Equestrian campgrounds near Interlochen, Michigan offer spacious sites designed specifically for horse trailers with direct access to riding trails. The Boardman River watershed creates a diverse landscape of pine forests and waterways throughout the region, with most horse-friendly camping areas open from May through October. Campsites in the area typically range from primitive trail camps to more developed facilities with water access.
What to do
Trail riding access: Scheck's Place State Forest Campground provides direct access to the Boardman River for watering horses. "The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down. There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect," notes camper Gemma G.
Fishing opportunities: Turtle Lake Campground offers fishing spots where you might catch more than expected. "When my kids went fishing, they pulled up large snapping turtles both times. A bit of a surprise to see their size!" reports Allison H. The lake supports various fish species and abundant turtles.
Paddling adventures: Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp provides calm waters for early morning paddling. "Quiet, not populated, and beautiful views. I've solo camped here a few times and it's great for early morning paddles and peaceful relaxation," writes Kate K. Most sites have their own path down to the water, with nearby boat launch access.
What campers like
Spacious horse camping sites: Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground features extra-large sites designed for horse trailers. "The campsites are all flat and quite large, being that they are meant to accommodate people with a horse trailer, and there are numerous hitching posts throughout the campground," explains camper Evi L.
Clean facilities: Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds maintains their facilities well. "Power 50/30 were fine. Water is a shared spigot on most sites, but some sites have water. There is a good dump station. Sites are level," reports Jim. The campground closes during fair season from late July to mid-August.
Natural settings: Manton Trails RV Park preserves a wooded environment despite having modern amenities. "Not a parking lot, lots of trees! We had a family, socially distant reunion with 6 sites. We rented an extra site, so nobody could rent near us," shares a satisfied camper.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: State forest campgrounds like Scheck's Place operate on a self-registration honor system. "Rustic campground with access to the Boardman river and many miles of trails in the state forest. Bring cash, no state park workers onsite, honor pay system," advises Anna B.
Water availability: Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp provides good quality water from centrally located pumps. "Outhouses near each circle, spickit with really good water, hiking trails, boat launch and even a nearby island you can kayak to and let the dogs roam free!" reports Caryssa R.
Traffic considerations: Some campsites experience unexpected traffic. "The campground seemed to have a lot of unnecessary traffic," notes one equestrian camper. At Lake Dubonnet, "Lots of traffic in the area through the night (ORV and mudding trucks)" according to Emily V.
Tips for camping with families
Beach access options: Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp offers water recreation with some limitations. "Great lake camp ground. No swimming but pretty lake with lots of lilipads and sunken tree. Nice hiking trail," explains Tracie S. Families should plan accordingly for water activities.
Kid-friendly activities: Turtle Lake Campground provides amenities specifically for children. "What I liked best about this park was that my children were not caked in dirt. While I understand that comes with the territory of camping, this campground provides a bit more of a grassy setting and offers a nice playground," shares Ann D.
Alternative accommodation options: Many campgrounds offer cabins for families not prepared for full tent camping. Manton Trails provides "Lots of things for the kids, basketball, volly ball, a beach area, pond with fishing" according to Valerie C., making it suitable for extended family stays.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Scheck's Place Trail Camp, RVers should choose higher ground. "A couple of the sites flooded after an unusually heavy rain today, so I would avoid any site that looks low if rain is expected. Site 16 is good. High and dry after the rain," advises Jay F.
Mobile connectivity: Cell service varies by carrier at Manton Trails. "Internet worked well using our hotspots, but, like all campgrounds, if you like being 'in the woods,' internet is always a challenge. Most of our group had AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, the best service seemed to be Verizon in the morning and Sprint at night," reports a camper.
Large rig access: Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds accommodates larger RVs with level sites. "We stayed July 2021 for an RV rally. We had no building of shelter for community gatherings. But, weather cooperated and we had a great time," notes Jim, mentioning that while bare-bones, the fairgrounds work well for RV gatherings.
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