Fort Custer Recreation Area features equestrian trails and campsites that accommodate horses and riders. The campground maintains separate areas specifically for equestrian use with ample space for horse trailers. Trails are well-marked for hikers, bikers, and equestrians with designated paths for each activity type. The park's extensive trail system provides miles of riding opportunities through wooded terrain. Sites include fire pits and picnic tables, with both electric and non-electric options available. The equestrian trails remain popular throughout the camping season, with many families bringing horses for weekend outings.
Pokagon State Park Campground offers another option for horse enthusiasts, with on-site stables and riding opportunities. The park provides horse rides for visitors and maintains dedicated equestrian trails separate from hiking and biking paths. Located on Lake James, the campground features five different camping loops with varying levels of privacy and amenities. Electric sites are available in four of the five loops. The extensive trail system connects with a nearby nature preserve, creating additional riding opportunities. Ely Lake Campground in Fennville provides a more rustic alternative with horse campsites and trails in a natural setting. These primitive sites offer a more secluded experience for riders seeking direct access to equestrian paths through the Allegan forest.
"The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶"
"Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes."
$20 - $480 / night
"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
"Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."
"This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."
$18 / night
"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."
"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."
"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
"Overall Rating: 4 for access to the area, very clean facilities, and not too many campers thus time of year.
Price 2024: $35 for water/electric only.""A little close to your neighbors but the way the sites are angled you had plenty of room. Very friendly people. Easy in and out."
GuideEquestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.
TravelerEly Lake Campground is a County campground in Allegan Michigan. All of the sites are rustic. Here are the bullet points:
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.
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
ScoutThis 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!!!
TravelerThe trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
ScoutMMichigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25per night with electric. Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes. Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky.
TravelerThere are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do
TravelerWow! Three lakes, hiking, biking and horse trails, showers, camp host and super quiet this past week while there. Not many campers, but everyone there seemed pleasant and were quiet. Deep sites, electric if you so desire, firepit and tables. I use a tent. Driving from the west through Augusta is a treat...so pretty. Civilization not far at all. Fishing, beach, play areas and an amusement park for mountain bikers! No alcohol. Will return!
Fort Custer Recreation Area provides dedicated equestrian camping near Scotts, Michigan with trail systems designed specifically for horseback riding. The campground maintains horse-friendly sites that accommodate trailers and give direct access to riding paths. Sites typically cost $25 per night with electric hookups. The park includes multiple lakes for recreation and miles of multi-use trails.
Horseback riding trails: At Fort Custer Recreation Area, riders can access extensive trail systems. "A horse trail circles around the outside edge" of the recreation area, according to one camper. The trail network connects with both wooded areas and lakefront paths.
Mountain biking: Fort Custer offers dedicated mountain biking paths separate from equestrian trails. One reviewer notes, "There are quite a few mountain bike trails on the other side of the recreation area," making it possible for mixed-activity camping groups to enjoy their preferred outdoor sports.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes within the parks allow for fishing. "We passed other hikers and bikers and even some people trying their luck at fishing," reports one visitor. At Ely Lake Campground, the lake is "for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing."
Private campsites: Many equestrian campers appreciate the secluded nature of sites at Fort Custer. A camper reports, "We found a campsite that was large with vegetation separating us from neighbors." Another visitor specifically recommends "site 51 and it is extremely secluded!"
Equestrian-specific amenities: Pokagon State Park Campground provides comprehensive horse facilities. "There are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do," mentions one reviewer. The park maintains dedicated horse trails alongside its extensive general trail system.
Lake access: Multiple campgrounds offer water recreation opportunities alongside equestrian trails. At Ely Lake, one long-time visitor notes, "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 its purest!"
Limited hookups: Most equestrian sites offer basic amenities. At Fort Custer, "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," warns one camper. Similarly, at Ely Lake Campground, facilities are minimal: "No electric, no running water, no sewer/septic, no dump, no fill... Can run your generator."
Weekend noise levels: Some campgrounds experience higher noise levels on weekends. A camper at Ely Lake reports, "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. There is loud music, people yelling, fireworks going off."
Seasonal considerations: Bug activity increases during warmer months. One Fort Custer visitor notes, "lots need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent." Spring and fall visits may offer more comfortable conditions for both horses and riders.
Multi-activity options: Families appreciate parks with diverse recreation. At Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, "There are a lot of lodging options, tons of kids activities, both free and for a small fee, great pool, cafe and store! Lots of sports equipment to loan as well."
Swimming beaches: Multiple parks offer swimming areas for cooling off after trail rides. "One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes," notes a Fort Custer visitor, making it ideal for families with varying interests.
Bring supplies: Equestrian campgrounds often have limited on-site services. At Ely Lake, one experienced camper advises, "One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings." Similar preparation applies for other supplies at most horse-friendly campgrounds.
Site selection for trailers: RVers with horse trailers should research site dimensions. At Ely Lake, "Sites range from small tent sites to fairly large, but the 'roads' inside the campground are tight so think twice before bringing the longer 5th wheels."
Electric-only hookups: Many equestrian campgrounds offer limited services. At Eaton County Fairgrounds, campers note the area is "Very peaceful when there are no ongoing events. Large bath house with Showers." However, most sites in the region offer only electric connections without full hookups.
Dump station planning: Fort Custer campers warn, "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long." RVers should plan accordingly, especially during peak season weekends when equestrian areas see higher usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Scotts, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Scotts, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Scotts, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Scotts, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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