Best Equestrian Camping near Coldwater, MI

This 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.

We visited Pokagon for a long weekend with friends. We took over sites 502, 504, 506 and 508. One thing that was clear - the sites vary in size. Sites 504 and 506 are on the smaller side; 502 was moderate and 508 was enormous. We found the bathrooms to be clean and easy to use. Was shocked to find showers just turned on (no timers). The lake is not self-contained within the park - there are houses across the way and various access points. Within the park, the lake provides a small swimming area and much larger areas for boating. Lots of motor boats and wave runners; kayaks and canoes were limited to the shoreline areas. The beach is a nice size and wasn't terribly busy. There's also a playground and snack shack on the beach. There is horseback riding for the 52-inch and taller crowd ... anyone smaller is limited to a short donkey ride. There is a natural spring near the 500 loop where you can drink fresh (and cold!) water. There are plenty of options for hiking, biking and riding horses - all with separately marked trails. There's an amphitheater for outdoor productions and the Inn also has planned events. The park says only one vehicle per site, but we noticed many sites with multiple vehicles that stayed that way overnight. Overall, it's a nice park. The only downside is the variations in size of campsites and the risk you might end up on a small site without prior knowledge of what they look like.

   This 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.