6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Fort Custer Recreation Area accommodates equestrian campers with dedicated trails and camping areas. The park features separate equestrian sites designed for visitors traveling with horses, offering ample space for trailers and equipment. Trails are clearly marked for horseback riding, with multi-use paths circling the recreation area's exterior. The campground maintains clean facilities with modern restrooms and showers, though some visitors note the need for additional river access points for recreation. Horse enthusiasts appreciate the wooded setting that provides natural shade and privacy between campsites.
Ely Lake Campground in Allegan County offers rustic horse camping with specific equestrian sites and trail access. The campground connects directly to horse trails throughout the surrounding forest, allowing riders to explore miles of scenic terrain. Water is available from hand pumps, though campers should bring their own drinking water. Each site includes a fire pit and picnic table, with vault toilets serving as the only bathroom facilities. The campground operates year-round, making it accessible for seasonal trail riding. The surrounding trails are marked with yellow indicators, though some sections may be less defined than others. Many equestrians return to this location repeatedly for its natural setting and horse-friendly atmosphere.
"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."
"No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails."
"All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover."
from $17 / night
Check Availability"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"The campground is only about 14 miles from South Haven where you can shop in a charming downtown, go to a spacious beach or catch the Kal-Haven bike trail to Kalamazoo."
"Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."
"Overall Rating: 4 for access to the area, very clean facilities, and not too many campers thus time of year.
Price 2024: $35 for water/electric only.""A little close to your neighbors but the way the sites are angled you had plenty of room. Very friendly people. Easy in and out."
"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.
TravelerEly Lake Campground is a County campground in Allegan Michigan. All of the sites are rustic. Here are the bullet points:
First the positives: It is a beautiful rustic campground. We stayed on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake. The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake, however it is ill defined in some places so just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees (which are everywhere so you wont get lost).
This place also attracts a lot of equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding. So if you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends.
The negatives: It is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager). There is loud music , people yelling, fireworks going off and… not very much sleep. And I am not just talking about a few people with their music on -- it was someone blasting their sub-woofer with electronic dance music until 4:45 AM. It was really disappointing because otherwise the experience was positive. Luckily my kids are all deep sleepers so I was the only one who had to sit up all night.
They clean the bathrooms daily from what I can tell, but otherwise the campground is not maintained. There was trash around our site, and when you walk the trail about the lake you will see cigarette packets and beer bottles occasionally. Also along the trail were two massive hornet nests that really should have been removed by park management - but it's clear they don't ever maintain the trail.
If you're willing to overlook some garbage, and if the party people stay away you could have a wonderful camping trip. Allegan County has a beautiful natural resource here, but sadly it seems like it is being squandered, and wont last.
ScoutHuge beautiful campground. Lots of privacy. Needs extra access to the Kalamazoo River for kayakers. Make a campground near the beach. Gas is too expensive to be driving two and a quarter miles one way to the beach. The dump station needed a serious update.
RangerThis KOA has blueberry fields everywhere on the property. For a period of time in summer and early fall, you can pick your own blueberries in the morning to have in your breakfast pancakes! The campground is nice with camping sites that are level and roomy. It has a nice pool and play areas, but the real attraction are the blueberry patches! The campground is only about 14 miles from South Haven where you can shop in a charming downtown, go to a spacious beach or catch the Kal-Haven bike trail to Kalamazoo. We rode 47 miles round trip from Bloomingdale to Bell's Brewery in Kalamazoo.
ScoutThis is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!
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.
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! 🐕🐶
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.
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.
Fort Custer Recreation Area and Ely Lake Campground provide equestrian camping options near Kalamazoo, Michigan. The region's mixed hardwood forests and rolling terrain create ideal trail riding conditions throughout spring, summer, and fall. Seasonal temperatures range from 25°F in winter to 85°F in summer, with early spring bringing muddy trail conditions that require special consideration for horse campers.
Lakeside fishing and boating: At Fort Custer Recreation Area, visitors can access multiple no-wake lakes for fishing. "Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach," notes Janet N. The lakes provide habitat for various fish species and offer calm waters for paddling.
Mountain biking: Fort Custer maintains dedicated mountain biking trails separate from equestrian routes. A camper shares: "We camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite. We loved our site as it's close to the trails for riding." Mountain bikers should follow trail markers to avoid horse paths.
Horseback riding year-round: Ely Lake Campground offers access to horse trails throughout all seasons. "The campground is open year round," explains Ellen S., adding that there are "miles of trails to wander and discover." Winter riders should call ahead to confirm trail conditions after snowfall.
Secluded campsites: Many horse campers appreciate the privacy at equestrian sites. "We stayed at site 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!" reports one Fort Custer visitor. Secluded sites provide ample space for horse trailers and equipment.
Natural trail systems: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday offers access to nearby riding areas. While not specifically an equestrian campground, its location provides convenient access to regional trails. "This KOA has blueberry fields everywhere on the property," notes Cindy B., adding it's "only about 14 miles from South Haven where you can shop in a charming downtown."
Swimming areas: Campers with horses appreciate cooling off after rides. "There is a beach," notes one Ely Lake visitor, explaining that the "lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing." Horse campers often use these swimming areas after trail rides during summer months.
Seasonal maintenance varies: Trail conditions at horse campgrounds near Kalamazoo can change dramatically with seasons. At Pokagon State Park Campground, "There's horse tours and a very nice Inn for the less 'natural' crowd," explains Shelly S. The park maintains "an extensive trail system to enjoy that connects with the nearby nature preserve."
Reservation requirements: Many equestrian sites must be booked in advance, particularly during peak season. "You can make reservations online ahead of time, or show up and find an empty site (but bring cash or check to pay because its a drop box)," explains James K. about Ely Lake Campground.
Facility limitations: Expect basic amenities at most horse camping areas. "There are no bathrooms, just pit toilets. There is no electricity. There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored," notes an Ely Lake visitor.
Night sky viewing: Fort Custer offers excellent stargazing opportunities. "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky," shares Janet N. Families should bring red-filter flashlights to preserve night vision while navigating the campground after dark.
Kid-friendly horse experiences: Eaton County Fairgrounds occasionally hosts equestrian events where children can observe riders. "Charlotte is a wonderful town with wonderful events. This fairground camp area very clean and well organized," shares a visitor. Check event calendars before planning your stay.
Water safety considerations: Lakes at equestrian campgrounds typically have designated swimming areas. "There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake," notes an Ely Lake visitor. Families should supervise children near water and bring appropriate flotation devices.
Limited hookups: Most equestrian campgrounds offer basic services. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," reports VB S. about Fort Custer. RVers should arrive with full water tanks and empty holding tanks.
Site selection for large rigs: Horse campers with large trailers should research site dimensions. "Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," notes a Fort Custer visitor. However, at Ely Lake, "the 'roads' inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels."
Winter camping considerations: For cold-weather horse camping, prepare for limited services. "The campground is open year round," notes an Ely Lake camper. RVers camping during winter should bring sufficient propane, as hookups may be winterized or unavailable during freezing temperatures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Kalamazoo, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Kalamazoo, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Kalamazoo, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Kalamazoo, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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