Best Equestrian Camping near Marcellus, MI

The Dyrt can help you find the perfect horse camping site near Marcellus. Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. These scenic and easy-to-reach Marcellus campsites are perfect for equestrian campers.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Marcellus, MI (6)


Recent Equestrian Reviews in Marcellus

163 Reviews of 6 Marcellus Campgrounds


  • Skip C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ely Lake Campground
    Aug. 29, 2024

    Ely Lake Campground

    Hidden gem

    Been coming here since I was little, took a 25 year hiatus from camping. Went back there recently and loved it just like when I was a kid!

  • Rachel P.
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Aug. 5, 2024

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Well Wooded but Buggy

    We just camped at the park this weekend, which was the opening weekend after the rebuild of the bath houses and some other improvements. First, we loved how wooded and beautiful the campground was. The spots were nice and secluded, and the whole place was very beautiful. There were a few things that we didn't enjoy. First, it was EXTREMELY buggy. If you weren't covered in Deep Woods bug spray the whole time, you were getting bit. Second, I don't feel that there were enough showers. There were 5 showers in each bathhouse, making 10 showers total for the entire campground. I found myself waiting in a line every time I wanted a shower. Lastly, I wish there was a walking trail that was more accessible from the campground itself.

  • SEO K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ely Lake Campground
    Jun. 4, 2024

    Ely Lake Campground

    Good Place If you play Super 9 game

    The place is very good. But the entertainment is fulfil when you play your favourite game. My favourite is Super 9 Game which I played in this game. The game is very unique and full of enjoy. Download it enjoy yourself. The game will refresh you. So, Try it now.

  • Joel K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Jan. 15, 2024

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Really nice state park campground and rec area!

    This was our second trip to this property (1st was Sept 2021), and it was really nice.  We went Aug 25 - 27th (Friday - Sunday).  The property has something like 219 campsites, and that weekend every single one of them was full.  Noisy during the day with a few large groups and a LOT of kids, but they were quiet at night and it was not a problem.  Some of the campsites are very close together and it's hard to determine that from the map or choosing ahead of time.  The showers and bathrooms are fine, and I think they're being upgraded this season so I expect them to be quite nice for 2024 and beyond.  We took full advantage of the mountain bike trails which are very easily accessed from the campground.  We also took a trip into Battle Creek for a quick stop by CVS, so it's close and convenient for lost or forgotten items.   No problems with bugs or mosquitos, other than the normal for being a forested property. 

    On Saturday morning the camp host had coffee and donuts for a $1 donation.  And firewood was easily accessible on site. 

    Would not hesitate to stay here again.

  • Dan W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday
    Oct. 17, 2023

    Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

    Had everything

    Sites weren’t too tight. Campstore had everything incredible ice cream and pizza that could be delivered to your site. Bathrooms and showers were clean. Perfect for kids activities. Close to adulting fun, food, and shops in South Haven.

  • Rick G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Potato Creek State Park Campground
    Aug. 27, 2023

    Potato Creek State Park Campground

    Exploring South Bend/Elkhart Area

    We wanted to explore the “RV Capital of the World” and Notre Dame University while passing through. This park fit the bill. Arrived Thursday with the campground maybe 25% full. By Friday night it was full! Great spacing between sites and offers miles of hiking and biking trails. Verizon signal essentially nonexistent, but air TV reception not bad. Fresh water fill and dump stations were the best we’ve seen anywhere.

  • D B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Aug. 22, 2023

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Shady campground

    Huge beautiful campground. Lots of privacy. Needs extra access to the Kalamazoo River for kayakers. Make a campground near the beach. Gas is too expensive to be driving two and a quarter miles one way to the beach. The dump station needed a serious update.

  • Z
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Aug. 22, 2023

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Another amazing experience!!

    Another great camping experience, site 210 has an amazing trail that leads directly to the showers at one end and at the other path went directly to running water, plus only a couple of yards from a great walking trail.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Aug. 10, 2023

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Nice place to camp

    Nice sites, very well organized for privacy. Trees and shrubs dividing sites. The lake is a couple miles away from campground, only 20 miles per hour if I recall. No alcohol permitted

  • E
    Camper-submitted photo from Potato Creek State Park Campground
    Jul. 24, 2023

    Potato Creek State Park Campground

    1st time, will definitely be back.

