6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Dispersed Camping Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead offers free horse camping with toilet facilities near Eben Junction. The site accommodates both tent and RV camping with direct trail access for horse riders. Open year-round, this primitive campground provides multiple pull-out spots for dispersed camping along the forest road. The trailhead serves as a primary access point to the local equestrian trail system with sufficient space for horse trailer parking. Visitors must pack out all waste as no trash collection services are available.
The equestrian trails connect to the broader Hiawatha National Forest trail network, with routes suitable for day rides of varying difficulty. Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead requires no permits or reservations, though the forest roads may be difficult to navigate during spring thaw or after heavy rainfall. While the area lacks dedicated horse corrals, riders can set up temporary containment systems at their campsites. Some campers report clearing fallen trees from access roads during early season visits. Trail riders often encounter wildlife including deer and various bird species throughout the trail system. Drinking water is not available on site, requiring campers to bring sufficient water for themselves and their horses.
"Was slightly passed the pin marker on the same unlaced road - only about 1/4-1/2 off the highway."
"There was only 1 car drive by in 2 days."
"Went all the way to the back and got a lakeside spot down the other side of the hill from the main site. Nice and tucked away."
"Great site located between two lakes. In response to the previous review, your best directions will come from locating the site on your GPS (in our case Google Maps) and dropping a pin."
"I have absolutely nothing but positive things to say. I am more one to frequent rustic and secluded campgrounds."
"This campground is very close to trailhead. Well maintained, decent wifi. Don't expect any Verizon cell coverage here. Sites are nice and large, staff is friendly and the bar has good food"
from $33 - $55 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $25 - $50 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $8 / night
Check Availability
RangerWent all the way to the back and got a lakeside spot down the other side of the hill from the main site. Nice and tucked away. Thought the skeeters were insane, but this time of year, it's to be expected.
ScoutGreat site located between two lakes. In response to the previous review, your best directions will come from locating the site on your GPS (in our case Google Maps) and dropping a pin. That took us straight to the location no problem. Totally legit dispersed camp site. Will definely be going back. Because the access to both lakes is near the camp site, we did encounter vehicles driving by, maybe 2 a day. It is the end of the road though so no one was driving to fast and it didn't cause any issues.
TravelerWas slightly passed the pin marker on the same unlaced road - only about 1/4-1/2 off the highway. Sites are fairly spacious but don’t have any of the hookups or amenities mentioned on the site profile - some do have rudimentary fire pits though. There are 3 sites in total. Ground is flat enough to comfortably tent camp. Camp in early September, bugs were minimal. At times the night was eerily silent, at other times I heard dirt bikes and tractor trailers in the distance, also heard a pack of coyotes at one point and pretty sure I heard some sort of padfooted animal walk by my site once or twice.
TravelerI have absolutely nothing but positive things to say. I am more one to frequent rustic and secluded campgrounds. I found this place on a whim years ago... and now JackPine has a special place in my heart.
When I need to truly rest my bones, this is my go to in this neck of the woods.
Clean and warm cabins, modern and rustic campsites, bathhouse, a super cool bar, cold beer, great food and nothing but exceptional and friendly staff. Not to mention... WIFI throughout the property. When you go to the bar- be sure to grab a JackPine Burger and fries.
I have traveled almost every corner of The Yoop. I have not found a campground (of the modern and resort nature) that nearly compares to this place. Not in quality of stay or the constant desire to return.
ScoutThe site only gives you coordinates that are actually an hour away from the site. There is no real address to get there. We pulled in pretty late, had a rough long drive so we got to where we thought it was at around 11:30 pm. Then we can’t find the site, so we go to the website and it gives us strange directions to somewhere an hour away. As we drove out there, we lost all service, were on dirt roads and we were miles past any signs of civilization. We started to get a strange feeling but we trekked on. Suddenly it gets very foggy and spooky looking and we all debate turning back, but still we keep going. Finally, we turn onto the road that it is on, just a ways down, and the stop sign is filled with bullet holes however we haven’t seen a single sign of people out there. We keep going and finally decide this all seems like an elaborate ploy to lure campers in and kill them. We decide to turn around and end up in some weird abandoned summer camp, still around thirty minutes left on the road to get to the actual site. We decide there are far too many creepy signs pointing towards this not being a good idea then as we leave and get service back, we look up the site and realize there are zero reviews at all. The site doesn’t exist on google except for these camping sites, with the same two photos only on every site and zero reviews. As we are driving away, we get an email at one am saying “hello your site is still empty, please enjoy your stay” as if there was someone waiting for us at the site even though it was a remote site with no formal check in. How did they know we were not at the site yet? And what are the chances they email us right as we turn around? I’m glad we didn’t end up staying, we all had a horrible gut feeling and I suggest no one else stay here either. Nothing about it seemed legit or safe.
