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Scheck's Place State Forest Campground provides equestrian facilities in a secluded wooded location on the Boardman River. The designated trail camp section allows horse owners to claim spacious areas with ample room for trailers. Equestrians can access numerous trails directly from camp, making this location ideal for extended rides through the state forest. Vault toilets and hand pump water are available, though no electric hookups exist at this primitive campground. The river location adds recreational opportunities for riders who also enjoy fishing or tubing. Most visitors find the campground relatively empty during weekdays, with more activity on weekends when ATV riders and other trail users may share the broader area. Sites stay high and dry even after heavy rainfall.
Equestrian trails throughout the state forest connect directly to the camping area, offering miles of riding opportunities through northern Michigan terrain. Riders appreciate the first-come, first-served payment system which operates on an honor box basis, requiring cash payment upon arrival. The trail camp accommodates any size horse trailer with no designated site boundaries, allowing groups to set up corrals as needed. Water access for horses is available via the river, though visitors should bring buckets for carrying water from the well to their animals. Seasonal considerations include best riding conditions from May through October when the campground officially operates. The combination of river access, extensive trails, and flexible space arrangements makes this location particularly valuable for horse campers seeking a primitive yet convenient base camp.
"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."
from $61 - $95 / night
Check Availability"The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people)."
"I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents."
"We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground."
"Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir."
"Recommend the on site ATVrental lots of trails to ride"
"Quiet, large sites, like new bath house, 7th nite free, rate$35, good location for northwestern Michigan sites Water on all outside sites. interior sites share water hookups"
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Turtle Lake is a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade."
"Family friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake. They have a camp for horses too."
"We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice! Very close to Manistee River and canoe/raft liveries, very fun family togetherness activity."
from $25 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Island lake/Huron River Hudson Mills, Sturgeon River, Pine River MI. Also, Hiawasse River, TN"
"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."
RangerWe stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground. This campground had easy access to the water, and the restrooms were very clean. The campground seemed to have a lot if unnecessary traffic.
TravelerThere are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.
The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).
The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.
There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.
The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down.
There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect.
TravelerI like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents. It’s a great home base or overnight camp for canoeists and kayakers (my particular interest). The camp is also used by mountain bikers & gravel riders, ATV riders, anglers, and equestrians (separate camp area). Large wooded sites. Primitive means vault toilets, no power and hand pump water. No reservations — FCFS.
Negatives: can be noisy at times with the ATVs and also large camping groups. But for the most part I’ve found ppl to be respectful. A couple of the sites flooded after an unusually heavy rain today, so I would avoid any site that looks low if rain is expected.
Site 16 is good. High and dry after the rain.
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.
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
GuideCant count how many times i've been here. Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir. Rustic, cheap, horse friendly, out house, and pleanty of forest and lake to explore.
GuideTurtle Lake is a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade. We will definitely be staying here again! They also have a separate equestrian camping area that have water and electric hookup sites.
ScoutFamily friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake. They have a camp for horses too.
Scheck's Place State Forest Campground provides equestrian facilities for horse owners near Bellaire, Michigan. Located 24 miles southwest of Bellaire in the Pere Marquette State Forest, this campground sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with average summer temperatures ranging 70-85°F. Trail riders can access hundreds of acres of state forest land with connecting routes to broader trail networks across the region.
Kayak or canoe the Boardman River: Access the river directly from Scheck's Place State Forest Campground for paddling adventures. "Rustic campground with access to the Boardman river and many miles of trails in the state forest. Bring cash, no state park workers onsite, honor pay system," advises Anna B.
Fish in tranquil lakes: Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp offers prime fishing opportunities just 30 minutes from Bellaire. "Great like camp ground. No swimming but pretty lake with lots of lilipads and sunken tree. Nice hiking trail," notes Tracie S., highlighting the unique aquatic environment.
Explore the Shingle Mill Pathway: This 10-mile loop trail runs through Pigeon River State Forest Campground, perfect for day hikes or mountain biking. "The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground. Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table," reports Lydia T.
River frontage access: Campers appreciate waterfront sites at equestrian campgrounds. "We stayed at the trail camp it is quiet with no hookups. You can take as much space as you need and there is access to the river," mentions Gemma G. about Scheck's Place.
Privacy between sites: The spacious layout at horse-friendly campgrounds near Bellaire provides ample separation. "This is a relatively large CG, just under 100 wooded sites, which are reasonably spaced for a private CG," notes Ray & Terri F. at Gaylord KOA.
High and dry campsites: Many campsites maintain good drainage even during heavy rains. "A couple of the sites flooded after an unusually heavy rain today, so I would avoid any site that looks low if rain is expected. Site 16 is good. High and dry after the rain," advises Jay F. about rustic camping options.
Honor system payment: Most equestrian campgrounds use self-registration. "Rustic campground with access to the Boardman river and many miles of trails in the state forest. Bring cash, no state park workers onsite, honor pay system," notes Anna B.
Limited cell service: Be prepared for minimal connectivity in horse camping areas. "AT&T coverage fair, with 2 Bars of service that fluctuated between 5G and LTE, with speeds up to 4.3 MB/s," explains Ray & Terri F., describing typical service levels.
Primitive facilities only: 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR provides basic amenities for equestrians. "It'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," describes Lexi G.
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Some family-friendly locations offer recreational facilities. "Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade," recommends Chris R. about Turtle Lake Campground.
Bring water containers for horses: When camping with horses, prepare to transport water from pumps. "There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric. The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down. There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect," advises Gemma G.
Consider seasonal timing: Plan your equestrian camping trip during optimal weather months. "Quiet, not populated, and beautiful views. I've solo camped here a few times and it's great for early morning paddles and peaceful relaxation," shares Kate K. about the camping experience from late spring through early fall.
Check site dimensions for horse trailers: Horse campgrounds accommodate various trailer sizes but confirm specifics. "I've seen people tenting and I've seem people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large rvs," explains Lydia T.
Look for level sites: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain that requires preparation. "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 107 for 3 days in mid July. The roads and sites are gravel. Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side," warns Ray & Terri F.
Consider water access location: At Sturgeon Valley Campground, river access is convenient for both recreation and horse watering. "Judy is lovely. River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak," notes Sue R., highlighting the practical water access for multiple uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bellaire, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bellaire, MI is Gaylord KOA with a 3.9-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bellaire, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Bellaire, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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