Best Equestrian Camping near Indian River, MI

Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Indian River. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Finding a place to stay in Michigan while traveling with your horse has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect site for your Michigan horse camping excursion.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Indian River, MI (8)


Recent Equestrian Reviews in Indian River

26 Reviews of 8 Indian River Campgrounds


  • Lydia T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Jul. 1, 2024

    Gaylord KOA

    KOA Campground right outside Gaylord

    This is so great koa with no road noise. The trees are mature and beautiful. This is a great laid back, family campground. The sites are bigger than other campgrounds in the area.

  • Nicole V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground
    May. 27, 2024

    Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

    Big lake but no direct water sites

    Peaceful and quiet and close to the sinkhole pathway. Clean bathrooms and large mostly private sites. You can launch your boat and beach it near the campground and your campsite but no direct access that we saw.

  • Lydia T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pigeon River State Forest Campground
    May. 9, 2024

    Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    I love staying at this rustic campground.

    You can pick sites on the river or back by the woods. There are vault toilets and a well for water. The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground. Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table. I've seen people tenting and I've seem people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large rvs.

  • Dj W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp
    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.

  • Paul C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pigeon River State Forest Campground
    Aug. 1, 2023

    Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    Quiet and secluded

    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. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under.

  • Ray & Terri F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Jul. 14, 2023

    Gaylord KOA

    Nice, quiet, well maintained, friendly, wooded CG with a walking trail

    We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 107 for 3 days in mid July. This is a relatively large CG, just under 100 wooded sites, which are reasonably spaced for a private CG. The CG is very clean and well maintained, but rather on the pricy side, even with all of the amenities. The roads and sites are gravel. Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site. He said they’d look into it. During the week, the CG was only about 1/3 full, but completely filled up on the weekend.  AT&T coverage fair, with 2 Bars of service that fluctuated between 5G and LTE, with speeds up to 4.3 MB/s. The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location. We had marginal views of the southern and northern skies, but we were able to get DISH coverage on all three western satellites at our site and Starlink was able to get speeds up to 6.5 MB/s. Unfortunately, the CG WiFi wasn’t very usable, less than 1 MB/s, even before the CG filled up.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Sep. 5, 2021

    Gaylord KOA

    Horrible

    The owners were constantly driving around and correcting people. Rules are okay but they were over the top. They would even stop and just stare at our site while we sat outside.. it was very odd. Also not kept up at all. The playground was old and my 30 lb dog slipped out from under the “dog park” fence because it was so high off the ground where they were allowed to be unleashed, luckily we got her and she’s ok.

  • Christine D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Jul. 7, 2021

    Gaylord KOA

    Quiet and Clean!

    This KOA was well kept and clean. Great bathrooms and showers, pool, playground. the only thing keeping from 5 stars in my opinion is the lack of grass, but I also love all the trees so it’s a toss up.

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Jun. 11, 2021

    Gaylord KOA

    Close to expressing yet quiet at nite

    Sites not paved and entrance roads not paved!!!

  • dThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Sep. 7, 2020

    Gaylord KOA

    OK

    Small sites but full hookups. Nice activities and mini golf. Bathrooms soso. Easy access to Otsego state park and Hartwick pines state park

  • I
    Camper-submitted photo from Pigeon River State Forest Campground
    Jul. 27, 2020

    Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    Great overnight backpacking

    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. If you hike about 6 miles the first day, you’ll find a nice dispersed campsite on the west side of grass lake. The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks.

  • Amanda C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Sep. 6, 2019

    Gaylord KOA

    Fun.. Friendly

    Stayed. For 6 days. Staff was awesome. Sites were neat. Park was clean. Lots do do for kids. Loved it here. Definitely coming back.

  • Kim L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Gaylord KOA

    Very well kept KOA

    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. Full coin laundry was helpful too! They had kids activities over the 4thof July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on. Nearby towns of Gaylord and Boyne provided us with plenty to do, and only a couple hours to get to Sleeping Bear sand dunes. We thought this place was worth the expense- big, flat, level sites with fire pit and full hook up. Nice pine trees and plenty of space for kids to play. Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways.

  • Holly K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Chandler Hill Campground
    Aug. 6, 2019

    Chandler Hill Campground

    Family favorite

    We’ve camped here for two years in a row and we LOVE it! Everyone is so friendly. Camp sites are nicely spread out and our 4 kids have a ball. They just updated their playground area as well!

  • Kate K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pigeon River State Forest Campground
    Jul. 28, 2019

    Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    So pretty here!

    I love this area so much! So much to explore and not heavily trafficked at all. NCT runs through the state forest, so dispersed camping all around. There are a few rustic campgrounds, but we usually just stay at one of the dispersed sites because most of them have a sweet set up. Lots of awesome sink holes to swim in, and even elk sightings. If you can manage to find this place, you will love it!

  • V
    Camper-submitted photo from Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground
    Jun. 11, 2019

    Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

    Been going here since I was a kid, still love it.

    Entire 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.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Gaylord KOA
    Jul. 16, 2018

    Gaylord KOA

    Non rustic camping

    Large sites, amazing hosts, does charge for a band for kids to do activities like jumping pad etc. this includes a bike rental and golf but was an added charge. Area is beautiful but campground doesn’t have fishing - limited hiking paths good for families with kids

  • Halie C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pigeon River State Forest Campground
    Jul. 10, 2018

    Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    Great place to camp, bike, and hike!

    I love coming to Pigeon River not only because it is secluded and peaceful, but because there are so many things to do in the area. The Shingle Mill Pathway (a roughly 10 mile loop trail) runs right through the camgrounds which is ideal for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. The river is also great for fly fishing and floating down If you decide to bring a tube. The best place to camp is right on the river which is lovely to fall asleep to at night. Beware of the bugs! Also, there is no cell service.

  • Aaron T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pigeon River State Forest Campground
    May. 19, 2018

    Pigeon River State Forest Campground

    Real camping

    The sites are all great! Camp along the river if you can. Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away. Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Indian River, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Indian River, MI is Pigeon River State Forest Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Indian River, MI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Indian River, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.