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 Cedar Springs, MI
11 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Hungerford Equestrian Group Campsite provides spacious areas for horses and riders, with horse staging areas and access to hiking trails. The rustic campground includes picnic tables and fire pits for outdoor meals. Equestrians can tie their horses near their campsites with areas designated specifically for horse containment. Campers access the site via Forest Road 5134, with the road quality suitable for horse trailers. The campground connects directly to trail networks throughout the Manistee National Forest for day rides and longer excursions.
Located near Big Rapids, the campground operates as a group reservation facility for equestrian enthusiasts with multiple horses and riders. The surrounding forest offers miles of bridle trails through mature woodlands and around Hungerford Lake, which is small enough for peaceful kayaking with no motorboats allowed. Dispersed camping options supplement the established group site, providing flexibility for different group sizes. The campground follows rustic principles with minimal facilities, requiring riders to bring water for themselves and their horses. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with some areas becoming muddy during spring and fall. Riders frequently observe wildlife while on the trails connecting to the broader Manistee National Forest trail system.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Cedar Springs (11)
1. 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!"
2. 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"
3. 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 Availability4. 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. Timbers Edge Campground
"We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!"
"A lot of horses and hunters. Price was good for electric and water. Nice for dog walking. Friendly managers. No cell service"
6. White River Campsite #1
"We explored the area while camping at nearby Pines Point campground."
7. Hungerford Lake Campground
8. Manistee National Forest Condon Lakes West Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area
"Got here around 1730 on a Sunday. Have the whole place to myself. Not bad getting into, signal is poor. Lots of wildlife."
9. Double JJ Resort
10. Hungerford Equestrian Group Campsite
from $75 / night
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Drive Time
- 16 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 43 min from Muskegon, MI
- 1 hr 1 min from Kalamazoo, MI
- 1 hr 8 min from Lansing, MI
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Cedar Springs, MI
2 Photos of 11 Cedar Springs Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Cedar Springs, MI
37 Reviews of 11 Cedar Springs Campgrounds
- Joshua E.
TravelerIonia 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.
- Becky P.
RangerTimbers Edge Campground
Quiet Getaway!
We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!
Arron P.GuideHungerford Lake Campground
Rustic camping at finest!
Dispersed camping and camp sites available. There are horse staging areas and hiking trails. The lake is nice, small enough for a kayak/ no motor boat, nice.
- SSharon S.
ScoutTimbers Edge Campground
Nice for horses and hunting
I went in November. Most campers were there on the weekend. Pit toilets, a pond, hot showers but shower room unheated, no dump station,nice size lots. A lot of horses and hunters. Price was good for electric and water. Nice for dog walking. Friendly managers. No cell service
- Joanie C.Scout
Double RR Ranch RV Resort
Lots to do
There is a river to explore and we always get a riverfront site. Rivers are just fun for fishing, throwing stones, canoeing. There is a campstore, Firepits, large trees, they do hayrides for kids, too. 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. There are some larger vacation lodges to rent that ars nestled away in the woods, and a bunkhouse with rentals. My husband liked the golf course that came with renting spot. Seen lots of wildlife. Very relaxing time in our pop up not too far from Grand Rapids.
- MMichael S.Traveler
Ionia State Recreation Area
Really, That’s Your Signage??
Well if you are arriving here late, good luck.... Pretty much the worst signage I’ve seen in Michigan State Recreation Area. Very good signs to pretty much everything other than Beechwood Campground. Once you do figure out that you have to drive to acolyte back end of park to register then turn all the way back around and find hidden non marked campground, you’ll soon realize they are walk/hike in sites. NO WHERE on DNR website for reservations does it say this. As is if this isn’t bad enough, once you park and find trail the sign then reads “East or west” for sites. Not B1- whatever this way B whatever that way do bring your compass too and flashlight if dark. To say the sites are uneven is putting it mildly. For 15 sites, you seriously can’t level them?? Really lazy considering how nice disc course is and signage for course. I wouldn’t waste your time or money camping here, visit park and use trails or disc course yes. Camp, no way ever again!!
