Best Equestrian Camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan

Are you planning a trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with your horse? We've got you covered. Equestrian camping is the best way to experience nature. Find Michigan equestrian campgrounds with ease on The Dyrt.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, MI (6)


Recent Equestrian Reviews in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

32 Reviews of 6 Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Campgrounds


  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds
    Jul. 29, 2024

    Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    close to travese city and interlockin

    Quiet, large sites, like new bath house, 7th nite free, rate$35, good location for northwestern Michigan sites Water on all outside sites. interior sites share water hookups

  • v
    Camper-submitted photo from Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground
    Jun. 24, 2023

    Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    First time in our camper

    We thought this would be a good place for our first trip in our new to us 5th wheel! We have a 28.6ft 5th wheel and had not problem getting in and parked! Management did an awesome job of spreading out guests until they were full! Lots of things for the kids, basketball, volly ball, a beach area, pond with fishing….. so much more. Very clean, very kind and helpful staff!

  • Kayla S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Washington Island Campground
    Aug. 17, 2021

    Washington Island Campground

    Nice clean campground!

    We love this place! One of the best places we’ve stayed. Bathrooms are well kept and clean. Sites are spacious and owners are very friendly! We’ve been here many times and will continue to come back!

  • R
    Camper-submitted photo from Washington Island Campground
    Aug. 13, 2021

    Washington Island Campground

    Poised for greatness but falls short

    Reservation process was smooth, as was check in. Site had both 30 and 50 amp hookups. Oddly, no standard 110v 15amp plug though. There is water at each site, but the lowest water pressure I have ever seen. Grounds well maintained, though the main building looks half finished and remained that way for many years. The bathrooms unfortunately do not match the upscale vibe of the campground. They were dirty, tons of sand tracked in, poorly maintained. The men’s urinal was a long term plywood out of order sign. Black mold on ceiling tiles in many places. Showers require a quarter to start them ??This campground looks like it started out with so much promise and now the owners are just coasting without putting much effort into the place. We have been here days and have yet to catch a time the office and store was open. Swimming hole looks nice for kids but due to poor planning of its location, it’s primary function is to provide a source of non stop sand in her bathrooms

  • K
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp
    Jul. 29, 2021

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Awesomesauce

    Off the beaten path but has great rustic campsites with firepits and there are restrooms and fresh water close by in each circle we will be back

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Scheck's Place State Forest Campground
    Jul. 25, 2021

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Primitive State Forest CG right on the Boardman River

    I like the location; very secluded in the State Forest but only a half hour from downtown Traverse City. This facility meets the recreation need of a diverse cross section of Michigan residents. It’s a great home base or overnight camp for canoeists and kayakers (my particular interest). The camp is also used by mountain bikers & gravel riders, ATV riders, anglers, and equestrians (separate camp area). Large wooded sites. Primitive means vault toilets, no power and hand pump water. No reservations — FCFS.

    Negatives: can be noisy at times with the ATVs and also large camping groups. But for the most part I’ve found ppl to be respectful. 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.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    Good for RV Rally

    We stayed July 2021 for an RV rally. We had no building of shelter for community gatherings. But, weather cooperated and we had a great time.

    Power 50/30 were fine. Water is a shared spigot on most sites, but some sites have water. There is a good dump station. Sites are level. No landscaping.

    Lots of restaurants and attractions in Traverse City.

    We would stay again.

  • Sarah S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground
    Jul. 9, 2021

    Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    Secluded Camping with Fun Events!

    Great campground, larger sites, pull thru sites available. Low rates even on holidays. Our first time there was 4th of July weekend, they have a large building for events....over the weekend they a concert! Live band and food truck....free to all campers and their friends! It was a great time and the owners and manager are very friendly. We will definitely be back there soon.

  • Allison H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Turtle Lake Campground
    Mar. 1, 2021

    Turtle Lake Campground

    not the best, not the worst

    This campground is a good sized campground, but doesn't have much to do there.  There is a small lake that is fun for short kayak/canoe rides and fishing.  It's called Turtle Lake for obvious reasons- when my kids went fishing, they pulled up large snapping turtles both times. A bit of a surprise to see their size! There are a lot of seasonal campers at this campground, so if that's your thing, this is definitely your place.

  • Manton  T.
    Camper-submitted photo from Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground
    Feb. 17, 2021

    Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    Great Location-Friendly Staff

    Awesome Campground! Not a parking lot, lots of trees! We had a family, socially distant reunion with 6 sites. We rented a extra site, so nobody could rent near us, sooo nice! Very close to Manistee River and canoe/raft liveries, very fun family togetherness activity.

    Very clean bath houses and campground is maintained well.

