Are you planning a trip to Mount Pleasant with your horse? We've got you covered. It's easy to find Mount Pleasant campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. These scenic and easy-to-reach Michigan campsites are perfect for your horse camping excursion.
Located just 20 minutes north of Lansing, Sleepy Hollow State Park is an idyllic getaway for anyone needing some time away from the city. The 2,600 acre park is situation on Price Road off US-27 making it easily accessible to people passing through. That being the case, the park still maintains its charm and accommodates campers and visitors every day without issue. The Little Maple river can be found winding in and out of the forested geography, with Lake Ovid situated right in the heart, thanks to the clever placement of a dam. Visitors come from all over to enjoy the scenic landscapes, birdwatching opportunities, and Winter Snowshoeing.
During the Spring, camp rangers host the weekly Sleepy Hollow State Park Nature program, which educates campers about local wildlife and the history of the surrounding regions. This is a great opportunity for families to spend some time together, especially after a long day of hiking and camping.
Surprisingly, it’s during the winter that this park is most frequently attended. In fact, Sleepy Hollow is most recognized for the miles of snowshoeing and cross country skiing trails that run through the land. The trails are well-traveled, however there’s no shortage of privacy to get out and find peace and quiet within the confines of a forest muted by snow.
Camping here is easily accessible. Michigan Residents can utilize their State Park Recreation Passport to get in for free. Otherwise, entrance rates are $11 for residents, and $16 for non-residents. If camping, full-service campsites start at $25/night, while walk-in rustic sites are only $17/night. Furthermore, if camping in a tent doesn’t sound like your thing there are onsite cabins available for rent at $68 per night. If you want electricity and a full-service cabin, Deluxe Cabins can be rented for $101 a night.
$25 - $101 / night
Hungerford Lake Recreation Area The Hungerford Recreation Area is a nonmotorized area consisting of over 6,500 acres of National Forest System lands. The area provides opportunities to hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski, horseback ride, mountain bike and enjoy the National Forests. The horseback riding and mountian biking trails are two seperate trails. The two trails cross each other at several locations, but "You Are Here" maps are located at trail junctions to aid in navigation. The trail is marked with blue diamonds for the mountain bike trail with a bike symbol and blue diamonds with horses for the horse trail. Boat Launch/Lake campsites - The 30-acre lake offers a variety of fishing and boating opportunities. There are two campsites near the lake. Horses are not permitted in this area or in the lake. This site is particularly scenic during the fall. There is mixed federal and private ownership around the lake. Family Campground - The horse trail and mountain bike connector trails located in the campground. The horseback trail connector trail is located near the group site. The trail camp is very popular during the summer with horseback trail riders. The loop campground is nestled in among a variety of leafy green tress. Horseback Riding - There are over 40-miles of premier horse trails in the Hungerford Recreation Area. Mountain Biking - There are two-loops for mountain bikes, creating a 10-mile trail. Scenary and Topgraphy - The trails go through heavily forested areas of oak, maple, aspen, and red and white pine. At times riders will cross or utilize roads. Parts of the trails are suitable for less experienced riders, while other segments offer a more experienced riding opportunity. The topography ranges from hilly to very hilly. Riders will experience a range in scenery as they ride through the heavily forested areas and into open fields and meadows. Brochure with map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. Flickr Photo Album
The Hungerford Recreation Area offers access to over 50 miles of trails for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking. The horse trails connect to the group campsite. There are a few small lakes located nearby, including, Hungerford Lake, Toogood Lake and Mud Lake.
Forty-seven plus miles of horseback riding trails and 10 miles of mountain biking trails make the campground an ideal place for both equestrian campers and outdoors enthusiasts. Hungerford Lake is located a half mile south of the Hungerford Family Campground and one and a quarter miles south of the Hungerford Equestrian Group Campsite. The area offers fishing and boating opportunities. Horses are not allowed in or around the lake area, but visitors interested in fishing are welcome to cast for bass, pike and pan fish. There is a boat ramp located at the lake.
The campground is perched along lightly rolling hills in the Manistee National Forest. It is about a mile north of Hungerford Lake and the 48 site Hungerford Campground. The lake spans 30 acres and is a favorite spot to see fall colors. The Manistee National Forest comprises 540,000 acres and meets the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
Visit the city of Big Rapids, Michigan, or the Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary. Benton, Indian, Brush, and Shelley lakes are also nearby.
Cancellations will not be accepted within 7 days of scheduled date of arrival.
$75 / night
Traveler
We just got done with a 3 night stay at Sleepy Hallow. The campsite itself was great, nice a roomy while also being wooded. The bugs were pretty intense, but bug spray helped. They are working on the natural gas pipeline nearby, so there was lots of construction noise. Verizon service was basically non existent other than at the beach. The dog beach was small and full of algae.
ScoutI took a day hike back about a mile to site “F”. It was pretty private with a day site about 75 feet away so if anyone hiked in to use the day site, you might have to contend with close neighbors. Otherwise, a great spot with water access.
Scout$10 for clean drinking water they provide the the dump hoses. Always clean and well kept
GuideWalk-in site F was literally the perfect campsite. Fully secluded (except a few curious hikers who stopped in around lunchtime), easy 1 mile walk from parking lot, can kayak right up to it on the calm lake, hammock posts, picnic table, fire pit, gorgeous night sky views. A+ and 10/10
ScoutThere is a river to explore and we always get a riverfront site. Rivers are just fun for fishing, throwing stones, canoeing. There is a campstore, Firepits, large trees, they do hayrides for kids, too. We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids. It is close to a town to get take out food if it rains. There are some larger vacation lodges to rent that ars nestled away in the woods, and a bunkhouse with rentals. My husband liked the golf course that came with renting spot. Seen lots of wildlife. Very relaxing time in our pop up not too far from Grand Rapids.
Guide
We stayed here for only 1 night on a weekend and the place was packed. However, most of the campsites are spaced out enough that it isn’t a big deal. The pool is big, has a playground, a nice store on site with food, games, and camping equipment. The best part about it was the on site horseback rides!
GuideThe 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. Some of the seasonal kids got a little wild, but the owners were quick to respond!
Scout
The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here
TravelerGreat spot. Friend rented out two plots in the rustic campsites. The walk from the parking lot to the site was a bit of a hike but it was nice to be near the lake and not a bunch of cars. Great fire pit and place to place tents.
LegendThere is plenty to keep you occupied at this campground. Full disc golf course. Trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Basketball court and playground. Beach area for swimming and a pier for fishing. Sites were nice size. Some sites are pull through and many of the pads looked like they were fairly new. It was a little bit of a walk to the lake and disc golf area but not too bad. There is also a parking lot at the lake so you can always drive there as well. There is no camp store so you’ll have to drive to either Laingsburg or Ovid if you need anything.
TravelerNice beach but you have to walk a short distance to get there. Bathrooms are clean,paved roads and grass sites
TravelerI liked it.
TravelerWe stayed during very hot weather at the beginning of July 2020. I wanted to visit Potter Park Zoo so we choose to stay at Sleepy Hollow for a few days. Our site backed up to trees and I can't recall seeing our neighbors to the left or right. Because we didn't get any shade from the nearby trees we had to run the ac which is unusual for us in Michigan. We were in the midst of a heat-wave though and it was much appreciated. The park needs to upgrade the electrical system as this was putting a strain on their electrical equipment. We did go for a short paddle on (C) Ovid Lake, but again, no shade and HOT. I can't recall why we didn't go swimming?? Overall the campground was nice and I would stay again.
LegendThe sites were very small at this campground. Our fire pit was so close to our trailer we didn’t dare use it. There is a small playground for kids but not much else to do. They advertise disc golf but there are only 2 baskets on the playground within a few feet of each other. Not an actual disc golf course. There are hiking trails but unfortunately we were not able to use them due to it being hunting season. Won’t be camping here again any time soon.
Guide
Dispersed camping and camp sites available. There are horse staging areas and hiking trails. The lake is nice, small enough for a kayak/ no motor boat, nice.
GuidePrivate sites with trees on three sides of the campsite. The bathrooms were nice and sites were black topped. Nice no wake lake. It was great for kayaking and fishing. The beach was nice with a fishing dock. Only negative it is 1/2 mile to beach. We just drove instead with our chairs and beach toys! We will be back!
GuideGreat campground
RangerThis is a lovely park with lake & beach access. My site was private and had electric only. Bathrooms were very clean and neighboring campers were friendly!
ScoutGreat park for young children as they have an amazing play set that is great for all ages. We’ve been to 2 other state parks after visiting sleepy hollow and so far sleepy hollow has had the best play set. Sites are also secluded so the children had an idea of what the site boundaries were
GuideThis was our last stop on a trip where we camped in 6 different Michigan State Parks. This may be an older camp or the DNR was trying to save money when it was built. Most electrical posts are designed to accommodate at least 2 adjoining lots, and as many as 4. This in itself is not a concern until you realize the posts are way too far away to reach without an extension. We tried several lots and couldn’t reach any of the outlets. We finally met a couple who saId they had extensions at the office. So, we finally got set up with an extension cord from the camp office and decided to walk to the beach. Our site was adjacent to the path leading to the beach so we figured we could use a little walk. The path led to another path that led to a parking lot for the beach. After crossing the parking lot we still had to cross a large yard/park that finally opened onto the beach on this small lake. It was all very scenic, but we weren’t expecting a major hike to get to the beach. Showers are nice. They also have a neat ice cream vending machine that I had to check out for scientific purposes only. For a Michigan state park we were quite disappointed.
GuideSleep Hollow is one of our favorite places to camp due to the secluded spots that give you that “up north” private feeling... however, the lake/beach access is no where close to the campground and has to be driven too in order to access. A small price to pay for a great camping experience.
LegendWhat can I say, I love the Michigan State Parks. I find they are the best, Sleepy Hollow is not different and it has so many things to do. I would advise if you want to camp there on a weekend to make reservations well in advance. We stay here because there are only 2 campgrounds in the Lansing East Lansing Area this being one of them and the other does not have all full hook ups and charges more. When we visit our daughter at Michigan State University this is the place we stay, 20 - 30 minutes into the University depending upon the traffic.
It has large wooded sites only electric but you can fill up the water at the dump station. Each site has a picnic table and Fire ring. Each campsite has a asphalt pad. They sell fire wood at the campground office. Bring what you need or you can go into St. johns to the Kroger or Walmart. they have 2 main camping loops with 2 loops in each of the main loops and a shower restroom in each main loop. The restrooms are very clean and kept up. I love the showers hot water and for me that is hot and great pressure, I could shower all day. Sure beats our shower in the RV.
The State Park is on Ovid Lake and it is a beautiful lake, great for fishing, canoeing, paddle boards, kayak, and swimming. they have a shelter for you if you have a big party.
They also have a group campsite and a picnic area for large groups. d You can also bring your horses go to the Equestrian area and unload and get on the trail.
You can rent canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and paddle boards. They also have a great play ground for the kids and a fishing pier. Bring Bikes or just hike on the trails and head down to the beach.
TravelerNice park for camping. Secluded and private camp sites. Many trail for hiking and bird watching. Large lake for fishing.
ScoutAmazing 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!!!
GuideAwesome campground, horse trails available, volleyball nets, beach, and trails! Don’t get too rowdy however because the DNR constantly patrols the area.
GuideNice campground with a footpath from each loop to the beach! Excited to stay at the primitive campsites this summer, they look super nice and further away from all the noise of the regular campsites. Also LOVE the disc golf course here! Not very many parks have them.
TravelerQuietly tucked into Clinton co Michigan. Sleepy is easily accessible. Its close to Lansing. There are shopping centers nearby. Country party store is closer!! Very large lake....Ovid is her name! Offers many species of fish for catching!! There are fishing docks, ONE IS NOT VERY ACCESSIBLE TO NON AMBULATORY PERSONS !!! THIS ONE'S IN THE CAMP AREA! The path is nicely groomed. The bea h is a long way from the parking lot a d there is no beach access from camp. The park is usually a clean family place...but for really young children or elderly persons it may. Ot be your first choice. I live nearby and have camped there zillions of times. I love it and shower bouses in camp are clean! Friendly staff a d they ate SERIOUS about quiet time! Bug spray required !!
Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique way to explore the great outdoors while enjoying the company of your equine friends. With a variety of campgrounds catering to horse enthusiasts, you can find the perfect spot to set up camp and ride the trails.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mount Pleasant, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mount Pleasant, MI is Sleepy Hollow State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mount Pleasant, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Mount Pleasant, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
