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Best Equestrian Camping near Hickory Corners, MI

81 Reviews

Fort Custer Recreation Area accommodates equestrians with designated horse trails and camping options near Hickory Corners, Michigan. The park features miles of bridle paths through wooded terrain and open meadows, with trails specifically maintained for horseback riding. Horse owners can access multiple trail loops ranging from beginner to advanced difficulty levels. The park's spacious campsites can accommodate horse trailers with ample parking areas. Most sites include electrical hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. The trails connect riders to three lakes within the recreation area, offering scenic riding opportunities throughout the 3,000-acre property.

The equestrian trail system at Fort Custer connects to a network of hiking and mountain biking paths that wind through diverse terrain. Riders must bring their own water and feed storage containers as the park does not provide horse-specific amenities such as corrals or stables. Parking for horse trailers is available in designated areas near trailheads. The recreation area remains open year-round, allowing for extended season riding opportunities when weather permits. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with spring often bringing muddy sections that may restrict horse access. Fort Custer requires all horses to have current negative Coggins tests, and riders must clean up after their animals. Park rules require horses to stay on designated bridle paths to protect sensitive natural areas.

Map showing campgrounds near Hickory Corners, MichiganExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near Hickory Corners, Michigan (6)

    1. Fort Custer Recreation Area

    44 Reviews
    Augusta, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 731-4200

    "The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶"

    "Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking,  horses and mountain bikes."

    2. Ely Lake Campground

    11 Reviews
    Fennville, MI
    34 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 686-9088

    $18 / night

    "No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails."

    "All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover."

    3. Eaton County Fairgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Charlotte, MI
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (517) 543-4510

    "Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."

    4. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

    17 Reviews
    Covert, MI
    46 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 764-0818

    "Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."

    "This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."

    5. Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins

    6 Reviews
    Cannonsburg, MI
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (616) 691-8534

    "Amazing spot away from the city! The owner of the place is very accommodating and pleasant to be around. Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!"

    "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here"

    6. Double RR Ranch RV Resort

    1 Review
    Belding, MI
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (877) 794-0520

    "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."

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Hickory Corners, MI

81 Reviews of 6 Hickory Corners Campgrounds

  • J
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Ely Lake Campground

    Beautiful rustic sites with loud parties at night

    Ely Lake Campground is a County campground in Allegan Michigan. All of the sites are rustic. Here are the bullet points:

    • There are no bathrooms, just pit toilets. 
    • There is no electricity. 
    • There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored.
    • Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table.
    • They don't sell firewood, but you can by some in town on your way in.
    • There is a beach.
    • You can make reservations online ahead of time, or show up and find an empty site (but bring cash or check to pay because its a drop box).
    • They have equestrian trails and sites.

    First the positives: It is a beautiful rustic campground. We stayed on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake. The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake, however it is ill defined in some places so just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees (which are everywhere so you wont get lost).

    This place also attracts a lot of equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding. So if you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends. 

    The negatives: It is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager). There is loud music , people yelling, fireworks going off and… not very much sleep. And I am not just talking about a few people with their music on -- it was someone blasting their sub-woofer with electronic dance music until 4:45 AM. It was really disappointing because otherwise the experience was positive. Luckily my kids are all deep sleepers so I was the only one who had to sit up all night.

    They clean the bathrooms daily from what I can tell, but otherwise the campground is not maintained. There was trash around our site, and when you walk the trail about the lake you will see cigarette packets and beer bottles occasionally. Also along the trail were two massive hornet nests that really should have been removed by park management - but it's clear they don't ever maintain the trail. 

    If you're willing to overlook some garbage, and if the party people stay away you could have a wonderful camping trip. Allegan County has a beautiful natural resource here, but sadly it seems like it is being squandered, and wont last.

  • Suzi K.
    Oct. 22, 2020

    Ely Lake Campground

    Words Can't Describe

    This is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!

  • Diana M.
    Jun. 13, 2018

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Perfect for families

    The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶

  • Janet N.
    May. 20, 2019

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Something for everyone

    MMichigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy.  $25per night with electric.  Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking,  horses and mountain bikes. Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky.

  • K
    May. 17, 2019

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Huge and has so much to offer

    Wow! Three lakes, hiking, biking and horse trails, showers, camp host and super quiet this past week while there. Not many campers, but everyone there seemed pleasant and were quiet. Deep sites, electric if you so desire, firepit and tables. I use a tent. Driving from the west through Augusta is a treat...so pretty. Civilization not far at all. Fishing, beach, play areas and an amusement park for mountain bikers! No alcohol. Will return!

  • E
    Apr. 19, 2018

    Ely Lake Campground

    Great Rustic Campground

    I have been camping here a couple years. It is open year round. All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover.

  • Bryce J.
    Jul. 10, 2019

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Surprisingly nice beach area.

    Fort Custer is a hidden gem in Michigan. Nobody thinks to go camping near Battle Creek, but they really should reconsider!

    Never over-crowded, tons of trails, and very nice paddle board, kayak, and canoe rentals! The lake at the state park is outlined by trails and features a small island to paddle around!

  • Jill T.
    Aug. 30, 2021

    Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

    AWESOME

    So far this is the nicest KOA ever. Beautifully landscaped sites are very, very nice. Many sites with cement patios and grills. There's cabins and yurts too. Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did. We were here twice this year!

  • Joanie C.
    Mar. 18, 2023

    Double RR Ranch RV Resort

    Lots to do

    There 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.

Guide to Hickory Corners

Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique opportunity to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Tips for equestrian camping near Hickory Corners, Michigan

  • When visiting Fort Custer Recreation Area, take advantage of the nearby trails that are accessible for horseback riding, providing a scenic backdrop for your adventures.
  • Make sure to check out the well-maintained trails at Ely Lake Campground, which are perfect for a leisurely ride through nature.
  • Eaton County Fairgrounds offers a convenient location with ample space for parking your horse trailer and easy access to local amenities.

Equestrian campgrounds include scenic trails and facilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hickory Corners, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hickory Corners, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 44 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Hickory Corners, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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