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Best Equestrian Camping near Lewiston, MI

35 Reviews

Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground provides horse camping sites directly on trailheads with separate areas for non-equestrian campers. Sites 1-8 are designated for regular camping while the remaining sites accommodate horses. The campground features rustic amenities in a heavily wooded setting that offers natural shade for horses and riders. Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground includes approximately 6 sites plus an open field area designed for equestrian activities. Trail riders often utilize the secluded location for overnight stays despite its clearcut appearance. Luzerne Express Campground offers horse pens at reasonable rates with direct access to Huron National Forest trails.

Horse trails throughout the Pigeon River State Forest connect riders to scenic wilderness areas and waterways. The Shingle Mill Pathway runs directly through campgrounds, providing immediate trail access for morning rides. McKinley Horse Trail Campground near Mio offers specific equestrian-focused camping from April through mid-November with big-rig friendly access for horse trailers. Sites along rivers provide water access for horses, though currents can be strong in certain areas. Most campgrounds maintain vault toilets and drinking water access, though facilities remain rustic. Trail systems throughout these campgrounds connect to the broader network of northern Michigan bridle paths, allowing for extended riding opportunities. Cell service is extremely limited in most equestrian camping areas, with Verizon noted as the dominant carrier despite frequent no-signal areas.

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Best Equestrian Sites Near Lewiston, Michigan (12)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Lewiston, MI

1 Photos of 12 Lewiston Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Lewiston, MI

35 Reviews of 12 Lewiston Campgrounds

  • Dj W.
    Aug. 30, 2023

    Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp

    Small, clearcut all but destroyed, but very secluded

    It was logged off and is essentially destroyed. I think there's 6 "sites" and an open field for equestrian activities.

    Very secluded. Nothing of interest in the nearby area.

    Looks to be seldom used.

    No cell service. Verizon is the dominant service up here. 0 signal.

  • Lexi G.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    Cheap horse camp

    It’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.

  • Lydia T.
    May. 13, 2024

    Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground

    A rustic state forest equestrian campground

    A horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8

  • Judy B.
    Nov. 17, 2020

    Luzerne Express Campground & RV

    All you need in one spot

    The Luzerne Express Campground is literally all you need in one spot. The whole place is incredibly accommodating. Friendly, helpful staff. There is an array of sites available plus RV’s and Cabins for rent so winter camping here is a blast. The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate. Walk right off the campground into the Huron National Forest.

  • Stephanie C.
    Aug. 31, 2017

    Oscoda County Park

    No plans to return to this campground

    This campground is not my favorite, although my husband did not mind staying there. One of the reasons it is not my favorite is because the bathrooms were disgusting. I do not think that they were cleaned the entire four days we were there. They were super-hot and dirty. Another reason I did not care for the campground is because while we were there, my cousin’s dog was taken to doggy jail! We went on a kayaking trip down the Au Sable river and were gone a couple of hours. My cousin has a big dog that was tied to the tree. The dog had water, but must have knocked it over. The weather was not hot, it was in the low 70’s. My uncle’s site was right next door and he was watching the dog. My uncle was preparing dinner and went into the camper to grab what he needed to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. While he was making hamburger patties someone must have walked by and saw that the dog’s water was empty (because the dog knocked it over), that person went to the park attendant and they called animal control. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle said he was in the camper for about 20 mins making patties and getting food ready to grill outside. Apparently, it is not actually animal control that came to get him, it was a person down the street that takes the animals to his home on the weekend when animal control is not open. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle was frantic and walked around the entire campground and then went to the front desk. The lady was so rude to my uncle. My uncle is a very nice and funny man and he was just beside himself! My cousin came back from the kayaking trip and my uncle told him what happened. My cousin went to the man’s house that took the dog and had to pay $80 to get him out! It was quite the ordeal. My uncle felt bad because he wasn’t out there the entire time with the dog, but he wasn’t gone that long and it wasn’t that hot outside. My uncle would have seen that the water was empty and would have refilled it. The sites are HUGE and there are some trees, but I would not camp here again. That situation left a bad taste in my mouth and the bathrooms not being cleaned during our stay put me over the edge.

  • V
    Jun. 11, 2019

    Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

    Been going here since I was a kid, still love it.

    Entire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets. Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild.

  • Kim L.
    Aug. 28, 2019

    Gaylord KOA

    Very well kept KOA

    While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls. Full coin laundry was helpful too! They had kids activities over the 4thof July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on. Nearby towns of Gaylord and Boyne provided us with plenty to do, and only a couple hours to get to Sleeping Bear sand dunes. We thought this place was worth the expense- big, flat, level sites with fire pit and full hook up. Nice pine trees and plenty of space for kids to play. Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways.

