Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Grand Rapids is the way to go. It's easy to find Grand Rapids campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. Find our top-rated horse campsites from other campers like you. Plan the perfect trip in minutes.
Fort Custer Campground at Fort Custer State Recreation Area is a 3,033-acre park located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. The park features three lakes, the Kalamazoo River, a campground, a swimming beach, boat rentals, more than 25 miles of multi-use trails, paddling and fishing opportunities, second growth forests and remnant areas of prairie. The trail system is popular with mountain bikers, equestrians, hikers and dog sledders. Originally farmland, the area was acquired by the federal government to establish Camp Custer, an induction and military training center for the U.S. Army during WWII. The land was deeded to the State of Michigan under President Nixon's Legacy of Parks in 1971. No alcoholic beverages allowed in park April 1 through Labor Day.
The White River runs through this area and there are several campgrounds and boat launches associated with the river. The White River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area has several acres of habitat for the federally endangered Karner blue butterfly. No special use permit is required for individuals or small groups (74 people or less). Permits are required for commercial, event or large groups (75 people or more). As a visitor to the National Forest, you are asked to follow certain rules designed to protect the Forest, natural resources and to provide for public safety of visitors. These rules are available to you on-line or at any office of the Huron-Manistee National Forests. Please take time to read and understand them. General Topic orders apply across the Forests.
Traveler
Been coming here since I was little, took a 25 year hiatus from camping. Went back there recently and loved it just like when I was a kid!
Traveler
We just camped at the park this weekend, which was the opening weekend after the rebuild of the bath houses and some other improvements. First, we loved how wooded and beautiful the campground was. The spots were nice and secluded, and the whole place was very beautiful. There were a few things that we didn't enjoy. First, it was EXTREMELY buggy. If you weren't covered in Deep Woods bug spray the whole time, you were getting bit. Second, I don't feel that there were enough showers. There were 5 showers in each bathhouse, making 10 showers total for the entire campground. I found myself waiting in a line every time I wanted a shower. Lastly, I wish there was a walking trail that was more accessible from the campground itself.
Traveler
This is the White River special area of the Manistee National Forest. While there are numbered campsites, there are no facilities or amenities. This is more suitable for tents or maybe small campers. Best access seems to be along 160th avenue south of Arthur road. The road seems a bit sketchy but should be okay for most vehicles. We explored the area while camping at nearby Pines Point campground.
ScoutThe place is very good. But the entertainment is fulfil when you play your favourite game. My favourite is Super 9 Game which I played in this game. The game is very unique and full of enjoy. Download it enjoy yourself. The game will refresh you. So, Try it now.
GuideThis was our second trip to this property (1st was Sept 2021), and it was really nice. We went Aug 25 - 27th (Friday - Sunday). The property has something like 219 campsites, and that weekend every single one of them was full. Noisy during the day with a few large groups and a LOT of kids, but they were quiet at night and it was not a problem. Some of the campsites are very close together and it's hard to determine that from the map or choosing ahead of time. The showers and bathrooms are fine, and I think they're being upgraded this season so I expect them to be quite nice for 2024 and beyond. We took full advantage of the mountain bike trails which are very easily accessed from the campground. We also took a trip into Battle Creek for a quick stop by CVS, so it's close and convenient for lost or forgotten items. No problems with bugs or mosquitos, other than the normal for being a forested property.
On Saturday morning the camp host had coffee and donuts for a $1 donation. And firewood was easily accessible on site.
Would not hesitate to stay here again.
ScoutHuge beautiful campground. Lots of privacy. Needs extra access to the Kalamazoo River for kayakers. Make a campground near the beach. Gas is too expensive to be driving two and a quarter miles one way to the beach. The dump station needed a serious update.
ScoutAnother great camping experience, site 210 has an amazing trail that leads directly to the showers at one end and at the other path went directly to running water, plus only a couple of yards from a great walking trail.
TravelerNice sites, very well organized for privacy. Trees and shrubs dividing sites. The lake is a couple miles away from campground, only 20 miles per hour if I recall. No alcohol permitted
TravelerBeen coming here since 1969 when I was 4 yrs. old. Nothing changed, just good ole wilderness camping! Try to up there a couple times a year. Love it.
ScoutDrive to a place where you are truly, disconnected from society. No cell phone service, no internet, no electricity, and no showers. But who needs any of that when you're camping.