ScoutLong nice road with a few pull offs once you are close to the end there is one official site with a table and fire circle. Is first come first serve but if you keep driving down there are two different boat launches with room to park/camp. We stayed in our car just in case. NOTE! the camp site is closed for updates until the end of October apparently. No service with mint
GuideThis campground is very close to trailhead. Well maintained, decent wifi. Don't expect any Verizon cell coverage here. Sites are nice and large, staff is friendly and the bar has good food
ScoutWe only found 2 pull in sites and took the first one. We were able to back our 26 foot travel trailer in and stay hooked up to it. There was only 1 car drive by in 2 days.
ScoutJust want an overnight stay and are self contained it’s perfect. We pulled in a 15 foot trailer and turned it around but wouldn’t go much bigger.
Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead provides dispersed camping options in the western Upper Peninsula's Hiawatha National Forest. Located in a heavily wooded area with rolling terrain, the site sits at approximately 800 feet elevation and experiences typical northern Michigan seasonal variations. The forest road access can become rutted after spring thaw, requiring higher clearance vehicles during certain seasons.
Trail exploration beyond horses: While primarily designed for equestrians, the trail system near Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite offers opportunities for hikers. "We were lucky, we went pre-season. We did have to clear a bunch of down trees to get down the road but we had the site and the lakes to ourselves. It was gorgeous," notes camper Willow M.
Lake access from trails: Several small lakes provide fishing opportunities within riding distance. Campers at Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping report "Just off M-28, down the right side road a bit you will see campfire remnants and a spot where people tend to park on the left. No signage and only saw 2 pre used spots as another review said, but there is plenty of space to park along the road."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning rides offer the best wildlife spotting opportunities. Kevin D. describes the natural soundscape: "At times the night was eerily silent, at other times I heard dirt bikes and tractor trailers in the distance, also heard a pack of coyotes at one point and pretty sure I heard some sort of padfooted animal walk by my site once or twice."
Privacy between sites: The trailhead area provides natural spacing between camping spots. At Jack Pine Lodge and Campground, which shares the regional trail system, Lora H. notes "The U.P. has so much to offer if you're into the great outdoors. Jack Pine is a small campground in the Hiawatha National Forest. It's a big attraction for Quads and dirt bikes during the summer and I'm told snowmobiles, during the winter."
Proximity to Munising: The location provides a balance between seclusion and convenience. "Solid spot. About 10min from Munising," writes Bryce B. about nearby Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping.
Availability without reservation: The first-come, first-served nature appeals to spontaneous travelers. Shawn T. advises at Ironjaw Lake that "Long nice road with a few pull offs once you are close to the end there is one official site with a table and fire circle. Is first come first serve but if you keep driving down there are two different boat launches with room to park/camp."
Trail conditions vary seasonally: Spring access often requires trail clearing. Willow M. from Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite warns "We did have to clear a bunch of down trees to get down the road."
Insect preparation essential: Summer brings significant mosquito activity. Amy Y. cautions, "I would warn though that the mosquitoes were pretty bad when we visited. Would still recommend for a quick stop over."
Limited signage: Navigation requires preparation as campsite markers are minimal. Tim notes, "We only found 2 pull in sites and took the first one. We were able to back our 26 foot travel trailer in and stay hooked up to it."
Cell service variability: Coverage differs by provider. Kevin D. reports, "Sites are fairly spacious but don't have any of the hookups or amenities mentioned on the site profile - some do have rudimentary fire pits though."
Site selection for children: Choose spots further from the main trailhead to minimize dust from passing riders. At Catchin' Crickets Campground, Arash F. notes, "Clean, sites are level... Trees need some time to grow larger to provide any shade if anybody looking for a campsite with shade. Reasonable good space in between sites."
Water planning: With no onsite water source, families should pack 1-2 gallons per person per day. Ben L. advises, "Great site located between two lakes. In response to the previous review, your best directions will come from locating the site on your GPS (in our case Google Maps) and dropping a pin."
Evening activities: Limited light pollution makes stargazing exceptional. Hannah at Jack Pine Lodge notes that the area has "Clean and quiet camping, friendly workers. We were the only tenters but didn't stop us! Great place to bring a friendly dog."
Size limitations: The access road and pull-offs accommodate smaller to medium rigs only. Naomi L. advises: "Just want an overnight stay and are self contained it's perfect. We pulled in a 15 foot trailer and turned it around but wouldn't go much bigger."
Site leveling: Bring leveling blocks as most pull-offs have slight grades. Tim reports from Hickey Marsh, "We only found 2 pull in sites and took the first one. We were able to back our 26 foot travel trailer in and stay hooked up to it. There was only 1 car drive by in 2 days."
Generator etiquette: Without designated quiet hours, coordinate with neighboring equestrian campers about generator use. Chris M. from Jack Pine Lodge and Campground describes the general atmosphere: "Beautiful quite campground in the middle of nowhere has a nice bar with good food. WiFi is great, friendly people. Orv trails right on site super nice if you ride."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Eben Junction, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Eben Junction, MI is Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping with a 5-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Eben Junction, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Eben Junction, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
