8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Pokagon State Park Campground offers equestrian trails and on-site horse stables for visitors interested in horseback riding during their stay. The park features multiple camping loops with varying levels of privacy and amenities, including both electric and non-electric sites. Extensive trail systems throughout the park provide opportunities for riders to explore the natural surroundings. The campground accommodates tents, RVs, and offers cabin options for those seeking alternative accommodations. Horse rides are sold directly on site, making it accessible for campers without their own horses. The equestrian facilities remain popular throughout the camping season, with many families incorporating horseback riding into their park experience.
Hell Creek Ranch & Campground provides direct access to the Pinckney State trails system, making it an excellent base for horse enthusiasts. The property includes Heavenly Horse Stables which offers riding lessons, trail rides, and opportunities to interact with horses and other barn animals. The campground features both rustic and electric sites with 30-amp hookups, accommodating various camping preferences. Clean facilities include modern bathrooms and showers, while the swimming pool offers recreation after a day of riding. The trails connecting to the Pinckney State system allow riders to explore extensive terrain directly from the campground. The property's layout provides convenient access between the camping areas and the horse facilities, creating an integrated experience for equestrians and their families.
"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."
"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."
from $17 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
from $20 - $480 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
"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"
GuideEquestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
TravelerFriendly 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.
ScoutWhat started as a little get away turned into not wanting to leave! A swimming pool and playground with basketball court to keep my kids entertained and clean facilities convinced me I had made the right choice. 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. Other perks to this campground: Openings to Pinckney State trails right on property and all sorts of lakes, parks and small town downtown areas for food and shopping nearby, H.C.R.C. was a hidden gem.
TravelerThere are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do
LegendThis is a typical fairground campground with open grassy areas for campsites surrounded by barns and tracks. The fairgrounds is located just off I-94 which makes for easy entrance and exit to the campground, but, means there is lots of road noise. Close by are plenty of stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. In fact, there is a gap in the fence that runs around the fairgrounds allowing you to walk to a Walmart, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and more.
We arrived without a reservation and the women in the office was very helpful providing a map with all available sites during our stay and letting us choose which one we wanted. One of the first things you notice is that a number of people are here long-term so we went to the back area hoping it would be quieter and less crowded. A number of the campsites are “buddy” sites meaning your patio opens to your neighbors so be careful which one you pick. This is pretty undesirable when the neighbor is a total stranger so we chose a site where we didn’t have anyone next to us.
They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options. There is a dump station located in the middle of the park which is easy to get to. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV. The sites are level but some lack grassy making the patio pretty dusty or muddy. Unfortunately, where we were was pretty muddy just after a light rain. This campground works best for RV’s and not tents. For tenters there is a designated section that is set in a corner of the park with large trees for shade but not much privacy between you and others. A water spigot is in the tent area and there was one picnic table. The camp office sells firewood but we only saw two fire pits in the whole park. Be aware that noise from the interstate and nearby train tracks may make for a restless night. Bathrooms are centrally located in the campground and were old and tired but relatively clean. On-site laundry is available.
Apparently, management is having some issues with campers not obeying some of the rules. One of the sad things about this campground is that campers have to be reminded to clean up after their dogs. Apparently, it is such an issue that we got a letter stating that if you don’t pick up your dogs poop you would be asked to leave. How sad is that? There is free WiFi which worked pretty well. Upon checking in, we had to sign a piece of paper stating that we would not download copyrighted material or stream movies or we would be asked to leave.
My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more. Overall, this campground was fine for the few nights we were here and close to the attractions we wanted to visit. We never felt unsafe even though it was close to major cities. We chose this campground because we wanted to go to Ann Arbor and Dearborn and it was a very convenient location.
Pros:
· Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn
· Close to interstate for easy access
· Long, level sites that will fit any RV
· Community garden you can pick from vegetables
· Stores and restaurants are nearby (some within walking distance)
Cons:
· Lots of road noise from I-94
· No trees for shade or privacy
· Would not recommend for tent camping
· Many campers are long-term
· “Buddy” campsites with patios facing each other
LegendThis state park was established in 1925, so almost 100 years old. The campground must be the original layout. There's a maze like quality to it. The roads are narrow & you may be driving off the road for a big rig.
Some sites are level, some aren't. Some can accommodate larger rigs, most can't. Check the site descriptions carefully & to be doubly sure, call the office & ask.
There's water stations that look very old. They have wooden, shingled roofs. There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!
There's 5 loops to the main campground.
100 loop is small & closer to the lake than the other loops. It's the loop we chose this time.
The sites are on the small side. There's 3 campsites that are close to the lake. 115, which is a larger site. 117 & 119 which have clear views of the lake. 117 is more a tent or popup site & is small. 119 is the best of the bunch. A large pad & a large site. There's no privacy bushes. These sites have a view of the lake with trees & brush & are on a ridge overlooking the lake. They aren't ON the lake.
On either side of 117 & 119 are 2 trails that lead to the lake. There's benches & a dock to tie up your boat.
The rest of the sites are a mixed bag. Some are level, some have an incline. If you have a big rig, be aware that the road to the 100 campsites branches into one way. Leading into the campsites, the road is narrow & has a ravine on one side!
200 Loop is non electric
300 Loop is the biggest loop & seems like the best bet for larger rigs. As stated above, some sites are better than others. There's a uniformity here that's missing from the other loops.
