Lydia T.
Legend
LegendBig 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
Equestrian Camping near Black River, MI
6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Several horse-friendly campgrounds serve the Black River and surrounding Huron National Forest areas in northern Michigan. McKinley Horse Trail Campground in Mio offers direct access to forest trails for riders seeking rustic camping experiences. This big-rig friendly campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with access to vault toilets, though it lacks water hookups and electrical connections. The campground permits alcohol and allows pets, making it suitable for family trips with horses. Trails directly connect to the campground, allowing riders to explore the Huron National Forest without trailering.
Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground near Atlanta provides rustic camping with essential amenities including drinking water, vault toilets, and picnic tables. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping within a heavily wooded setting. Horse campers stay in designated equestrian sites while non-equestrian campers use sites 1-8. Luzerne Express Campground offers additional equestrian camping options with horse pens available at reasonable rates. The campground provides direct trail access to Huron National Forest riding trails from the property. Most equestrian campgrounds in the region operate seasonally, typically from April through November, with some sites closing earlier due to weather conditions or trail maintenance schedules.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Black River (6)
1. Old Orchard Park Campground
"The large campground is crowded in summer months and you have to buy tokens to take a shower, but the views and access to the River are spectacular."
"Sites are reasonably priced around$25-30/night. The park is very dog-friendly, which we appreciated.
Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront. "
2. South Branch Trail Camp Group Site
"Bathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring. I'm a motocamper and suited my needs. No trash, so take what you brought in plus some."
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability3. McKinley Horse Trail Campground
"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."
4. Oscoda County Park
"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."
5. Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground
6. Luzerne Express Campground & RV
"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."
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 3 min from Bay City, MI
- 2 hrs 13 min from Saginaw, MI
- 2 hrs 13 min from Midland, MI
- 2 hrs 31 min from Traverse City, MI
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Black River, MI
1 Photos of 6 Black River Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Black River, MI
18 Reviews of 6 Black River Campgrounds
Judy B.
RangerLuzerne Express Campground & RV
All you need in one spot
The 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.
Stephanie C.RangerOscoda County Park
No plans to return to this campground
This 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.
- Juan A.
ScoutMcKinley Horse Trail Campground
Amazing off grid retreat!
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. Highly reccomend for anyone looking to camp without ANY ammentities. Access is 4x4 only winter months.
Geo D.
TravelerLuzerne Express Campground & RV
Do not go to this campground if you are expecting a good time.
This 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.
- RRavenTraveler
Old Orchard Park Campground
Don’t allow car camping & no Verizon cell service
I stayed here a few times in September 2022. The weather was really rainy but the lake is pretty and Oscoda has a lot of hiking and places to hang up a hammock and relax. (The campsite is about 10 minutes from town.)
Labor Day weekend was crazy and my neighbors had a really difficult time staying in their designated site - one family next to me really liked to put their trash on a tree within my site. People just seemed a little unfriendly and territorial - it seemed like they didn’t know what to do with a younger solo woman camper. Unrelated, a guy was shouting a song about cocaine around 11pm, drinking with his buddies. Just kind of weird vibes even though there were a million kids. It didn’t really feel like homey, family vibes.
The second time I was there I was told I could not car camp. The lady who was working didn’t seem to care but my last night an older male worker waited at the entrance until I returned and loudly announced my site number and said I wasn’t allowed to car camp (I usually don’t get frustrated with older people when they yell because I assume they may be hard of hearing, but it seemed a little unsafe to announce where I would be sleeping.) I asked if hammock camping was ok and he became gruffer and told me his boss wanted to kick me off the campground - which seemed to imply a possible punishment if I kept asking questions. Ironically, I was asking these questions because I didn’t have a tent but was still trying to comply. I just felt uncomfortable after that and left, spending my last night somewhere else.
Showers are ok - they’re coin operated and cleaned every few days.
The scenery is pretty but it doesn’t work for me if I can’t car camp and if there’s no cell service to work. As mentioned, weird vibes as a solo female camper too. Adult activities - like a dance party or movies - take place after dark. I can’t imagine how being in a dark forest with strangers would feel safe, let alone fun, when there is alcohol and it seems likely there are other substances too. No really where my interests lie.
But if you have an RV you might have a different experience - or if you’re looking for a party during a holiday weekend. It might also be worth a try if you’re camping as a group.
- Becky K.
GuideOld Orchard Park Campground
On the AuSable River
Lots of things to do in this area! The large campground is crowded in summer months and you have to buy tokens to take a shower, but the views and access to the River are spectacular.
