Best Equestrian Camping near Rockford, MI

Hungerford Equestrian Group Campsite in Big Rapids provides camping access specifically designed for groups traveling with horses. Located within the Manistee National Forest, this campground features designated areas for horse trailers, picnic tables, and fire rings where riders can gather after trail excursions. The facility accommodates multiple riders and their mounts while offering direct access to extensive bridle paths. Timbers Edge Campground attracts equestrians with its proximity to forest riding trails and adequate space for horse trailer parking. Most campers visit on weekends for horseback riding opportunities, with the campground serving as a popular staging area for trail riders exploring the surrounding wooded terrain.

Manistee National Forest trail systems connect to several equestrian-friendly campgrounds, allowing riders to access miles of designated bridle paths directly from their campsites. Horse owners typically bring their own feed and portable corrals, as permanent horse facilities are limited at most locations. The riding trails traverse varied terrain through forest landscapes, with some routes following scenic river corridors. Duke Creek Campground offers scheduled horseback rides suitable for inexperienced riders and children, making it appropriate for families wanting horse experiences without bringing their own animals. Reservations are recommended for equestrian group sites, especially during peak riding seasons from spring through fall when trail conditions are optimal. Campers with horses should check specific campground policies regarding manure management and designated trailer parking areas.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Rockford, Michigan (10)

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Rockford, MI

2 Photos of 10 Rockford Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Rockford, MI

32 Reviews of 10 Rockford Campgrounds


  • J
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Ely Lake Campground

    Beautiful rustic sites with loud parties at night

    Ely Lake Campground is a County campground in Allegan Michigan. All of the sites are rustic. Here are the bullet points:

    • There are no bathrooms, just pit toilets. 
    • There is no electricity. 
    • There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored.
    • Each site has a fire pit and a picnic table.
    • They don't sell firewood, but you can by some in town on your way in.
    • There is a beach.
    • You can make reservations online ahead of time, or show up and find an empty site (but bring cash or check to pay because its a drop box).
    • They have equestrian trails and sites.

    First the positives: It is a beautiful rustic campground. We stayed on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake. The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake, however it is ill defined in some places so just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees (which are everywhere so you wont get lost).

    This place also attracts a lot of equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding. So if you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends. 

    The negatives: It is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager). There is loud music , people yelling, fireworks going off and… not very much sleep. And I am not just talking about a few people with their music on -- it was someone blasting their sub-woofer with electronic dance music until 4:45 AM. It was really disappointing because otherwise the experience was positive. Luckily my kids are all deep sleepers so I was the only one who had to sit up all night.

    They clean the bathrooms daily from what I can tell, but otherwise the campground is not maintained. There was trash around our site, and when you walk the trail about the lake you will see cigarette packets and beer bottles occasionally. Also along the trail were two massive hornet nests that really should have been removed by park management - but it's clear they don't ever maintain the trail. 

    If you're willing to overlook some garbage, and if the party people stay away you could have a wonderful camping trip. Allegan County has a beautiful natural resource here, but sadly it seems like it is being squandered, and wont last.

  • Suzi K.
    Oct. 22, 2020

    Ely Lake Campground

    Words Can't Describe

    This is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!

  • Becky P.
    May. 31, 2018

    Timbers Edge Campground

    Quiet Getaway!

    We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!

  • Arron P.
    Aug. 31, 2020

    Hungerford Lake Campground

    Rustic camping at finest!

    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.

  • S
    May. 8, 2019

    Timbers Edge Campground

    Nice for horses and hunting

    I went in November. Most campers were there on the weekend. Pit toilets, a pond, hot showers but shower room unheated, no dump station,nice size lots. A lot of horses and hunters. Price was good for electric and water. Nice for dog walking. Friendly managers. No cell service

  • E
    Apr. 19, 2018

    Ely Lake Campground

    Great Rustic Campground

    I have been camping here a couple years. It is open year round. All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover.

  • Joanie C.
    Mar. 18, 2023

    Double RR Ranch RV Resort

    Lots to do

    There 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.

