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 Caledonia, MI
8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Ely Lake Campground in Fennvile permits horses on its extensive trail system that winds through the Allegan State Forest. The rustic campground features vault toilets and water available from pitcher pumps, with no electrical hookups or shower facilities. Sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, though the interior roads are tight for larger rigs. The campground remains open year-round, making it accessible for equestrians in all seasons. Some sites are specifically designated for horse camping. Visitors often note the peaceful lake setting provides excellent opportunities for combining riding with other outdoor activities like fishing and kayaking.
The equestrian trails at Ely Lake connect to the broader Allegan State Forest trail network, offering miles of riding opportunities through varied terrain. Riders should bring their own containment systems as no permanent corrals or stalls are provided at the sites. The campground operates on a self-registration system with payment via check deposited in a tube on-site. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with some riders reporting fallen trees occasionally blocking paths after storms. Duke Creek Campground in Cedar Springs also offers horseback riding opportunities with on-site trail rides available for campers. The primitive nature of Ely Lake appeals to equestrians seeking a more natural camping experience, though weekend evenings can become noisy according to some campers.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Caledonia (8)
1. 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 Availability2. Fort Custer Recreation Area
"The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶"
"Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes."
from $21 - $108 / night
Check Availability3. Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins
"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!!!"
"The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here"
4. 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."
5. Ely Lake Campground
"No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails."
"All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover."
from $17 / night
Check Availability6. Equestrian Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area
from $20 / night
Check Availability7. Duke Creek Campground
"Right across the road from Michigan's Adventure amusement park"
"Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day! We should have reserved an entire week!"
8. Eaton County Fairgrounds
"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
Drive Time
- 18 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 48 min from Kalamazoo, MI
- 50 min from Battle Creek, MI
- 53 min from Muskegon, MI
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Caledonia, MI
2 Photos of 8 Caledonia Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Caledonia, MI
87 Reviews of 8 Caledonia Campgrounds
- JJames K.
TravelerEly Lake Campground
Beautiful rustic sites with loud parties at night
Ely Lake Campground is a County campground in Allegan Michigan. All of the sites are rustic. Here are the bullet points:
- There are no bathrooms, just pit toilets.
- There is no electricity.
- There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored.
- Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table.
- They don't sell firewood, but you can by some in town on your way in.
- There is a beach.
- You can make reservations online ahead of time, or show up and find an empty site (but bring cash or check to pay because its a drop box).
- They have equestrian trails and sites.
First the positives: It is a beautiful rustic campground. We stayed on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake. The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake, however it is ill defined in some places so just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees (which are everywhere so you wont get lost).
This place also attracts a lot of equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding. So if you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends.
The negatives: It is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager). There is loud music , people yelling, fireworks going off and… not very much sleep. And I am not just talking about a few people with their music on -- it was someone blasting their sub-woofer with electronic dance music until 4:45 AM. It was really disappointing because otherwise the experience was positive. Luckily my kids are all deep sleepers so I was the only one who had to sit up all night.
They clean the bathrooms daily from what I can tell, but otherwise the campground is not maintained. There was trash around our site, and when you walk the trail about the lake you will see cigarette packets and beer bottles occasionally. Also along the trail were two massive hornet nests that really should have been removed by park management - but it's clear they don't ever maintain the trail.
If you're willing to overlook some garbage, and if the party people stay away you could have a wonderful camping trip. Allegan County has a beautiful natural resource here, but sadly it seems like it is being squandered, and wont last.
- Joshua E.Traveler
Ionia 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.
Suzi K.
ScoutEly Lake Campground
Words Can't Describe
This is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!
- Diana M.Traveler
Fort Custer Recreation Area
Perfect for families
The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶
- Janet N.Scout
Fort Custer Recreation Area
Something for everyone
MMichigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25per night with electric. Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes. Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky.
- KKaren O.Traveler
Fort Custer Recreation Area
Huge and has so much to offer
Wow! Three lakes, hiking, biking and horse trails, showers, camp host and super quiet this past week while there. Not many campers, but everyone there seemed pleasant and were quiet. Deep sites, electric if you so desire, firepit and tables. I use a tent. Driving from the west through Augusta is a treat...so pretty. Civilization not far at all. Fishing, beach, play areas and an amusement park for mountain bikers! No alcohol. Will return!
