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Best Equestrian Camping near Brighton, MI

157 Reviews

Brighton Recreation Area includes several campgrounds with access to equestrian trails, though none feature dedicated horse corrals or stalls. The park's extensive trail system accommodates riders throughout its 4,947 acres of wilderness. Bishop Lake Campground offers electric hookups and modern amenities for campers traveling with horses, though trailer parking may be limited at certain sites. While reviews indicate many visitors bring horses for day riding on the trails, overnight horse camping requires bringing portable containment systems. The bathrooms remain consistently clean with hot showers available for human guests after long trail rides.

Bridle paths connect throughout the Brighton Recreation area to neighboring Pinckney Recreation Area, creating an expansive network for horseback riding opportunities. Highland State Recreation Area, located approximately 18 miles northeast, provides additional horse-friendly camping options with similar amenities. Campers should bring water buckets and portable fencing systems for overnight equine guests. The trails remain open year-round, though spring conditions can create muddy sections requiring careful navigation. Visitors appreciate the varied terrain that includes wooded areas, open meadows, and lake views while riding. Most campgrounds in the region require advance reservations, especially during summer months and fall color season when equestrian camping reaches peak popularity.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Brighton, Michigan (16)

    1. Bishop Lake Campground

    28 Reviews
    Brighton, MI
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 229-6566

    $17 - $90 / night

    "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."

    2. Hell Creek Ranch & Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pinckney, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 878-3632

    $20 - $35 / night

    "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."

    3. Brighton Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Brighton, MI
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 229-6566

    "Brighton recreation has several camping areas within its property. The lake you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, row boats or paddle boats."

    "This was our first camping experience in Michigan, so we weren’t exactly prepared. My rating takes this into consideration."

    4. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    White Lake, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 666-1020

    $22 / night

    "Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store."

    "An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible."

    5. Highland State Recreation Area — Highland Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    White Lake, MI
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 889-3750

    "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."

    6. Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern — Waterloo Recreation Area

    14 Reviews
    Chelsea, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 475-8307

    "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."

    7. Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Holly, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 634-7271

    "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. "

    8. Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park

    7 Reviews
    Belleville, MI
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (734) 697-7002

    "Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me."

    "Nice campgrounds easy to get around and my children loved it"

    9. Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Ovid, MI
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 447-2757

    $25 - $101 / night

    "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!"

    10. Addison Oaks County Park

    13 Reviews
    Lakeville, MI
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (248) 858-1400

    "The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit."

    "Always a great local retreat away from our hectic daily life. Don’t have to travel far to find some nature. Most sites generously sized, hookups available, clean restrooms."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Brighton, MI

1 Photos of 16 Brighton Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Brighton, MI

157 Reviews of 16 Brighton Campgrounds

  • Kate K.
    Aug. 24, 2019

    Ortonville Equestrian Campground — Ortonville Recreation Area

    2 Great Lakes & A Horse Camp

    The campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground itself isn’t really much to write home about (unless you have horses that is). The lakes and launches are however very nice and there are some great trail systems through the area.

  • Emma W.
    Jun. 2, 2019

    Bishop Lake Campground

    Ranger Review: Eclipse Equinox Hoodie at Bishop Lake Campground

    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. There are two rustic campgrounds as well down the road. When we went to go get a campsite (you can reserve online for an $8 fee) they told us that the upper campground would be the better choice, due to the heavy rain that had come through earlier. It was the perfect choice! Our campsite was spacious, with a few pine trees for shade. If you have a hammock, the outer edge of campsites would be perfect. Only downside to our campsite was the distance between the picnic table and the fire pit. The bathrooms and showers are in the lower campground, but it’s a 5 minute walk or 30sec drive to them. They were clean, stocked with toilet paper and the showers were warm. There’s a ton of hiking trails, a boat launch and boat rental, as well as the beach and inflatable water park. Overall a great little nature spot in the middle of the Brighton area.

    Gear Review: As a ranger for The Dyrt, I sometimes get sent awesome gear that I could use and try for my upcoming trip. This time I got to try the equinox hoodie from Eclipse Sun Products (https://eclipseglove.com/collections/all-eclipse-sun-products/products/equinox-hoodie-beach-cover-up). This hoodie is super super lightweight, and the open sides allow for a nice breeze on hot days. Of course, their main feature is the 50+ UPF fabric used in not just the hoodie, but all of Eclipses sun products. I am a melanoma survivor, so having something lightweight, but protective, is so great. It’s one size fits all, and while it fits me great at 5’5, I have also heard from other taller people that it fits them great as well. It does the job well, and while I live in Michigan and it only got to about 75°, I could feel it keeping the sun off my skin. Totally recommend the equinox hoodie!!

  • Melissa M.
    Jul. 31, 2020

    Brighton Recreation Area

    Kid friendly camping

    Brighton recreation has several camping areas within its property.

    The lake you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, row boats or paddle boats.

    They offer all types of camping

    The lake has water activities you can pay extra for if you would like to do that.

    Near by grocery stores

    A lot of trails for biking and hiking.

  • Mary T.
    Jun. 26, 2019

    Sleepy 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.
    Jul. 18, 2018

    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.

  • Christie V.
    May. 29, 2019

    Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    Hidden Gem

    Very nice sites. Wooded and up north feel. Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store. Equestrian trails and I hear they have a remote control airplane field and shooting range.

  • K
    May. 12, 2019

    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 !!

  • William E.
    Sep. 24, 2020

    Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park

    Great stay, great place to re-up

    Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me.

  • David F.
    Sep. 6, 2018

    Sleepy 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

Guide to Brighton

Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Equestrian campgrounds include essential amenities

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and facilities

  • Brighton Recreation Area is known for its extensive network of trails that are perfect for horseback riding, along with various outdoor activities.
  • Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area features a well-reviewed equestrian campground with access to beautiful lakes and sandy beaches, ideal for a day of fun with your horse.
  • Michigan's Waterloo Recreation Area includes horse camping options and offers a variety of trails for riders to explore the stunning natural surroundings.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Brighton, MI is Bishop Lake Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 16 equestrian camping locations near Brighton, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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