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 Ashley, MI
8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground offers equestrian trails and facilities for horse owners camping near Ashley, Michigan. The park features designated horse trails throughout its 2,600 acres with access to Lake Ovid. Horse owners can enjoy miles of bridle paths that wind through wooded areas and open fields. The campground provides electric hookups at most sites with asphalt pads suitable for horse trailers. Riders frequently mention the well-maintained trails and the ability to ride directly from the campground to the trail system. The park maintains separate equestrian day-use areas with ample trailer parking for those not staying overnight.
The extensive trail network at Sleepy Hollow connects to multiple loops designed specifically for horseback riding, with routes ranging from beginner-friendly paths to more challenging terrain. Water access points along the trails allow horses to drink and cool off during rides. Double RR Ranch RV Resort in Belding offers an alternative with on-site horse rentals and guided trail rides through shallow parts of the river, making it accessible for inexperienced riders and children. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring often bringing muddy sections that may limit access to certain areas. Most equestrian campsites require reservations well in advance, especially during summer weekends and fall color season when the trails are particularly popular among horse enthusiasts from throughout Michigan.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Ashley (8)
1. Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground
"What can I say, I love the Michigan State Parks. I find they are the best, Sleepy Hollow is not different and it has so many things to do. "
"Quietly tucked into Clinton co Michigan. Sleepy is easily accessible. Its close to Lansing. There are shopping centers nearby. Country party store is closer!! Very large lake....Ovid is her name!"
from $20 - $160 / night
Check Availability2. 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 Availability3. Seven Lakes State Park Campground
"There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.)"
"Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about. "
from $32 - $37 / night
Check Availability4. Covenant Hills Camp
"Large play areas, dog run, basketball court, lots of walking trails, and family friendly."
"The location is pretty great, off the beaten path but, within 30 minutes of major stores and conveniences. "
5. 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"
6. 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."
7. Holts RV Sites and Mobile Home Court
8. Eaton County Fairgrounds
"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
Drive Time
- 33 min from Lansing, MI
- 46 min from Saginaw, MI
- 47 min from Midland, MI
- 1 hr 3 min from Bay City, MI
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Ashley, MI
78 Reviews of 8 Ashley Campgrounds
- Joshua E.
TravelerIonia 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.
Mary T.
LegendSleepy Hollow State Park Campground
I know another great Michigan State Park
What can I say, I love the Michigan State Parks. I find they are the best, Sleepy Hollow is not different and it has so many things to do. I would advise if you want to camp there on a weekend to make reservations well in advance. We stay here because there are only 2 campgrounds in the Lansing East Lansing Area this being one of them and the other does not have all full hook ups and charges more. When we visit our daughter at Michigan State University this is the place we stay, 20 - 30 minutes into the University depending upon the traffic.
It has large wooded sites only electric but you can fill up the water at the dump station. Each site has a picnic table and Fire ring. Each campsite has a asphalt pad. They sell fire wood at the campground office. Bring what you need or you can go into St. johns to the Kroger or Walmart. they have 2 main camping loops with 2 loops in each of the main loops and a shower restroom in each main loop. The restrooms are very clean and kept up. I love the showers hot water and for me that is hot and great pressure, I could shower all day. Sure beats our shower in the RV.
The State Park is on Ovid Lake and it is a beautiful lake, great for fishing, canoeing, paddle boards, kayak, and swimming. they have a shelter for you if you have a big party.
They also have a group campsite and a picnic area for large groups. d You can also bring your horses go to the Equestrian area and unload and get on the trail.
You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and paddle boards. They also have a great play ground for the kids and a fishing pier. Bring Bikes or just hike on the trails and head down to the beach.
- Kristina P.Traveler
Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground
ok
quiet campground during the day, short drive to the beach, biking and equestrian trails available. loud around the restroom at night, cleaning crew came through at 10 pm.
- KKaren P.Traveler
Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground
Sleepy, as i call it...
Quietly tucked into Clinton co Michigan. Sleepy is easily accessible. Its close to Lansing. There are shopping centers nearby. Country party store is closer!! Very large lake....Ovid is her name! Offers many species of fish for catching!! There are fishing docks, ONE IS NOT VERY ACCESSIBLE TO NON AMBULATORY PERSONS !!! THIS ONE'S IN THE CAMP AREA! The path is nicely groomed. The bea h is a long way from the parking lot a d there is no beach access from camp. The park is usually a clean family place...but for really young children or elderly persons it may. Ot be your first choice. I live nearby and have camped there zillions of times. I love it and shower bouses in camp are clean! Friendly staff a d they ate SERIOUS about quiet time! Bug spray required !!
David F.GuideSleepy Hollow State Park Campground
Nature is where it's at
I frequent this park if I am camping or not. decent disc gof course and access to Lake Ovid is great, miles of trails to hike/bike/ride horses. Hosts are very friendly and is always a joy to talk with the rangers
- JJacob B.