- EEllen S.Traveler
Ely Lake Campground
Great Rustic Campground
I have been camping here a couple years. It is open year round. All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover.
- Bryce J.Guide
Fort Custer Recreation Area
Surprisingly nice beach area.
Fort Custer is a hidden gem in Michigan. Nobody thinks to go camping near Battle Creek, but they really should reconsider!
Never over-crowded, tons of trails, and very nice paddle board, kayak, and canoe rentals! The lake at the state park is outlined by trails and features a small island to paddle around!
Guide to Caledonia
Equestrian camping near Caledonia, Michigan provides access to the extensive trail systems of the Allegan State Forest. This area features predominantly sandy soil with mixed hardwood forests and small inland lakes at elevations ranging from 600-800 feet above sea level. Most horse-friendly campgrounds in the region operate from May through October, though some offer year-round access with primitive winter facilities.
What to do
Trail riding: Duke Creek Campground offers on-site horseback riding with guided trail rides for campers of all experience levels. As one camper noted, "The best part about it was the on site horseback rides!"
Swimming: Fort Custer Recreation Area provides swimming beaches with no-wake lakes. One visitor mentioned, "We passed other hikers and bikers and even some people trying their luck at fishing. There are quite a few mountain bike trails on the other side of the recreation area."
Mountain biking: Fort Custer has dedicated mountain biking trails separate from equestrian paths. A regular visitor explained, "We camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite."
Kayaking: Ely Lake offers non-motorized boating opportunities on its small lake. A camper described it as "Perfect unplugged campground with no electric, vault toilets. Beach front and small boat launch - no motors. We love it in the spring and fall."
What campers like
Natural setting: Ely Lake Campground maintains a rustic, undeveloped atmosphere. A long-time visitor shared, "Been coming here since 1969 when I was 4 yrs. old. Nothing changed, just good ole wilderness camping! Try to up there a couple times a year. Love it."
Family activities: Duke Creek Campground offers numerous organized activities for children. As one family reported, "The campground was great, and clean. The park was nice and so were all the kid activities! The pool is very nice and the store is stocked nicely."
Quiet camping: Fort Custer Recreation Area provides secluded sites with natural buffers. A camper noted, "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky."
Value accommodations: Eaton County Fairgrounds offers basic facilities at budget-friendly rates. A visitor commented, "Only $20 nightly, full hookup, nice wooded sites. This is a fairgrounds RV and tent park. Very peaceful when there are no ongoing events."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: At Ely Lake Campground, the hand pump water requires treatment. One visitor warned, "There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored."
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds experience increased noise on weekends. A camper at Ely Lake reported, "This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings... There is loud music, people yelling, fireworks going off and... not very much sleep."
Limited facilities: Many equestrian campgrounds offer only basic amenities. At Ely Lake, a camper explained, "No electric, no running water, no sewer/septic, no dump, no fill... Can run your generator (inverter type is best). Solar is a negative due to tree cover."
Seasonal considerations: Bugs can be problematic during summer months. A visitor noted, "Bugs can be bad in busy season."
Tips for camping with families
Age-appropriate activities: Scalley Lake Park Campground provides clean cabins for families. One parent shared, "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here."
Entertainment options: Duke Creek offers structured activities for children. A parent enthusiastically reported, "Your kids will LOVE this place-we had a blast! Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day!"
Site selection: At Fort Custer, some sites provide more privacy than others. A camper advised, "We've stayed at both sites listed. 161 you do have neighbors pretty close, but we just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded!"
Wildlife viewing: The natural settings provide opportunities to observe native species. A camper mentioned, "Seen lots of wildlife. Very relaxing time in our pop up not too far from Grand Rapids."
Tips from RVers
Dump station logistics: Fort Custer State Park can have long wait times for services. An RVer warned, "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long."
Site accessibility: Several campgrounds have limitations for larger rigs. A camper at Ely Lake cautioned, "Sites range from small tent sites to fairly large, but the 'roads' inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels."
Electrical connections: Fort Custer provides limited hookups. A visitor confirmed, "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station."
Seasonal availability: Double RR Ranch RV Resort offers full-service sites during their operating season. The resort provides river access with a camper noting, "There is a river to explore and we always get a riverfront site. Rivers are just fun for fishing, throwing stones, canoeing."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Caledonia, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Caledonia, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Caledonia, MI is Ionia State Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 15 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Caledonia, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Caledonia, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Caledonia, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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