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Ortonville Equestrian Campground in Ortonville Recreation Area provides dedicated facilities for horseback riders with rustic camping amenities. Vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings serve campers at both the main equestrian campground and staging area sections. The 5,400-acre recreation area connects riders to extensive bridle trails winding through rolling hills and woodland terrain. Oakland County officials maintain the grounds specifically for equestrian camping with separate areas for horses and camping equipment. The campground itself offers basic accommodations but focuses primarily on serving horse owners rather than general campers. Most sites accommodate both tents and RVs with ample space for horse trailers.
Trail systems throughout Ortonville Recreation Area offer multiple riding options connecting to two lakes and scenic overlooks. Riders access trails directly from the campground without crossing roads or non-equestrian areas. The recreation area maintains separate bridle paths distinct from hiking and mountain biking trails to prevent user conflicts. Water access points along the trails provide natural drinking areas for horses during rides. Seasonal considerations include spring mud conditions and summer insect activity, with ticks being particularly prevalent during warmer months. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources requires Recreation Passports for all vehicles entering the area. Group camping options accommodate multiple trailers and horses for organized riding clubs and family gatherings with advance reservations recommended during peak summer weekends.
"The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit."
"Always a great local retreat away from our hectic daily life. Don’t have to travel far to find some nature. Most sites generously sized, hookups available, clean restrooms."
"Addison Oaks is a campground that features hiking and mountain biking trails, campground, cabins, disc golf course, and a lake for boating."
"The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course. Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop."
"Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store."
"An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"This is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn.."
"The campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings."
"There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.)"
"Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about. "
"Great time to unplug and just enjoy our surroundings and begin to learn our own creativity!"
"This is one of our family's favorite close to home sites. Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around. Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding."
"Large play areas, dog run, basketball court, lots of walking trails, and family friendly."
"The location is pretty great, off the beaten path but, within 30 minutes of major stores and conveniences. "
"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
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LegendThe campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground itself isn’t really much to write home about (unless you have horses that is). The lakes and launches are however very nice and there are some great trail systems through the area.
GuideVery nice sites. Wooded and up north feel. Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store. Equestrian trails and I hear they have a remote control airplane field and shooting range.
TravelerFriendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me.
LegendThis is a typical fairground campground with open grassy areas for campsites surrounded by barns and tracks. The fairgrounds is located just off I-94 which makes for easy entrance and exit to the campground, but, means there is lots of road noise. Close by are plenty of stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. In fact, there is a gap in the fence that runs around the fairgrounds allowing you to walk to a Walmart, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and more.
We arrived without a reservation and the women in the office was very helpful providing a map with all available sites during our stay and letting us choose which one we wanted. One of the first things you notice is that a number of people are here long-term so we went to the back area hoping it would be quieter and less crowded. A number of the campsites are “buddy” sites meaning your patio opens to your neighbors so be careful which one you pick. This is pretty undesirable when the neighbor is a total stranger so we chose a site where we didn’t have anyone next to us.
They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options. There is a dump station located in the middle of the park which is easy to get to. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV. The sites are level but some lack grassy making the patio pretty dusty or muddy. Unfortunately, where we were was pretty muddy just after a light rain. This campground works best for RV’s and not tents. For tenters there is a designated section that is set in a corner of the park with large trees for shade but not much privacy between you and others. A water spigot is in the tent area and there was one picnic table. The camp office sells firewood but we only saw two fire pits in the whole park. Be aware that noise from the interstate and nearby train tracks may make for a restless night. Bathrooms are centrally located in the campground and were old and tired but relatively clean. On-site laundry is available.
Apparently, management is having some issues with campers not obeying some of the rules. One of the sad things about this campground is that campers have to be reminded to clean up after their dogs. Apparently, it is such an issue that we got a letter stating that if you don’t pick up your dogs poop you would be asked to leave. How sad is that? There is free WiFi which worked pretty well. Upon checking in, we had to sign a piece of paper stating that we would not download copyrighted material or stream movies or we would be asked to leave.
My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more. Overall, this campground was fine for the few nights we were here and close to the attractions we wanted to visit. We never felt unsafe even though it was close to major cities. We chose this campground because we wanted to go to Ann Arbor and Dearborn and it was a very convenient location.
Pros:
· Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn
· Close to interstate for easy access
· Long, level sites that will fit any RV
· Community garden you can pick from vegetables
· Stores and restaurants are nearby (some within walking distance)
Cons:
· Lots of road noise from I-94
· No trees for shade or privacy
· Would not recommend for tent camping
· Many campers are long-term
· “Buddy” campsites with patios facing each other
GuideThis is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn..
ScoutA very quiet campground. The sites are spread out and only 2 vehicles per site are allowed. The East campground is more open and had 3 small cabins that can be rented. The West camping is more wooded and isolated. An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible.
TravelerThis was our first time camping. The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit. Our spot #18 I felt was spacious and not to close to the people next to us and trees behind us. We had privacy and it was quiet. The people we did talk to were all very friendly. We heard the showers were decent but we used our own. I would stay again.
