Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Mattawan is the way to go. Finding a place to camp in Michigan with your horse is easier than ever. Search horse campsites and discover top-rated spots, as reviewed by other campers.
Fort Custer Campground at Fort Custer State Recreation Area is a 3,033-acre park located between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. The park features three lakes, the Kalamazoo River, a campground, a swimming beach, boat rentals, more than 25 miles of multi-use trails, paddling and fishing opportunities, second growth forests and remnant areas of prairie. The trail system is popular with mountain bikers, equestrians, hikers and dog sledders. Originally farmland, the area was acquired by the federal government to establish Camp Custer, an induction and military training center for the U.S. Army during WWII. The land was deeded to the State of Michigan under President Nixon's Legacy of Parks in 1971. No alcoholic beverages allowed in park April 1 through Labor Day.
Vacation close to the shore of the Great Lakes when you stay at our campground in Covert, Michigan. Make memories lounging on the sandy shores, exploring downtown attractions, touring lighthouses and splashing in the ocean waves. Covert / South Haven KOA Holiday is also near Silver Beach County Park, named one of the top 10 beaches in the United States.
Our RV Sites offer peaceful locations to gather for family activities around the campfire and enjoy a delicious BBQ and s'mores, take part in a card game or watch the activities on the lake. Traditional tent camping provides an outdoorsy experience with stargazing and falling asleep to the sound of nature. The luxury of Deluxe Cabins offers a glamping experience with cozy beds, air conditioning, restrooms and kitchen options. Our RV Sites, Tent Sites, Deluxe Cabins, Glamping Tents, and Camping Cabins also all include Wi-Fi access, so you can stay connected with faraway friends and share your fantastic trip photos with them. Tents are not allowed on RV sites, shade canopy is okay.
Ready to plan your trip camping in South Haven, Michigan? Call 269-764-0818 or reserve your site online today! Your adventure awaits.
Traveler
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!
Traveler
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.
ScoutThe 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.
GuideThis 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.
Traveler
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.
ScoutHuge 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.
ScoutAnother 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.
TravelerNice 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
TravelerBeen 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.
ScoutDrive 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.
ScoutWith 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!!
ScoutWe camp here several times a year. Love the staff, lakes, and trails!!!
TravelerGreat campgrounds very friendly staff bathrooms are extremely clean great time nice beach
TravelerGreat 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
ScoutThis is a great campground for kids. It has a splash pad a jump park and the pool. Sites are a little small, you are very close to your neighbors.
RangerI 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.
ScoutJust 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!!!
ScoutBoating, trails, camping, beach. Had a great time.
GuideSites are super secluded, a lot are deep with tons of open woods behind them which is beautiful. There’s a huge dog run area that we took advantage of.
The day use beach area was great, and you can swim and kayak in the water.
However there was a couple of issues. One was we had a good down pour for about half hour. That rain flooded a large amount of sites with a few inches of water which was honestly really bad. Another issue was the mosquitoes are real bad. They post signs about it. Last issue was the dump station. I think because of the flooding, the septic tank was almost full which made dumping a little bit of an issue but I could get it done.
Honestly the property is beautiful other than those few issues
ScoutWe enjoyed camping here with the family. The sites are nicely wooded to give more privacy. There are convenient trails through the woods to get to the bathrooms but depending on your site it could be about a 10 min walk. The kids wished we had packed their bicycles to make trips to the bathrooms faster. Our site (34) was mostly sandy ground and there were a lot of berries dropping from the trees that my dogs were obsessed with eating. Overall we enjoyed the stay and would return
TravelerThe sites are spacious with the right amount of seclusion from your neighbors! Paved roads good for bike riding and walking the dogs. The only thing missing is a camp store!
TravelerSo far this is the nicest KOA ever. Beautifully landscaped sites are very, very nice. Many sites with cement patios and grills. There's cabins and yurts too. 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. We were here twice this year!
GuideWe weren’t sure what to expect given this was our first visit. But overall it was a good experience. Delivery service of food and firewood was great. Trash pickup was appreciated. WiFi reception was a welcomed surprise. Showers and bathrooms were clean. If you go, be sure to reserve one of the sites with the paved patio, pad and provided grill. Very nice. Most importantly, it was very quiet after 9pm when everything closed.
Downside - sites are a little cramped and the pool was very crowded.
GuideThe KOA had a lot going for it. Our site was spacious and we didn’t even have the patio sites. We had a pull through with full hook ups. KOA was nice and clean. Staff was super helpful.
It had a great pool and splash area. Also blueberry patches. There were plenty of amenities and activities if you are looking for that. We used it as a good place to leave and go to beaches and attractions. Super convenient from St Joe’s up to Holland.
Overall we may look for a campground closer to Saugatuk as we loved that area if not we would totally stay here again it has everything you need.
TravelerBathhouses were clean and free of bugs. Roads are nicely paved. Campgrounds are nice. Good for multiple tents. Fire ring is good. Beach was amazing and so were the trails. The concessions at the park are sparse. Family dollar is right down the road though. Firewood sales at location. Very buggy but your in the woods so expected.
ScoutOk, so I might be biased because this is where I spent my summers growing up. But I’ve never found another campground with such a great mix of secluded sites, but still opportunities to meet and party with fellow camper.
Endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat.
If you’re in the area, this is highly recommended.
ScoutThis is our "home base" campground. It's familiar. We've been coming here for decades. Comfortable, and quiet(for the most part).
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.
Vault toilets only, and pitcher pumps for water. There is a dumpster available in the busier parts of the season but this campground is open year round.
No playground. Just the beach and the trails.
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.
In short, if you want a quiet getaway from your usual then this is a great place to go. If you're expecting a pool, arcade, and dining hall... Look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mattawan, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mattawan, 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 Mattawan, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Mattawan, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
