McKinley Horse Trail Campground near Mio accommodates tent and RV camping specifically for equestrian use. The campground features large, woodsy sites with fire rings and vault toilets. Horses are allowed at designated sites, and the campground connects directly to bridle trails in the Huron National Forest. Sites remain private and secluded even during peak season, creating comfortable accommodations for both riders and their horses. The campground operates seasonally from April 1 to November 14, closing during winter months when access becomes difficult and requires 4x4 vehicles.
Located within an extensive trail network, the horse-friendly campgrounds near Glennie provide access to miles of riding opportunities throughout the Huron National Forest. Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground offers rustic camping with basic facilities including picnic tables and toilets. Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground provides drinking water and trash facilities while maintaining a natural setting with numerous trees. Luzerne Express Campground includes horse pens available at reasonable rates for overnight horse camping with direct access to forest trails. Non-horse campers can find accommodations at designated sites separate from the equestrian camping areas, typically in numbered sites 1-8 at Big Oaks.
"The large campground is crowded in summer months and you have to buy tokens to take a shower, but the views and access to the River are spectacular."
"Sites are reasonably priced around$25-30/night. The park is very dog-friendly, which we appreciated.
Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront. "
$40 - $100 / night
"Bathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring. I'm a motocamper and suited my needs. No trash, so take what you brought in plus some."
"This place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to."
"Love this park, right down the street from our family cabin and you get the best views of the Au Sauble river for miles around."
"The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate."
"I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas."
GuideIt’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.
GuideIt was logged off and is essentially destroyed. I think there's 6 "sites" and an open field for equestrian activities.
Very secluded. Nothing of interest in the nearby area.
Looks to be seldom used.
No cell service. Verizon is the dominant service up here. 0 signal.
LegendA horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8
RangerThe Luzerne Express Campground is literally all you need in one spot. The whole place is incredibly accommodating. Friendly, helpful staff. There is an array of sites available plus RV’s and Cabins for rent so winter camping here is a blast. The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate. Walk right off the campground into the Huron National Forest.
RangerThis campground is not my favorite, although my husband did not mind staying there. One of the reasons it is not my favorite is because the bathrooms were disgusting. I do not think that they were cleaned the entire four days we were there. They were super-hot and dirty. Another reason I did not care for the campground is because while we were there, my cousin’s dog was taken to doggy jail! We went on a kayaking trip down the Au Sable river and were gone a couple of hours. My cousin has a big dog that was tied to the tree. The dog had water, but must have knocked it over. The weather was not hot, it was in the low 70’s. My uncle’s site was right next door and he was watching the dog. My uncle was preparing dinner and went into the camper to grab what he needed to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. While he was making hamburger patties someone must have walked by and saw that the dog’s water was empty (because the dog knocked it over), that person went to the park attendant and they called animal control. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle said he was in the camper for about 20 mins making patties and getting food ready to grill outside. Apparently, it is not actually animal control that came to get him, it was a person down the street that takes the animals to his home on the weekend when animal control is not open. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle was frantic and walked around the entire campground and then went to the front desk. The lady was so rude to my uncle. My uncle is a very nice and funny man and he was just beside himself! My cousin came back from the kayaking trip and my uncle told him what happened. My cousin went to the man’s house that took the dog and had to pay $80 to get him out! It was quite the ordeal. My uncle felt bad because he wasn’t out there the entire time with the dog, but he wasn’t gone that long and it wasn’t that hot outside. My uncle would have seen that the water was empty and would have refilled it. The sites are HUGE and there are some trees, but I would not camp here again. That situation left a bad taste in my mouth and the bathrooms not being cleaned during our stay put me over the edge.
ScoutThis place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to. Highly reccomend for anyone looking to camp without ANY ammentities. Access is 4x4 only winter months.
TravelerThis is one of the worst campgrounds I have ever been to. The bathrooms and showers close at 10pm, and the restrooms themselves are nasty, the showers cost $2 (in quarters) for 6 minutes of lukewarm water, the locals are hostile to unfamiliar faces, and to top it off, the rental ATVs and dirt track to ride them on is o ly separated from the campsites by a board fence, so expect to hear all kinds of small engines zipping by at all hours. The RV trailers for rental are all used trailers circa 1995 and "refurbished", which entails a quick coat of interior paint and laminate flooring screwed to the floors with drywall screws. Guests who have rented the RV trailers are instructed to not use the showers in their trailers. Absolutely not worth the money, would rate 0 stars if I could. If you are looking for a camping experience that puts you in the heart of upper Michigan redneck territory, this is the place for you. If you want a good experience, look elsewhere.
TravelerI stayed here a few times in September 2022. The weather was really rainy but the lake is pretty and Oscoda has a lot of hiking and places to hang up a hammock and relax. (The campsite is about 10 minutes from town.)
Labor Day weekend was crazy and my neighbors had a really difficult time staying in their designated site - one family next to me really liked to put their trash on a tree within my site. People just seemed a little unfriendly and territorial - it seemed like they didn’t know what to do with a younger solo woman camper. Unrelated, a guy was shouting a song about cocaine around 11pm, drinking with his buddies. Just kind of weird vibes even though there were a million kids. It didn’t really feel like homey, family vibes.