ScoutThis is a fabulous campground! There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.) There is a boat launch on one end of campground and the amazing beach on the other. The water is clear and warm (perfect lake for swimming) and there is both sand and grassy areas on the fairly large beach. The beach also offers picnic tables and benches. The only negative aspect I can see about this campground is that the sites are right on top of each other, so if you have a loud group or a generator next to you, it is noisy. But most campgrounds have sites set real close together, so you will find this pretty much everywhere. Def camp here! About an hours drive from a Pictured Rocks National Park. There are no showers or running water. Camp hosts were very nice, helpful, & welcoming.
LegendVibe: Woodland getaway with no flash and really nice sites.
Cleanliness: Sites are above average. Vault toilets are…vault toilets.
Facilities: Nothing flashy. Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about.
General spots: Large, very well treed, gravel, picnic table and fire ring.
Privacy: Can see neighbors through sites, but better privacy than most places.
Our site: 39. Could drive circles around inside it. Even has a tree in the middle of it with room to drive all the way around it(not with a trailer). Depending where you set up your rig, you may need an extra long extension cord.
Noise: Quiet. Occasionally hear wolves howling. Cell signal(Verizon): 1 bar. No internet loads. Text messages will send and receive. Sometimes immediately, sometimes hours later. Other: Wish we had a chance to explore the lakes. Sounds like the swimming and fishing is good. Saw several kids on bikes toting rods.
Ortonville Equestrian Campground serves horseback riders with dedicated facilities including separate areas for horses and camping equipment. The surrounding 5,400-acre recreation area features extensive bridle trails through rolling hills and woodland terrain. Trail systems connect to two lakes and scenic overlooks, with riders able to access paths directly from the campground without crossing roads or non-equestrian areas. Water access points along trails provide natural drinking areas for horses, though seasonal considerations include spring mud and summer insects, particularly ticks.
Trail riding on dedicated paths: Riders at Highland State Recreation Area can explore extensive trail networks designed specifically for horses. "Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Lovely little no wake lake perfect for swimming, fishing or paddling," notes Jennifer H. The recreation area maintains separate paths to prevent user conflicts.
Lake activities near horse trails: When taking a break from riding at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, campers can enjoy water recreation. "The lake is open to boating, kayaking, and other water sports," explains Mary H. Water access points located strategically along trails provide convenient spots for horses to drink.
Wildlife observation: While exploring the equestrian trails, riders often encounter local wildlife. At Highland State Recreation Area, campers report significant wildlife sightings. Adrienne C. shares, "We ran up on a group of probably 70 wild turkeys on the trail!" These encounters add value to the riding experience beyond the trail itself.
Spacious equestrian campsites: Seven Lakes State Park Campground offers generously sized sites that accommodate horse trailers. "The sites are decently sized with most being easily gotten into with an RV," notes Holly S. This makes the park suitable for equestrians needing room for both camping equipment and trailers.
Private camping areas: Campers appreciate the secluded feel of sites at Highland State Recreation Area. "The sites are very private and spacious in the primitive camping area," says Adrienne C. This privacy allows equestrian groups to maintain space between parties, reducing stress for both riders and horses.
Clean facilities: Addison Oaks County Park maintains high cleanliness standards appreciated by equestrians who need reliable facilities. "The park is clean, family friendly, very clean and maintained," reports Tim O. Clean restrooms and organized camping areas enhance the overall experience for riders.
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings muddy trail conditions while summer increases insect activity. At Pontiac Lake, riders should prepare accordingly as Kristina J. warns, "There are tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray." Protective clothing and insect repellent become essential during warmer months.
Reservation requirements: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources requires Recreation Passports for vehicles entering recreation areas. For Oakland County Addison Oaks, Gary E. mentions, "Very convenient now also with online booking." Advanced reservations are particularly important during summer weekends when equestrian sites fill quickly.
Trail conditions: Trail systems vary seasonally and may require different levels of riding experience. Richard T. notes about Oakland County Addison Oaks, "Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop." These multi-use trails require riders to stay alert for other recreational users despite designated bridle paths.
Kid-friendly activities: Covenant Hills Camp offers numerous activities for children when they need a break from riding. "Lots to do, kayaking, fishing, the blob much more. Clean and friendly," reports Jenny A. These additional recreation options keep non-riding family members entertained.
Educational opportunities: Many equestrian campgrounds offer learning experiences for children new to horses. At D-bar-A Scout Ranch, though primarily for scouts, families can learn from the approach. Walker L. explains it's "another great scouting campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn."
Safety considerations: Families should prepare for limited connectivity while camping with horses. At Highland State Recreation Area, Tammy P. notes, "No cell/internet service but that was perfect!! Great time to unplug and just enjoy our surroundings." This isolation requires families to plan emergency procedures in advance.
Site selection for trailers: Bishop Lake Campground provides sites suitable for both living quarters and horse trailers. Mike B. states, "This is a larger state park with full size sites for RVs. There is electric on each site along with fire rings and picnic tables." Selecting sites with adequate room prevents crowding issues.
Utility connections: Many equestrian campgrounds offer limited hookups, so RVers should verify available utilities before arrival. At Seven Lakes State Park, Edward C. advises, "Sites tend to slope towards Sand Lake so have leveling blocks if that's important to you." This slope can affect both RV stability and horse trailer positioning.
Access considerations: Navigating large horse trailers requires planning for road conditions and site access. Mary H. at Pontiac Lake Recreation Area cautions, "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad." Longer utility connections accommodate the space needed for separate horse and camping areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Leonard, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Leonard, MI is Addison Oaks County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Leonard, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Leonard, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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