Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Lake Leelanau. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. Finding a place to stay in Michigan while traveling with your horse has never been easier. You're sure to find the perfect site for your Michigan horse camping excursion.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79134_79210---,00.html
This rustic trail camp sits along the tranquil shores of Lake Dubonnet in Grand Traverse County, just five miles northwest of Interlochen via M-137, US-31, Gonder Road and Lake Dubonnet Trail.
Michigan Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry into state parks and recreation areas, state boat launches, state forest campgrounds and state trail parking lots. The Michigan Recreation Passport does not cover local, county, municipal, or metropolitan parks or recreation areas. Learn more: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/buy-and-apply/rec-pp
$25 / night
The Manton Trails RV Park& Campground has 146 sites, nestled on 80 acres and a campground surrounded by State land and close to the State’s Snowmobile/ORV Trail Head of the Manistee National Forest. Our bathhouse is clean, and our showers are hot. We are located 15 minutes north of Cadillac and 30 minutes SE of Traverse City. Manton Trails welcomes families, couples, and groups looking to relax, reconnect with family, and enjoy all the wonders of nature. The property also has event facilities that can be rented for group meetings, weddings, and activities. There are many canoe liveries near Manton Trails which provide an excellent nautical Manistee River experience for your family. If some of your party would prefer to stay within four walls rather than camping, they can reserve a room at the Manton Hotel located on the property.
$25 - $55 / night
ScoutQuiet, large sites, like new bath house, 7th nite free, rate$35, good location for northwestern Michigan sites Water on all outside sites. interior sites share water hookups
Scout
We thought this would be a good place for our first trip in our new to us 5th wheel! We have a 28.6ft 5th wheel and had not problem getting in and parked! Management did an awesome job of spreading out guests until they were full! Lots of things for the kids, basketball, volly ball, a beach area, pond with fishing….. so much more. Very clean, very kind and helpful staff!
TravelerNice people. Some sites are electric only, some include water. Not busy and quiet. Did not use bathhouse.
Scout
Off the beaten path but has great rustic campsites with firepits and there are restrooms and fresh water close by in each circle we will be back
Traveler
I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents. It’s a great home base or overnight camp for canoeists and kayakers (my particular interest). The camp is also used by mountain bikers & gravel riders, ATV riders, anglers, and equestrians (separate camp area). Large wooded sites. Primitive means vault toilets, no power and hand pump water. No reservations — FCFS.
Negatives: can be noisy at times with the ATVs and also large camping groups. But for the most part I’ve found ppl to be respectful. 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.
ScoutWe 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.
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. No landscaping.
Lots of restaurants and attractions in Traverse City.
We would stay again.
ScoutGreat campground, larger sites, pull thru sites available. Low rates even on holidays. Our first time there was 4th of July weekend, they have a large building for events....over the weekend they a concert! Live band and food truck....free to all campers and their friends! It was a great time and the owners and manager are very friendly. We will definitely be back there soon.
Guide
This campground is a good sized campground, but doesn't have much to do there. There is a small lake that is fun for short kayak/canoe rides and fishing. It's called Turtle Lake for obvious reasons- when my kids went fishing, they pulled up large snapping turtles both times. A bit of a surprise to see their size! There are a lot of seasonal campers at this campground, so if that's your thing, this is definitely your place.
TravelerAwesome Campground! Not a parking lot, lots of trees! We had a family, socially distant reunion with 6 sites. We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice! Very close to Manistee River and canoe/raft liveries, very fun family togetherness activity.
Very clean bath houses and campground is maintained well.
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.
We will be going back
GuideWhat 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. The bathrooms were redone and are very nice! The thing I didn’t particularly like is how close you are to other sites. You are practically on top of each other. There are trails and a beach area as well as equine camping.
ScoutGreat place
ScoutI haven’t been camping in years and was very apprehensive about this. This place was absolutely the best place and probably has ruined me for camping life. The shower stalls were individual and clean, the area was filled with campers and RV’s and everyone was SO friendly and the place was full of dog lovers. I would highly recommend this place to check out and know I’ll be back again!
GuideTurtle Lake is a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade. We will definitely be staying here again! They also have a separate equestrian camping area that have water and electric hookup sites.
TravelerThis is one our favorite campgrounds that isn’t a state park. Clean, well kept, lots of trees. The lake is great for kayaking or small fishing boats. Office staff super nice. Small, but nice beach. We took my mom & nieces two years ago. Last year tried somewhere different and they asked to go back to Turtle Lake.
TravelerGreat place to stay! Pit toilets and pump water stations. Beautiful lake with cool islands! Campsites are large and fairly separated! Can’t wait to go back!
TravelerI absolutely love this campground. I’ve camped there twice this summer and each time I enjoy it. Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp has the basic rustic camping necessities. 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! (Mine sure loves it) The campsites themselves have lots of space, privacy and a fire pit. This place is the bees knees. I’ll be back. :)
LegendQuiet, not populated, and beautiful views. I’ve solo camped here a few times and it’s great for early morning paddles and peaceful relaxation. There is a boat launch right near by, but most of the sites have their own path right down to the water. Rustic style camping which includes a picnic table and fire pit and there are a few vault toilets throughout the area. Self registration for $15 per night.
ScoutFirst come first serve sites, but it’s a super awesome place to go when everything else is booked.
ScoutWebsite to check is www.northwesternmichiganfair.net/campground-information/
Campground is closed July 28th - August 11th
They have electric on all sites, both water and electric on some sites and a dump station. There's a bathhouse with limited individual showers
GuideTrail camp but no horses the night I was there. Lots of open space, spots aren’t really numbered. A couple nice hike/bike trails spur off the campground. Lots of traffic in the area through the night (ORV and mudding trucks). Bathrooms are nice. Only a few water front spots.
RangerA very fun family campground. Open sites but easy access and large sites so you have your own space. We had a blast there. Close to traverse city and sleeping bear dunes!
TravelerRustic 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. Lots of shade and when we were there not busy at all.
GuideGreat like camp ground. No swimming but pretty lake with lots of lilipads and sunken tree. Nice hiking trail.
TravelerThere are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.
The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).
The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.
There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.
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.
ScoutFamily friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake. They have a camp for horses too.
GuideCant count how many times i've been here. Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir. Rustic, cheap, horse friendly, out house, and pleanty of forest and lake to explore.
TravelerWe stayed at the trail camp it is quiet with no hookups. You can take as much space as you need and there is access to the river. We will be going back again next month.
Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian enjoyment, with several well-reviewed spots catering to horse enthusiasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lake Leelanau, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lake Leelanau, MI is Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lake Leelanau, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Lake Leelanau, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