    Our first time here with our pop-up. It's a beautiful park. So much nature to explore, so we'll have to come back again. Note that my four star rating is based on five stars being perfection, so I would still definitely recommend it.

    Our site was purposely located close to a bathhouse, but was not too close to have any bothersome noises. The bathhouse was a bit dated, but pretty clean. Individual stall showers with inner and outer curtains. Curtains could have been a bit longer, because the inner one allowed lots of spray into the outer "dry" part of the stall.

    Great playground on the east side of the first loop. Kids seem to play there for hours and enjoy riding bikes around the loops. Very well manicured grounds, including paths from the sites to the bathhouse.

    Nice little store that had a little bit of everything attendants were friendly. Firewood available. Cheaper outside the park, but don't mind supporting the park. Was open till 9PM even on Sunday.

    Beach was small, but seems adequate for the number of people there. Could use a little sand cleaning, but not bad. Swimming area roped off to keep boats out. Bathrooms have showers.

    Already planning our next visit!

  • Cynthia K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pokagon State Park Campground
    Jul. 21, 2023

    Pokagon State Park Campground

    Old campground

       This state park was established in 1925, so almost 100 years old. The campground must be the original layout. There's a maze like quality to it. The roads are narrow & you may be driving off the road for a big rig. 

       Some sites are level, some aren't. Some can accommodate larger rigs, most can't. Check the site descriptions carefully & to be doubly sure, call the office & ask.

       There's water stations that look very old. They have wooden, shingled roofs. There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!

     There's 5 loops to the main campground.

     100 loop is small & closer to the lake than the other loops. It's the loop we chose this time.

        The sites are on the small side. There's 3 campsites that are close to the lake. 115, which is a larger site. 117 & 119 which have clear views of the lake. 117 is more a tent or popup site & is small. 119 is the best of the bunch. A large pad & a large site. There's no privacy bushes. These sites have a view of the lake with trees & brush & are on a ridge overlooking the lake. They aren't ON the lake. 

    On either side of 117 & 119 are 2 trails that lead to the lake. There's benches & a dock to tie up your boat. 

       The rest of the sites are a mixed bag. Some are level, some have an incline. If you have a big rig, be aware that the road to the 100 campsites branches into one way. Leading into the campsites, the road is narrow & has a ravine on one side!

        200 Loop is non electric

        300 Loop is the biggest loop & seems like the best bet for larger rigs. As stated above, some sites are better than others. There's a uniformity here that's missing from the other loops.

      Stay away from sites 393& 395!!! These sites are literally right on top of the dump station! As always watch for pit toilets near the sites. 

       400 loop is a smaller loop next to the 200 loop. There's only one shower house for both loops. Avoid site 444 & probably site 454. These sites are VERY close to the dump station. 

      500 loop is also smaller& has some nice sites tucked by themselves in the trees. There seems to be more privacy brush on this loop with SOME sites.

       512 is close to the shower house. 511 & 513 were somewhat secluded.

        If you have a boat you want to tie up at the dock, go for the 100 loop. If you can't get it, be aware there's no parking near the trails to the lake. You can park by the bathhouse & walk. 

       The shower & restrooms are atrocious!!! Worst looking buildings since Spring Mill SP! Dirty & need an entire overhaul. In fact, raze the buildings & build new ones! They're "cleaned" once a day. Suuuuuure they are. There was actual poop on the door of one of the women's toilet stalls the whole time I was there. Mold & spiders& dirt in the corners. Looks like the last upgrade was in the 50s.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Ely Lake Campground
    Jul. 9, 2023

    Ely Lake Campground

    Hidden gem

    Been coming here since 1969 when I was 4 yrs. old. Nothing changed, just good ole wilderness camping! Try to up there a couple times a year. Love it.

  • Cory W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Ely Lake Campground
    Jul. 6, 2023

    Ely Lake Campground

    Off the grid camping

    Drive to a place where you are truly, disconnected from society. No cell phone service, no internet, no electricity, and no showers. But who needs any of that when you're camping.