ScoutRun down campground with rude disrespectful owner. We were attacked over something that was so trivial...a few hoof prints by our trailer where we we told to park. Horses did not dig or paw. She drove up to us and complained that they tore up her grass, which wasn't true. There was no grass to begin with, it was moss. Our ponied stood quietly tied to trailer as we saddled up and then when we came back from our rife and unsaddled. We were with them the entire time....it was a short day ride with a friend who was camping there. Woman never asked or told us to picket. Normal function for horseman is to ride from trailer. I Just couldn't believe it. Told woman we understood and would be leaving and wouldn't be back. She kept running her mouth. I told her to drop it and that again, we would leave and would not be back. Kept running her mouth, and Id had enough and told her to shut up.
ScoutWith plenty of space between each campsite, easy-to-locate bathrooms/water, and firewood available to purchase at the front office plus over 25 miles of hiking/mountain biking trails, plus more than one body of water to fish/swim in. It really is an ideal place to camp!!
ScoutThere is a river to explore and we always get a riverfront site. Rivers are just fun for fishing, throwing stones, canoeing. There is a campstore, Firepits, large trees, they do hayrides for kids, too. We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids. It is close to a town to get take out food if it rains. There are some larger vacation lodges to rent that ars nestled away in the woods, and a bunkhouse with rentals. My husband liked the golf course that came with renting spot. Seen lots of wildlife. Very relaxing time in our pop up not too far from Grand Rapids.
ScoutWe camp here several times a year. Love the staff, lakes, and trails!!!
TravelerGreat campgrounds very friendly staff bathrooms are extremely clean great time nice beach
TravelerGreat place to camp, our first trip there was the weekend after the 4th of July. Wish we would have came here yrs ago! Great sites, all divided by trees for some privacy. Will go back
Guide
We stayed here for only 1 night on a weekend and the place was packed. However, most of the campsites are spaced out enough that it isn’t a big deal. The pool is big, has a playground, a nice store on site with food, games, and camping equipment. The best part about it was the on site horseback rides!
GuideThe campground was great, and clean. The park was nice and so we’re all the kid activities! The pool is very nice and the store is stocked nicely. Some of the seasonal kids got a little wild, but the owners were quick to respond!
RangerI can see why this place is so popular with the camper crowd. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just cramped, a bit noisy, and there's alot of traffic. Alot.
I was only taking my son for a night to try his hand at tenting and some hiking. The hiking was nice but not as challenging as some of the other places I've been.
I prefer rustic, somewhat challenging, and a semblance of solitude. You won't get any of that here. But if you're a family, especially with younger kids or older folks, who want a safe place to get outdoors, this is the place. The restrooms, showers, playground, and easy groomed trails will be great for you.
If you're like me, you'll likely be looking north.
ScoutJust bought our first camper this past summer and decided to take it to Ft. Custer to try it out! We absolutely loved this place. There are plenty of hiking trails and the fishing was great. Will definitely be back again!!!
GuideThere are dispersed options as well as docked site. It’s in a forest, so bring a compass if you plan to do some hiking.
ScoutBoating, trails, camping, beach. Had a great time.
GuideSites are super secluded, a lot are deep with tons of open woods behind them which is beautiful. There’s a huge dog run area that we took advantage of.
The day use beach area was great, and you can swim and kayak in the water.
However there was a couple of issues. One was we had a good down pour for about half hour. That rain flooded a large amount of sites with a few inches of water which was honestly really bad. Another issue was the mosquitoes are real bad. They post signs about it. Last issue was the dump station. I think because of the flooding, the septic tank was almost full which made dumping a little bit of an issue but I could get it done.
Honestly the property is beautiful other than those few issues
ScoutWe enjoyed camping here with the family. The sites are nicely wooded to give more privacy. There are convenient trails through the woods to get to the bathrooms but depending on your site it could be about a 10 min walk. The kids wished we had packed their bicycles to make trips to the bathrooms faster. Our site (34) was mostly sandy ground and there were a lot of berries dropping from the trees that my dogs were obsessed with eating. Overall we enjoyed the stay and would return
TravelerThe sites are spacious with the right amount of seclusion from your neighbors! Paved roads good for bike riding and walking the dogs. The only thing missing is a camp store!
TravelerBathhouses were clean and free of bugs. Roads are nicely paved. Campgrounds are nice. Good for multiple tents. Fire ring is good. Beach was amazing and so were the trails. The concessions at the park are sparse. Family dollar is right down the road though. Firewood sales at location. Very buggy but your in the woods so expected.
Scout
The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here
Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a great choice for riders and their horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Grand Rapids, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Grand Rapids, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 41 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Grand Rapids, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Grand Rapids, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
