Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground provides rustic camping with direct trail access for horse owners near Atlanta, Michigan. The campground features sites specifically designated for equestrians with lots 9 and higher reserved exclusively for horse campers, while non-horse campers stay in lots 1-8. Located directly on trail systems within a wooded setting, the campground accommodates both tent and RV camping in a rustic environment. The state forest campground maintains vault toilets and drinking water facilities. The campground is operational from May to October, making it accessible throughout the summer and early fall riding season. Most sites offer good tree coverage providing natural shade for horses and riders during hot summer days.
The Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp offers an alternative equestrian camping experience in the region, though reviews note the area has been substantially logged. Located in a secluded setting approximately 30 minutes from Atlanta, this small facility includes approximately six sites plus an open field designed for equestrian activities. McKinley Horse Trail Campground near Mio represents another option for trail riders, offering sites that accommodate both tents and RVs with toilet facilities. Pigeon River State Forest Campground, while not specifically designated as an equestrian facility, provides access to the Shingle Mill Pathway and receives positive reviews for its privacy and riverside camping. The campground's secluded location about 20 minutes from the nearest town means riders should arrive prepared with all necessary supplies, as there is no cell service in the area.
"The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."
"The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."
"Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild."
$61 - $95 / night
"While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls."
"The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location."
"Love this park, right down the street from our family cabin and you get the best views of the Au Sauble river for miles around."
"Island lake/Huron River Hudson Mills, Sturgeon River, Pine River MI. Also, Hiawasse River, TN"
"This place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to."
"The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate."
"Recommend the on site ATVrental lots of trails to ride"
GuideIt was logged off and is essentially destroyed. I think there's 6 "sites" and an open field for equestrian activities.
Very secluded. Nothing of interest in the nearby area.
Looks to be seldom used.
No cell service. Verizon is the dominant service up here. 0 signal.
LegendA horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8
GuideIt’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.
RangerThe Luzerne Express Campground is literally all you need in one spot. The whole place is incredibly accommodating. Friendly, helpful staff. There is an array of sites available plus RV’s and Cabins for rent so winter camping here is a blast. The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate. Walk right off the campground into the Huron National Forest.
TravelerEntire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets. Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild.
RangerThis campground is not my favorite, although my husband did not mind staying there. One of the reasons it is not my favorite is because the bathrooms were disgusting. I do not think that they were cleaned the entire four days we were there. They were super-hot and dirty. Another reason I did not care for the campground is because while we were there, my cousin’s dog was taken to doggy jail! We went on a kayaking trip down the Au Sable river and were gone a couple of hours. My cousin has a big dog that was tied to the tree. The dog had water, but must have knocked it over. The weather was not hot, it was in the low 70’s. My uncle’s site was right next door and he was watching the dog. My uncle was preparing dinner and went into the camper to grab what he needed to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. While he was making hamburger patties someone must have walked by and saw that the dog’s water was empty (because the dog knocked it over), that person went to the park attendant and they called animal control. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle said he was in the camper for about 20 mins making patties and getting food ready to grill outside. Apparently, it is not actually animal control that came to get him, it was a person down the street that takes the animals to his home on the weekend when animal control is not open. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle was frantic and walked around the entire campground and then went to the front desk. The lady was so rude to my uncle. My uncle is a very nice and funny man and he was just beside himself! My cousin came back from the kayaking trip and my uncle told him what happened. My cousin went to the man’s house that took the dog and had to pay $80 to get him out! It was quite the ordeal. My uncle felt bad because he wasn’t out there the entire time with the dog, but he wasn’t gone that long and it wasn’t that hot outside. My uncle would have seen that the water was empty and would have refilled it. The sites are HUGE and there are some trees, but I would not camp here again. That situation left a bad taste in my mouth and the bathrooms not being cleaned during our stay put me over the edge.
RangerWhile it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls. Full coin laundry was helpful too! They had kids activities over the 4thof July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on. Nearby towns of Gaylord and Boyne provided us with plenty to do, and only a couple hours to get to Sleeping Bear sand dunes. We thought this place was worth the expense- big, flat, level sites with fire pit and full hook up. Nice pine trees and plenty of space for kids to play. Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways.
ScoutThis place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to. Highly reccomend for anyone looking to camp without ANY ammentities. Access is 4x4 only winter months.
