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Dispersed Camping Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead provides free primitive camping for equestrians in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Located near Grand Marais, this site features vault toilets and accommodates both tents and RVs with ample space for horse trailers. The campground connects directly to horse trails with multiple access points for riders. Unlike many developed campgrounds, this location maintains a rustic atmosphere with no drinking water, electric hookups, or shower facilities on site. The campground's design prioritizes equestrian access with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in options available for different camping preferences. Campgrounds near Grand Marais, Michigan are listed with photos on The Dyrt.
The Hovey Lake trail system connects riders to extensive routes through the Hiawatha National Forest, offering varied terrain suitable for different riding abilities. Horse owners should bring their own water supply for both themselves and their animals as no drinking water is available at the trailhead. The surrounding forest provides natural highline opportunities for securing horses overnight. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring often bringing muddy sections that may limit access to certain areas. The campground's location offers strategic positioning for exploring multiple trail systems in the region. Riders appreciate the uncrowded nature of these trails compared to more developed equestrian camping areas, though proper wilderness preparation is essential when camping at this primitive site.
"Horses allowed"
from $20 / night
Check Availability"This has and will remain my favorite campground in Michigan."
"Located just outside of the town of Paradise on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan."
from $41 - $46 / night
Check Availability"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."
"The staff was very friendly and they actually had campsites that were more private then almost all the Michigan state parks we have stayed at."
"Easy drive to the falls, nice clean grounds, and right next to ATV trails"
"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 Availability"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."
from $8 / night
Check Availability
GuideThis has and will remain my favorite campground in Michigan. Easy access to the Tahquamenon River, bathrooms are always clean and showers all work very well, sites are generally private due to surrounding trees, and the overall campground is small relative to most modern campgrounds.
ScoutHorses allowed
LegendThis beautiful state park is a stunner during the fall colors! Located just outside of the town of Paradise on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It has all the amenities of a state park such as: spacious camp sites with plenty of room for larger RV’s, fire rings, picnic tables, super clean bathrooms and showers, nature programs, a playground, and a camp store. The campsites vary from rustic to those equipped with electricity to camper cabins, depending on your needs.
There are miles of hiking trails, gorgeous waterfalls, fishing boat rentals, paddling/canoeing opportunities, large picnic areas for groups and more. In the winter, they offer snowmobiling and cross country skiing.
Camp site fees vary, but keep in mind that non-residents pay an additional $9 per day for use of Michigan State Parks.
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.
GuideWe stayed in site 38, in the Lower Falls- Portage campground. It's an open area which is shaded. We had 30 amp and access to drinking water on site. Verizon was able to bring in 3G, at best. Bathroom/Showers were about 200 feet from our site. They were extremely clean, even though it was rainy and muddy. As for the rain, our site didn't have standing water, but it was mainly dirt, which was a challenge not to track in our rig. Bring a rug or at least a mat! Nice big fire pits. There is a guy that drives through the park frequently, selling firewood for $5 a bundle. From our campground, it was a short hike, down to the lower falls, store and restaurant. if you make the loop around the lower falls, it's about 3 miles and half of it is through some amazing woods. You can also hike to the Upper falls, that's about a 4 mile hike, one way. But as a reward, there is a Brewery, restaurant, store, big deck with fireplace, at the entrance of the Upper falls. If you truly want to camp to get away from TV, Internet, phones and the daily grind, this place might be for you.
GuideWe stayed here on the very last night they were open this season. The staff was very friendly and they actually had campsites that were more private then almost all the Michigan state parks we have stayed at. It was a bit pricey for camping $40 for a pop up truck camper with only electric and water.
They have hot showers that were clean and looked taken care of. They have a playground, playroom and a pool. None of this was open during our visit but I imagine in the summer it is all going strong and the kids have a blast. My one complaint was it is pretty close to the road and during a heavy tourist season it could probably be pretty loud.
LegendWhat amazing waterfalls there are in Upper Michigan! There are a couple camping areas and after some research we chose to stay in the Upper Falls campground (which seemed less busy than the Lower Falls). Our site was large right near the creek, which was scenic, but I think attracted more mosquitos unfortunately. This campground is very near to a restaurant and a little store. The hike between the lower and upper falls was nice and we enjoyed it a lot!
