Dispersed Camping Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead offers free horse camping with access to toilets and fire pits within the Hiawatha National Forest. This horse-friendly dispersed camping area accommodates tents and RVs through drive-in, hike-in, or walk-in access. Located near equestrian trails, campers can bring their horses without dedicated corrals but with ample space for portable containment systems. The campground features primitive camping conditions with no water, electric hookups, or trash collection services, making self-sufficiency essential for visitors.
Located approximately 30 minutes from Manistique, the Hovey Lake area connects to extensive horse trails throughout the forest. Riders can access numerous trails directly from the horse campsite, with routes winding through dense forest and around scenic marshlands. Trail maps are available from the Rapid River/Manistique Ranger District office. The area remains largely undeveloped, allowing for quiet, secluded camping with horses. Camping spots are first-come, first-served with no reservation system in place. The surrounding forest roads accommodate horse trailers, though larger rigs may find maneuvering challenging in some areas. Seasonal access varies with weather conditions, with spring often bringing muddy trails and summer offering the most reliable riding conditions.
"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."
"I have absolutely nothing but positive things to say. I am more one to frequent rustic and secluded campgrounds."
from $33 - $55 / night
"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."
"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 $25 - $50 / night
"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"
from $8 / night
"Watch the sunset from your tent on top of a 40 foot over lake MI."
"Horses allowed"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $20 / night
ScoutGreat spot, easy to get to. Could only find two pull off spots which are both relatively small, and only one has a fire pit in good condition so you’d need to build back up the other a bit. Very convenient spot that met all my needs
ScoutPerfect spot to pull off and camp for the night or weekend! Big pull in area where we stayed for the night, there was one other person but we stopped once we noticed the fresh tracks and didn’t go any further back. Perfect overnight spot.
TravelerThis was a great campsite, bathroom was super nice, the owners came and said hi to everyone and gave advice on where to visit in the area. Super relaxed environment and very clean, also the water from the pump actually tastes pretty good. Not rusty at all.
LegendWent 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.
ScoutAwesome
ScoutLong nice road with a few pull offs once you are close to the end there is one official site with a table and fire circle. Is first come first serve but if you keep driving down there are two different boat launches with room to park/camp. We stayed in our car just in case. NOTE! the camp site is closed for updates until the end of October apparently. No service with mint
ScoutSolid spot. About 10min from Munising.
TravelerWas slightly passed the pin marker on the same unlaced road - only about 1/4-1/2 off the highway. Sites are fairly spacious but don’t have any of the hookups or amenities mentioned on the site profile - some do have rudimentary fire pits though. There are 3 sites in total. Ground is flat enough to comfortably tent camp. Camp in early September, bugs were minimal. At times the night was eerily silent, at other times I heard dirt bikes and tractor trailers in the distance, also heard a pack of coyotes at one point and pretty sure I heard some sort of padfooted animal walk by my site once or twice.
ScoutI have camped at St James on Beaver Island numerous times, typically for 5-8 days. Beaver Island is a designated dark sky area and I’ve seen the aurora multiple times. My favorite thing to do is paddle my kayak out into the bay, anchor up, and sit for hours in the gentle waves reading a book.
Equestrian camping at Hovey Lake Trailhead provides a base camp for riders exploring the extensive trail systems throughout Hiawatha National Forest. The surrounding area contains over 880,000 acres of wilderness spanning both the Upper Peninsula's northern and southern shores of Lake Michigan. Winter temperatures frequently drop below freezing with summer highs typically ranging from 70-80°F, creating distinct seasonal riding conditions.
Explore Lake Michigan shorelines: The forest contains over 100 miles of shoreline along three Great Lakes. Visitors staying at Jack Pine Lodge and Campground can access nearby trails. "In the middle of the National Forest, smack in the middle of the UP. Everything is about 45 minutes away, but you'll get an amazing night sky and great camping hosts," notes camper Simone N.
Visit nearby waterfalls: Multiple cascades dot the region within a short drive from most campsites. From Newberry Campground, visitors find convenient waterfall access. One reviewer mentioned, "Easy drive to the falls, nice clean grounds, and right next to ATV trails," according to David N.
Stargazing opportunities: The Upper Peninsula features minimal light pollution for exceptional night sky viewing. According to Mike M. who camps at St. James Township Campground, "Beaver Island is a designated dark sky area and I've seen the aurora multiple times."
Privacy between sites: Many forest campgrounds offer substantial spacing. At Jack Pine Lodge, one camper appreciated that "the campsites are not on top of each other and there are trees between the neighboring campsite. They cut trees branches to clean open spots for RVs."
Multi-use trail access: Direct connections to trail systems for various recreational vehicles. Hunter W. notes about Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping, "Just off M-28, down the right side road a bit you will see campfire remnants and a spot where people tend to park on the left."
Wildlife viewing: The forest provides habitat for diverse animal species. At Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite, campers report encounters with local wildlife. "We were lucky, we went pre-season. 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," shares Willow M.
Variable cell coverage: Service can be spotty throughout the forest. At Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite, one camper reported "no service with mint" mobile carrier, while another found "Verizon cell services was very good" at Hickey Marsh.
Weather preparedness: Conditions change rapidly, especially near lake shores. Pack appropriate gear for temperature swings and precipitation.
Seasonal closures: Many forest facilities operate on limited schedules. According to one visitor at Ironjaw Lake, "NOTE! the camp site is closed for updates until the end of October apparently."
Look for campgrounds with amenities: Some locations offer recreational facilities. At Catchin' Crickets Campground, one visitor noted, "Clean, sites are level. I was charged $45 for a site with electricity. A site without is $35."
Consider cabin options: When weather turns challenging, cabins provide comfortable alternatives. Kelli V. shares about Newberry Campground: "We had a pull through site and a cabin booked. The pull-through sites are SMALL! Cabins were basic."
Check for playground availability: Some campgrounds maintain facilities for younger visitors. Hannah mentions that Newberry Campground has "a playground a pool for kids. Large wooded sites and friendly staff."
Road access limitations: Many forest roads pose challenges for larger rigs. Ben L. notes about St. James Township Campground: "Watch the sunset from your tent on top of a 40 foot over lake MI."
Limited hookup availability: Most forest service sites lack full connections. Prepare for self-contained camping.
Campsite size constraints: Verify your vehicle can navigate to and fit in your chosen site. According to Shawn T., at Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite, "Long nice road with a few pull offs once you are close to the end there is one official site with a table and fire circle."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hiawatha National Forest?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hiawatha National Forest is Jack Pine Lodge and Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hiawatha National Forest?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Hiawatha National Forest, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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