TravelerThis is one of the worst campgrounds I have ever been to. The bathrooms and showers close at 10pm, and the restrooms themselves are nasty, the showers cost $2 (in quarters) for 6 minutes of lukewarm water, the locals are hostile to unfamiliar faces, and to top it off, the rental ATVs and dirt track to ride them on is o ly separated from the campsites by a board fence, so expect to hear all kinds of small engines zipping by at all hours. The RV trailers for rental are all used trailers circa 1995 and "refurbished", which entails a quick coat of interior paint and laminate flooring screwed to the floors with drywall screws. Guests who have rented the RV trailers are instructed to not use the showers in their trailers. Absolutely not worth the money, would rate 0 stars if I could. If you are looking for a camping experience that puts you in the heart of upper Michigan redneck territory, this is the place for you. If you want a good experience, look elsewhere.
The northern Michigan wilderness around Atlanta offers secluded camping opportunities in the heart of dense forestland at elevations around 900 feet. The region features extensive trail systems connecting multiple state forests, creating a network popular with equestrians and outdoor enthusiasts. Weather conditions shift dramatically with seasons, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F and limited rainfall from June through August.
Trail riding adventures: Equestrians can access over 70 miles of connected trails directly from Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp, though recent logging has affected the landscape. One visitor noted, "Very secluded. Nothing of interest in the nearby area. Looks to be seldom used."
Hiking and backpacking: The Shingle Mill Pathway offers multiple loop options throughout Pigeon River State Forest. A reviewer at Pigeon River State Forest Campground shared, "The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."
Swimming in sinkholes: Natural sinkholes offer unique swimming spots throughout the region. A camper mentioned, "Lots of awesome sink holes to swim in, and even elk sightings. If you can manage to find this place, you will love it!"
Fishing opportunities: The Pigeon River provides excellent fly fishing opportunities. Sites along the water are particularly valuable, as one camper advised, "The best place to camp is right on the river which is lovely to fall asleep to at night."
Privacy between sites: Many equestrian campsites near Atlanta offer good separation between camping spots. At Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground, campers appreciate "peaceful and quiet and close to the sinkhole pathway. Clean bathrooms and large mostly private sites."
Natural sound barriers: River sites provide ambient noise that enhances privacy. A camper at Pigeon River noted, "Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. The river ran along the edge of our site."
Convenient trail access: Multiple campgrounds feature direct trail connections. One camper at Sturgeon Valley Campground shared, "Judy is lovely. River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak."
Low traffic volumes: Many equestrian campgrounds remain relatively uncrowded. A visitor to McKinley Horse Trail Campground noted, "Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to."
Cell service limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds around Atlanta have minimal or no cellular coverage. One Pigeon River camper warned, "Beware of the bugs! Also, there is no cell service."
Water considerations: Not all equestrian sites offer drinking water for horses or humans. Visitors to McKinley Horse Trail Campground should note it's "amazing if you just like to get away from everything... Highly recommend for anyone looking to camp without ANY amenities."
Access challenges: Some remote sites require appropriate vehicles. A McKinley visitor cautioned, "Access is 4x4 only winter months."
Supply preparation: Isolated locations require bringing all necessities. A Pigeon River visitor advised, "Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away. Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service."
River safety awareness: Monitor children around waterways at horse campgrounds. At Pigeon River, a camper warned, "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under."
Bug protection strategies: Ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent. One hiker mentioned, "The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks."
Campsite selection factors: Choose sites based on family needs and equipment. A Pigeon River camper noted, "You can pick sites on the river or back by the woods. There are vault toilets and a well for water... Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large RVs."
Alternative facilities: For families wanting more amenities, Chandler Hill Campground offers additional comforts. A visitor shared, "We've camped here for two years in a row and we LOVE it! Everyone is so friendly. Camp sites are nicely spread out and our 4 kids have a ball. They just updated their playground area as well!"
Site size considerations: Many equestrian campsites accommodate larger vehicles. At Pigeon River, a camper noted, "I've seen people tenting and I've seen people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large RVs."
Water and power planning: Most horse campgrounds near Atlanta are rustic without full hookups. Plan water usage accordingly and bring sufficient battery power.
Dump station locations: Research sanitary dump options before arrival. Most equestrian campgrounds don't have onsite facilities.
Leveling requirements: Some sites require significant leveling. A camper at Gaylord KOA remarked, "Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Atlanta, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Atlanta, MI is Pigeon River State Forest Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Atlanta, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Atlanta, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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