  • N
    Camper-submitted photo from Potato Creek State Park Campground
    Jun. 22, 2023

    Potato Creek State Park Campground

    One of Our Favorites!

    We love Potato Creek! The paved bike trails are amazing. The sites are large and private. There are great and there is a good selection between shaded and sunny. With a selection of fun things to do (bike and boat rentals, hiking trails, a wonderful nature center, playgrounds) our family never runs out of things to do here.

  • Z
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Jun. 15, 2023

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    One of the best places to camp in the area!!

    With plenty of space between each campsite, easy-to-locate bathrooms/water, and firewood available to purchase at the front office plus over 25 miles of hiking/mountain biking trails, plus more than one body of water to fish/swim in. It really is an ideal place to camp!!

  • Katie M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pokagon State Park Campground
    Aug. 11, 2022

    Pokagon State Park Campground

    Quiet and laid back.

    Lovely little quiet campground and spacious park with plenty to do for 1-2 days. Staff is non-intrusive, and the site has plenty of room to camp about and roam. Find your own little quiet corner and unplug for a few days. It's better than Ohio's only National Park!

    Note: the DNR trail maps are inaccurate but well worth your time, so research your trials well or you'll get a bit lost. Trail signs are also very confusing. Bring plenty of water as posted 'mile' hikes quickly turn in 5 mile hikes. I recommend walking the 'Wetlands' trail around dusk.

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Jul. 10, 2022

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Great campground !

    Great place to camp, our first trip there was the weekend after the 4th of July. Wish we would have came here yrs ago! Great sites, all divided by trees for some privacy. Will go back

  • Jason H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Apr. 24, 2022

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Convenient but Cramped

    I can see why this place is so popular with the camper crowd. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just cramped, a bit noisy, and there's alot of traffic. Alot.

    I was only taking my son for a night to try his hand at tenting and some hiking. The hiking was nice but not as challenging as some of the other places I've been.

    I prefer rustic, somewhat challenging, and a semblance of solitude. You won't get any of that here. But if you're a family, especially with younger kids or older folks, who want a safe place to get outdoors, this is the place. The restrooms, showers, playground, and easy groomed trails will be great for you.

    If you're like me, you'll likely be looking north.

  • Whitley K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Pokagon State Park Campground
    Mar. 29, 2022

    Pokagon State Park Campground

    Visit in Winter for Tobagganing

    Equestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Potato Creek State Park Campground
    Mar. 4, 2022

    Potato Creek State Park Campground

    Good for basic camping

    Good for basic family or friend camping! We have stayed here loads of times over the years and we’ve always had fun. The only downsides are you are very close to the other campsites so it’s pretty noisy and bright!

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Fort Custer Recreation Area
    Dec. 11, 2021

    Fort Custer Recreation Area

    Awesome place

    Just bought our first camper this past summer and decided to take it to Ft. Custer to try it out! We absolutely loved this place. There are plenty of hiking trails and the fishing was great. Will definitely be back again!!!



Guide to Marcellus

Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • The Silver Creek County Park features spacious sites equipped with high line poles for horses, ensuring a comfortable stay for both riders and their mounts.
  • At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, equestrian campers can enjoy well-maintained facilities, including picnic tables and fire pits, perfect for relaxing after a day of riding.
  • Ely Lake Campground offers a rustic experience with ample space for tents and horses, allowing for a true wilderness camping experience.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • The trails at Silver Creek County Park provide miles of scenic riding paths, perfect for exploring the natural beauty of the area.
  • Fort Custer Recreation Area boasts extensive wooded trails that are ideal for horseback riding, along with opportunities for hiking and biking.
  • Campers at Pokagon State Park Campground can enjoy equestrian trails that lead to beautiful lakes, making it a great spot for both riding and relaxing by the water.

Tips for equestrian camping near Marcellus, Michigan

  • When visiting Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, be sure to reserve a site with a paved patio for added comfort during your stay.
  • At Ely Lake Campground, prepare for a rustic experience; bring your own water and be ready for a true off-the-grid adventure.
  • Always check the trail conditions and availability of amenities at Fort Custer Recreation Area before heading out, especially during peak seasons when the campground can fill up quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Marcellus, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Marcellus, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 41 reviews.

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

    TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Marcellus, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.