The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App
Map showing campgrounds near Pinconning, MichiganExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Camping near Pinconning, MI

9 Reviews

Horse camping options near Pinconning, Michigan are limited in terms of dedicated equestrian facilities. Old Orchard Park Campground in Oscoda accommodates various camping styles including tents, RVs, cabins, and glamping, but lacks specific horse corrals or designated equestrian sites. The campground sits along the AuSable River with wooded campsites that provide natural surroundings, though most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis which can make securing spots challenging during peak seasons. Many campers report that the large, level, woodsy lots provide adequate space for standard camping setups.

The South Branch Trail Camp Group Site offers primitive camping accommodations with more rustic facilities. Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Pinconning, this campground provides access to outdoor recreation but without amenities such as drinking water, electric hookups, or toilets. The site features picnic tables and fire pits surrounded by tall pine trees creating a secluded atmosphere. Trail access is available with boat-in and drive-in options, though riders seeking dedicated bridle paths will need to research nearby trail systems separately. The campground operates seasonally from April 16 to November 30, requiring campers to pack out all trash and follow leave-no-trace principles.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Pinconning, Michigan (2)

    1. Old Orchard Park Campground

    8 Reviews
    Oscoda, MI
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 739-7814

    "The large campground is crowded in summer months and you have to buy tokens to take a shower, but the views and access to the River are spectacular."

    "Sites are reasonably priced around$25-30/night. The park is very dog-friendly, which we appreciated. 

    Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront. "

    2. South Branch Trail Camp Group Site

    1 Review
    Glennie, MI
    44 miles
    Website

    $40 - $100 / night

    "Bathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring. I'm a motocamper and suited my needs. No trash, so take what you brought in plus some."

Show More
Showing results 1-2 of 2 campgrounds

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Pinconning Contest

Enter to Win

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Pinconning, MI

9 Reviews of 2 Pinconning Campgrounds

  • R
    Sep. 28, 2022

    Old Orchard Park Campground

    Don’t allow car camping & no Verizon cell service

    I stayed here a few times in September 2022.  The weather was really rainy but the lake is pretty and Oscoda has a lot of hiking and places to hang up a hammock and relax.  (The campsite is about 10 minutes from town.)

    Labor Day weekend was crazy and my neighbors had a really difficult time staying in their designated site - one family next to me really liked to put their trash on a tree within my site.  People just seemed a little unfriendly and territorial - it seemed like they didn’t know what to do with a younger solo woman camper.  Unrelated, a guy was shouting a song about cocaine around 11pm, drinking with his buddies.  Just kind of weird vibes even though there were a million kids.  It didn’t really feel like homey, family vibes.  

    The second time I was there I was told I could not car camp.  The lady who was working didn’t seem to care but my last night an older male worker waited at the entrance until I returned and loudly announced my site number and said I wasn’t allowed to car camp (I usually don’t get frustrated with older people when they yell because I assume they may be hard of hearing, but it seemed a little unsafe to announce where I would be sleeping.) I asked if hammock camping was ok and he became gruffer and told me his boss wanted to kick me off the campground - which seemed to imply a possible punishment if I kept asking questions.  Ironically, I was asking these questions because I didn’t have a tent but was still trying to comply.  I just felt uncomfortable after that and left, spending my last night somewhere else.

    Showers are ok - they’re coin operated and cleaned every few days.  

    The scenery is pretty but it doesn’t work for me if I can’t car camp and if there’s no cell service to work. As mentioned, weird vibes as a solo female camper too.  Adult activities - like a dance party or movies - take place after dark.  I can’t imagine how being in a dark forest with strangers would feel safe, let alone fun, when there is alcohol and it seems likely there are other substances too.  No really where my interests lie.

    But if you have an RV you might have a different experience - or if you’re looking for a party during a holiday weekend.  It might also be worth a try if you’re camping as a group.

  • Becky K.
    Mar. 29, 2021

    Old Orchard Park Campground

    On the AuSable River

    Lots of things to do in this area! The large campground is crowded in summer months and you have to buy tokens to take a shower, but the views and access to the River are spectacular.

  • Tracey R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2021

    Old Orchard Park Campground

    Enjoyable Stay

    Got lucky enough to snag a week-long stay on a waterfront site(401) the last week of July and thoroughly enjoyed our stay! We had very nice neighbors and had a great week of relaxing. 

    Pros: 

    Website booking process was very easy. Sites are reasonably priced around$25-30/night.

    The park is very dog-friendly, which we appreciated. 

    Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront. 

    Trash pickup if you leave it by your site marker. Nice and quiet during the week.

    Delicious hard ice cream served from the store. 

    Nice walks down"The Point". Beautiful views. 

    Cons:

    Water and electric are poorly located. Need extra hose/cords.

    The large store is mostly empty. No souvenir style items.

    Trash everywhere..mini booze bottles, wrappers, cigarette butts.

    Bathrooms are clean, but very outdated and run down.

    Showers run on tokens/quarters and do not have a temperature control.

  • M
    Nov. 23, 2020

    Old Orchard Park Campground

    Perfect Early Fall Camping

    Camped here in early fall. The area around here is beautiful with lots of sights and trails. This park has a wide variety of individuals and many long term residents but the staff were pretty friendly and the lake is beautiful (especially in the early morning).

  • Sean R.
    Jul. 5, 2021

    South Branch Trail Camp Group Site

    Nice Large Private Site #21

    Bathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring. I'm a motocamper and suited my needs. No trash, so take what you brought in plus some.

  • L
    Apr. 24, 2018

    Old Orchard Park Campground

    Old orchard is beautiful

    First off, old orchard is on property that is owned by Consumers Powers Energy. They allow certain numbers of reservable sites and are slowly opening up more land to create more camping sites and standing Yurts. I love old orchard. We had our camper on one site for three months but had to pay for 3 weeks at a time. Our site was very large and it was very quiet on the fill hookup did of the park. Most of the staff is helpful and some even will teach the RV newbies how to care for their camper.

