17 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Highland State Recreation Area offers extensive trails for horseback riding among its wooded landscapes and fields. The rustic campground provides large, private sites that accommodate equestrian campers with their horses. The recreation area features numerous trail systems throughout, with miles of designated bridle paths winding through natural settings. The park maintains clean facilities with running water available at the campground. Spacious camping areas allow for proper distancing between horses and other campers. Sites are exceptionally large and allow ample room for setting up horse containment systems. The campground is well-tended and has an almost magical feel with abundant wildlife.
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area connects riders to additional equestrian trails in the region, with paths suitable for various skill levels. The park includes both wooded and open trail sections, providing diverse riding experiences through natural terrain. Horse owners should bring appropriate containment systems as permanent corrals are not available at the campsites. Trailer parking is accessible near the camping areas. The campground maintains multiple loops with sites that offer good separation and privacy thanks to trees and vegetation between them. Water access is available for horses at designated points throughout the recreation area. Both recreation areas require Michigan Recreation Passports for entry and follow standard state park regulations for equestrian use.
"Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store."
"An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible."
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Campground Review: Bishop Lake is a great campground located in the middle of the Brighton Rec Area. The upper and lower campgrounds are both modern, with every site including electric."
"Great family place with paved and dirt biking/hiking trails. Very nice beach with grass and sand. There are 2 areas of inflatables, one of them is for the little kids 48 in. and under."
from $32 - $37 / night
Check Availability"Great time to unplug and just enjoy our surroundings and begin to learn our own creativity!"
"This is one of our family's favorite close to home sites. Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around. Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding."
from $20 - $186 / night
Check Availability"Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me."
"We used our Starlink Mini and it worked well on a nearly cloudless day with unobstructed access to the sky. I would definitely stay here again."
"The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit."
"Always a great local retreat away from our hectic daily life. Don’t have to travel far to find some nature. Most sites generously sized, hookups available, clean restrooms."
"There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.)"
"Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about. "
from $32 - $37 / night
Check Availability"Addison Oaks is a campground that features hiking and mountain biking trails, campground, cabins, disc golf course, and a lake for boating."
"The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course. Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop."
"As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here"
"Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan. Large pool in season. Priced reasonably."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Lots of trails within reach and a horse riding stable if that is your thing. Heard lots of wolves, saw lots of tracks but no animals. I’d like to go back in the spring and hike around some more!"
"It is usually easy to get multiple sites next to each other with reservations.
There is a decent sandy beach here with a playground and volleyball net."
from $35 - $40 / night
Check Availability"The campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings."
from $20 / night
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LegendThe campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground itself isn’t really much to write home about (unless you have horses that is). The lakes and launches are however very nice and there are some great trail systems through the area.
GuideVery nice sites. Wooded and up north feel. Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store. Equestrian trails and I hear they have a remote control airplane field and shooting range.
TravelerFriendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me.
ScoutWhat started as a little get away turned into not wanting to leave! A swimming pool and playground with basketball court to keep my kids entertained and clean facilities convinced me I had made the right choice. As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here. Other perks to this campground: Openings to Pinckney State trails right on property and all sorts of lakes, parks and small town downtown areas for food and shopping nearby, H.C.R.C. was a hidden gem.
LegendThis 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. Close by are plenty of stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. In fact, there is a gap in the fence that runs around the fairgrounds allowing you to walk to a Walmart, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and more.
We arrived without a reservation and the women in the office was very helpful providing a map with all available sites during our stay and letting us choose which one we wanted. One of the first things you notice is that a number of people are here long-term so we went to the back area hoping it would be quieter and less crowded. A number of the campsites are “buddy” sites meaning your patio opens to your neighbors so be careful which one you pick. This is pretty undesirable when the neighbor is a total stranger so we chose a site where we didn’t have anyone next to us.
They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options. There is a dump station located in the middle of the park which is easy to get to. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV. The sites are level but some lack grassy making the patio pretty dusty or muddy. Unfortunately, where we were was pretty muddy just after a light rain. This campground works best for RV’s and not tents. For tenters there is a designated section that is set in a corner of the park with large trees for shade but not much privacy between you and others. A water spigot is in the tent area and there was one picnic table. The camp office sells firewood but we only saw two fire pits in the whole park. Be aware that noise from the interstate and nearby train tracks may make for a restless night. Bathrooms are centrally located in the campground and were old and tired but relatively clean. On-site laundry is available.
Apparently, management is having some issues with campers not obeying some of the rules. One of the sad things about this campground is that campers have to be reminded to clean up after their dogs. Apparently, it is such an issue that we got a letter stating that if you don’t pick up your dogs poop you would be asked to leave. How sad is that? There is free WiFi which worked pretty well. Upon checking in, we had to sign a piece of paper stating that we would not download copyrighted material or stream movies or we would be asked to leave.
My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more. Overall, this campground was fine for the few nights we were here and close to the attractions we wanted to visit. We never felt unsafe even though it was close to major cities. We chose this campground because we wanted to go to Ann Arbor and Dearborn and it was a very convenient location.
Pros:
· Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn
· Close to interstate for easy access
· Long, level sites that will fit any RV
· Community garden you can pick from vegetables
· Stores and restaurants are nearby (some within walking distance)
Cons:
· Lots of road noise from I-94
· No trees for shade or privacy
· Would not recommend for tent camping
· Many campers are long-term
· “Buddy” campsites with patios facing each other
GuideThis is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn..
ScoutA very quiet campground. The sites are spread out and only 2 vehicles per site are allowed. The East campground is more open and had 3 small cabins that can be rented. The West camping is more wooded and isolated. An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible.
TravelerThis was our first time staying here. Great private campground with rustic, elec, water/elec (30 amp), and concrete pad sites. Very clean campground with nice shower house. Owners are very friendly. Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan. Large pool in season. Priced reasonably.
