2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Van Buren State Park Campground offers designated horse camping facilities with newly constructed pens that allow horses to remain untethered rather than tied up. The campground maintains a separate equestrian camping area distinct from the regular camping loops. Electric hookups are available at most sites, though some lack functional electricity. The campground is particularly suited for visitors traveling with horses, providing both camping accommodations and proper equine facilities. Horse owners note the campground stays relatively quiet without becoming overly busy or noisy. The grounds are clean and well-maintained, with a campground host described as friendly and helpful by multiple visitors.
Located approximately 70 miles southwest of Luna Pier, the horse camping area provides access to multiple trails suitable for horseback riding throughout the state park. The campground includes a combination of tent sites, RV spots, and cabins, with electric hookups available at most locations. The facility has pit toilets that are regularly cleaned but lacks shower facilities. The RV dump station requires driving to another section of the park. Horse campers appreciate the flat, shaded sites that offer comfortable camping conditions. The park features additional recreational amenities including a playground for children, basketball court, and tether court. Reservations must be made by phone or online, as the park does not accept walk-in campers.
"Friendly 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."
"We used our Starlink Mini and it worked well on a nearly cloudless day with unobstructed access to the sky. I would definitely stay here again."
"Since Van Buren State park is an easy 20 minutes away from home for me, i visit there often. it is clean and quiet, they dont get too busy and loud."
"It’s a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers."
from $35 / night
Check Availability
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.
ScoutSince Van Buren State park is an easy 20 minutes away from home for me, i visit there often. it is clean and quiet, they dont get too busy and loud. the horse camp is nice with some new pens to keep your horse instead of them having to be tied up. They keep the restrooms clean, but no flush toilets, which dont bother me. My only complaint about Van Buren State park is that there are no shower facilities.
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
LegendWe stayed one night on our way to IN. We’ve never been here before and wanted to check it off our list. It’s a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers. They were clean but I don’t think I’d want to do more than a weekend there. It had a nice playground for kids and plenty of trails to hike or go horseback riding. They also had a dog park and small wildflower garden. The check in cabin had ice and wood for sale but no store. Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents.
TravelerWe stayed during the week for one night. Campground was clean and quiet, had electric hookups at most sites. Host was very friendly. They also have a camp area for horses. Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump.
TravelerCampground is small but well maintained. Hiking is great. Probably better for people with horses. Electric did not work at all sites. Pit toilets did not seem sufficient for all camp sites.
GuideThis Fairgrounds Campground has several combinations of hookups. There were plenty of available sites when I booked Site 93.
This site is on neatly mowed grass and it has water and electric connections. There are no picnic tables or fire rings. There are no trees or other vegetation to separate sites
The bathrooms are modern with showers that have plenty of hot water. The bathrooms were very clean.
Bookings online are easy. We arrived after closing and my documents were taped to the office windows with directions to my site.
We used our Starlink Mini and it worked well on a nearly cloudless day with unobstructed access to the sky.
I would definitely stay here again.
TravelerVery nice, clean, people and staff very friendly. You must reserve a spot by phone or online only, no walk ins. I made my reservation while standing at the visitor cabin
TravelerTried it for the first time. It was quiet and relaxing. The camp host was nice and friendly. Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper. Will be back soon.
Van Buren State Park Campground provides dedicated horse camping facilities approximately 70 miles southwest of Luna Pier, Michigan. The equestrian camping area features newly constructed pens that allow horses to remain untethered. This campground maintains flat, shaded sites with electric hookups available at most locations. The area receives moderate rainfall throughout spring and summer months, with temperatures typically ranging from 65-85°F during peak camping season.
Explore hiking trails: Van Buren State Park offers numerous trails suitable for both hiking and horseback riding. "I love this place. Its a smaller campground with only two loops of sites, but its flat, shaded, and comfortable. No showers, but clean and sturdy pit toilets with centralized well water," notes Joseph N. about Van Buren State Park Campground.
Visit the wildflower garden: The park maintains a small wildflower garden that showcases native plant species. "They also had a dog park and small wildflower garden. The check in cabin had ice and wood for sale but no store," shares Shannon G.
Winter activities: The park remains open year-round with opportunities for cold-weather recreation. "I came cross country skiing here in early January and it was absolutely amazing. It is cold but the terrain is simple for first time skiers," writes Kevin T.
Spacious campsites: Sites offer ample room for both camping equipment and recreational activities. "Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents," reports Shannon G. about Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park.
Quiet atmosphere: The campground maintains a peaceful environment without excessive noise. "Campground was clean and quiet, had electric hookups at most sites. Host was very friendly. They also have a camp area for horses," writes Nicole G.
Community garden access: Some campgrounds in the region offer unique amenities. "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," shares Nancy W.
Seasonal closures: Check operating schedules before planning your trip. "I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season," warns Mike M.
Limited bathroom facilities: Most horse campgrounds near Luna Pier, Michigan have basic restroom options. "No running water for bathrooms if that's important for you. The park is also just off a country road so traffic can occasionally be heard but it's not excessive," explains Brendan V. about Van Buren State Park Campground.
Campsite selection matters: Choose sites carefully based on your specific needs. "Some of the sites are small so you have to be careful which you site you reserve if you're a tent camper. The outside of the circle is your best bet and there's a few scattered in the middle," advises Brendan V.
Playground access: Select sites near recreational amenities for convenience with children. "If you can get a good middle spot it's nice if you have kids since there's a playground, swings, basketball, and tether court," recommends Brendan V.
Family-friendly atmosphere: Many campgrounds welcome families with activities suitable for children. "Nice campgrounds easy to get around and my children loved it," shares Amber P.
Proximity to attractions: Consider locations that offer easy access to family activities. "Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn. Close to interstate for easy access," notes Nancy W.
Site length and levelness: Most equestrian campgrounds accommodate larger rigs with level sites. "Long, level sites that will fit any RV," confirms Nancy W.
Hookup variations: Electric service may vary between sites. "Electric did not work at all sites. Pit toilets did not seem sufficient for all camp sites," cautions Alysha W.
Dump station locations: Plan for sanitation needs in advance. "Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump," mentions Nicole G.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Luna Pier, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Luna Pier, MI is Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park with a 3.3-star rating from 8 reviews.
Keep Exploring