Stay away from sites 393& 395!!! These sites are literally right on top of the dump station! As always watch for pit toilets near the sites.
400 loop is a smaller loop next to the 200 loop. There's only one shower house for both loops. Avoid site 444 & probably site 454. These sites are VERY close to the dump station.
500 loop is also smaller& has some nice sites tucked by themselves in the trees. There seems to be more privacy brush on this loop with SOME sites.
512 is close to the shower house. 511 & 513 were somewhat secluded.
If you have a boat you want to tie up at the dock, go for the 100 loop. If you can't get it, be aware there's no parking near the trails to the lake. You can park by the bathhouse & walk.
The shower & restrooms are atrocious!!! Worst looking buildings since Spring Mill SP! Dirty & need an entire overhaul. In fact, raze the buildings & build new ones! They're "cleaned" once a day. Suuuuuure they are. There was actual poop on the door of one of the women's toilet stalls the whole time I was there. Mold & spiders& dirt in the corners. Looks like the last upgrade was in the 50s.
ScoutWe visited for just one night on a fall weekday. Campground was not crowded. Our site #315 was spacious with a nice foliage buffer around it. Many nice sites, but also many small, not private at all sites. We enjoyed a hike on one of the nice hiking trails, saw many families enjoying the bicycle trails and paved park roads. There is an Inn and restaurant in the park. We talked about how nice it would be to meetup with non Camping family members at this location. There are horse stables and a winter toboggan run as well
Equestrian camping sites near Clarklake, Michigan provide direct access to extensive trail systems within state recreation areas. Most horse-friendly campgrounds in this region connect to the Pinckney and Waterloo trail networks, which feature designated equestrian paths ranging from 5-15 miles in length. The camping season typically runs April through October, with July and August requiring advance reservations due to high demand.
Trail riding access points: At Hell Creek Ranch & Campground, riders can directly access the Pinckney State trail system without trailering horses. "Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system allow riders to explore extensive terrain directly from the campground," notes Jason F., who appreciated the convenient layout.
Swimming after rides: Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern campground features a beach area for cooling off after trail rides. "Nice beach but super busy on the weekend," warns Beth G., who visited with her dog. For a less crowded option, Brighton Recreation Area offers multiple lakes for swimming with designated horse-friendly areas.
Winter activities: Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern remains open for winter camping with cabins available during colder months. "Had the pleasure of visiting first weekend in February, on the coldest weekend of the year! Nice little cabin set in about 800' from where you park," shares Mike S., who enjoyed winter trail access despite the freezing temperatures.
Clean facilities: Bishop Lake Campground maintains well-kept bathroom and shower buildings even during peak season. "The campgrounds restrooms and showers were clean. Our campsite had a view of the lake, but no shade," mentions Debra B., who appreciated the cleanliness despite the lack of tree cover.
Family-friendly amenities: Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern offers dedicated children's areas alongside horse facilities. "They rode bikes around the loop and loved swimming and the playground. Facilities were nice and clean and many sites had trees to give shade at certain times of day," reports Kim S., who camped with her husband and two children.
Large group sites: Pokagon State Park Campground accommodates family reunions with equestrian interests. "Tons of picnic areas and pavilions; would be a great spot for a family reunion," shares Amy K., who noted the campground's size and variety of facilities despite having over 500 sites.
Site privacy levels: Site selection at horse campgrounds varies significantly in terms of shade and visibility. At Brighton Recreation Area, "The site was large and had a picnic table and fire pit. There are TONS of mosquitos," reports Rebecca M., who stayed at the Murray Lake rustic sites.
Reservation requirements: Eaton County Fairgrounds operates on a first-come basis during non-event periods. "Pull in and pick your own site and the site manager will come by and collect your money for night stayed," explains Joann S., who appreciated the straightforward process.
Seasonal considerations: Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park closes November through March annually. "I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season," warns Mike M., highlighting the importance of verifying seasonal operating dates.
Beginner horseback experiences: Brighton Recreation Area offers structured riding opportunities for children. "Large campsite with trees, lit path to the bathroom, and easy access to hiking trails and raft/boat launch," mentions Brianna S., who found the combination of activities ideal for family outings.
Swimming alternatives: Multiple water activities supplement trail riding at local horse campgrounds. "They offer all types of camping. The lake has water activities you can pay extra for if you would like to do that," explains Melissa M., noting the variety of options for families seeking alternatives to riding.
Learning opportunities: Hell Creek Ranch provides educational experiences through their Heavenly Horse Stables. "A horse barn 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," shares Ashley S., highlighting the educational value beyond standard trail rides.
Site selection strategy: At equestrian campgrounds near Clarklake, advance research prevents disappointment. "Decently clean showers with hot water and lots of kids on bikes," notes Christina A. about Brighton Recreation Area, emphasizing amenities important for longer RV stays.
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites for RVs with horses require planning. "Electric hookups, but good for a short weekend. Best bike orbs, horseback riding, and quiet," advises Kristen S. about Pokagon State Park, noting the limited hook-up options despite excellent equestrian facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clarklake, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clarklake, MI is Sugarloaf Campground — Waterloo Recreation Area with a 4.1-star rating from 14 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clarklake, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Clarklake, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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