Several horse-friendly campgrounds near Hale, Michigan provide options for equestrian travelers. McKinley Horse Trail Campground in Mio accommodates both tents and RVs with drive-in access from April through mid-November. The campground allows pets and alcohol but lacks amenities like drinking water or electric hookups. Simple toilet facilities and space for horse trailers make this a rustic option for trail riders. The campground received excellent reviews from visitors who appreciate the privacy and extensive land to explore in the surrounding Huron National Forest.
Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground in Atlanta offers a more developed option with drinking water and toilet facilities available May through October. The campground features sites specifically designated for non-horse campers in lots 1-8, while dedicated equestrian sites provide direct access to trail systems. Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground provides another option with toilet facilities and picnic tables but was noted in recent reviews to have been heavily logged, significantly impacting the natural setting. Luzerne Express Campground includes horse pens for overnight horse camping at reasonable rates, allowing riders to access trails directly from the campground into the Huron National Forest.
"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.
The Huron National Forest surrounding Hale, Michigan features multiple equestrian campgrounds with trails connecting directly to campsites. Most horse-friendly facilities operate from spring through late fall with seasonal closures during winter months. Terrain varies from flat woodland areas to rolling hills with sandy soil typical of northeastern Michigan.
Trail riding access: At Luzerne Express Campground & RV, campers can "walk right off the campground into the Huron National Forest" for immediate trail access. Horse pens are available for overnight camping at reasonable rates.
Water recreation: Old Orchard Park Campground offers multiple water activities along the AuSable River. "Kayaking, boating, pontooning, fishing-all beautiful. There is just North of the park an off shoot road that goes to Champagne Hill where people have large homemade slip and slide mats to slide down the steep sand dunes into the water."
Historic sites: Regional attractions near horse camps include Lumberman's Monument and Iargo Springs. According to campers at Old Orchard, "The area around the park has several areas of interest including Lumbermans monument, iargo springs, and downtown Oscoda on lake Huron."
Privacy and seclusion: McKinley Horse Trail Campground offers significant privacy with minimal crowds. A camper noted it's "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."
Family-friendly atmosphere: Multiple campgrounds accommodate families with children, including playgrounds and beach access. One visitor to Oscoda County Park mentioned, "Nice quiet and relaxing right on the lake. A small playground for the kids. Any size rv will fit."
Off-season camping: Some facilities remain open during spring and fall when crowds thin out. A camper at Old Orchard Park reported, "Camped here in early fall. The area around here is beautiful with lots of sights and trails. This park has a wide variety of individuals and many long term residents but the staff were pretty friendly and the lake is beautiful (especially in the early morning)."
Bathroom facilities vary: Campground bathrooms range from rustic vault toilets to full facilities with showers. At Oscoda County Park, a camper cautioned that "Showers require tokens if you wish to use them. The staff are pleasant and helpful."
Water and electric hookup limitations: Many horse campgrounds have minimal amenities. At 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR, there's "water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well."
Reservation systems differ: Some campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis while others allow advance booking. One Old Orchard visitor noted, "Website booking process was very easy. Sites are reasonably priced around $25-30/night."
Dedicated non-horse sites: Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground designates specific areas for non-equestrian campers. A visitor explained, "Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8" which helps families without horses enjoy the campground without interference.
Water activities for children: Several campgrounds feature beach areas and water access suitable for families. At Old Orchard Park, campers report, "It has a playground and a small beach. There are many options to stay here!"
Weekend entertainment options: Some campgrounds organize activities for visitors. Old Orchard Park offers "Adult activities - like a dance party or movies - take place after dark," though families should consider safety when participating.
Water fill stations: RV campers should note water access points. At Oscoda County Park, "No water at camp sites, but they have a water fill station."
Power adapter requirements: Check electrical hookup compatibility before arrival. One Oscoda County Park camper advised, "At the moment they have 50 or 20 amp power, so you will need a 15 or 50 adapter to use 30 amp service."
Campsite sizing: Most equestrian campgrounds accommodate large rigs due to horse trailer requirements. South Branch Trail Camp features "nice large private site #21" with space that works well for various camping setups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hale, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hale, MI is Old Orchard Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hale, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Hale, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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