Ortonville Equestrian Campground at Ortonville Recreation Area provides dedicated horse accommodations near Clay, Michigan. Located within a 5,400-acre recreation area, the campground features rustic campsites specifically designed for equestrian use. Sites include hitching posts and access to equestrian trails. The campground provides pit toilets and drinking water but does not offer electric hookups or shower facilities. Campers typically bring portable corrals or use high-line systems as permanent corrals are not available. The campground layout accommodates both horse trailers and camping equipment with adequate space between sites for horses.
A network of bridle trails winds through the recreation area, connecting directly to the equestrian campground. Riders access approximately 9 miles of designated horse trails through wooded terrain and open meadows. Trail conditions remain well-maintained throughout the riding season, with natural water sources available along some routes. Water for horses must be carried to campsites as hydrants are limited to common areas. The recreation area maintains separate trails for different user groups, minimizing conflicts between equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers. Most riders report trails suitable for all experience levels with varied terrain offering both challenging sections and easier routes. Recreation area rules require proof of negative Coggins test for all horses on the property.
"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."
$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."
"Addison Oaks is a campground that features hiking and mountain biking trails, campground, cabins, disc golf course, and a lake for boating."
"The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course. Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop."
"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."
"This is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn.."
"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."
LegendThe 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.
GuideVery 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.
GuideThis is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn..
ScoutA very quiet campground. The sites are spread out and only 2 vehicles per site are allowed. The East campground is more open and had 3 small cabins that can be rented. The West camping is more wooded and isolated. An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible.
TravelerThis was our first time camping. 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. Our spot #18 I felt was spacious and not to close to the people next to us and trees behind us. We had privacy and it was quiet. The people we did talk to were all very friendly. We heard the showers were decent but we used our own. I would stay again.
GuideTenting at its finest... brother his wife and 5 kids my husband at the time and 4 kids reserved a group area and had a blast teaching and showing those who had never camped how fun it could be!! No cell/internet service but that was perfect!! Great time to unplug and just enjoy our surroundings and begin to learn our own creativity! Learned how to ensure food was safe and tucked away from coons along with the good ole fashion porta potties .... nothing Lysol can can’t fix there but with a total of 8 males (6 being under 18....) always have a can of Lysol when porta potties were in our future lol Definitely would go back when ready for a”rustic” camping event!
TravelerClean campground and well maintained. Two different loops to choose from for camping. Only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive.
TravelerWonderful place for a quick get away. Park is clean. Beach is a 1.8 mile hike from the East loop in the campground but is well worth the walk. (Trail is not stroller/wagon friendly) If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad. Extensive mountain biking trails and the lake is open to boating, kayaking, and other water sports. Park offers lots of private sites! We stayed in site 118 and could not see neighboring sites! The site was very spacious and offered picnic table, fire ring, paved pad, and electrical hook up. (hook up in this specific site was considerably far away.)
ScoutAlways 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. Nice updated playgrounds for the kids, trails to bike, planned activities on weekends. Only wish there was a swimming lake, but alas, only for fishing and canoeing.
Ortonville Equestrian Campground serves as a dedicated horse camping destination within the 5,400-acre Ortonville Recreation Area. The facility provides vault toilets and basic amenities for riders and their horses. Beyond the equestrian facilities, the larger recreation area contains two lakes and multiple trail systems accessible to various outdoor enthusiasts. The campground requires a Recreation Passport for entry and accommodates both overnight campers and day-use visitors.
Mountain biking trails: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area offers extensive mountain biking opportunities for equestrian campers looking to diversify their activities. "There are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop. Mountain biking seems to be very popular," notes Richard T. from Oakland County Addison Oaks.
Boating and fishing: Many recreation areas near Clay provide water activities as alternatives to horseback riding. "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," reports Christie V. at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area.
Disc golf courses: Several parks in the region maintain disc golf facilities alongside their equestrian trails. "The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course," according to Richard T. who camped at Oakland County Addison Oaks.
Private campsites: The vegetation between sites at many campgrounds near Clay creates natural screening. "The sites aren't super far away from each other but there are trees between sites so from most of the sites you can't really see your neighbors," explains Sarah P. from Pontiac Lake Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas around Clay offer opportunities to observe local fauna during camping trips. "We ran up on a group of probably 70 wild turkeys on the trail!" shares Adrienne C. who stayed at Highland State Recreation Area.
Spacious camping areas: Equestrian campers appreciate the ample room at many sites. "Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around. Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding," notes Jennifer H. about Highland State Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian campgrounds in the area require advance booking. "Very convenient now also with online booking," mentions Gary E. about Oakland County Addison Oaks.
Bathroom facilities: Campgrounds vary in their amenity levels, from rustic to modern. "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)," notes Kate K. regarding Ortonville Recreation Area.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Addison Oaks County Park operates from "May 1 - Oct 17" according to their listing information, while other recreation areas may have different operating seasons.
Activity planning: Look for campgrounds with diverse recreation options beyond horseback riding. "There are tons of activities for kids to do while camping including kayaking, bounce house, and disc golf," says Sarah P. about camping near Clay.
Swimming options: Not all recreation areas have swimming facilities, so check before visiting. "Would be 5 stars if they had a lake or pool to swim in. Kids liked the big slide but we would of loved to swim," shares Beth G. at Addison Oaks County Park.
Safety precautions: Local wildlife requires proper preparation. "There are tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray. Also make sure that all food and garbage is secure at night, the raccoons have no fear," advises Kristina J. from Pontiac Lake Recreation Area.
Hookup locations: Electric connections aren't always conveniently positioned at campsites. "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad," warns Mary H. about camping at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area.
Site surfaces: Many campgrounds provide improved parking areas for larger vehicles. "Cement pads, water, and electric. Loop C is spacious with some trees," notes Ron E. about his stay at Addison Oaks County Park.
Space considerations: While some campgrounds accommodate RVs, not all sites are suitable for larger rigs. "Park is clean. Beach is a 1.8 mile hike from the East loop in the campground but is well worth the walk," adds Mary H. from Pontiac Lake Recreation Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clay, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clay, MI is Addison Oaks County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clay, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Clay, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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