Tracey R.ScoutOld Orchard Park Campground
Enjoyable Stay
Got lucky enough to snag a week-long stay on a waterfront site(401) the last week of July and thoroughly enjoyed our stay! We had very nice neighbors and had a great week of relaxing.
Pros:
Website booking process was very easy. Sites are reasonably priced around$25-30/night.
The park is very dog-friendly, which we appreciated.
Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront.
Trash pickup if you leave it by your site marker. Nice and quiet during the week.
Delicious hard ice cream served from the store.
Nice walks down"The Point". Beautiful views.
Cons:
Water and electric are poorly located. Need extra hose/cords.
The large store is mostly empty. No souvenir style items.
Trash everywhere..mini booze bottles, wrappers, cigarette butts.
Bathrooms are clean, but very outdated and run down.
Showers run on tokens/quarters and do not have a temperature control.
- MMichael A.Guide
Old Orchard Park Campground
Perfect Early Fall Camping
Camped here in early fall. The area around here is beautiful with lots of sights and trails. This park has a wide variety of individuals and many long term residents but the staff were pretty friendly and the lake is beautiful (especially in the early morning).
Guide to Black River
Equestrian camping near Black River, Michigan offers access to extensive trail networks within the Huron National Forest. The area's mixed hardwood forests and sandy terrain create ideal riding conditions from spring through fall. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing with significant snowfall making most equestrian facilities inaccessible from December through March.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: The Huron National Forest provides extensive riding opportunities with dedicated horse trails connecting directly to some campgrounds. "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," notes Juan A. about McKinley Horse Trail Campground.
Fishing opportunities: The AuSable River offers excellent fishing access for campers seeking a break from horseback riding. "The lake is beautiful (especially in the early morning)," shares Michael A. about time spent at Old Orchard Park Campground, which provides river access.
Off-season visits: For those seeking solitude, consider camping during shoulder seasons. "Camped here in early fall. The area around here is beautiful with lots of sights and trails," reports Michael A. about his experience at Old Orchard Park Campground when crowds were minimal.
What campers like
Trail access convenience: Direct access to forest trails from campgrounds eliminates the need to trailer horses between riding locations. "Walk right off the campground into the Huron National Forest," explains Judy B. about Luzerne Express Campground & RV, highlighting the convenience for horse owners.
Private, spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the region feature well-separated sites that accommodate horse trailers. "Site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring," describes Sean R. about his stay at site #21 in South Branch Trail Camp Group Site.
Seasonal beauty: Fall brings vibrant foliage and fewer insects to the Black River area. "The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATVs," notes Judy B., describing the appeal of Luzerne Express Campground beyond peak summer months.
What you should know
Facility limitations: Many equestrian campgrounds provide only basic facilities. "A rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8," explains Lydia T. about Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground, indicating the separation between equestrian and standard camping areas.
Shower facilities: At campgrounds with showers, expect possible additional costs. "Showers require tokens if you wish to use them," reports Gordon B. about his stay at Oscoda County Park, a consideration for extended stays.
Reservation challenges: Some campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis, which can create challenges during busy periods. "Nice quiet and relaxing right on the lake. A small playground for the kids. Any size rv will fit," adds Gordon B. about Oscoda County Park, though availability cannot be guaranteed without reservations.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with recreational facilities for children. "I bring my whole family! Very family and pet friendly. It has a playground and a small beach. There are many options to stay here!" recommends Rachel S. about her experiences at Old Orchard Park Campground.
Local attractions: Plan activities beyond horseback riding to keep non-riders engaged. "Right in the heart of Mio, and if you're in the area be sure to check out 'the bakery' (Amish bakery that is unbelievably delicious)," suggests Max O. during his stay at Oscoda County Park.
Site selection: Choose sites with adequate space for both camping equipment and horse containment. "The sites are HUGE and there are some trees," notes Stephanie C. about Oscoda County Park, though she had other concerns about her overall experience.
Tips from RVers
Utility connections: Check power requirements and water availability before arrival. "At the moment they have 50 or 20 amp power, so you will need a 15 or 50 adapter to use 30 amp service. No water at camp sites, but they have a water fill station," advises Gordon B. about Oscoda County Park.
Cell service considerations: Connectivity varies significantly throughout the region. "Free Wifi cover is limited, cellphone coverage is ok," adds Gordon B. about Oscoda County Park, an important consideration for those needing to stay connected.
Access limitations: Some forest roads to equestrian campgrounds become challenging in adverse weather. "Access is 4x4 only winter months," cautions Juan A. about McKinley Horse Trail Campground, emphasizing the need to consider seasonal access when planning RV trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Black River, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Black River, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Black River, MI is Old Orchard Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Black River, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Black River, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Black River, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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