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 Delton, MI
8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Fort Custer Recreation Area offers equestrian-friendly camping with designated areas for horses throughout the 3,000-acre recreation site. The campground provides wooded sites with good spacing and natural divides between campsites, creating privacy for campers with horses. The park includes multiple lakes, extensive trail systems specifically designed for equestrians, and separate areas for mountain biking to avoid trail conflicts. Many trails throughout the recreation area accommodate horses with wide, well-maintained paths. The sites have electrical hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, though no dedicated horse corrals are provided. Large campsites can accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers, making this a practical option for equestrians.
Located 25 minutes from Delton, Fort Custer's extensive trail network provides varied terrain for riders of all experience levels. The equestrian trails wind through mature forests, around three lakes, and across open meadows, creating diverse riding experiences. Water access points along the trails allow horses to drink and cool off during rides. Trail riders regularly note the well-marked paths and good footing throughout most seasons. The park operates year-round, though equestrian facilities see heaviest use from April through October when conditions are optimal for riding. Riders must bring their own portable corrals or highlines as the park does not provide permanent horse containment. The recreation area's proximity to Battle Creek provides convenient access to feed stores and veterinary services if needed during extended stays.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Delton (8)
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. 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 Availability4. 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 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."
Drive Time
- 26 min from Battle Creek, MI
- 28 min from Kalamazoo, MI
- 47 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 1 hr 1 min from Lansing, MI
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Delton, MI
100 Reviews of 8 Delton 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 Delton
Fort Custer Recreation Area spans over 3,000 acres near Delton, Michigan, with terrain varying from sandy soil to densely wooded areas. The park contains three lakes and extensive trail systems designed for multiple uses, with temperatures ranging from winter lows around 20°F to summer highs in the mid-80s. Sites typically range from partially shaded to densely wooded, with a mix of sandy and grassy ground cover.
What to do
Mountain biking on dedicated trails: Fort Custer Recreation Area features extensive mountain biking paths separated from equestrian areas. As one visitor notes, "There are quite a few mountain bike trails on the other side of the recreation area" and they're designed to "avoid trail conflicts" with horse riders.
Fishing in multiple lakes: The recreation area offers fishing opportunities across its three lakes. "Endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat," mentions Bob B. about Fort Custer State Park. Some lakes have designated fishing areas with comfortable access points.
Kayaking on no-wake lakes: Ely Lake Campground provides peaceful paddling experiences. A camper explains: "The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing." This makes it ideal for quiet water activities without motorboat disruption.
Horseback riding on wide paths: Beyond Fort Custer, additional equestrian camping near Delton can be found at Ely Lake, where "They have equestrian trails and sites" and "equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding."
What campers like
Secluded, spacious sites: Many campgrounds offer privacy between sites. At Fort Custer Recreation Area, campers appreciate that "We found a campsite that was large with vegetation separating us from neighbors." Another camper at Ely Lake mentions "site 51 and it is extremely secluded!"
Dark night skies: The limited light pollution provides excellent stargazing. As one camper notes, "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky" - perfect for astronomy enthusiasts.
Blueberry picking: At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, visitors enjoy a unique feature: "This KOA has blueberry fields everywhere on the property. For a period of time in summer and early fall, you can pick your own blueberries in the morning to have in your breakfast pancakes!"
Diverse terrain for horse riding: The Delton area offers varied equestrian camping options with different trail experiences. Trails wind through forests, meadows, and sometimes include water crossings, giving riders diverse scenery.
What you should know
Water quality varies by location: At some rustic campgrounds, water requires treatment. One camper at Ely Lake Campground warns: "I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored."
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds near Delton can get loud on weekends. A camper at Ely Lake Campground reports: "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... There is loud music, people yelling, fireworks going off."
Bug activity in summer: Insect repellent is essential, especially in unmaintained areas. One visitor notes, "lots need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent."
Limited hookups at state parks: Most horse camping facilities offer only electric hookups. A camper explains, "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station."
Tips for camping with families
Pool alternatives for hot days: Several campgrounds offer swimming options. At Scalley Lake Park Campground, "Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!" makes for safe swimming for children.
Horse viewing opportunities: For families interested in equestrian activities without bringing horses, camp at sites near horse trails. "If you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends" at certain campgrounds offering equestrian camping near Delton.
Organized activities for children: Some commercial campgrounds provide structured entertainment. At Covert/South Haven KOA, they have "lots of kid activities, both free and for a small fee" and "a barrel train ride is a lot of fun for the whole family."
Beginner-friendly horse rides: For families wanting to try horseback riding, Double RR Ranch RV Resort offers "a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids."
Tips from RVers
Dump station planning: Many campgrounds offer electric-only hookups, requiring dump station visits. A Fort Custer visitor advises, "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station."
Site accessibility considerations: Some equestrian campgrounds have narrow access roads. At Ely Lake, "the 'roads' inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels."
Generator requirements: For boondocking or partial-hookup sites, inverter generators work best. A camper recommends, "Can run your generator (inverter type is best). Solar is a negative due to tree cover."
Equestrian site dimensions: When bringing horses, verify that sites can accommodate both living quarters and horse trailers. Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds near Delton feature oversized sites specifically designed for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Delton, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Delton, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Delton, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
What is the best site to find
equestrian camping near
Delton, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Delton, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Delton, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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