Jami M.
Guide
GuideIonia State Recreation Area
Great get away
Clean, family friendly, beautiful. Take a walk through the equestrian to check out the horses.
Equestrian Camping near Ada, MI
8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Fort Custer Recreation Area offers extensive equestrian trails and dedicated horse camping facilities near Ada, Michigan. The park maintains separate equestrian camping areas with ample space for horse trailers and equipment. Riders access over 25 miles of marked bridle paths through diverse terrain including wooded areas and open fields. The trails are well-maintained and clearly marked, making them suitable for riders of all experience levels. Most equestrian sites include hitching posts, water access, and space for portable corrals. The park's multi-use trail system accommodates horses year-round, though spring conditions can occasionally create muddy sections on some trails.
Double RR Ranch RV Resort provides riverfront equestrian camping with on-site trail riding opportunities. The resort features guided trail rides suitable for inexperienced riders and children, with routes that cross through shallow sections of the river. Horse owners appreciate the dedicated equestrian sites with space for trailers and tack storage. The campground connects to several miles of wooded riding trails that showcase local wildlife. Ely Lake Campground in Allegan County offers additional horse camping options with rustic sites and designated equestrian trails. The natural setting provides miles of trails for riders to explore, with yellow trail markers helping navigate the routes. Both campgrounds require advance reservations during peak summer months, with special considerations for equestrian campers regarding manure disposal and designated horse areas.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Ada (8)
1. Ionia State Recreation Area
"Take a walk through the equestrian to check out the horses."
"There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing. "
from $20 - $160 / night
Check Availability2. Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins
"Amazing spot away from the city! The owner of the place is very accommodating and pleasant to be around. Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!"
"The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here"
3. Double RR Ranch RV Resort
"We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids. It is close to a town to get take out food if it rains."
4. Duke Creek Campground
"Right across the road from Michigan's Adventure amusement park"
"Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day! We should have reserved an entire week!"
5. Fort Custer Recreation Area
"The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶"
"Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes."
from $21 - $108 / night
Check Availability6. Ely Lake Campground
"No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails."
"All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover."
from $17 / night
Check Availability7. Equestrian Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area
from $20 / night
Check Availability8. Eaton County Fairgrounds
"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
Drive Time
- 11 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 44 min from Muskegon, MI
- 56 min from Kalamazoo, MI
- 1 hr 7 min from Battle Creek, MI
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Ada, MI
2 Photos of 8 Ada Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Ada, MI
87 Reviews of 8 Ada Campgrounds
- JJames K.
TravelerEly Lake Campground
Beautiful rustic sites with loud parties at night
Ely Lake Campground is a County campground in Allegan Michigan. All of the sites are rustic. Here are the bullet points:
- There are no bathrooms, just pit toilets.
- There is no electricity.
- There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored.
- Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table.
- They don't sell firewood, but you can by some in town on your way in.
- There is a beach.
- You can make reservations online ahead of time, or show up and find an empty site (but bring cash or check to pay because its a drop box).
- They have equestrian trails and sites.
First the positives: It is a beautiful rustic campground. We stayed on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake. The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake, however it is ill defined in some places so just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees (which are everywhere so you wont get lost).
This place also attracts a lot of equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding. So if you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends.
The negatives: It is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager). There is loud music , people yelling, fireworks going off and… not very much sleep. And I am not just talking about a few people with their music on -- it was someone blasting their sub-woofer with electronic dance music until 4:45 AM. It was really disappointing because otherwise the experience was positive. Luckily my kids are all deep sleepers so I was the only one who had to sit up all night.
They clean the bathrooms daily from what I can tell, but otherwise the campground is not maintained. There was trash around our site, and when you walk the trail about the lake you will see cigarette packets and beer bottles occasionally. Also along the trail were two massive hornet nests that really should have been removed by park management - but it's clear they don't ever maintain the trail.
If you're willing to overlook some garbage, and if the party people stay away you could have a wonderful camping trip. Allegan County has a beautiful natural resource here, but sadly it seems like it is being squandered, and wont last.
- Joshua E.Traveler
Ionia State Recreation Area
Great activities for outdoors lovers
Ionia has so many great outdoor activities for almost anyone. There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing. The beach is fantastic especially for little kids who might not be the best swimmers ready for Lake Michigan or lakes with lots of boats and waves to deal with. Nice and sandy and a nice store and ice cream shop at the beach.
The campground itself is very nice, but you may find the activities are a short drive away from your site to get there. The sites are all a little bit shallow especially if you have a larger travel trailer you may find it a bit tight. There is a great variety of shaded and sunny sites. There is only one bathroom for the campground so it can be a bit busy and it could probably use an update.
