Van Buren State Park Campground offers a dual-loop layout for horse enthusiasts camping near Erie, Michigan. The park sits on flat terrain with separate camping areas for equestrian and standard camping. Located within easy access of I-75, the park provides direct trail connections to the surrounding recreation area with a system of riding paths suitable for day trips of various lengths.
What to do
Trail riding access: The equestrian camping area connects directly to multiple riding trails throughout the property. According to a camper at Van Buren State Park Campground, "It is clean and quiet, had electric hookups at most sites. Host was very friendly. They also have a camp area for horses."
Cross country skiing: Winter activities are available when snow conditions allow. As one visitor notes: "I came cross country skiing here in early January and it was absolutely amazing. It is cold but the terrain is simple for first time skiers."
Basketball and recreation: The park maintains recreational facilities including a basketball court and tether court. As Brendan V. mentions: "If you can get a good middle spot it's nice if you have kids since there's a playground, swings, basketball, and tether court."
Dog park visits: The recreation area includes a dedicated space for dogs to exercise off-leash. Shannon G. reports, "They also had a dog park and small wildflower garden."
What campers like
Secluded camping experience: The equestrian area provides a peaceful environment away from crowds. A visitor at Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park contrasts their experience with: "This is a typical fairground campground with open grassy areas for campsites surrounded by barns and tracks. The fairgrounds is located just off I-94 which makes for easy entrance and exit to the campground, but, means there is lots of road noise."
Well-maintained grounds: The park keeps both camping loops in excellent condition. Scott F. mentioned, "It was quiet and relaxing. The camp host was nice and friendly. Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper."
Site spacing: Equestrian sites provide adequate room for vehicles, camping gear, and horse equipment. At Hell Creek Ranch & Campground, a camper noted: "The site we had was very large and pretty level. The price we paid was W/E $30/night."
Natural setting: The park balances wooded areas with open spaces. Joseph N. wrote, "Its a smaller campground with only two loops of sites, but its flat, shaded, and comfortable."
What you should know
Restroom facilities: The park has pit toilets only with no shower facilities. As Angie B. points out: "They keep the restrooms clean, but no flush toilets, which dont bother me. My only complaint about Van Buren State park is that there are no shower facilities."
RV dump location: The dump station is located in a different section of the park. According to Nicole G., "Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump."
Water availability: Water spigots are centralized rather than at individual sites. One camper mentions: "No showers, but clean and sturdy pit toilets with centralized well water."
Seasonal operations: Park facilities vary by season, with some campgrounds in the region having limited winter operations. At Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern, a visitor shared: "We stayed at on our way to the northern part of the state. This for me, was a place that I would like to come back to for a longer stay."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Choose sites near the central play area for convenience with children. As Scott F. noted: "Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper."
Tent site selection: Certain sites work better for tent campers than others. Brendan V. advises: "Some of the sites are small so you have to be careful which you site you reserve if you're a tent camper. The outside of the circle is your best bet and there's a few scattered in the middle."
Day trips: Plan activities at nearby recreation areas. At Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park, campers mentioned: "Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn. Stores and restaurants are nearby (some within walking distance)."
Swimming options: Check nearby lakes for swimming since Van Buren lacks on-site swimming facilities. One camper at Waterloo noted: "There was a nice swimming area in crystal clear water and a beautiful bathhouse."
Tips from RVers
Electric service: Most sites have electric hookups, but verify service is working. Alysha W. cautions: "Electric did not work at all sites."
Horse pen advantages: The equestrian area's recently built horse pens eliminate the need for tethering. At Hell Creek Ranch & Campground, a similar focus on facilities shows: "The big pool and bathrooms were immaculate, with surrounding patio furniture sanitized nightly."
Site positioning: The newly paved pads include bumpers at the ends to assist with parking. Shannon G. observed: "Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end."
