8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Waterloo Recreation Area is the only state park near Jerome, Michigan offering equestrian-friendly camping options. The 21,000-acre recreation area includes Sugarloaf Modern Campground with select sites accommodating horse trailers and camping vehicles. Equestrians typically utilize the park's modern campground while accessing the extensive trail system. The campground features electric hookups, drinking water, sanitary dump stations, modern restrooms with showers, and picnic tables at each site. Most sites are relatively open with scattered shade trees, which provides adequate space for horse trailers but limited privacy between campsites. No dedicated horse corrals are available on-site, so campers must bring portable corrals or tie-out systems for their animals. Sites 60-72 are better suited for tent camping as they lack level surfaces for larger trailers.
The park maintains over 40 miles of bridle paths through the Waterloo-Pinckney Recreation Area, connecting to a larger trail system. Horse trails wind through rolling woodland terrain, wetlands, and open meadows. Trail maps are available at the park office to help riders navigate the extensive network. Mosquitoes can be problematic during summer evenings, particularly in wooded sections of the trails. The nearby Waterloo Equestrian Center offers additional riding opportunities, including guided trail rides for visitors without horses. Campground reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends and fall color season when the park hosts special events. The camping season typically runs from May through October, with limited winter accommodations available in rustic cabins. Some rustic cabin options require a quarter-mile hike from parking areas, making them unsuitable for those camping with horses.
"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
from $20 - $480 / night
Check Availability"Lots of trails within reach and a horse riding stable if that is your thing. Heard lots of wolves, saw lots of tracks but no animals. I’d like to go back in the spring and hike around some more!"
"It is usually easy to get multiple sites next to each other with reservations.
There is a decent sandy beach here with a playground and volleyball net."
"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."
"Campground Review: Bishop Lake is a great campground located in the middle of the Brighton Rec Area. The upper and lower campgrounds are both modern, with every site including electric."
"Great family place with paved and dirt biking/hiking trails. Very nice beach with grass and sand. There are 2 areas of inflatables, one of them is for the little kids 48 in. and under."
from $17 - $90 / night
Check Availability"As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here"
"Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan. Large pool in season. Priced reasonably."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
GuideEquestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
TravelerThe 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! 🐕🐶
ScoutMMichigan 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.
ScoutWhat started as a little get away turned into not wanting to leave! A swimming pool and playground with basketball court to keep my kids entertained and clean facilities convinced me I had made the right choice. As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here. Other perks to this campground: Openings to Pinckney State trails right on property and all sorts of lakes, parks and small town downtown areas for food and shopping nearby, H.C.R.C. was a hidden gem.
TravelerThere are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do
LegendThis state park was established in 1925, so almost 100 years old. The campground must be the original layout. There's a maze like quality to it. The roads are narrow & you may be driving off the road for a big rig.
Some sites are level, some aren't. Some can accommodate larger rigs, most can't. Check the site descriptions carefully & to be doubly sure, call the office & ask.
There's water stations that look very old. They have wooden, shingled roofs. There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!
There's 5 loops to the main campground.
100 loop is small & closer to the lake than the other loops. It's the loop we chose this time.
The sites are on the small side. There's 3 campsites that are close to the lake. 115, which is a larger site. 117 & 119 which have clear views of the lake. 117 is more a tent or popup site & is small. 119 is the best of the bunch. A large pad & a large site. There's no privacy bushes. These sites have a view of the lake with trees & brush & are on a ridge overlooking the lake. They aren't ON the lake.
On either side of 117 & 119 are 2 trails that lead to the lake. There's benches & a dock to tie up your boat.
The rest of the sites are a mixed bag. Some are level, some have an incline. If you have a big rig, be aware that the road to the 100 campsites branches into one way. Leading into the campsites, the road is narrow & has a ravine on one side!
200 Loop is non electric
300 Loop is the biggest loop & seems like the best bet for larger rigs. As stated above, some sites are better than others. There's a uniformity here that's missing from the other loops.
Stay away from sites 393& 395!!! These sites are literally right on top of the dump station! As always watch for pit toilets near the sites.
400 loop is a smaller loop next to the 200 loop. There's only one shower house for both loops. Avoid site 444 & probably site 454. These sites are VERY close to the dump station.