    The area around the park has several areas of interest including Lumbermans monument, iargo springs, and downtown Oscoda on lake Huron. It is on the banks of the Ausable river. Kayaking, boating, pontooning, fishing-all beautiful. There is just North of the park an off shoot road that goes to Champagne Hill where people have large homemade slip and slide mats to slide down the steep sand dunes into the water. People bring their pontoons, boats and watercraft and all meet up at different locations and have a great time. The campground has a small beach but it has not been allowed to be fully developed due to consumers energy wanting a natural rustic feel to the park. Yes it is hard to get in, on a first come first serve basis, but that is because it is a great place to stay.... I give this place 5 stars. I love it there

  • Stephanie C.
    May. 11, 2017

    Old Orchard Park Campground

    Undecided on review....

    This campground is hard for me to review because this is one of my husband's favorites, but mine, not so much. A few things that I do not like about this campground include first come first served and the beach area. For most of the sites here, it is first come first served. We have driven all the way there before and not been able to get in. There was another time that we drove there and there was one reservable site that we stayed on the first night and then had to move the next day when a first come site opened up. The beach area at this campground is okay. My niece and nephew liked it, but I felt that it is too small, crowded, and dirty. I hope that they make all sites reservable in the future. This is a 2.5 hour drive and we are not retired so we generally cannot come up until Thursday or Friday, which makes it tough to get in. Camp at your own risk, but I really have no desire to camp here again. My husband likes to camp here and I usually give in once a year, but it is not my first choice.

  • C P.
    Sep. 9, 2018

    Old Orchard Park Campground

    Beautiful wooded campsites lake access

    Beautiful wooded sights. Fishing ,boat ramp, beach, wagon rides, hearts, cabins great place

  • Rachel S.
    Jul. 29, 2018

    Old Orchard Park Campground

    Great family campground

    I have been coming to this campground for many years. I bring my whole family! Very family and pet friendly. It has a playground and a small beach. There are many options to stay here! Highly recommend

Guide to Pinconning

Camping options near Pinconning, Michigan include several established campgrounds within 40 miles of the city. Located in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, this area features pine forests and access to both Lake Huron and inland waterways. The region experiences warm summers with temperatures averaging 75-85°F and cold winters, making late spring through early fall the prime camping season.

What to do

River recreation: Old Orchard Park Campground provides access to the AuSable River where visitors can enjoy kayaking, boating, fishing, and pontooning. According to one camper, "The area around the park has several areas of interest including Lumbermans monument, iargo springs, and downtown Oscoda on lake Huron. It is on the banks of the Ausable river. Kayaking, boating, pontooning, fishing-all beautiful."

Hiking trails: The region offers numerous hiking paths through pine forests and along waterways. A visitor at Old Orchard Park Campground noted, "Camped here in early fall. The area around here is beautiful with lots of sights and trails."

Beach activities: Campgrounds with water access provide swimming opportunities, though beach areas vary in size and maintenance. One camper mentioned, "The campground has a small beach but it has not been allowed to be fully developed due to consumers energy wanting a natural rustic feel to the park."

What campers like

Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the Pinconning area offer generously sized sites with natural privacy. A reviewer at Old Orchard Park described, "Nice large, woodsy, level lots. Many are waterfront."

Family-friendly atmosphere: Several campgrounds cater to families with amenities like playgrounds. One regular visitor to Old Orchard Park Campground shared, "I have been coming to this campground for many years. I bring my whole family! Very family and pet friendly. It has a playground and a small beach."

Quiet weekday camping: For those seeking tranquility, weekdays offer a more peaceful experience. A camper noted, "Got lucky enough to snag a week-long stay on a waterfront site the last week of July and thoroughly enjoyed our stay! Nice and quiet during the week."

What you should know

Reservation systems vary: Many campgrounds in the area operate on a first-come, first-served basis, which can make planning difficult. One camper explained, "For most of the sites here, it is first come first served. We have driven all the way there before and not been able to get in."

Limited equestrian facilities: Horse campgrounds near Pinconning, Michigan are scarce, with no dedicated horse corrals available at major campgrounds. Riders looking for equestrian camping near Pinconning must travel farther to find suitable facilities.

Primitive camping conditions: Some sites like South Branch Trail Camp Group Site offer very basic amenities. A visitor described, "Bathroom was clean, site was large surrounded by tall pine trees. Picnic table was HC accessible. Fire pit ring. No trash, so take what you brought in plus some."

Tips for camping with families

Pack extra supplies: Limited store options at campgrounds mean families should bring essentials. A visitor noted, "The large store is mostly empty. No souvenir style items."

Consider weekday visits: Holiday weekends can be crowded and rowdy at some locations. One camper shared, "Labor Day weekend was crazy and my neighbors had a really difficult time staying in their designated site."

Water recreation options: For families with children, some campgrounds offer water activities. A visitor to Old Orchard Park Campground mentioned, "There is just North of the park an off shoot road that goes to Champagne Hill where people have large homemade slip and slide mats to slide down the steep sand dunes into the water."

Tips from RVers

Pack extension cords and hoses: Utility hookups at some campgrounds may be inconveniently placed. A reviewer warned, "Water and electric are poorly located. Need extra hose/cords."

Budget for showers: Some facilities charge for shower use. One camper mentioned, "Showers run on tokens/quarters and do not have a temperature control."

Check cell service: Mobile reception can be spotty in rural areas, making advance planning essential. As one visitor discovered, "No Verizon cell service" at their campground, which complicated their stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Pinconning, MI is Old Orchard Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 8 reviews.

Keep Exploring