Best Equestrian Camping near Conway, MI

Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground in Atlanta, Michigan provides rustic campsites suitable for tent and RV camping with horses. The campground operates seasonally from May to October and includes drinking water, picnic tables, vault toilets, and trash disposal. The sites accommodate big rigs and are accessible by vehicle. Campfires are permitted, and pets are allowed at the campground. The forest setting offers privacy between sites, with campsites positioned to allow adequate space for both camping equipment and horse trailers. The campground maintains basic facilities that accommodate the needs of equestrians who bring their own horses.

Located within Pigeon River State Forest, camping opportunities connect to an extensive network of trails suitable for horseback riding. The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the area, offering riders access to forest trails and scenic routes. The campground serves as a convenient base for exploring the forest on horseback, with direct trail access from the camping area. Water access is available for horses from the Pigeon River, though the current can be strong in some sections. The sites along the river provide natural settings for camping with horses, while sites further back offer more seclusion in the woods. Vault toilets and a water well serve basic needs, and each site includes a fire pit and picnic table for campers' use.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Conway, Michigan (7)

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Conway, MI

26 Reviews of 7 Conway Campgrounds


  • Lydia T.
    May. 13, 2024

    Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground

    A rustic state forest equestrian campground

    A horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8

  • V
    Jun. 11, 2019

    Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

    Been going here since I was a kid, still love it.

    Entire 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.

  • Kim L.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Gaylord KOA

    Very well kept KOA

    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. 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.

  • S
    Sep. 5, 2021

    Gaylord KOA

    Horrible

    The owners were constantly driving around and correcting people. Rules are okay but they were over the top. They would even stop and just stare at our site while we sat outside.. it was very odd. Also not kept up at all. The playground was old and my 30 lb dog slipped out from under the “dog park” fence because it was so high off the ground where they were allowed to be unleashed, luckily we got her and she’s ok.

  • Nicole V.
    May. 27, 2024

    Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

    Big lake but no direct water sites

    Peaceful and quiet and close to the sinkhole pathway. Clean bathrooms and large mostly private sites. You can launch your boat and beach it near the campground and your campsite but no direct access that we saw.

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 7, 2020

    Gaylord KOA

    OK

    Small sites but full hookups. Nice activities and mini golf. Bathrooms soso. Easy access to Otsego state park and Hartwick pines state park

  • Paul C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2023

    Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    Quiet and secluded

    Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. 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.

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2023

    Gaylord KOA

    Nice, quiet, well maintained, friendly, wooded CG with a walking trail

    We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 107 for 3 days in mid July. This is a relatively large CG, just under 100 wooded sites, which are reasonably spaced for a private CG. The CG is very clean and well maintained, but rather on the pricy side, even with all of the amenities. The roads and sites are gravel. Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site. He said they’d look into it. During the week, the CG was only about 1/3 full, but completely filled up on the weekend.  AT&T coverage fair, with 2 Bars of service that fluctuated between 5G and LTE, with speeds up to 4.3 MB/s. The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location. We had marginal views of the southern and northern skies, but we were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site and Starlink was able to get speeds up to 6.5 MB/s. Unfortunately, the CG WiFi wasn’t very usable, less than 1 MB/s, even before the CG filled up.

  • N
    Jun. 11, 2021

    Gaylord KOA

    Close to expressing yet quiet at nite

    Sites not paved and entrance roads not paved!!!


Guide to Conway

Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Tips for equestrian camping near Conway, Michigan

  • Chandler Hill Campground provides a welcoming atmosphere for horse campers, featuring spacious sites and access to nearby trails for riding.
  • At Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground, you'll find direct access to trails, making it easy to enjoy long rides through the scenic landscape.
  • St. James Township Campground allows for a peaceful camping experience, with beautiful views and a relaxed environment perfect for horse lovers.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground offers well-maintained sites and access to rustic trails, ideal for both horses and riders looking for adventure.
  • Circle S Campground is known for its big rig-friendly sites and nearby riding trails, making it a convenient choice for equestrian campers.
  • Pigeon River State Forest Campground features sites along the river, providing a serene backdrop for horse camping and easy access to nature.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like riding trails

  • Gaylord KOA boasts a family-friendly environment with ample space for horses and nearby trails for exploration.
  • Michigan Pigeon River State Forest Campground is a great spot for those who enjoy a rustic experience, with sites that accommodate both tents and horses.
  • Michigan Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground offers a peaceful setting with clean facilities and access to scenic trails, perfect for a weekend getaway with your horse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Conway, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Conway, MI is Chandler Hill Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Conway, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Conway, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.