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 Bath, MI
15 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground provides equestrian accommodations with dedicated horse trails spanning 15 miles through the 2,678-acre park near Laingsburg, Michigan. The park offers both drive-in campsites and rustic hike-in camping options for horse owners who prefer different camping experiences. While the main campground does not have dedicated horse corrals, the park maintains separate equestrian camping areas specifically designed for riders traveling with horses. Bathroom facilities with showers are available in the modern campground sections, though the equestrian camping areas have more primitive amenities. The DNR patrols regularly enforce quiet hours, ensuring a peaceful experience for all campers. Campsites include concrete fire pits and picnic tables, with many sites large enough to accommodate horse trailers.
Trail riders have access to well-maintained horse trails that connect throughout the park, offering scenic routes around Lake Ovid. The trails are shared with hikers and mountain bikers in designated sections, but contain horse-only portions to prevent user conflicts. Horse owners should bring water buckets as watering stations are limited along the trails. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons and fall weekends when the park hosts special events. Water access for horses is available at designated points, though campers often bring portable water troughs for convenience at their sites. The primitive equestrian sites require more preparation but offer greater seclusion for camping with horses. Some sites are positioned near the lake, allowing horses cooling access during hot summer months when the trails remain open from dawn until dusk.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Bath (15)
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. Bishop Lake Campground — Brighton Recreation Area
"Campground Review: Bishop Lake is a great campground located in the middle of the Brighton Rec Area. The upper and lower campgrounds are both modern, with every site including electric."
"Great family place with paved and dirt biking/hiking trails. Very nice beach with grass and sand. There are 2 areas of inflatables, one of them is for the little kids 48 in. and under."
from $32 - $37 / night
Check Availability3. 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 Availability4. Eaton County Fairgrounds
"Large bath house with Showers. No office in park, so find a space and park. The manager will stop by to collect your $20."
5. Sugarloaf Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area
"Lots of trails within reach and a horse riding stable if that is your thing. Heard lots of wolves, saw lots of tracks but no animals. I’d like to go back in the spring and hike around some more!"
"It is usually easy to get multiple sites next to each other with reservations.
There is a decent sandy beach here with a playground and volleyball net."from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability6. Hell Creek Ranch & Campground
"As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here"
"Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan. Large pool in season. Priced reasonably."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability7. 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 Availability8. Highland Recreation Area Campground
"Great time to unplug and just enjoy our surroundings and begin to learn our own creativity!"
"This is one of our family's favorite close to home sites. Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around. Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding."
from $20 - $186 / night
Check Availability9. Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins
"Cabins, electric and bath houses!"
"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!!!"
10. 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."
Drive Time
- 9 min from Lansing, MI
- 34 min from Flint, MI
- 41 min from Jackson, MI
- 1 hr from Saginaw, MI
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Bath, MI
1 Photos of 15 Bath Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Bath, MI
129 Reviews of 15 Bath 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.
- AAshley S.Scout
Hell Creek Ranch & Campground
Perfect for the whole family
What started as a little get away turned into not wanting to leave! A swimming pool and playground with basketball court to keep my kids entertained and clean facilities convinced me I had made the right choice. As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here. Other perks to this campground: Openings to Pinckney State trails right on property and all sorts of lakes, parks and small town downtown areas for food and shopping nearby, H.C.R.C. was a hidden gem.
Guide to Bath
Sleepy Hollow State Park offers equestrian camping options 15 miles north of Bath, Michigan. The park sits at an elevation of 846 feet and spans across rolling hills formed by glacial activity. Several nearby parks also provide horse-friendly camping with varied trail access during the May to October camping season.
What to do
Fishing at multiple lakes: Lake Ovid at Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground provides good fishing opportunities for specific species. "Fishing is good here for some largemouth bass, and huge blueguils," notes camper Michael P.
Hiking accessible trails: The terrain around Bath offers various hiking options for all experience levels. Highland State Recreation Area features extensive trail networks through diverse landscapes. "Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Lovely little no wake lake perfect for swimming, fishing or paddling," shares Jennifer H.
Swimming at designated beaches: Most recreation areas maintain designated swimming areas with varying amenities. According to Ricky C., Sleepy Hollow has a "nice beach but you have to walk a short distance to get there. Bathrooms are clean, paved roads and grass sites."
What campers like
Private campsites: Some horse campgrounds near Bath, Michigan offer more secluded options. At Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern, campers appreciate the layout. Kim S. mentions, "Spent 4 nights and 5 days camping with my husband and 2 kids. We had fun and the kids had a blast. They rode bikes around the loop and loved swimming and the playground."
Clean facilities: Maintained bathroom facilities remain important to horse riders and general campers alike. Nathan V. notes about Sleepy Hollow, "Bathrooms are well spaced between the campsites, and have showers along with some vending machines outside of them. Spigots are scattered throughout and are very accessible."
Lake access: Equestrian campers value properties with lake access for both recreation and cooling horses. At Seven Lakes State Park Campground, Andy B. reports, "Sand Lake was our spot and the water was breath taking - it's a small pond really, but great for kayaking. Crystal clear, clean water, a good public beach."
What you should know
Electrical requirements: Some equestrian campgrounds have limited electrical access. Nick W. at Sleepy Hollow warns, "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."
Seasonal considerations: Horse trails can become muddy during rainy periods. At Hell Creek Ranch & Campground, which offers horse-friendly accommodations, Ashley S. notes the advantages: "Openings to Pinckney State trails right on property and all sorts of lakes, parks and small town downtown areas for food and shopping nearby."
Reservation requirements: Equestrian campsites fill quickly during peak seasons. Jason F. recommends, "Great private campground with rustic, elec, water/elec (30 amp), and concrete pad sites. Very clean campground with nice shower house. Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Bath, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bath, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bath, MI is Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 32 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Bath, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bath, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Bath, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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