Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead offers dispersed camping with direct access to horse trails in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The trailhead provides toilet facilities and allows pets, making it suitable for equestrians traveling with dogs. Sites accommodate both tents and RVs with drive-in, hike-in, and walk-in access options. The camping area is free to use and permits campfires, though firewood is not provided on-site. Cedar River North State Forest Campground features dedicated horse pens at approximately half of its 14 campsites, most of which are situated along the riverfront. The equestrian trail doubles as ski trails during winter months, providing year-round recreational opportunities for visitors.
The trail system connected to Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead extends throughout the surrounding forest, giving riders access to varied terrain and scenic views. Cedar River North's equestrian trails are accessible via an old logging trail about 8 miles from the main road, creating a secluded riding experience away from crowds. Both locations maintain primitive camping conditions with basic amenities. Cedar River North provides fresh water from a spigot, while Hovey Lake offers more rustic conditions with no drinking water available. Horse owners should plan accordingly by bringing sufficient water for their animals, especially during warmer months. The campgrounds typically remain uncrowded, with Cedar River North usually empty or nearly so, allowing for peaceful trail riding experiences and ample space for horses and camping equipment.
"I have absolutely nothing but positive things to say. I am more one to frequent rustic and secluded campgrounds."
"This campground is very close to trailhead. Well maintained, decent wifi. Don't expect any Verizon cell coverage here. Sites are nice and large, staff is friendly and the bar has good food"
from $33 - $55 / night
"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."
"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."
"There are beaches all around, a very unique limestone beach that only exists in a few parts of the world and several different activities geared towards families."
"The campsites are in a beautiful forest, the showers were clean, the playground and mini golf weren’t in great condition but my kids loved traipsing around in the woods better anyway."
from $8 / night
from $25 - $50 / night
"It's 8 miles down an old logging trail but it's worth the drive. There is no electricity but they have a fresh water spigot."
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.
GuideThis was our second stay. Stayed on site 70 both times. We had a 35’ trailer last year and 42’ fifth wheel this year. The ferry ride was easy to navigate and when we arrived we were able to just drive right on. Even with our 13’2” clearance they easily accommodated us. Campground check in was easy and smooth, owners were friendly and gave us tips for navigating into our site with a big rig. Overall it’s very quiet and relaxing on the island with plenty of nature things to do. Visit School House Beach (don’t take the rocks!), the lavender farm and for a few extra bucks have seafood at Sailors Pub on the water. We will definitely put this campground in our regular rotation of places to camp.
Campers visiting Nahma, Michigan can access several trail systems across Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This region features dense national forest land with elevations ranging from 600-700 feet above sea level. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F during the day and dropping to 50-60°F at night.
Trail riding opportunities: Several campgrounds near Nahma cater specifically to equestrians with dedicated facilities. Jack Pine Lodge and Campground offers "direct trail access from the property, and they provide a free ORV hand washing station and air for tires," according to Erika P., making it popular with riders.
Fishing spots: The Cedar River provides excellent bass fishing opportunities. Lauren B. notes that Cedar River North State Forest Campground has "a kayak launch and the river is a great place for catching bass." Most sites at this campground are riverfront, giving anglers easy access.
Water activities: Swan Lake offers opportunities for paddling and swimming. The nearby Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite is uniquely "located between two lakes," as Ben L. describes, providing multiple water access points for recreation within walking distance of camp.
Secluded settings: The remote nature of camping areas provides peace and privacy. Willow M. describes Ironjaw Lake as having "multiple pull out spots for dispersed camping along the forest road," and mentions how they "had the site and the lakes to ourselves" during pre-season visits.
Wildlife viewing: The forests around Nahma support diverse wildlife. Lauren B. shares that at Cedar River North, "there is a bunch of wildlife, you can hear birds and squirrels chattering, coyotes call to each other early in the morning across the river, and lots of little critters scurrying about."
Lack of crowds: Even during peak season, many sites remain relatively empty. Christopher L. notes that Cedar River North is a "great little State Forest campground that follows the river. Very few people, extremely quiet, private sites."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require driving on rough forest roads. Christopher L. mentions that at Cedar River North, the "road is slightly bumpy but completely fine for almost any vehicle to go down." Lauren B. adds it's "8 miles down an old logging trail but it's worth the drive."
Insect activity: Mosquitoes can be abundant, particularly in late spring and summer. Hunter W. had "shockingly good" cell service at Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping, but Amy Y. warns that "the mosquitoes were pretty bad when we visited."
Limited services: Most dispersed camping areas lack amenities like running water. For Cedar River North, Lauren B. notes "there is no electricity but they have a fresh water spigot," which is more than most dispersed sites offer.
Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreation areas. At Washington Island Campground, Mary H. shares that "the playground and mini golf weren't in great condition but my kids loved traipsing around in the woods better anyway. We found lots of wildlife but the best was cute little tree frogs!"
Safety precautions: When seeking equestrian camping near Nahma, Michigan, bring sufficient water for both people and horses. Naomi L. recommends Hickey Marsh for those who "just want an overnight stay and are self contained," noting it's "perfect" in those situations.
Location planning: Choose sites that balance seclusion with access to necessities. Mary H. describes Washington Island as having "restaurants and little grocery store that has everything you'd need," making it convenient for families who forget essentials.
Site selection: When equestrian camping with larger rigs, verify site dimensions beforehand. At Catchin' Crickets Campground, Arash F. notes that "sites are level" and there's "reasonable good space in between sites," important for those with larger rigs.
Hookup availability: Many forest campgrounds lack full hookups. Simone N. appreciated Jack Pine Lodge because "they only have about two or three dozen sites but all are full hook ups and the location is amazing too."
Turn-around space: For those with larger trailers, consider campground layout. Tim from Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping mentions, "We were able to back our 26 foot travel trailer in and stay hooked up to it," indicating sufficient space to maneuver without unhitching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Nahma, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Nahma, MI 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 Nahma, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Nahma, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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