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 Cloverdale, MI
9 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Fort Custer Recreation Area accommodates equestrians with designated riding trails throughout the 3,000-acre property. The campground features spacious, wooded sites with ample separation between neighbors, providing sufficient room for horse trailers. While the recreation area does not offer dedicated horse corrals on-site, riders can access miles of marked equestrian trails that connect to the camping areas. Electric hookups are available at campsites, and the park maintains modern restrooms with showers for campers. The large sites with old growth trees provide natural shade and privacy not typically found at other campgrounds in the region. Campers browse The Dyrt when exploring the best sites near Cloverdale, Michigan.
The equestrian trails at Fort Custer Recreation Area circle the outer perimeter of the park, providing riders with varied terrain and scenic views of the property's three lakes. Trail riders share certain paths with mountain bikers and hikers, while other sections are designated specifically for horseback use. Water access points along the trail system allow horses to drink and cool off during rides. The recreation area remains open year-round, making it suitable for winter trail riding when conditions permit. The trails offer sufficient width for side-by-side riding and include some challenging sections with modest elevation changes. Fort Custer's location near Battle Creek provides a convenient base for riders looking to explore multiple trail systems in southwestern Michigan.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Cloverdale (9)
1. 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 Availability2. Equestrian Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area
from $20 / night
Check Availability3. 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. 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 Availability5. Eaton County Fairgrounds
"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
"Very convenient off highway with easy check-in and very quiet during the weekend when there are no events at the Fairgrounds"
6. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday
"Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."
"This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."
7. 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"
8. 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."
9. 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!"
Drive Time
- 29 min from Battle Creek, MI
- 33 min from Kalamazoo, MI
- 45 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 58 min from Lansing, MI
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Cloverdale, MI
2 Photos of 9 Cloverdale Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Cloverdale, MI
106 Reviews of 9 Cloverdale 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 Cloverdale
Equestrian camping near Cloverdale, Michigan offers access to varied terrain across southwestern Michigan's diverse landscapes. The area features sandy soil with pine and hardwood forests, creating natural drainage that keeps trails usable even after rain. Most horse trails in the region remain open from April through November, though some campgrounds provide year-round access with seasonal facility limitations.
What to do
Trail riding around lakes: At Fort Custer Recreation Area, riders can experience varied terrain. "We hiked on a multi-use trail that the ranger suggested. The blue trail goes around a couple lakes and was wonderful," notes Art S., who explains that "there are plenty of spots to rest and enjoy the time."
Explore wooded riding paths: The equestrian trails offer different experiences throughout the seasons. According to Janet N., Fort Custer provides "several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes."
Fishing breaks during rides: Ely Lake Campground offers options for riders who also enjoy fishing. "The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing," shares James K., adding that "there is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake."
What campers like
Natural privacy between sites: Campers appreciate the secluded feeling at many equestrian campgrounds. At Fort Custer Recreation Area, Hannah ⚡ found "site 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!"
Minimal light pollution: The natural darkness enhances the camping experience. Janet N. noted she "loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky" at Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Access to multiple trail systems: Duke Creek Campground serves as a good base for exploring multiple trails. Cheyanne P. noted "the best part about it was the on site horseback rides!" The campground's location makes it convenient for accessing various trail networks in the region.
What you should know
Seasonal facility limitations: Many equestrian campgrounds have limited facilities. At Ely Lake Campground, Suzi K. advises, "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."
Insect preparation: Bugs can be an issue in wooded horse camping areas. Cathy Y. warns about Fort Custer: "lots need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent."
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds become busier on weekends. James K. reports about Ely Lake: "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."
Tips for camping with families
Horseback activities for kids: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday offers family-friendly activities near horse country. Lisa P. shares, "The kids love the activities and the pool and my family who are not necessarily 'outdoorsy' love that they can sleep in an air conditioned cabin with cable!"
Multi-use trail options: Look for campgrounds with diverse activities beyond horseback riding. At Fort Custer, Bob B. recalls, "I spent my summers growing up. But I've never found another campground with such a great mix of secluded sites, but still opportunities to meet and party with fellow camper. Endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat."
Weather monitoring: Michigan weather can change quickly. Art S. found the weather radio feature useful at Fort Custer: "It scans channels automatically to find a weather channel in range. You just need to listen to the report as it cycles through the days. We had some rain and storms moving in so this proved useful."
Tips from RVers
Dump station planning: At Fort Custer, VB S. notes, "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," which can require extra time during busy periods.
Off-season advantages: Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins offers unique benefits for RVers. Nolyn S. explains it's an "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!!!"
Site selection for shade: RVers should consider sun exposure when selecting sites. Art S. advises about Fort Custer: "It was overcast upon arrival only to have the sun shine down the next day. We soon found out that there was enough clearing in the treetops to give our camp full sun for most of the day."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Cloverdale, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cloverdale, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cloverdale, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Cloverdale, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cloverdale, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Cloverdale, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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