10 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Ortonville Equestrian Campground in the Ortonville Recreation Area provides rustic camping specifically for horse owners. The campground features vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings with ample space for horse trailers. Sites are designed to accommodate both camping equipment and horses, though the facilities remain basic. The extensive trail system throughout the recreation area is the main attraction for equestrians, offering varied terrain and scenic routes. The campground serves as both an overnight destination and a popular staging area for day riders exploring the trails.
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area offers equestrian-friendly camping with access to an extensive network of horse trails. Located about 1.8 miles from the main lake, the campground provides a wooded, secluded atmosphere that creates an "up north feel" despite its suburban location. The park maintains dedicated equestrian trails separate from the world-class mountain bike paths that wind through the property. Both the East and West camping loops accommodate horses, with the West loop offering more wooded and isolated sites. The campground provides modern amenities including hot showers and clean restrooms while maintaining a natural setting. Riders particularly appreciate the variety of terrain and well-maintained trail conditions throughout the recreation area.
"The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit."
"Always a great local retreat away from our hectic daily life. Don’t have to travel far to find some nature. Most sites generously sized, hookups available, clean restrooms."
"Addison Oaks is a campground that features hiking and mountain biking trails, campground, cabins, disc golf course, and a lake for boating."
"The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course. Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop."
"Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store."
"An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible."
from $20 - $80 / night
Check Availability"This is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn.."
"There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.)"
"Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about. "
from $32 - $37 / night
Check Availability"The campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Great time to unplug and just enjoy our surroundings and begin to learn our own creativity!"
"This is one of our family's favorite close to home sites. Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around. Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding."
from $20 - $186 / night
Check Availability"Large play areas, dog run, basketball court, lots of walking trails, and family friendly."
"The location is pretty great, off the beaten path but, within 30 minutes of major stores and conveniences. "
"Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me."
"We used our Starlink Mini and it worked well on a nearly cloudless day with unobstructed access to the sky. I would definitely stay here again."
LegendThe campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground itself isn’t really much to write home about (unless you have horses that is). The lakes and launches are however very nice and there are some great trail systems through the area.
GuideVery nice sites. Wooded and up north feel. Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store. Equestrian trails and I hear they have a remote control airplane field and shooting range.
TravelerFriendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me.
LegendThis is a typical fairground campground with open grassy areas for campsites surrounded by barns and tracks. The fairgrounds is located just off I-94 which makes for easy entrance and exit to the campground, but, means there is lots of road noise. Close by are plenty of stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. In fact, there is a gap in the fence that runs around the fairgrounds allowing you to walk to a Walmart, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and more.
We arrived without a reservation and the women in the office was very helpful providing a map with all available sites during our stay and letting us choose which one we wanted. One of the first things you notice is that a number of people are here long-term so we went to the back area hoping it would be quieter and less crowded. A number of the campsites are “buddy” sites meaning your patio opens to your neighbors so be careful which one you pick. This is pretty undesirable when the neighbor is a total stranger so we chose a site where we didn’t have anyone next to us.
They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options. There is a dump station located in the middle of the park which is easy to get to. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV. The sites are level but some lack grassy making the patio pretty dusty or muddy. Unfortunately, where we were was pretty muddy just after a light rain. This campground works best for RV’s and not tents. For tenters there is a designated section that is set in a corner of the park with large trees for shade but not much privacy between you and others. A water spigot is in the tent area and there was one picnic table. The camp office sells firewood but we only saw two fire pits in the whole park. Be aware that noise from the interstate and nearby train tracks may make for a restless night. Bathrooms are centrally located in the campground and were old and tired but relatively clean. On-site laundry is available.
Apparently, management is having some issues with campers not obeying some of the rules. One of the sad things about this campground is that campers have to be reminded to clean up after their dogs. Apparently, it is such an issue that we got a letter stating that if you don’t pick up your dogs poop you would be asked to leave. How sad is that? There is free WiFi which worked pretty well. Upon checking in, we had to sign a piece of paper stating that we would not download copyrighted material or stream movies or we would be asked to leave.
My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more. Overall, this campground was fine for the few nights we were here and close to the attractions we wanted to visit. We never felt unsafe even though it was close to major cities. We chose this campground because we wanted to go to Ann Arbor and Dearborn and it was a very convenient location.
Pros:
· Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn
· Close to interstate for easy access
· Long, level sites that will fit any RV
· Community garden you can pick from vegetables
· Stores and restaurants are nearby (some within walking distance)
Cons:
· Lots of road noise from I-94
· No trees for shade or privacy
· Would not recommend for tent camping
· Many campers are long-term
· “Buddy” campsites with patios facing each other
GuideThis is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn..
ScoutA very quiet campground. The sites are spread out and only 2 vehicles per site are allowed. The East campground is more open and had 3 small cabins that can be rented. The West camping is more wooded and isolated. An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible.
TravelerThis was our first time camping. The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit. Our spot #18 I felt was spacious and not to close to the people next to us and trees behind us. We had privacy and it was quiet. The people we did talk to were all very friendly. We heard the showers were decent but we used our own. I would stay again.