ScoutThis is a fabulous campground! There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.) There is a boat launch on one end of campground and the amazing beach on the other. The water is clear and warm (perfect lake for swimming) and there is both sand and grassy areas on the fairly large beach. The beach also offers picnic tables and benches. The only negative aspect I can see about this campground is that the sites are right on top of each other, so if you have a loud group or a generator next to you, it is noisy. But most campgrounds have sites set real close together, so you will find this pretty much everywhere. Def camp here! About an hours drive from a Pictured Rocks National Park. There are no showers or running water. Camp hosts were very nice, helpful, & welcoming.
Equestrian camping near Farmington Hills, Michigan offers access to over 30 miles of well-maintained bridle paths across multiple parks. The region maintains a moderate climate with summer temperatures averaging in the mid-80s and spring conditions that can be muddy along horse trails. Camping areas typically feature separate zones for equestrian use to maintain appropriate spacing between horse areas and regular camping zones.
Mountain biking trails: 26 miles of paths wind through Addison Oaks County Park, providing routes for all skill levels. According to Mary H. from Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, "Extensive mountain biking trails and the lake is open to boating, kayaking, and other water sports."
Swimming in crystal clear water: The region offers multiple lakes with designated swimming areas. Christine A. notes that Pontiac Lake Recreation Area is "one of the best areas for hiking and biking and kayaking and swimming," while Beth G. mentions that Bishop Lake Campground has "a nice area with shade trees beach and nice lake water."
Disc golf courses: Several parks maintain disc golf courses as an alternative recreation option. As one visitor to Addison Oaks County Park mentions, the park features "hiking and biking, disc golf course, and a lake for boating."
Explore historical sites: Hidden gems like old structures can be found on hiking paths. At Highland State Recreation Area, Adrienne C. describes discovering "Haven Hill deep in the woods on a trail. It was the Ford family summer getaway spot back in the 1930's and was shockingly burned down by a fire! There's still many of the walls and a beautiful fireplace remains!"
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping areas. Sam H. notes that at Pontiac Lake State Rec Area, "The spots are all pretty private due to trees and vegetation between sites." Similarly, Sarah P. adds, "The sites aren't super far away from each other but there are trees between sites so from most of the sites you can't really see your neighbors."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The region supports diverse wildlife populations. Brett B. describes Highland State Recreation Area as having "an almost magical feel to it. It's private, quiet, and full of wildlife." Another camper at Pontiac Lake encountered "tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray. Also make sure that all food and garbage is secure at night, the raccoons have no fear."
Well-maintained facilities: Campgrounds in the area typically keep their amenities clean. At Bishop Lake Campground, Mike B. found that "the bathrooms are clean and the showers were warm," while Sam H. reported that at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, "the bathrooms and showers were nice and clean with hot water."
Spacious campsites: The area offers generous site dimensions. Jennifer H. from Highland State Recreation Area mentions "Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around," which supplements the equestrian facilities.
Distance to swimming areas: Some campgrounds require travel to reach beach facilities. As Renee R. notes about Pontiac Lake, "Only drawback is the distance from the lake. The lake is not within walking distance, you would need to drive."
Bug preparation essential: Multiple reviewers mention significant insect activity. According to Ryan F. at Brighton Recreation Area, "The biggest problem was mosquito activity... When we rolled in the first thing we noticed was that everyone had screen houses set up."
Extension cords needed: At some campgrounds, the electrical hookups may be positioned far from the designated parking area. Mary H. warns visitors to "bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad."
Variable site privacy: While some sites offer good separation, others can feel exposed. As Kelsey P. observed at Seven Lakes State Park Campground, "the campground is horribly set up. The entire thing is wide open and there is little to no space between sites. No trees either to break up space between neighbors."
Playground access: Several parks maintain child-friendly play areas. Mary O. from Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern mentions "Big playground and nice bathrooms," while Kim S. adds that "the kids had a blast. They rode bikes around the loop and loved swimming and the playground."
Bike-friendly loops: Many campgrounds feature paved loops perfect for young cyclists. As Christie V. notes about Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, there's "Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake."
Inflatable water features: Some parks offer special water attractions. Jillian E. recommends Bishop Lake Campground, saying "Such a cool place to enjoy with the kids, we had a blast at Jump Island!" Beth G. adds that Jump Island costs "$15 for a 45 minute jump session. Follow on Facebook for coupons."
Weekend activities: Check for scheduled events that appeal to families. Tim & Nancy C. share that at Addison Oaks, they experienced a "Boo Fest weekend. Lots of socially distanced activities for the kids and a scavenger hunt (finding clues on signs in park to solve a mystery)."
Site surfaces vary: Different campgrounds offer varied parking surfaces for RVs. Sam H. notes that Pontiac Lake Recreation Area has a "nice site with blacktop pad and once parked felt very secluded," while Hell Creek Ranch Campground features "concrete pad sites" according to Jason F.
Site leveling challenges: Some campgrounds have uneven terrain. Edward C. warns that at Seven Lakes State Park, "Sites tend to slope towards Sand Lake so have leveling blocks if that's important to you."
Hookup variations: Available utilities differ between parks. Martin W. notes about Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern that the "Only downfall is no water hookups on site," while Jason F. describes Hell Creek Ranch as having "rustic, elec, water/elec (30 amp), and concrete pad sites."
Dump station locations: Facilities for waste disposal may require planning. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area includes "Water hookup and dump on site" according to Sam H., making it convenient for extended stays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Farmington Hills, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Farmington Hills, MI is Pontiac Lake Recreation Area with a 4.4-star rating from 19 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Farmington Hills, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Farmington Hills, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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