Best Equestrian Camping near Grayling, MI

Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp offers primitive horse camping near Grayling with basic facilities for riders and their mounts. The campground features approximately 6 sites in a secluded setting with an open field designed for equestrian activities. Vault toilets are available, but no drinking water on site. The campground permits alcohol and allows pets, with sites accommodating both horses and their trailers. Riders bring their own tie-outs to secure horses to designated poles. The campground operates seasonally from April to November, with cash payment through a self-registration system. Most sites remain largely unused throughout the season, providing ample space and privacy for equestrians seeking seclusion.

Direct access to riding trails begins at the campground, connecting to the expansive trail network within the Huron National Forest. The McKinley Horse Trail Campground, located approximately 24 miles east near Mio, offers additional horse camping options with vault toilets and trail connections operating from April through mid-November. Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground near Atlanta provides another alternative with drinking water and designated non-equestrian sites (lots 1-8) for visitors without horses. Luzerne Express Campground offers horse pens for overnight camping at reasonable rates, allowing riders to access trails directly from the campground. Cell service is extremely limited at most equestrian campgrounds in the area, with Verizon providing the most reliable but still spotty coverage.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Grayling, Michigan (15)

    1. 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    1 Review
    Grayling, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 348-7068

    "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."

    2. Gaylord KOA

    10 Reviews
    Gaylord, MI
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 939-8723

    $61 - $95 / night

    "While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls."

    "The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location."

    3. Luzerne Express Campground & RV

    2 Reviews
    Luzerne, MI
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 826-8256

    "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."

    4. Oscoda County Park

    6 Reviews
    Mio, MI
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 826-5114

    "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."

    6. Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    7 Reviews
    Wolverine, MI
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 983-4101

    "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."

    "The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."

    7. Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Kingsley, MI
    37 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5280

    "The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people)."

    "I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents."

    8. Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground

    1 Review
    Atlanta, MI
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 785-4251

    9. Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Fife Lake, MI
    38 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 857-8000

    $25 - $55 / night

    "We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice! Very close to Manistee River and canoe/raft liveries, very fun family togetherness activity."

    10. McKinley Horse Trail Campground

    1 Review
    Mio, MI
    36 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 821-6263

    "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."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Grayling, MI

1 Photos of 15 Grayling Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Grayling, MI

47 Reviews of 15 Grayling Campgrounds


  • Gemma G.
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Schecks Place-TRAIL CAMP enjoy privacy, the river, horse trails

    There are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.

    The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).

    The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.

    There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.

    The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down.

    There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect.

  • J
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Primitive State Forest CG right on the Boardman River

    I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents. It’s a great home base or overnight camp for canoeists and kayakers (my particular interest). The camp is also used by mountain bikers & gravel riders, ATV riders, anglers, and equestrians (separate camp area). Large wooded sites. Primitive means vault toilets, no power and hand pump water. No reservations — FCFS.

    Negatives: can be noisy at times with the ATVs and also large camping groups. But for the most part I’ve found ppl to be respectful. A couple of the sites flooded after an unusually heavy rain today, so I would avoid any site that looks low if rain is expected.

    Site 16 is good. High and dry after the rain.

  • Lexi G.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    Cheap horse camp

    It’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.

  • Dj W.
    Aug. 30, 2023

    Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp

    Small, clearcut all but destroyed, but very secluded

    It 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.

  • Lydia T.
    May. 13, 2024

    Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground

    A rustic state forest equestrian campground

    A horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8

  • Judy  B.
    Nov. 17, 2020

    Luzerne Express Campground & RV

    All you need in one spot

    The 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.

  • L
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    close to travese city and interlockin

    Quiet, large sites, like new bath house, 7th nite free, rate$35, good location for northwestern Michigan sites Water on all outside sites. interior sites share water hookups

  • Judy  B.
    Jul. 15, 2016

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Lowland Beauty

    This campground is in some lower ground, with a beautiful river running though it. It's fairly wide open, with trees around, but this was great as it made stargazing easy. We were here for a night as we were traveling on the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail, the overall experience was excellent!

  • Stephanie C.
    Aug. 31, 2017

    Oscoda County Park

    No plans to return to this campground

    This 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.


Guide to Grayling

Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like water and trails

Tips for equestrian camping near Grayling, Michigan

  • When visiting Luzerne Express Campground & RV, be prepared for a rustic experience with friendly staff and access to nearby trails for riding.
  • At Gaylord KOA, take advantage of the spacious sites and well-maintained facilities, ensuring a comfortable stay for both you and your horse.
  • For a more primitive experience, consider Scheck's Place State Forest Campground, where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature while having access to essential amenities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Grayling, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Grayling, MI is 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR with a 4-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Grayling, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Grayling, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.