campground is free, and you can stay up to two weeks. There's a well kept pit toilet, 21 established campsites w/ firerings, and even a water pump (meant for horses.) Only a few other campers on a Wednesday night, including some people with horses, and all have been friendly. The campsites are all flat and quite large, being that they are meant to accommodate people with a horse trailer, and there are numerous hitching posts throughout the campground. A great place overall.

  • Judy  B.
    Jul. 15, 2016

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Beautiful Campground

    We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground. This campground had easy access to the water, and the restrooms were very clean. The campground seemed to have a lot if unnecessary traffic.

  • Gemma G.
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Schecks Place-TRAIL CAMP enjoy privacy, the river, horse trails

    There are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.

    The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).

    The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.

    There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.

    The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down.

    There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect.

  • J
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Primitive State Forest CG right on the Boardman River

    I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents. It’s a great home base or overnight camp for canoeists and kayakers (my particular interest). The camp is also used by mountain bikers & gravel riders, ATV riders, anglers, and equestrians (separate camp area). Large wooded sites. Primitive means vault toilets, no power and hand pump water. No reservations — FCFS.

    Negatives: can be noisy at times with the ATVs and also large camping groups. But for the most part I’ve found ppl to be respectful. A couple of the sites flooded after an unusually heavy rain today, so I would avoid any site that looks low if rain is expected.

    Site 16 is good. High and dry after the rain.

  • Becky P.
    May. 31, 2018

    Timbers Edge Campground

    Quiet Getaway!

    We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!

  • C
    Jun. 20, 2020

    Turtle Lake Campground

    Camping for everyone!!

    Turtle Lake is a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade. We will definitely be staying here again! They also have a separate equestrian camping area that have water and electric hookup sites.

  • Dalton B.
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Childhood Favorite

    Cant count how many times i've been here. Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir. Rustic, cheap, horse friendly, out house, and pleanty of forest and lake to explore.

  • Arron P.
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Hungerford Lake Campground

    Rustic camping at finest!

    Dispersed camping and camp sites available. There are horse staging areas and hiking trails. The lake is nice, small enough for a kayak/ no motor boat, nice.

  • S
    May. 8, 2019

    Timbers Edge Campground

    Nice for horses and hunting

    I went in November. Most campers were there on the weekend. Pit toilets, a pond, hot showers but shower room unheated, no dump station,nice size lots. A lot of horses and hunters. Price was good for electric and water. Nice for dog walking. Friendly managers. No cell service


Guide to Huron-Manistee National Forests

Horse camping near Huron-Manistee National Forests in Michigan offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

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Tips for equestrian camping near Huron-Manistee National Forests in Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Huron-Manistee National Forests?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Huron-Manistee National Forests is Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Huron-Manistee National Forests?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Huron-Manistee National Forests, with real photos and reviews from campers.