  • Juan A.
    Mar. 31, 2022

    McKinley Horse Trail Campground

    Amazing off grid retreat!

    This place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to. Highly reccomend for anyone looking to camp without ANY ammentities. Access is 4x4 only winter months.

  • Geo D.
    Jun. 19, 2021

    Luzerne Express Campground & RV

    Do not go to this campground if you are expecting a good time.

    This is one of the worst campgrounds I have ever been to. The bathrooms and showers close at 10pm, and the restrooms themselves are nasty, the showers cost $2 (in quarters) for 6 minutes of lukewarm water, the locals are hostile to unfamiliar faces, and to top it off, the rental ATVs and dirt track to ride them on is o ly separated from the campsites by a board fence, so expect to hear all kinds of small engines zipping by at all hours. The RV trailers for rental are all used trailers circa 1995 and "refurbished", which entails a quick coat of interior paint and laminate flooring screwed to the floors with drywall screws. Guests who have rented the RV trailers are instructed to not use the showers in their trailers. Absolutely not worth the money, would rate 0 stars if I could. If you are looking for a camping experience that puts you in the heart of upper Michigan redneck territory, this is the place for you. If you want a good experience, look elsewhere.

Guide to Lewiston

The Pigeon River State Forest area near Lewiston, Michigan sits at approximately 1,000 feet elevation in rolling hardwood terrain. Several equestrian campgrounds provide direct trail access to over 100 miles of designated horse trails that wind through Michigan's largest elk herd territory. Water levels in rivers near equestrian camping areas can rise quickly after rainfall, affecting crossing conditions for horses and riders.

What to do

Elk viewing opportunities: The Pigeon River State Forest Campground provides access to Michigan's elk viewing areas. "Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones," notes camper Paul C.

Mountain biking on connecting trails: Trails from Pigeon River State Forest Campground accommodate multiple activities. "The Shingle Mill Pathway (a roughly 10 mile loop trail) runs right through the camgrounds which is ideal for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking," says Halie C.

Equestrian trail network access: Equestrian camping sites at 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR connect to extensive bridle paths. "It's never busy here. I don't have horses but I've seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it," explains Lexi G.

What campers like

Secluded waterfront sites: Riverside camping remains popular at several equestrian-friendly locations. "Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table. I've seen people tenting and I've seem people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large rvs," notes Lydia T. about Pigeon River.

Wilderness immersion: The remote setting at Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground appeals to those seeking solitude. "Peaceful and quiet and close to the sinkhole pathway. Clean bathrooms and large mostly private sites," reports Nicole V.

Off-grid retreat options: Horse campgrounds near Lewiston offer true wilderness experiences. Juan A. says about McKinley Horse Trail Campground: "This place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to."

What you should know

Cell service limitations: Most equestrian campgrounds have minimal to no connectivity. "No cell service. Verizon is the dominant service up here. 0 signal," reports Dj W. about Walsh Road Equestrian Campground.

Variable water access: Water availability differs between campgrounds. Vaughn S. notes about Shoepac Lake: "Entire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets."

Seasonal constraints: Winter access to horse trails and campgrounds can require special equipment. At McKinley Horse Trail Campground, "Access is 4x4 only winter months," according to Juan A.

Varied amenities: Sturgeon Valley Campground offers more amenities than most state forest campgrounds, with "River access great," according to Sue R.

Tips for camping with families

Water safety precautions: Rivers near equestrian campgrounds require supervision. Paul C. warns about Pigeon River: "The river ran along the edge of our site...the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under."

Bug preparation essential: Insect activity can be intense at horse campgrounds. Ian R. notes: "The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail...The only problem with this hike was the insane amount of ticks."

Family-friendly alternatives: Gaylord KOA offers more amenities for families than wilderness equestrian sites. Amanda C. shares, "Stayed. For 6 days. Staff was awesome. Sites were neat. Park was clean. Lots do do for kids. Loved it here."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling challenges: RV campers should prepare for uneven ground. Ray & Terri F. mention about Gaylord KOA: "Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site. He said they'd look into it."

Road conditions: Access roads to horse campgrounds vary in quality. Gordon B. notes about Oscoda County Park: "At the moment they have 50 or 20 amp power, so you will need a 15 or 50 adapter to use 30 amp service. No water at camp sites, but they have a water fill station."

Site selection for large rigs: Choose sites carefully for larger equipment. Lydia T. explains about Pigeon River: "Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large rvs."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lewiston, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lewiston, MI is Gaylord KOA with a 3.9-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Lewiston, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Lewiston, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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