- Carol M.Scout
Duke Creek Campground
Very nice
Right across the road from Michigan's Adventure amusement park
- Marta B.Scout
Timbers Edge Campground
Owner very rude and disrespectful
Run down campground with rude disrespectful owner. We were attacked over something that was so trivial...a few hoof prints by our trailer where we we told to park. Horses did not dig or paw. She drove up to us and complained that they tore up her grass, which wasn't true. There was no grass to begin with, it was moss. Our ponied stood quietly tied to trailer as we saddled up and then when we came back from our rife and unsaddled. We were with them the entire time....it was a short day ride with a friend who was camping there. Woman never asked or told us to picket. Normal function for horseman is to ride from trailer. I Just couldn't believe it. Told woman we understood and would be leaving and wouldn't be back. She kept running her mouth. I told her to drop it and that again, we would leave and would not be back. Kept running her mouth, and Id had enough and told her to shut up.
Guide to Cedar Springs
Equestrian camping options near Cedar Springs, Michigan provide access to numerous trail networks within the Huron-Manistee National Forest. Located in central Michigan with predominantly sandy soil conditions, this region experiences seasonal variations that affect trail accessibility. Most equestrian campgrounds in the area operate from May through October, with limited facilities during shoulder seasons.
What to do
Trail riding through mature forests: The White River special area within Manistee National Forest offers multiple numbered campsites suitable for equestrian use. "This is more suitable for tents or maybe small campers. Best access seems to be along 160th avenue south of Arthur road. The road seems a bit sketchy but should be okay for most vehicles," notes Kendra H. at White River Campsite #1.
Kayaking on motorboat-free lakes: Smaller lakes throughout the region provide peaceful paddling opportunities without motorboat traffic. "The lake is nice, small enough for a kayak/no motor boat, nice," shares Arron P. about the water features near Hungerford Lake Campground.
Wildlife observation: The forests around Cedar Springs support diverse wildlife populations visible from trails. "Lots of wildlife," reports Dexter V. about the Condon Lakes area, adding that despite poor cell signal, the isolation contributes to animal sightings.
What campers like
Private lake access: Scalley Lake Park provides water recreation opportunities in a controlled environment. "Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!" says Nolyn S. about Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins.
River exploration opportunities: Several campgrounds feature river access for fishing or stone skipping. "There is a river to explore and we always get a riverfront site. Rivers are just fun for fishing, throwing stones, canoeing," shares Joanie C. about Double RR Ranch RV Resort.
Spacious sites for horse trailers: Some campgrounds specifically design sites to accommodate equestrian needs. "We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!" says Becky P. about Timbers Edge Campground.
What you should know
Variable road conditions: Access roads to equestrian sites can deteriorate seasonally. "The road seems a bit sketchy but should be okay for most vehicles," advises Kendra H. about White River access routes.
Limited facilities at primitive sites: Most equestrian-friendly dispersed camping areas lack amenities. "Dispersed camping and camp sites available. There are horse staging areas and hiking trails," explains Arron P., highlighting the rustic nature of Timbers Edge Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Fall and spring bring variable conditions to trails. "I went in November. Most campers were there on the weekend. Pit toilets, a pond, hot showers but shower room unheated, no dump station, nice size lots. A lot of horses and hunters," reports Sharon S., describing seasonal usage patterns.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with activities: Some locations offer organized events for children. "We had a blast! Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day! We should have reserved an entire week!" exclaims Becky P. about Duke Creek Campground.
Consider cabin options: For families new to camping or during unpredictable weather. "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here," shares Nora M. about accommodations at Scalley Lake Park.
Check activity schedules: Many campgrounds run seasonal programs. "They do hayrides for kids, too. We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids," notes Joanie C. about family-friendly options.
Tips from RVers
Confirm site dimensions: Some RV sites may be closer together than expected. "The sites were very small at this campground. Our fire pit was so close to our trailer we didn't dare use it," warns Clint about Duke Creek Campground.
Consider premium sites: Standard sites may lack adequate separation. "Neighbors right on top of you. Dirtbikes n 4 wheelers flying around causing dust n access noise. Premium Sites might be the way to go though," advises Aaron Y. about site selection at Timbers Edge.
Check hookup arrangements: Some campgrounds have unusual utility configurations. "Water and electric ports were shared on one site so other campers were constantly on our site hooking up and adjusting," reports Josh N. about Double JJ Resort, highlighting potential inconveniences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Cedar Springs, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cedar Springs, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cedar Springs, MI is Duke Creek Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Cedar Springs, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cedar Springs, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Cedar Springs, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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