Suzi K.
ScoutEly Lake Campground
Words Can't Describe
This is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!
- Diana M.Traveler
Fort Custer Recreation Area
Perfect for families
The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶
- Janet N.Scout
Fort Custer Recreation Area
Something for everyone
MMichigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25per night with electric. Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes. Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky.
- KKaren O.Traveler
Fort Custer Recreation Area
Huge and has so much to offer
Wow! Three lakes, hiking, biking and horse trails, showers, camp host and super quiet this past week while there. Not many campers, but everyone there seemed pleasant and were quiet. Deep sites, electric if you so desire, firepit and tables. I use a tent. Driving from the west through Augusta is a treat...so pretty. Civilization not far at all. Fishing, beach, play areas and an amusement park for mountain bikers! No alcohol. Will return!
- EEllen S.Traveler
Ely Lake Campground
Great Rustic Campground
I have been camping here a couple years. It is open year round. All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover.
- Joanie C.Scout
Double RR Ranch RV Resort
Lots to do
There is a river to explore and we always get a riverfront site. Rivers are just fun for fishing, throwing stones, canoeing. There is a campstore, Firepits, large trees, they do hayrides for kids, too. We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids. It is close to a town to get take out food if it rains. There are some larger vacation lodges to rent that ars nestled away in the woods, and a bunkhouse with rentals. My husband liked the golf course that came with renting spot. Seen lots of wildlife. Very relaxing time in our pop up not too far from Grand Rapids.
Guide to Ada
Equestrian camping near Ada, Michigan offers access to extensive bridle paths through Michigan's forested terrain. The area receives annual snowfall of about 70 inches, creating seasonal challenges for trail riding from December through March. Most trails remain open year-round, though early spring often brings muddy conditions requiring careful navigation.
What to do
Trail riding access points: At Fort Custer Recreation Area, riders can access the multi-use trail system with proper trail etiquette. A camper notes, "Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky."
Beach swimming opportunities: Multiple lakes throughout the equestrian campgrounds provide swimming access after trail rides. According to one visitor to Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins, "Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!" Non-motorized lakes ensure quiet conditions for horses.
Winter trail exploration: During winter months, some trails remain accessible for cold-weather riding. Pack extra water and supplies as some facilities reduce services. "There is a dumpster available in the busier parts of the season but this campground is open year round," mentions a regular visitor about seasonal changes.
What campers like
Private sites with natural screening: Many equestrian campgrounds feature sites with vegetation barriers between camping areas. One Duke Creek Campground visitor mentioned, "We found a campsite that was large with vegetation separating us from neighbors," creating privacy for horses and equipment.
Family-friendly horse activities: Campgrounds often schedule horse-related events for younger visitors. As one camper shared, "Your kids will LOVE this place-we had a blast! Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day!"
Lakeside horse camping: Ely Lake Campground combines water recreation with equestrian trails. "We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at its purest!" reports a long-time visitor.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: During peak season (May-September), equestrian sites fill quickly. Many horse campgrounds near Ada require advance booking. "You can make reservations online ahead of time, or show up and find an empty site (but bring cash or check to pay because its a drop box)."
Trail markings: Equestrian paths typically use yellow markers on trees. "Just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees (which are everywhere so you wont get lost)," advises one rider about following horse trails around lakes.
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds experience higher noise levels on weekends. "This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager). There is loud music, people yelling, fireworks going off," warns one camper about weekend conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Child-friendly equestrian programs: Double RR Ranch RV Resort offers special riding programs for less experienced riders. "We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids," notes a family who visited with children.
Cabin options for mixed groups: For families with both riders and non-riders, cabins provide comfortable accommodations. "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here," shares a parent who visited with multiple children.
Budget-friendly fairground camping: For families seeking economical options, fairground camping can provide basic services at lower rates. "Only $20 nightly, full hookup, nice wooded sites," mentions a visitor to Eaton County Fairgrounds, noting its proximity to town conveniences.
Tips from RVers
Electric-only considerations: Many horse campgrounds offer limited hookups. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," cautions one RVer about facilities at certain campgrounds, suggesting bringing additional water supplies.
Trailer parking dimensions: Equestrian sites typically provide larger parking areas for horse trailers, but interior roads may present challenges. "The 'roads' inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels," advises a regular camper familiar with site layouts.
Generator requirements: At rustic horse campgrounds without electrical hookups, generators become essential. "Can run your generator (inverter type is best). Solar is a negative due to tree cover," explains an experienced equestrian camper about power management strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Ada, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ada, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ada, MI is Ionia State Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 15 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Ada, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ada, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Ada, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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