Ortonville Equestrian Campground offers dedicated facilities for horse owners within a 5,400-acre recreation area in Oakland County. The terrain features rolling hills with mixed hardwood forests and open meadows at elevations ranging from 900 to 1,100 feet. The area receives approximately 30 inches of annual rainfall, creating seasonal variations in trail conditions that affect equestrian camping opportunities.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: Access miles of bridle paths directly from Highland State Recreation Area campground. "There are extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Lovely little no wake lake perfect for swimming, fishing or paddling," notes Jennifer H. The trail system connects multiple recreation areas.
Mountain biking: Explore the trail networks at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, located 15 miles from Franklin. "Nice 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," shares Christie V. Trails range from beginner to advanced difficulty levels.
Fishing access: Fish at several lakes within a 30-minute drive of Franklin. "The beach is nice but you have to walk a trail to get to it from the campground or drive. Nice walking trails. Our favorite was the lake for kayaking," reports Debra B. about Brighton Recreation Area. Most lakes permit non-motorized boats and some allow electric motors only.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many equestrian camping areas maintain good separation between camping spots. "The sites are very private and spacious in the primitive camping area. The natural scenery is STUNNING with fields of flowers and trees. We ran up on a group of probably 70 wild turkeys on the trail!" writes Adrienne C. about Highland State Recreation Area.
Wildlife viewing: The natural areas surrounding Franklin provide opportunities to observe native Michigan wildlife. "This rustic campground is obviously well-tended and has an almost magical feel to it. It's private, quiet, and full of wildlife," Brett B. says about his experience at Highland State Recreation Area. Early morning and dusk offer the best viewing times.
Clean facilities: Addison Oaks County Park maintains well-kept amenities despite high visitor traffic. "We stayed in one of the group sites and it was beautiful. Less tree cover than we would have liked, you're basically in a giant grassy field, but it was perfect for a large group," Jennifer O. mentions. Most campgrounds provide vault toilets at minimum, with some offering shower facilities.
What you should know
Bug protection: Insect repellent is essential when equestrian camping near Franklin. "There are 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," warns Kristina J. about Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area. Ticks are especially common from April through October.
Limited shade: Bishop Lake Campground has fewer mature trees than some might expect. "Our campsite had a view of the lake, but no shade. The beach was nice but you have to walk a trail to get to it from the campground or drive," notes Debra B. Consider bringing portable shade structures during summer months.
Weather impacts: Spring conditions often create challenging situations for horse trailers and equipment. "If it's rainy or muddy, you might want to think twice about entering the rustic camping area. We have a 4Runner, so it was no problem but a few little cars did slide around and have trouble on the hill by our site," Ryan F. explains about Brighton Recreation Area.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Seven Lakes State Park provides water recreation alongside equestrian opportunities. "Sand Lake was our spot and the water was breath taking - it's a small pond really, but great for kayaking. Crystal clear, clean water, a good public beach. Our site had 'private' access and our boys just played in the water for three days," Andy B. shares. Most beaches have no lifeguards on duty.
Playground access: Look for campgrounds with built-in entertainment for children. "Brighton recreation has several camping areas within its property. The lake has water activities you can pay extra for if you would like to do that. A lot of trails for biking and hiking," Melissa M. mentions about Brighton Recreation Area.
Educational opportunities: Some parks near Franklin offer interpretive programs on weekends. "They have kids activities on the weekends, a lake for swimming, great playgrounds and everything is really clean," Wendy K. states about Addison Oaks County Park. Programs typically run from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Tips from RVers
Utility access: Hell Creek Ranch Campground provides full hookup options for RVs traveling with horses. "Seriously clean and quiet! The site we had was very large and pretty level. The price we paid was W/E $30/night. Cannot beat that for a fun getaway on a budget!" Lisa D. recommends. Reservation requirements vary by season.
Extension cord needs: Consider packing longer electrical cords than standard. "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad," Mary H. cautions about Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area. Most sites require at least a 25-foot cord.
Levelness challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some equestrian-friendly campgrounds. "Our site wasn't level, so we were rolling around a bit. If I went there again I'd try to find a spot towards the end of the loop by the exit. These sites were higher and some of them were private," Ryan F. suggests about Brighton Recreation Area. Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended.