GuideThe Tahquamenon Falls State Park is gorgeous! The campground that we visited was the one by the river mouth. The campground is well maintained, the toilets and baths - clean. The camp sites are situated in the middle of a river bend and the area is very picturesque. The town of Paradise is close nearby and one can find almost anything in the very well stocked stores. The river has a couple of waterfalls upstream from the Rivermouth Campground - the Lower and Upper Tahquamenon Falls. Other sites of interest nearby are the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point, the Point Iroquois Light at Bay Mills on Whitefish Bay. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Mackinac Island are also fairly close (a couple of hours away driving distance) in case you need to enrich your experience. The area is also pierced by the North Country Trail. A very refreshing hike for us was the hike between the Upper and Lower Falls. A nice reward at the end of the trail is a small brewery with some interesting beer selection. The whole area is very beautiful and despite the gloomy weather it was a memorable experience.
GuideThe campground is nestled in the trees along the Tahquamenon River near the rivermouth of Lake Superior. The campsite was on the end of the loop with the walking path along the river.
There is river access along the back of the campground for fishing or enjoying the beautiful wetlands.
The campground is about a 20-30 minute drive to the main Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead offers primitive camping facilities specifically designed for horse owners in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Located within the Hiawatha National Forest near Grand Marais, this free dispersed camping area sits at approximately 850 feet elevation in a region characterized by mixed hardwood and conifer forests. The campground connects to an extensive network of equestrian trails spanning over 30 miles through varied terrain including wetlands, forested hills, and small lakes.
Trail riding opportunities: The Hovey Lake trail system provides multiple loop options ranging from 5-15 miles in length. At Jack Pine Lodge and Campground, located about 30 miles southwest, visitors appreciate similar forest access. "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," notes Lora H.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and evenings offer opportunities to see white-tailed deer, porcupines, and various bird species. The Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping area, approximately 15 miles south, provides similar wildlife encounters. "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," reports Naomi L.
Waterfall exploration: Tahquamenon Falls State Park lies approximately 35 miles east of Grand Marais and features Michigan's largest waterfall with a 50-foot drop. "The semi modern campground is great secluded and great views of sunsets on the river. Not far from the falls, whitefish point, with a boat launch right across the street," writes Al C.
Secluded atmosphere: Equestrian camping near Grand Marais offers quiet surroundings with minimal crowds compared to developed campgrounds. At Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite, campers find similar seclusion. "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. That took us straight to the location no problem," explains Ben L.
Direct trail access: Horse owners appreciate being able to ride directly from their campsite without trailering. The Newberry Campground offers comparable convenience for ATV riders. "Easy drive to the falls, nice clean grounds, and right next to ATV trails," says David N.
Self-sufficient setup: Experienced equestrians value the primitive nature that allows for customized camping arrangements. One camper at Catchin' Crickets noted: "Clean, sites are level. I was charged $45 for a site with electricity. A site without is $35 or at least this is what I was asked to pay. Host is friendly."
No drinking water available: Visitors must bring all water for themselves and their horses, with typical requirements being 5-10 gallons per horse per day. The closest potable water source is in Grand Marais, approximately 8 miles away.
Toilet facilities limited: The trailhead features vault toilets but no other bathroom amenities. For comparison, Tahquamenon Falls State Park offers more facilities. "Michigan State parks earn extra marks for their recycling: paper, plastic, aluminum, and best of all - propane canisters. I wasn't sure what 'returnables' meant so it might be good to explain. Sites were generous in size but the interior ones did not have any privacy separation," observes Lee D.
Seasonal access considerations: Spring conditions (April-May) often include muddy trails and limited access. Summer brings stable footing but increased insects, while fall (September-October) offers comfortable temperatures and fewer bugs but earlier nightfall.
Safety preparation: When horse camping with children, bring high-visibility vests for young riders and establish clear boundaries around horse areas. Willow M. at Ironjaw Lake notes similar preparation needs: "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."
Entertainment options: Pack cards, binoculars, and field guides as there's no electricity for electronic entertainment. Many families at nearby campgrounds report similar needs. "We loved staying at Tahquamenon Falls State Park hiking along the river between the falls was great and it was total worth the extra few dollars to rent a boat and row out to the island," shares Bryan T.
Temperature planning: Nighttime temperatures in the Upper Peninsula can drop below 50°F even in summer; pack extra layers for children. During June-August, daytime temperatures typically range from 65-80°F.
Access limitations: The equestrian camping area near Hovey Lake can accommodate smaller trailers and RVs under 30 feet in length. Larger rigs may have difficulty with turnaround space and low-hanging branches.
Leveling requirements: Bring extra leveling blocks as sites can have uneven terrain. At nearby locations, campers report similar needs. "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," reports Tim from Hickey Marsh.
Generator etiquette: If using a generator while horse camping, maintain distance from other campers and follow quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Some nearby campgrounds have more specific restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Grand Marais, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Grand Marais, MI is Headquarters Lake State Forest Equestrian Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Grand Marais, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Grand Marais, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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