  • Becky J.
    Mar. 22, 2025

    Ely Lake Campground

    Great Primitive Camping

    Lived in Michigan for most of my life and frequently visited and camped here as a youth. This is primarily a primitive campground with porto- pottys. Usually pretty clean. Located in the Allegan forest. Very quiet and nice that it has a lake for swimming in the summer.

  • Carol M.
    Jul. 3, 2018

    Duke Creek Campground

    Very nice

    Right across the road from Michigan's Adventure amusement park


Guide to Rockford

The Manistee National Forest offers several equestrian camping options near Rockford, Michigan. Located across nearly one million acres of western Michigan, this forest contains a network of designated horse trails connecting various campgrounds that accommodate riders. Camping elevations range from 700 to 1,100 feet with summer temperatures typically between 70-85°F during peak riding season.

What to do

Trail riding opportunities: The White River Campsite area provides access to miles of forest trails where riders can explore at their own pace. "There are dispersed options as well as docked site. It's in a forest, so bring a compass if you plan to do some hiking," notes one White River Campsite visitor.

Scheduled horseback rides: Beginners and families can participate in guided rides at Double RR Ranch RV Resort, which offers a gentle experience even for first-timers. "We enjoyed a reasonable trailride on horses thru a shallow part of the river. Very easy for inexperienced riders and kids," reports one camper who appreciated the beginner-friendly approach.

River exploration: Many equestrian sites are located near water features that add variety to your camping experience. "There is a river to explore and we always get a riverfront site. Rivers are just fun for fishing, throwing stones, canoeing," mentions a visitor to Double RR Ranch, noting the water activities complement the horseback riding options.

What campers like

Spacious parking areas: Timbers Edge Campground provides sufficient room for horse trailers, which many equestrian campers value. One visitor notes, "We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!"

Natural surroundings: The undeveloped nature of many sites appeals to horse campers seeking a genuine outdoor experience. A Hungerford Lake Campground visitor commented, "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."

Seasonal variations: The equestrian camping season typically runs from May through October, with different experiences throughout. "I went in November. Most campers were there on the weekend... A lot of horses and hunters. Price was good for electric and water. Nice for dog walking. Friendly managers," reports a Timbers Edge camper who visited during the shoulder season.

What you should know

Varying facilities: Equestrian campgrounds range from primitive to those with basic amenities. At Ely Lake Campground, "There are no bathrooms, just pit toilets. There is no electricity. There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored."

Bring your own equipment: Most horse camping locations require you to bring everything your horse needs. "Normal function for horseman is to ride from trailer," notes a Timbers Edge visitor, highlighting the expectation that riders are self-sufficient with their own gear.

Terrain considerations: Some trails may present challenging conditions depending on weather. "The road seems a bit sketchy but should be okay for most vehicles," mentions a White River Campsite visitor, suggesting that access to some equestrian areas may require careful driving.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Several equestrian campgrounds offer additional recreation beyond horseback riding. At Duke Creek Campground, "Your kids will LOVE this place-we had a blast! Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day!"

Schedule flexibility: Plan for variable weather conditions that might affect riding schedules. "We should have reserved an entire week! The facilities were spotless, there is a store, gated entrance, nice shady lots, friendly staff," mentions a Duke Creek visitor who found more to do than initially expected.

Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds may have different atmospheres depending on when you visit. "This is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings," reports an Ely Lake camper, suggesting weekday visits might be preferable for families.

Tips from RVers

Site selection matters: At many equestrian campgrounds, site layout varies considerably. "The sites were very small at this campground. Our fire pit was so close to our trailer we didn't dare use it," notes one Duke Creek visitor, emphasizing the importance of checking site dimensions before booking.

Trailer access routes: Some forest roads leading to equestrian camping areas may be challenging for larger rigs. "This is more suitable for tents or maybe small campers. Best access seems to be along 160th avenue south of Arthur road," advises a White River Campsite visitor regarding access for horse trailers.

Seasonal considerations: Many equestrian campgrounds have limited services during shoulder seasons. "No cell service," notes a Timbers Edge visitor, highlighting the importance of preparing for disconnected camping, especially during off-peak times when fewer campers are present.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Rockford, MI is Duke Creek Campground with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Rockford, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Rockford, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.