6 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Fort Custer Recreation Area features separate equestrian camping areas with trail access for riders. The park maintains specific zones designated for horses and their owners, with sites spacious enough for trucks, trailers, and camping equipment. Horse campers can access approximately 25 miles of designated bridle paths winding through woodland, open meadows, and along Eagle Lake and Whitford Lake shorelines. The campground includes modern restrooms with showers, drinking water, and electrical hookups at some sites. Many equestrian campers report the trails are well-maintained and suitable for both novice and experienced riders throughout most of the year.
Multiple trail connections link the equestrian camping areas to broader riding networks throughout the Fort Custer property. Horse-friendly water crossings are available along several routes. Campers must bring their own portable corrals or highline equipment as permanent stalls are not provided. Recreation area regulations require proof of negative Coggins test, and riders must clean up after their horses at campsites. Trail maps are available at the park office, with most equestrian routes clearly marked and separate from the mountain biking trail system to minimize user conflicts.
"The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶"
"Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes."
"Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."
"This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."
"Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean. Bath houses are always clean!"
"There is a nice prairie area to walk around in, and an easy to ride pave bike trail. We watched the osprey nest one year for several hours."
from $20 - $90 / night
Check Availability"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
from $20 - $480 / night
Check Availability"Overall Rating: 4 for access to the area, very clean facilities, and not too many campers thus time of year.
Price 2024: $35 for water/electric only.""A little close to your neighbors but the way the sites are angled you had plenty of room. Very friendly people. Easy in and out."
"No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails."
"All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover."
from $17 / night
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GuideEquestrian 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.
TravelerEly Lake Campground is a County campground in Allegan Michigan. All of the sites are rustic. Here are the bullet points:
First the positives: It is a beautiful rustic campground. We stayed on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake. The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake, however it is ill defined in some places so just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees (which are everywhere so you wont get lost).
This place also attracts a lot of equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding. So if you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends.
The negatives: It is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager). There is loud music , people yelling, fireworks going off and… not very much sleep. And I am not just talking about a few people with their music on -- it was someone blasting their sub-woofer with electronic dance music until 4:45 AM. It was really disappointing because otherwise the experience was positive. Luckily my kids are all deep sleepers so I was the only one who had to sit up all night.
They clean the bathrooms daily from what I can tell, but otherwise the campground is not maintained. There was trash around our site, and when you walk the trail about the lake you will see cigarette packets and beer bottles occasionally. Also along the trail were two massive hornet nests that really should have been removed by park management - but it's clear they don't ever maintain the trail.
If you're willing to overlook some garbage, and if the party people stay away you could have a wonderful camping trip. Allegan County has a beautiful natural resource here, but sadly it seems like it is being squandered, and wont last.
ScoutThis is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
TravelerThe trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
ScoutMMichigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25per night with electric. Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes. Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky.
Guide...although you probably wouldn't want to camp in the Indiana winter. I grew up coming here mostly to sled on the hills! But, there is a lot more to do. It surrounds Worster Lake and there are cabins, RV sites, and tent sites along with horse trails and bike trails. In the winter, there's sledding hills and ice fishing. The campgrounds are pretty standard, nothing special. If you live in the area, it's a fine little getaway.
ScoutI feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean. Bath houses are always clean! Playground areas for the kids throughout the park lots of bike and walking trails. No pools but a beautiful man made lake for swimming and fishing. Lots of wildlife throughout the park. A great nature center is a must to see for the little ones. My family has camped here for many years. There is also a separate campground for horse lovers.
Fort Custer Recreation Area offers equestrian camping with access to 25 miles of multi-use trails within a 3,000-acre park. Located 45 miles from Marcellus, Michigan, the recreation area maintains separate camping zones for horses and riders on mostly level terrain. Riders can access trails through woodland, meadows, and lakeshores without competing with mountain bikers on most routes.
Trail riding around lakes: Fort Custer Recreation Area provides miles of multi-use trails that connect to the equestrian camping areas. "We passed other hikers and bikers and even some people trying their luck at fishing. There are quite a few mountain bike trails on the other side of the recreation area. A horse trail circles around the outside edge," notes Art S.
Family swimming options: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday offers a heated pool for families who want water activities without lake access. "Heated pool and lots of activities for kids. Camp with blueberries right outside your door!" explains Amy J.
Mountain biking opportunities: Several campgrounds near Marcellus feature dedicated mountain biking trails. "We camped and rode (again) at Fort Custer. We've been here 2x before (once in a cabin and once in tents) and this has now officially become a favorite," shares Joel K.
Secluded sites: Many horse campgrounds near Marcellus, Michigan offer privacy between campsites. At Ely Lake Campground, "We stayed on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake," explains James K.
Non-motorized lakes: Several camping areas restrict lake access to non-motorized boats. "The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake," shares a camper about Ely Lake.
Rustic camping experience: For those seeking a more primitive camping experience near equestrian trails, Potato Creek State Park Campground offers both modern and rustic options. "I've not camped at this park, only hiked it. I've probably hiked it two dozen times at least and it's got nice trails for the part of Indiana that it's in," mentions Kaley A.
Electric hookups only: Most horse-friendly campgrounds in the region provide limited utilities. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," notes VB S. about Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Bring insect repellent: Wooded areas and lakes create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. "Lots need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent," warns Cathy Y.
Variable site privacy: Pokagon State Park Campground has over 500 sites with different levels of seclusion. "There's 500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded. There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc," explains Amy K.
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds near Marcellus offer dedicated family activities. At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, "There are a lot of lodging options, tons of kids activities, both free and for a small fee, great pool, cafe and store! Lots of sports equipment to loan as well," according to Melissa B.
Consider cabins for mixed groups: For equestrian campers traveling with non-camping family members, several parks offer alternative accommodations. "We camp here every year with our family since it is perfectly halfway between us, in Michigan, and my family in Chicago. The kids love the activities and the pool and my family who are not necessarily 'outdoorsy' love that they can sleep in an air conditioned cabin with cable!" shares Lisa P.
Check for pony rides: Fort Custer State Park and other equestrian facilities sometimes offer pony rides for children. "We've stayed at both sites listed. 161 you do have neighbors pretty close, but we just stayed at 51 and it is extremely secluded! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!" notes Hannah.
Prepare for limited hookups: Most equestrian camping areas offer electric but not water or sewer connections. "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long. Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," advises Bob B.
Check site lengths: Horse trailers plus RVs require longer sites than standard camping. "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven. Bike trail, hiking trails, store, beach, inn, nature center," warns J C. about Pokagon State Park Campground.
Bring extension cords: Some electric sites require longer cords than standard. "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up," suggests Frank M. about equestrian sites in the region.
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 44 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.
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