The second time I was there I was told I could not car camp. The lady who was working didn’t seem to care but my last night an older male worker waited at the entrance until I returned and loudly announced my site number and said I wasn’t allowed to car camp (I usually don’t get frustrated with older people when they yell because I assume they may be hard of hearing, but it seemed a little unsafe to announce where I would be sleeping.) I asked if hammock camping was ok and he became gruffer and told me his boss wanted to kick me off the campground - which seemed to imply a possible punishment if I kept asking questions. Ironically, I was asking these questions because I didn’t have a tent but was still trying to comply. I just felt uncomfortable after that and left, spending my last night somewhere else.
Showers are ok - they’re coin operated and cleaned every few days.
The scenery is pretty but it doesn’t work for me if I can’t car camp and if there’s no cell service to work. As mentioned, weird vibes as a solo female camper too. Adult activities - like a dance party or movies - take place after dark. I can’t imagine how being in a dark forest with strangers would feel safe, let alone fun, when there is alcohol and it seems likely there are other substances too. No really where my interests lie.
But if you have an RV you might have a different experience - or if you’re looking for a party during a holiday weekend. It might also be worth a try if you’re camping as a group.
GuideLots of things to do in this area! The large campground is crowded in summer months and you have to buy tokens to take a shower, but the views and access to the River are spectacular.
Equestrian camping near Glennie, Michigan offers rugged, rustic opportunities within the Huron National Forest's 180 miles of designated bridle trails. The area sits at approximately 850 feet elevation with sandy soil and mixed pine-hardwood forest. Most equestrian sites are primitive with limited amenities, requiring campers to bring most necessities for both humans and horses.
Trail riding access: The Huron National Forest features extensive trail networks connecting directly to Luzerne Express Campground & RV, where according to Judy B., "Walk right off the campground into the Huron National Forest." Horse pens are available "at a very reasonable rate" for overnight equestrian camping.
Fishing opportunities: Located near the AuSable River, Oscoda County Park provides fishing access. Max O. notes it offers "the best views of the Au Sauble river for miles around" and is "right in the heart of Mio," making it convenient for supply runs.
Off-road adventuring: Many campgrounds accommodate both horse and motorized trail users. The region's sandy terrain and forest roads create ideal conditions for ATVs and dirt bikes, though at some locations like Luzerne Express, campers should note the "dirt track to ride them on is only separated from the campsites by a board fence," according to Geo D.
Natural seclusion: McKinley Horse Trail Campground earns praise for its isolation. Juan A. describes it as "amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to."
Spacious campsites: The equestrian camping areas typically feature larger sites to accommodate trailers and horse equipment. At South Branch Trail Camp Group Site, Sean R. found "site was large surrounded by tall pine trees" with a "HC accessible" picnic table and fire pit ring.
Diverse accommodations: Beyond tent sites, several campgrounds offer cabin rentals and RV options. Rachel S. mentions that Old Orchard Park Campground has "many options to stay here" and is "very family and pet friendly" with amenities like "a playground and a small beach."
Limited facilities: Most equestrian campgrounds provide minimal amenities. Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground is described by Dj W. as "very secluded" with "nothing of interest in the nearby area" and "no cell service."
Seasonal considerations: Winter access becomes difficult at many sites. Juan A. notes that McKinley Horse Trail Campground requires "4x4 only winter months," and most equestrian campgrounds operate seasonally from spring to late fall.
Water availability: Not all campgrounds offer drinking water. Some like 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR provide water pumps, where Lexi G. mentions "water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well." At others, campers need to bring their own water supply for themselves and horses.
Designated non-equestrian areas: For families without horses, Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground offers specific sections. As Lydia T. notes, "Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8" at this "rustic campground with lots of trees."
Bathroom access: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds. Gordon B. shares that at Oscoda County Park, "showers require tokens if you wish to use them," while Stephanie C. warns about maintenance issues: "bathrooms were disgusting. I do not think that they were cleaned the entire four days we were there."
Recreational options: Some campgrounds offer family-friendly amenities beyond horse trails. C P. mentions that Old Orchard Park Campground has "fishing, boat ramp, beach, wagon rides, hearts, cabins" making it suitable for mixed family groups with varied outdoor interests.
Hookup logistics: At Oscoda County Park, Gordon B. advises, "At the moment they have 50 or 20 amp power, so you will need a 15 or 50 adapter to use 30 amp service. No water at camp sites, but they have a water fill station." This requires planning for water usage during your stay.
Site accommodations: Many sites can fit larger rigs, though amenities may be limited. Gordon B. also noted at Oscoda County Park, "Any size rv will fit" and there's "Nice quiet and relaxing right on the lake" with "a small playground for the kids."
Connectivity challenges: Cell service is inconsistent throughout the area. Tracey R. observed at Old Orchard Park that "Water and electric are poorly located. Need extra hose/cords," requiring additional equipment for comfortable RV camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Glennie, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Glennie, MI is Old Orchard Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Glennie, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Glennie, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