ScoutSleepy Hollow State Park Campground
Best hiking trails within 1gour drive of the state capital
Fun backpacking trails best trails close to state capital
fishing ,boating, disc golf, horse and bike trails,
Geocaching available.
- NNick W.Guide
Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground
Disappointing
This was our last stop on a trip where we camped in 6 different Michigan State Parks. This may be an older camp or the DNR was trying to save money when it was built. Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension. We tried several lots and couldn’t reach any of the outlets. We finally met a couple who saId they had extensions at the office. So, we finally got set up with an extension cord from the camp office and decided to walk to the beach. Our site was adjacent to the path leading to the beach so we figured we could use a little walk. The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach on this small lake. It was all very scenic, but we weren’t expecting a major hike to get to the beach. Showers are nice. They also have a neat ice cream vending machine that I had to check out for scientific purposes only. For a Michigan state park we were quite disappointed.
- Syed M.Guide
Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground
Fun but don’t party
Awesome campground, horse trails available, volleyball nets, beach, and trails! Don’t get too rowdy however because the DNR constantly patrols the area.
Guide to Ashley
Equestrian campgrounds near Ashley, Michigan offer access to miles of dedicated horse trails in a landscape characterized by rolling farmland and mature forests. The region sits at elevations ranging from 800-900 feet and features a mix of state-owned recreation land and private equestrian facilities. Spring conditions can create muddy sections on trails, while summer provides firmer footing for riding.
What to do
Trail riding outside marked areas: At Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground, visitors can explore beyond the designated bridle paths. "The park is very large, so it is always good to have a vehicle able to drive to the trails and beach," notes Nathan V., who appreciated the extensive trail network connecting different parts of the park.
Fishing from horseback: Several shallow water areas allow riders to fish while mounted. "Fishing is good here for some largemouth bass, and huge blueguils," reports Michael P. about Sleepy Hollow, making it possible to combine riding and angling in one outing.
Family horse experiences: Double RR Ranch RV Resort offers options for those without their own horses. According to Joanie C., "We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids." This makes horseback experiences accessible to novice riders.
What campers like
Large, accommodating campsites: The equestrian sites provide ample room for horse trailers. Nathan V. describes Sleepy Hollow's sites: "Campsites are decent sized, can fit probably 3 four person tents per site, which includes a concrete firepit and picnic table."
Water access for horses: Seven Lakes State Park Campground offers natural water sources along trails. "Sand Lake was our spot and the water was breath taking... Crystal clear, clean water," reports Andy B., highlighting the quality water sources available for horses.
Shaded riding areas: Mature forests provide relief from summer heat. "In the north campsites there is a lot of tree covering, and there are a lot of walnut trees," notes Nathan V. about Sleepy Hollow, referencing the natural canopy that extends to the trail system.
What you should know
Extension cords needed: Most electrical hookups require long cords to reach sites. "Be sure to bring at least 100 feet of extension chord if you want electricity, because the power ports are not as accessible from some areas," advises Nathan V. about Sleepy Hollow.
Weather impacts: Trail conditions vary dramatically with rainfall. At Covenant Hills Camp, which offers additional riding opportunities, David B. notes it remains a "Good, quiet campground" despite seasonal variations.
Reservation timing: Peak season fills quickly, especially for sites that can accommodate trailers. "They take very good care of this campground.. Lots to do for kids!" mentions Carol M. about Covenant Hills, suggesting families book well in advance.
Varying trail difficulty: The region offers paths for all skill levels. At Seven Lakes, Maggie M. reports, "Seven Lakes has a great hike that takes you all around the lake, as well as smaller loops. You can find challenging hikes or an easy path," with many of these trails also accessible to horseback riders.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly horse activities: Look for guided experiences designed for children. Joanie C. emphasizes that Double RR Ranch offers rides that are "Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids," making them suitable for younger family members.
Beach access: Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins provides swimming opportunities after trail rides. "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here," says Nora M.
Playground proximity: Choose sites based on activity needs. At Covenant Hills, David B. suggests being selective: "Good, quiet campground (unless your on a site around the playground)lots to keep the kids busy," highlighting the importance of site selection for families.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many equestrian sites require additional equipment for RVs. Amy D. shares her Sleepy Hollow experience: "Our site backed up to trees and I can't recall seeing our neighbors to the left or right. Because we didn't get any shade from the nearby trees we had to run the ac."
Fairground alternatives: For RVers seeking more facilities, Eaton County Fairgrounds offers spaces with good utility access. "This is a fairgrounds RV and tent park. Very peaceful when there are no ongoing events. Large bath house with Showers," reports Northstorm T., noting it costs "Only $20 nightly, full hookup, nice wooded sites."
Distance to trailheads: Some campgrounds require driving to access horse trails. Stephanie C. notes about Sleepy Hollow: "There is a beach and playground, but it is quite the walk from the campground. Plan to drive or bike ride if you have trouble walking long distances."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Ashley, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ashley, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ashley, MI is Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 32 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Ashley, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ashley, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Ashley, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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