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 Dowling, MI
7 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
Fort Custer Recreation Area near Dowling accommodates equestrians with several trails designed for horseback riding throughout the 3,000-acre park. The campground features electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site with good spacing between campsites for privacy. Large wooded sites provide ample room for horse trailers, though no dedicated horse corrals are available on-site. Horses are permitted throughout the park's extensive trail system where riders frequently encounter diverse terrain and wildlife. The trails are well-maintained and clearly marked for different user groups including equestrians, hikers, and mountain bikers.
The equestrian trail network connects to multiple lakes within the recreation area, allowing riders to access scenic water views and potential watering spots for horses. Riders must bring their own portable containment systems as no permanent tie-lines or stalls exist at the campground. The park remains open year-round for camping and trail riding, with trails that vary from open meadows to densely wooded areas. Most sites have electrical service only, requiring use of the dump station for RV services. During summer months, insects can be prevalent on the trails, so appropriate protection for both horses and riders is recommended. The camping area features paved roads good for walking horses to trailheads, with spacious sites that can accommodate multiple vehicles.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Dowling (7)
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. 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 Availability3. Eaton County Fairgrounds
"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
4. Equestrian Campground — Yankee Springs Recreation Area
from $20 / night
Check Availability5. 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 Availability6. 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"
7. 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
- 19 min from Battle Creek, MI
- 40 min from Kalamazoo, MI
- 49 min from Lansing, MI
- 50 min from Grand Rapids, MI
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Dowling, MI
81 Reviews of 7 Dowling 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 Dowling
Fort Custer Recreation Area offers specialized equestrian camping facilities near Dowling, Michigan. The 3,000-acre park features trails spanning both open meadows and forest terrain, with seasonal considerations affecting trail conditions throughout the year. The park maintains a non-motorized lake policy on its multiple water bodies, creating quiet environments for wildlife viewing during trail rides.
What to do
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Fort Custer's extensive trail system connects riders to diverse ecosystems where deer, wild turkeys, and various bird species can be spotted. According to Bob B., the park provides "endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat."
Mountain biking excursions: The recreation area maintains dedicated mountain biking trails separate from equestrian routes. One visitor noted, "We camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite," as shared by Joel K. at Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Lakeside fishing: Multiple non-motorized lakes offer fishing opportunities throughout the recreation area. At Ely Lake Campground, campers appreciate similar quiet water activities: "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."
What campers like
Private camping spots: Many sites provide natural separation between neighbors. As Hannah noted about Fort Custer, "We just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!" Sites with more vegetation offer greater privacy for equestrian campers setting up larger equipment.
Night sky viewing: The limited artificial lighting at many horse campgrounds near Dowling enhances stargazing opportunities. Janet N. appreciated Fort Custer's "lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky."
Rustic camping experience: For those seeking a traditional camping experience, Scalley Lake Park Campground offers a "private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful," according to Nolyn S. This mirrors the experience at several equestrian-friendly areas in the region.
What you should know
Insect preparation essential: Michigan's wooded campgrounds experience significant insect activity, particularly during summer months. One Fort Custer camper noted, "Lots need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent."
Limited hookups: Most equestrian campgrounds in the Dowling area offer electric service only. VB S. confirms at Fort Custer, "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," which can mean wait times during busy periods.
Seasonal considerations: Water access and ground conditions vary significantly throughout the camping season at horse-friendly campgrounds. At Eaton County Fairgrounds, "Very peaceful when there are no ongoing events. Large bath house with Showers," but amenities may be limited during off-season periods.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access activities: Multiple lakes with designated swimming areas provide alternatives to trail riding. At Fort Custer, Art S. observed, "We passed other hikers and bikers and even some people trying their luck at fishing," making it suitable for mixed-interest family groups.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites based on shade coverage and proximity to facilities. One Fort Custer camper advised, "Our site was on the far end of a loop. This meant a longer walk to the restrooms and showers. On the other hand, we were right across from an access trail to the blue hiking trail."
Alternative accommodations: For families needing more substantial shelter while enjoying equestrian facilities, Double RR Ranch RV Resort offers diverse options: "There are some larger vacation lodges to rent that are nestled away in the woods, and a bunkhouse with rentals," according to Joanie C.
Tips from RVers
Dump station planning: RVers staying at horse campgrounds should plan for potentially limited waste disposal facilities. One Fort Custer visitor noted, "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long."
Site accessibility: Most equestrian-friendly sites accommodate larger vehicles but may require careful navigation. A repeat Fort Custer visitor mentioned, "Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," but recommended checking site dimensions when traveling with horse trailers and recreational vehicles together.
Seasonal utility considerations: Many campgrounds near Dowling offering equestrian facilities have limited seasonal operations. At Ely Lake Campground, a camper advises, "Solar is a negative due to tree cover," which affects power management for extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian
campsite near Dowling, MI?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dowling, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dowling, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 45 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
Dowling, MI?
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Dowling, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Dowling, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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