ScoutThis is a fabulous campground! There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.) There is a boat launch on one end of campground and the amazing beach on the other. The water is clear and warm (perfect lake for swimming) and there is both sand and grassy areas on the fairly large beach. The beach also offers picnic tables and benches. The only negative aspect I can see about this campground is that the sites are right on top of each other, so if you have a loud group or a generator next to you, it is noisy. But most campgrounds have sites set real close together, so you will find this pretty much everywhere. Def camp here! About an hours drive from a Pictured Rocks National Park. There are no showers or running water. Camp hosts were very nice, helpful, & welcoming.
LegendVibe: Woodland getaway with no flash and really nice sites.
Cleanliness: Sites are above average. Vault toilets are…vault toilets.
Facilities: Nothing flashy. Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about.
General spots: Large, very well treed, gravel, picnic table and fire ring.
Privacy: Can see neighbors through sites, but better privacy than most places.
Our site: 39. Could drive circles around inside it. Even has a tree in the middle of it with room to drive all the way around it(not with a trailer). Depending where you set up your rig, you may need an extra long extension cord.
Noise: Quiet. Occasionally hear wolves howling. Cell signal(Verizon): 1 bar. No internet loads. Text messages will send and receive. Sometimes immediately, sometimes hours later. Other: Wish we had a chance to explore the lakes. Sounds like the swimming and fishing is good. Saw several kids on bikes toting rods.
Equestrian camping options are prevalent near Ray, Michigan, with multiple recreation areas providing facilities for horse owners within a 30-mile radius. The terrain in this southeastern Michigan region ranges from open meadows to wooded trails across gently rolling hills with elevations between 900-1,100 feet. During summer months, temperatures typically average 75-85°F with higher humidity levels affecting trail conditions.
Explore extensive trail networks: At Oakland County Addison Oaks, riders appreciate the well-maintained trails. Kate K. notes the area "features hiking and mountain biking trails, campground, cabins, disc golf course, and a lake for boating." For those seeking variety, Richard T. mentions, "The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course."
Visit nearby lakes for fishing: Seven Lakes State Park Campground offers multiple water activities beyond trail riding. According to one camper, "The water is clear and warm (perfect lake for swimming)" while another notes, "Several kids on bikes toting rods" indicating good fishing opportunities. The park maintains seven connected lakes within its boundaries.
Experience historic sites: Highland Recreation Area contains remnants of the Ford family's 1930s summer estate along its trails. As Adrienne C. shares about Highland State Recreation Area, "There's 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!"
Spacious camping areas: Many equestrian sites provide ample room for trailers and equipment. Jennifer H. describes Highland Recreation Area as having "Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around. Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding." This allows proper spacing between horse trailers and camping equipment.
Natural setting despite suburban location: Despite proximity to urban areas, these campgrounds maintain a natural atmosphere. Brett B. describes Highland State Recreation Area as having "an almost magical feel to it. It's private, quiet, and full of wildlife." Adrienne C. adds that "The natural scenery is STUNNING with fields of flowers and trees."
Seasonal activities: D-bar-A Scout Ranch offers additional equestrian amenities beyond typical trail riding. Walker L. describes it as "another great scouting campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground." While primarily for Scout use, the ranch exemplifies the equestrian-friendly facilities in the region.
Facility limitations: Most horse campgrounds near Ray provide basic amenities. Kate K. describes Ortonville Equestrian Campground as having "Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings." She adds, "The campground itself isn't really much to write home about (unless you have horses that is)."
Seasonal considerations: Many parks have limited water access during colder months. Water spigots may be turned off from November through March when temperatures regularly drop below freezing. Always bring additional water when visiting during shoulder seasons.
Trail conditions vary seasonally: Spring often brings muddy trails while summer can mean insect pressure. DeijaNay H. observed at Seven Lakes State Park: "I just visited yesterday and although there was ice, due to warmer conditions today the trails were a bit muddy. Overall pleasant hike."
Look for parks with multiple activities: Covenant Hills Camp offers diverse recreation options beyond horseback riding. One visitor notes, "Lots of things to do. climbing wall, zip line, swimming, fishing alot of pike." Another mentions it has "Plenty of onsight activities on the weekend. Large play areas, dog run, basketball court, lots of walking trails, and family friendly."
Consider accessibility needs: Highland Recreation Area provides some accessible options. Brett B. notes the campground has "two paved sites for handicapped accessibility, running water, a dumpster, and two outhouses."
Pack extra supplies for rustic sites: Many horse-friendly campgrounds have limited facilities. Tammy P. recommends at Highland State Recreation Area: "Learned how to ensure food was safe and tucked away from coons along with the good ole fashion porta potties.... nothing Lysol can can't fix."
Plan for varied hookup access: Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park provides multiple options for RVers traveling with horses. Nancy W. explains, "They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options." She also notes, "The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV."
Bring leveling equipment: Many sites at recreation areas aren't perfectly level. One camper at Seven Lakes State Park mentions, "Sites tend to slope towards Sand Lake so have leveling blocks if that's important to you."
Be prepared for limited privacy: Some RV areas provide less separation between sites. One camper at Wayne County Fairgrounds observes, "The spots are pretty close together and very few have trees/shade" while another notes, "We could not find any availability anywhere and this campground could accommodate 2 RV's for 3 nights. They are tight....I could hear my neighbors too easily."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ray, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ray, MI is Addison Oaks County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ray, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Ray, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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