Equestrian campgrounds near Marne, Michigan offer dedicated facilities for camping with horses across the Manistee National Forest and surrounding areas. Most horse-friendly sites are situated within 45-60 miles of Marne, providing access to trail systems through wooded terrain. The region features a mix of rustic campgrounds with basic amenities and more developed sites with amenities for both riders and horses.
What to do
Trail riding on diverse terrain: White River Campsite #1 offers dispersed camping options in the Manistee National Forest with direct access to forest trails. As one camper noted, "There are dispersed options as well as docked site. It's in a forest, so bring a compass if you plan to do some hiking."
Swimming and fishing: Duke Creek Campground features a heated pool and nearby fishing opportunities. A visitor mentioned, "Your kids will LOVE this place-we had a blast! Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day!"
Kayaking on no-motor lakes: Ely Lake Campground offers a peaceful lake experience for non-motorized boats. A regular visitor explained, "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."
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins provides a quiet lake setting. One camper reported, "Amazing spot away from the city! The owner of the place is very accommodating and pleasant to be around. Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!"
Natural setting: White River Campsite provides authentic forest camping without amenities. Campers appreciate the natural environment with one noting, "This is the White River special area of the Manistee National Forest. While there are numbered campsites, there are no facilities or amenities."
Family activities: Duke Creek Campground organizes regular activities for children. A satisfied camper shared, "The campground was great, and clean. The park was nice and so we're all the kid activities! The pool is very nice and the store is stocked nicely."
What you should know
Amenity levels vary significantly: Horse campgrounds range from primitive to full-service. At Ely Lake Campground, a camper clarified, "This is primarily a primitive campground with porto-pottys. Usually pretty clean. Located in the Allegan forest. Very quiet and nice that it has a lake for swimming in the summer."
Weekends can get crowded: Several campgrounds become busy during peak season. At Double JJ Resort, a visitor observed, "Campground I found to be tight, and it was hard to know where your site ended and other began. Water and electric ports were shared on one site so other campers were constantly on our site hooking up and adjusting."
Water sources may be limited: At rustic campgrounds, water access can be basic. At Ely Lake, a camper advised, "There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored."
Tips for camping with families
Book guided horse experiences: Double RR Ranch RV Resort offers beginner-friendly horseback riding. A visitor recommended, "We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids."
Consider cabins for mixed groups: Scalley Lake Park offers cabin options for families who want a horse camping experience without tenting. One family noted, "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here."
Look for campgrounds with activities: Duke Creek Campground provides structured activities for children. A family camper shared, "The park was nice and so we're all the kid activities! The pool is very nice and the store is stocked nicely."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions at horse campgrounds: Many equestrian sites have limited space for larger rigs. At Ely Lake Campground, an experienced camper advised, "Sites range from small tent sites to fairly large, but the 'roads' inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels."
Prepare for rustic conditions: Most horse campgrounds offer limited hookups. As one Ely Lake camper explained, "Caveat: no electric, no running water, no sewer/septic, no dump, no fill... Can run your generator(inverter type is best). Solar is a negative due to tree cover."
Consider seasonality: The camping season affects services and conditions. At Timbers Edge Campground, a late-season camper noted, "I went in November. Most campers were there on the weekend. Pit toilets, a pond, hot showers but shower room unheated, no dump station, nice size lots."
