10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several equestrian campgrounds serve the Hubbard Lake region of Michigan, with McKinley Horse Trail Campground offering rustic sites surrounded by Huron National Forest. This primitive campground features designated areas for horses and provides direct access to extensive trail networks. The campground remains secluded with few visitors even during peak season, making it ideal for those seeking a quiet retreat with their horses. Access requires four-wheel drive during winter months, as the remote location limits cell service and amenities. The campground is open from April 1 to November 14 and maintains a 5-star rating despite its rustic nature. Visitors use The Dyrt to find real feedback on camping near Hubbard Lake, Michigan.
Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground near Atlanta provides another option for horse enthusiasts, with dedicated equestrian sites located directly on riding trails. The campground divides its spaces between horse campers and regular campers, with non-equestrian visitors assigned to sites 1-8. Facilities include drinking water, fire rings, picnic tables, and vault toilets, though no electric hookups are available. The rustic setting features numerous trees providing natural shade for horses and riders. Luzerne Express Campground & RV offers a more developed alternative with horse pens available at reasonable rates. This facility allows riders to access the Huron National Forest directly from the campground, accommodating both overnight horse camping and various other recreational activities popular in this trail rider's destination.
"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. "
"It's about 9- 10 miles East of Mio, Michigan. On Google Maps they refer to as a horse camp."
"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."
"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."
from $40 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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 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."
"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."
"Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild."
"This is a great horse camp. Have camped here many times. Pump water and river for horses. Manuer bunkers and solid poles for highline tying. Some cell phone reception but spotty."
from $20 / night
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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.
ScoutThis dispersed camping free no hookups no water there are porta potties out here can't say what condition they are in I didn't look I'm boondocking in an 26 ft RV it's very pretty area lots of camping spots big enough for an RV I would say at least 45 ft roads to get in here are dirt the road actually leading down to the camp is not to bad not very wide I have a 26 ft class C RV and just as you get to the camp there is a large Sandy area I wouldn't come down here after a downpour there's camping spots in the woods, there's also an open area where you can get lots of Sunshine if you got solar. It's about 9- 10 miles East of Mio, Michigan. On Google Maps they refer to as a horse camp.
GuideThis is a great horse camp. Have camped here many times. Pump water and river for horses. Manuer bunkers and solid poles for highline tying. Some cell phone reception but spotty.
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.
TravelerEntire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets. Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild.
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.
Hubbard Lake in northern Michigan sits within the 14,500-acre Huron National Forest at an elevation of 727 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below 0°F, while summer averages reach the mid-70s. Most equestrian camping sites around Hubbard Lake operate seasonally, typically closing between November and April when snowfall makes forest trails difficult to navigate.
Trail riding on horseback: At Pigeon River State Forest Campground, equestrians access miles of designated horse trails through Michigan's largest continuous area of state forest. "The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground. I've seen people tenting and I've seen people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large RVs," notes Lydia T.
Fishing opportunities: Oscoda County Park offers fishing access with convenient amenities. "Nice quiet and relaxing right on the lake...a small playground for the kids. Any size RV will fit," reports Gordon B. The park remains open from April 15 to December 1, offering water and electric hookups.
Hiking to sinkholes: Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground connects to unique geological features. "Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn't get too wild," says Vaughn S., who has been visiting since childhood.
Secluded forest sites: McKinley Horse Trail Campground provides primitive camping surrounded by national forest. "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," writes Juan A.
River access: Many campers appreciate riverside camping opportunities. At Pigeon River State Forest Campground, camper Paul C. mentions: "Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones."
Spacious campgrounds: Old Orchard Park Campground features large wooded sites. "Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront. Trash pickup if you leave it by your site marker. Nice and quiet during the week," reports Tracey R. The campground maintains reasonable pricing around $25-30 per night.
Limited amenities: Most horse camping areas near Hubbard Lake provide basic facilities only. "The entire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets," explains Vaughn S. about Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground. Expect vault toilets, fire rings, and sometimes water pumps, but limited cell service.
Seasonal considerations: Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground operates from April to November but has experienced environmental changes. "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," reports Dj W.
Reservation systems: Many equestrian campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. One visitor to Old Orchard Park noted: "For most of the sites here, it is first come first served. We have driven all the way there before and not been able to get in... This is a 2.5 hour drive and we are not retired so we generally cannot come up until Thursday or Friday, which makes it tough to get in."
Look for dedicated family spaces: Old Orchard Park Campground offers family-friendly sites. "I have been coming to this campground for many years. I bring my whole family! Very family and pet friendly. It has a playground and a small beach. There are many options to stay here!" shares Rachel S.
Consider river safety: When camping near water with children, evaluate currents and supervision needs. Paul C. advises about Pigeon River: "Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under."
Pack for variable weather: Northern Michigan experiences significant temperature fluctuations, even in summer. Nights can drop below 50°F while days reach 80°F. Bring layers for everyone, especially for spring and fall horse camping trips when temperature swings are most dramatic.
Water and electric placement: Check utility locations before setting up. At Old Orchard Park Campground, one RVer noted: "Water and electric are poorly located. Need extra hose/cords." Bring extension cords and longer water hoses than typically needed.
Road conditions: Four-wheel drive vehicles may be necessary during certain seasons. Juan A. mentions about McKinley Horse Trail Campground: "Access is 4x4 only winter months." Plan accordingly when towing horse trailers or RVs to remote equestrian sites.
Size limitations: Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground provides dedicated areas for different camper types. "A horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8," explains Lydia T. Verify site accommodations for your specific RV or trailer length before arrival.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hubbard Lake, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hubbard Lake, MI is Old Orchard Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hubbard Lake, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Hubbard Lake, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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