    Internet worked well using our hotspots, but, like all campgrounds, if you like being “in the woods;” internet is always a challenge. Most of our group had AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint, the best service seemed to be Verizon in the morning and Sprint at night.

    We will be going back

  • Ann D.
    Camper-submitted photo from Turtle Lake Campground
    Dec. 30, 2020

    Turtle Lake Campground

    Nice and grassy

    What I liked best about this park was that my children were not caked in dirt. While I understand that comes with the territory of camping, this campground provides a bit more of a grassy setting and offers a nice playground. The bathrooms were redone and are very nice! The thing I didn’t particularly like is how close you are to other sites. You are practically on top of each other. There are trails and a beach area as well as equine camping.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Turtle Lake Campground
    Jul. 15, 2020

    Turtle Lake Campground

    Relaxing, current and fun

    I haven’t been camping in years and was very apprehensive about this. This place was absolutely the best place and probably has ruined me for camping life. The shower stalls were individual and clean, the area was filled with campers and RV’s and everyone was SO friendly and the place was full of dog lovers. I would highly recommend this place to check out and know I’ll be back again!

  • C
    Camper-submitted photo from Turtle Lake Campground
    Jun. 20, 2020

    Turtle Lake Campground

    Camping for everyone!!

    Turtle Lake is a perfect mix of 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. We will definitely be staying here again! They also have a separate equestrian camping area that have water and electric hookup sites.

  • S
    Camper-submitted photo from Turtle Lake Campground
    Jun. 15, 2020

    Turtle Lake Campground

    One of our ur favorites

    This is one our favorite campgrounds that isn’t a state park. Clean, well kept, lots of trees. The lake is great for kayaking or small fishing boats. Office staff super nice. Small, but nice beach. We took my mom & nieces two years ago. Last year tried somewhere different and they asked to go back to Turtle Lake.

  • Thomas H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp
    Aug. 20, 2019

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Great Place!

    Great place to stay! Pit toilets and pump water stations. Beautiful lake with cool islands! Campsites are large and fairly separated! Can’t wait to go back!

  • Caryssa R.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp
    Aug. 5, 2019

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    All You Need

    I absolutely love this campground. I’ve camped there twice this summer and each time I enjoy it. 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 and let the dogs roam free! (Mine sure loves it) The campsites themselves have lots of space, privacy and a fire pit. This place is the bees knees. I’ll be back. :)

  • Kate K.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp
    Jul. 28, 2019

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Love this little place

    Quiet, not populated, and beautiful views. I’ve solo camped here a few times and it’s great for early morning paddles and peaceful relaxation. There is a boat launch right near by, but most of the sites have their own path right down to the water. Rustic style camping which includes a picnic table and fire pit and there are a few vault toilets throughout the area. Self registration for $15 per night.

  • Emily V.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp
    May. 27, 2019

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    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). Bathrooms are nice. Only a few water front spots.

  • Jason C.
    Camper-submitted photo from Turtle Lake Campground
    May. 5, 2019

    Turtle Lake Campground

    Family camping

    A very fun family campground. Open sites but easy access and large sites so you have your own space. We had a blast there. Close to traverse city and sleeping bear dunes!

  • Anna B.
    Camper-submitted photo from Scheck's Place State Forest Campground
    Apr. 29, 2019

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Quiet canoe camping

    Rustic campground with access to the Boardman river and many miles of trails in the state forest. Bring cash, no state park workers onsite, honor pay system. Lots of shade and when we were there not busy at all.

  • Tracie S.
    Camper-submitted photo from Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Rustic on a great kayaking lake

    Great like camp ground. No swimming but pretty lake with lots of lilipads and sunken tree. Nice hiking trail.

  • Gemma G.
    Camper-submitted photo from Scheck's Place State Forest Campground
    Apr. 24, 2019

    Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    Schecks Place-TRAIL CAMP enjoy privacy, the river, horse trails

    There are 2 sections of Schecks Place. One is a campground with picnic tables and site numbers.

    The other is the trail camp. You drop your money in the box pick a spot of as much space as you want (there is hardly ever a lot of people).

    The last 2 times we went there was maybe one or two people with their horses or just passing thru.

    There are bathrooms and a well for water. No showers No electric.

    The river runs by and is awesome to go tubing down.

    There are trails that go through so if you are an equestrian this spot is perfect.

  • T
    Camper-submitted photo from Turtle Lake Campground
    Nov. 2, 2018

    Turtle Lake Campground

    Family friendly people. Amazing place

    Family friendly, there is fishing and canoeing, fire pits and swimming in the lake. They have a camp for horses too.



Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.

  • What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?

    TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with real photos and reviews from campers.