The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Equestrian Camping near Clio, MI

126 Reviews

Ortonville Equestrian Campground near Clio, Michigan offers rustic sites designed specifically for riders and their horses. This popular horse-oriented camping area features designated areas for horse trailers, picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets for basic needs. The campground provides essential equine accommodations with ample space for horse trailers at both the camping area and staging zone. Though amenities are limited to rustic facilities, the campground's primary appeal lies in its integration with the surrounding trail system. The campground itself isn't particularly remarkable, but serves as an excellent base camp for equestrians exploring the recreation area. The facilities remain clean and well-maintained throughout the riding season.

Trail access directly from the campsites connects riders to the extensive network within Ortonville Recreation Area. The surrounding terrain offers varied riding experiences through woodland paths and alongside two lakes, creating diverse scenery for trail rides. Horse owners appreciate the well-marked trails that accommodate various skill levels, from casual riders to those seeking more challenging routes. The trail system provides enough variety for multiple days of riding without repeating routes. Primitive camping with horses requires standard recreation area permits, available through Michigan's DNR reservation system. Riders should pack in water for horses as natural water sources may be seasonal. The campground's positioning makes it particularly popular during summer and fall riding seasons when the trails showcase Michigan's natural beauty.

Map showing campgrounds near Clio, MichiganExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near Clio, Michigan (12)

    1. Covenant Hills Camp

    8 Reviews
    Otisville, MI
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 631-4531

    "Large play areas, dog run, basketball court, lots of walking trails, and family friendly."

    "The location is pretty great, off the beaten path but, within 30 minutes of major stores and conveniences. "

    2. Holts RV Sites and Mobile Home Court

    1 Review
    Genesee, MI
    8 miles
    +1 (810) 787-5289

    3. Seven Lakes State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Holly, MI
    26 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. "

    4. Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Ovid, MI
    37 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!"

    5. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    White Lake, MI
    36 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."

    6. Bishop Lake Campground

    28 Reviews
    Brighton, MI
    47 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."

    7. Addison Oaks County Park

    13 Reviews
    Lakeville, MI
    38 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."

    8. Ortonville Equestrian Campground — Ortonville Recreation Area

    1 Review
    Ortonville, MI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (810) 797-4439

    "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."

    9. D-bar-A Scout Ranch (Boy Scout Use Only)

    1 Review
    Metamora, MI
    29 miles
    Website

    "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.."

    10. Highland State Recreation Area — Highland Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    White Lake, MI
    39 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."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Clio Contest

Enter to Win

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Clio, MI

126 Reviews of 12 Clio 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 !!

  • 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.

  • 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

  • J
    Jun. 17, 2018

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Best hiking trails within 1gour drive of the state capital

    Fun backpacking trails best trails close to state capital

    fishing ,boating, disc golf, horse and bike trails,

    Geocaching available.

  • N
    Sep. 18, 2019

    Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground

    Disappointing

    This was our last stop on a trip where we camped in 6 different Michigan State Parks. This may be an older camp or the DNR was trying to save money when it was built. Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension. We tried several lots and couldn’t reach any of the outlets. We finally met a couple who saId they had extensions at the office. So, we finally got set up with an extension cord from the camp office and decided to walk to the beach. Our site was adjacent to the path leading to the beach so we figured we could use a little walk. The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach on this small lake. It was all very scenic, but we weren’t expecting a major hike to get to the beach. Showers are nice. They also have a neat ice cream vending machine that I had to check out for scientific purposes only. For a Michigan state park we were quite disappointed.

  • Ryan F.
    Oct. 20, 2021

    Brighton Recreation Area

    Lake Murray Rustic Sites

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

    First of all, if it’s rainy or muddy, you might want to think twice about entering the rustic camping area. We have a 4Runner, so it was no problem but a few little cars did slide around and have trouble on the hill by our site.

    Our site wasn’t level, so we were rolling around a bit. If I went there again I’d try to find a spot towards the end of the loop by the exit. These sites were higher and some of them were private. I’d examine the map carefully because some of the sites were horrendously open and basically on the road. Maybe good for a vehicle with a rooftop tent or a trailer of some sort, but it would have been annoying for us. Site M22 was big and far enough away from other campers, but again not level. Probably a good location for a group of hammock campers.

    All that aside, the biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area.

    When we rolled in the first thing we noticed was that everyone had screen houses set up.

    We didn’t have anything but our tent and a hammock with a big net so everyone got bitten up while cooking and hanging out by the fire. It was pretty miserable. Yes, I realize this is mostly our fault.

    I’ve since purchased a thermacell backpacker and some bug net hats and stuff. I’m looking into constructing an ultralight screen house that can be suspended from trees.

    The last problem was drunk campers hooting and hollering all night but that isn’t the camping areas fault.

    This place is super close to where we are living so I’ll probably schedule it next spring and come prepared. There are lots of nearby lakes and recreational trails so it’s a fun place to be with family.

Guide to Clio

Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian enjoyment, with numerous sites catering to both riders and their horses.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Covenant Hills Camp provides horse accommodations along with well-maintained facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your equine companions.
  • At Seven Lakes State Park Campground, equestrian campers can enjoy access to trails and amenities like picnic tables and fire pits for evening gatherings.
  • D-bar-A Scout Ranch (Boy Scout Use Only) is designed for scouts but welcomes equestrian activities, featuring rustic camping options and plenty of space for horses.

Tips for equestrian camping near Clio, Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clio, MI is Covenant Hills Camp with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Clio, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring