Equestrian Camping near New Hudson, MI

Highland Recreation Area offers equestrian-focused camping within 20 miles of New Hudson. Located in Oakland County's White Lake Township, the park spans 5,900 acres of mixed woodlands and open fields at approximately 1,000 feet elevation. The park remains open year-round with rustic camping options that require advance reservations, especially for the equestrian sites during peak summer months when temperatures average 75-85°F.

What to do

Trail riding through diverse terrain: The park features 12 miles of dedicated bridle trails through both wooded areas and open meadows. At Highland State Recreation Area, riders appreciate the natural surroundings. "The natural scenery is STUNNING with fields of flowers and trees. We ran up on a group of probably 70 wild turkeys on the trail!" notes Adrienne C.

Swimming after rides: Take horses to water access points at Haven Hill Lake, then cool off yourself. Brett B. comments that Highland Recreation Area has a "quiet lake perfect for unwinding after a long day or to get a nice rinse off."

Historical exploration: Visit the remains of the Ford family's 1930s summer estate. "There's also Haven Hill deep in the woods on a trail. It was the Ford family summer getaway spot back in the 1930's and was shockingly burned down by a fire! There's still many of the walls and a beautiful fireplace remains," writes Adrienne C.

What campers like

Extra-large campsite dimensions: Equestrian sites at Highland are significantly larger than standard sites to accommodate trailers. Jennifer H. from Pontiac Lake Recreation Area notes, "Our site #118 was very spacious and offered picnic table, fire ring, paved pad, and electrical hook up."

Privacy between sites: The campground layout maintains good separation despite popularity. Christie V. describes nearby campsites as having a "Wooded and up north feel. Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails."

Well-maintained facilities: The recreation area keeps basic facilities clean and functional. Brett B. observes Highland has a campground that is "obviously well-tended and has an almost magical feel to it. It's private, quiet, and full of wildlife."

What you should know

Rustic amenities only: Highland offers basic camping with limited facilities. According to reviews, "There are two paved sites for handicapped accessibility, running water, a dumpster, and two outhouses."

Weather considerations: Summer brings heat and insects to the area. At Sleepy Hollow State Park, about 50 miles northwest, Amy D. notes, "We stayed during very hot weather at the beginning of July 2020... we didn't get any shade from the nearby trees we had to run the ac."

Reservation requirements: Book well in advance for horse camping, especially on weekends and holidays. The park requires recreation passports for all vehicles.

Unplugging necessity: Cell coverage can be spotty in some areas. Tammy P. mentions, "No cell/internet service but that was perfect!! Great time to unplug and just enjoy our surroundings."

Tips for camping with families

Pack mosquito protection: Insect activity can be significant, especially in summer months. At Brighton Recreation Area nearby, Rebecca M. advises, "The site was large and had a picnic table and fire pit. There are TONS of mosquitos."

Bring bikes for loops: Many equestrian campgrounds have good internal roads for cycling. Melissa M. notes that Brighton Recreation has "a lot of trails for biking and hiking."

Plan for multiple water activities: Lakes in the area provide opportunities beyond horseback riding. Brianna S. reports that Brighton has "large campsite with trees, lit path to the bathroom, and easy access to hiking trails and raft/boat launch."

Book specialized activities ahead: Regional parks offer unique recreation options that require planning. Beth G. from Hell Creek Ranch Campground mentions, "As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals."

Tips from RVers

Extended cords for hookups: Electric connections may be positioned inconveniently at some sites. At Addison Oaks County Park north of New Hudson, campers advise "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad."

Level site selection: Many local campgrounds have sites on uneven terrain. Ryan F. reports, "Our site wasn't level, so we were rolling around a bit. If I went there again I'd try to find a spot towards the end of the loop by the exit."

Larger rigs should verify access: Not all horse campgrounds accommodate bigger RVs. Some parks have more modern facilities while others remain primitive.