Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp and nearby equestrian-friendly campgrounds offer specific accommodations for riders exploring northern Michigan's forests. Located within 30 miles of Northport, these horse campgrounds sit at elevations between 600-800 feet, featuring sandy soil conditions that drain well after rain. The region averages 32 inches of annual rainfall with summer temperatures typically ranging from 65-80°F.
What to do
Trail riding with water access: At Scheck's Place State Forest Campground, horses can cool down in the Boardman River. "We stayed at the trail camp it is quiet with no hookups. You can take as much space as you need and there is access to the river," notes Gemma G., who frequents the area.
Kayaking on calm waters: Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp offers easy lake access for paddling. "Great like camp ground. No swimming but pretty lake with lots of lilipads and sunken tree. Nice hiking trail," explains Tracie S. The lake's shallow areas make it ideal for morning exploration.
Stargazing during summer: Open areas at some campgrounds provide excellent night sky viewing. "This campground is in some lower ground, with a beautiful river running though it. It's fairly wide open, with trees around, but this was great as it made stargazing easy," shares Judy B. about her Shore to Shore Trail travels.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Turtle Lake Campground provides adequate space between 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," reports Chris R.
Convenient water access: Many campers appreciate being able to reach water directly from their sites. "There is a boat launch right near by, but most of the sites have their own path right down to the water," explains Kate K. about Lake Dubonnet, highlighting the easy shore access.
Self-registration system: The straightforward payment process at rustic horse campgrounds gets positive mentions. "Self registration for $15 per night," notes Kate K. about Lake Dubonnet's simple check-in procedure, which allows campers to arrive on their own schedule.
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Most horse-friendly campgrounds near Northport operate from May through mid-October. "The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis with self-registration," states a recent visitor, noting the lack of reservation systems at most rustic sites.
Traffic variations: Some horse camps experience vehicle traffic that might disturb otherwise peaceful settings. "Fine for a night. Trail camp but no horses the night I was there. Lots of open space, spots aren't really numbered. A couple nice hike/bike trails spur off the campground. Lots of traffic in the area through the night (ORV and mudding trucks)," reports Emily V.
Water conditions: Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds offers different hookup configurations. "Some sites are electric only, some include water. Not busy and quiet," explains Ron S., highlighting the variation in site amenities even at the same campground.
Tips for camping with families
Dedicated play areas: Choose campgrounds with facilities for children. "This campground provides a bit more of a grassy setting and offers a nice playground. The bathrooms were redone and are very nice!" Ann D. notes about Turtle Lake's family-friendly setup.
River tubing opportunities: The Boardman River offers recreational options beyond horseback riding. "The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down," shares Gemma G. about Scheck's Place, pointing out activities that appeal to various family members.
Circle camping layouts: Lake Dubonnet's organization makes supervision easier. "Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp has the basic rustic camping necessities. Outhouses near each circle, spickit with really good water, hiking trails, boat launch and even a nearby island you can kayak to," explains Caryssa R., highlighting the practical layout.
Tips from RVers
Parking considerations: RVers should note site specifics when choosing horse campgrounds. "This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents. Large wooded sites. Primitive means vault toilets, no power and hand pump water," explains Jay F. about camping with larger vehicles at Manton Trails RV Park.
Site selection during rain: Some locations have drainage issues. "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," advises Jay F. about terrain considerations important for RVs.
Hookup availability: Electric service varies across horse campgrounds. "We have a 36 ft Class A with a Cherokee Trailhawk tow and stayed in site 107 for 3 days in mid July. This is a relatively large CG, just under 100 wooded sites, which are reasonably spaced for a private CG," one RVer reports about site sizing.
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