Equestrian camping options near Kinross, Michigan remain limited despite the surrounding natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula region. Located between the Straits of Mackinac and Sault Ste. Marie, this area experiences distinct seasonal changes with winter temperatures often dropping below 0°F and summer averages around 75°F. While dedicated horse facilities aren't common at local campgrounds, several locations can accommodate visitors seeking both standard camping and potential horse-friendly arrangements with advance planning.
What to do
Explore the Tahquamenon River: The Rivermouth Modern Campground provides river access for fishing and viewing wetlands. According to Cody S., "The campground is nestled in the trees along the Tahquamenon River near the rivermouth of Lake Superior. There is river access along the back of the campground for fishing or enjoying the beautiful wetlands."
Watch ships on St. Mary's River: The Soo Locks Campground in Sault Ste. Marie offers unique maritime viewing. Megan A. notes, "You get to see the ships go by day and night. The shower house are always clean. In the fall when it's freezing cold the shower houses are always warm."
Visit Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum: Located about 20 minutes from Tahquamenon Falls State Park campgrounds. Tom mentions, "20 minutes away is the Great Lakes shipwreck museum (if you're into history it's really cool)."
What campers like
Fall camping season: September-October visits offer cooler temperatures and fewer insects. Ashleigh M. shares, "I stayed at the Rivermouth Pines rustic campground for a surprisingly warm fall colors weekend. It was a beautiful, quiet campground with stunning views."
Central location for exploring: Newberry Campground offers a strategic base. Cherry notes, "Very nice camp ground, central location for upper peninsula activities. Very nice heated pool. Campsites are a bit close to each other but otherwise very nice."
Spacious wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural settings at certain campgrounds. Hannah comments about Newberry Campground, "Always a quiet and beautiful stay. There's a playground a pool for kids. Large wooded sites and friendly staff."
What you should know
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds offer more privacy than others. At Soo Locks Campground, Kristin G. warns, "This campground has tiny little sites in an industrial area of Sault Ste Marie. It was super quiet at night but it's next door to a military base and 5 Chinook helicopters ran drills in the morning from 8:30-11am and it felt like we were in a war zone."
Weather impacts: Summer rain can create challenges at some sites. One visitor to Tahquamenon Falls State Park reported, "Due to recent heavy rains our site was under several inches of water. The campground was crowded and because of the mud, cars were parked anywhere they could to try and not be stuck."
Cell service limitations: Coverage can be spotty throughout the region. Susan C. notes about Tahquamenon Falls State Park, "Beautiful scenery and trails to the falls. The trails are paved so its an easy walk. Only down side was we had no cell phone service."
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Newberry Campground offers additional recreation. Chris M. explains, "Nice clean sites. A lot of pull through sites, and a lot of different style of sites wooded and grassy."
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children, though quality varies. Kelli V. observes about Newberry Campground, "There wasn't much for the kids to do. They are all 11 and older and the playground was less than appealing to them. The pool was just recently opened and was SUPER warm. They also had a little game room and store."
Trail difficulty considerations: When hiking with children, assess trail conditions first. At Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Bryan T. shares, "We loved staying at Tahquamenon Falls State Park hiking along the river between the falls was great and it was total worth the extra few dollars to rent a boat and row out to the island."
Tips from RVers
Limited pull-through availability: Book early for easier access sites. According to Yetiman at Newberry Campground, "They actually had campsites that were more private then almost all the Michigan state parks we have stayed at. It was a bit pricey for camping $40 for a pop up truck camper with only electric and water."
Water hookup locations: Water access points vary by campground. Tom notes about Tahquamenon Falls State Park, "Bath/Shower house is very well maintained, attending rangers and other staff have been hospitable. There is a water fill station on the way into the campground."
Site selection for privacy: Outer loop sites often provide more seclusion. Lee D. advises about Tahquamenon Falls State Park, "Sites were generous in size but the interior ones did not have any privacy separation. Try and snag an outside site for more privacy."