500 loop is also smaller& has some nice sites tucked by themselves in the trees. There seems to be more privacy brush on this loop with SOME sites.
512 is close to the shower house. 511 & 513 were somewhat secluded.
If you have a boat you want to tie up at the dock, go for the 100 loop. If you can't get it, be aware there's no parking near the trails to the lake. You can park by the bathhouse & walk.
The shower & restrooms are atrocious!!! Worst looking buildings since Spring Mill SP! Dirty & need an entire overhaul. In fact, raze the buildings & build new ones! They're "cleaned" once a day. Suuuuuure they are. There was actual poop on the door of one of the women's toilet stalls the whole time I was there. Mold & spiders& dirt in the corners. Looks like the last upgrade was in the 50s.
TravelerWow! 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!
The Waterloo Recreation Area spans more than 20,000 acres in southeast Michigan, offering diverse terrain for outdoor enthusiasts within an hour's drive of Jerome. This extensive recreation area connects to the neighboring Pinckney Recreation Area through a network of trails with elevations ranging from 850-1,100 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-85°F during peak camping season, with cooler nights around 60°F.
Mountain biking through varied terrain: Fort Custer Recreation Area maintains extensive trail networks for cyclists of all skill levels. "Endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat," mentions Bob B., who recommends the area for its recreational diversity.
Kayaking on quiet lakes: Bishop Lake Campground offers water recreation options beyond the equestrian trails. "Our favorite was the lake for kayaking," notes Debra B., who enjoyed the water access despite the walk from the campground to the beach.
Swimming and water play: The beach areas at Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern provide summer cooling options. "They rode bikes around the loop and loved swimming and the playground," writes Kim S. about her family's experience, highlighting the recreational facilities beyond the equestrian options.
Secluded camping options: Many campers appreciate the privacy available at certain sites. At Fort Custer, "We found a campsite that was large with vegetation separating us from neighbors," reports Art S., noting how this provided a more natural camping experience.
Clean facilities: Pokagon State Park Campground receives praise for its upkeep. Mary H. notes, "The park is beautifully maintained. The bathroom and shower facilities were clean and updated," representing a common appreciation for the camp amenities.
Family-friendly atmosphere: The campgrounds create environments where children can enjoy outdoor activities safely. "They offer all types of camping. A lot of trails for biking and hiking," observes Melissa M. at Brighton Recreation Area, highlighting the variety of activities available for families.
Mosquito preparation essential: Bug protection is particularly important in wooded and wetland areas. Ryan F. warns about Brighton Recreation Area: "The biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area... everyone had screen houses set up."
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Open sites with limited screening are common at Hell Creek Ranch & Campground. Chad B. notes, "As a camper, it was almost impossible to see anything natural around us since we surrounded by RVs and pop-ups," though he still plans to return.
Weather contingency planning: Thunderstorms can affect camping experiences in the region. One camper at Pokagon State Park mentioned, "We stopped here for a night on our cross-country trip, wish we had 2 nights because we had lots of thunderstorms," suggesting flexibility in planning is important.
Beach access planning: Proximity to swimming varies between sites. "The beach was nice but you have to walk a trail to get to it from the campground or drive," advises Debra B. about Bishop Lake, suggesting families plan accordingly for beach days.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated play areas. "There's 500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded. There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc.," reports Amy K. about Pokagon State Park.
Evening activities: Families should prepare evening entertainment. At Brighton Recreation Area, one camper reported "lots of kids on bikes" in the evenings, suggesting bringing bikes and outdoor games for children.
Site selection for larger rigs: Beth G. cautions about Waterloo Recreation Area: "Site was a little small for our 38foot - we had to go sideways which opened us up to other campers." RVers should carefully check site dimensions when booking.
Electric hookup options: Most local campgrounds offer limited services. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," notes VB S. about Fort Custer, a common situation in state parks throughout the region.
Level site considerations: Many sites in the area present leveling challenges. At Brighton Recreation Area, one camper mentioned, "Our site wasn't level, so we were rolling around a bit," suggesting RVers bring adequate leveling equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Jerome, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Jerome, MI is Pokagon State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Jerome, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Jerome, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
