Best Equestrian Camping near Kingsley, MI

Scheck's Place State Forest Campground accommodates equestrians with a dedicated trail camp section separate from the standard camping area. Campers can select spacious sites with enough room for horse trailers, tents, and horse containment. The trail camp operates on a self-registration honor system with vault toilets and hand pump water available. Horse owners find direct access to forest trails ideal for day rides, with the Boardman River running alongside the campground providing water access. The primitive nature of this horse-friendly campground creates an authentic outdoor experience with sites often remaining uncrowded even during peak seasons. Trail riders can take as much space as needed for their equestrian setups without assigned site numbers.

Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp offers another horse-friendly option with easy trail access and spacious camping areas. The campground connects to the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail system, making it convenient for overnight horse-camping trips or as a basecamp for multiple day rides. Water access at Lake Dubonnet allows horses to cool off after trail rides, while the rustic setting provides adequate space for trailer parking. Sites are first-come, first-served at $15 per night with self-registration. The surrounding state forest lands provide extensive riding opportunities with miles of trails to explore. Most equestrians report minimal traffic through the campground, though occasional ORV use may occur in the surrounding area. Clean restroom facilities and nearby hiking trails complement the horse camping experience.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Kingsley, Michigan (8)

    1. Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Kingsley, MI
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5280

    "The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people)."

    "I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents."

    2. Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Grawn, MI
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 943-4150

    $25 / night

    "Quiet, large sites, like new bath house, 7th nite free, rate$35, good location for northwestern Michigan sites Water on all outside sites. interior sites share water hookups"

    3. Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    9 Reviews
    Interlochen, MI
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5280

    "We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground."

    "Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir."

    4. Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Fife Lake, MI
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 857-8000

    $25 - $55 / night

    "We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice! Very close to Manistee River and canoe/raft liveries, very fun family togetherness activity."

    5. Turtle Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Honor, MI
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 275-7353

    "Turtle Lake is a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade."

    "Family friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake. They have a camp for horses too."

    6. Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground

    5 Reviews
    Manistee, MI
    40 miles
    Website

    "I only spent a night here while passing through, but it's a very nice campground that's specifically suited to equestrians."

    "I wish we had a place to dump our grey water, but otherwise it was an easy drive in and had fresh water."

    7. Gaylord KOA

    10 Reviews
    Gaylord, MI
    50 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 939-8723

    $61 - $95 / night

    "While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls."

    "The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location."

    8. 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    1 Review
    Grayling, MI
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 348-7068

    "I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Kingsley, MI

1 Photos of 8 Kingsley Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Kingsley, MI

45 Reviews of 8 Kingsley Campgrounds


  • evi L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2021

    Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground

    Everything you need

    I only spent a night here while passing through, but it's a very nice campground that's specifically suited to equestrians. This established and well maintained campground is free, and you can stay up to two weeks. There's a well kept pit toilet, 21 established campsites w/ firerings, and even a water pump (meant for horses.) Only a few other campers on a Wednesday night, including some people with horses, and all have been friendly. The campsites are all flat and quite large, being that they are meant to accommodate people with a horse trailer, and there are numerous hitching posts throughout the campground. A great place overall.

  • Judy  B.
    Jul. 15, 2016

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Beautiful Campground

    We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground. This campground had easy access to the water, and the restrooms were very clean. The campground seemed to have a lot if unnecessary traffic.

  • Gemma G.
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Schecks Place-TRAIL CAMP enjoy privacy, the river, horse trails

    There are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.

    The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).

    The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.

    There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.

    The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down.

    There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect.

  • J
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Primitive State Forest CG right on the Boardman River

    I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents. It’s a great home base or overnight camp for canoeists and kayakers (my particular interest). The camp is also used by mountain bikers & gravel riders, ATV riders, anglers, and equestrians (separate camp area). Large wooded sites. Primitive means vault toilets, no power and hand pump water. No reservations — FCFS.

    Negatives: can be noisy at times with the ATVs and also large camping groups. But for the most part I’ve found ppl to be respectful. A couple of the sites flooded after an unusually heavy rain today, so I would avoid any site that looks low if rain is expected.

    Site 16 is good. High and dry after the rain.

  • Lexi G.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    Cheap horse camp

    It’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.

  • Dalton B.
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Childhood Favorite

    Cant count how many times i've been here. Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir. Rustic, cheap, horse friendly, out house, and pleanty of forest and lake to explore.

  • C
    Jun. 20, 2020

    Turtle Lake Campground

    Camping for everyone!!

    Turtle Lake is a perfect mix of campers! Very family friendly, but spaced out well enough for privacy. They have a nice beach area and areas to fish. All sites provide a good amount of shade. We will definitely be staying here again! They also have a separate equestrian camping area that have water and electric hookup sites.

  • T
    Nov. 2, 2018

    Turtle Lake Campground

    Family friendly people. Amazing place

    Family friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake. They have a camp for horses too.

  • L
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    close to travese city and interlockin

    Quiet, large sites, like new bath house, 7th nite free, rate$35, good location for northwestern Michigan sites Water on all outside sites. interior sites share water hookups


Guide to Kingsley

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

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites and water access

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • The Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp offers access to hiking trails and a beautiful lake, making it a great spot for horseback riding and exploring nature.
  • Campers at Turtle Lake Campground can enjoy fishing and kayaking, with plenty of trails nearby for horseback riding adventures.
  • Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground hosts events and activities, including fishing and swimming, while providing easy access to trails for horseback riding.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Kingsley, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Kingsley, MI is Scheck's Place State Forest Campground with a 4.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Kingsley, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.