The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Equestrian Camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes

34 Reviews

Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp offers rustic sites with designated horse areas as part of the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail system. Campsites include fire pits and access to vault toilets and fresh water pumps. The campground accommodates both tent and RV camping with ample space for horse trailers. Sites are not individually numbered but spread across open areas that provide flexibility for equestrian campers with their horses. The corrals are easily accessible from camping spots with trails leading directly from the campground. First-come, first-served availability makes this location popular with riders seeking quick weekend trips without reservations.

The Shore to Shore Trail connects Lake Dubonnet to other equestrian-friendly campgrounds in the region, including Scheck's Place State Forest Campground located along the Boardman River. Riders experience some unnecessary traffic through the horse camping areas during peak seasons, but the trail access compensates for this minor inconvenience. The campground sees regular use by riders traveling the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback. Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground offers another option approximately 45 miles south with toilets and horse-friendly amenities. Most sites open from May through October, with some equestrian facilities closing after Labor Day. Turtle Lake Campground provides a more developed alternative with water and electric hookups for horse campers seeking additional amenities.

Map showing campgrounds near Sleeping Bear Dunes, MichiganExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near Sleeping Bear Dunes (6)

    1. Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    9 Reviews
    Interlochen, MI
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5280

    "We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground."

    "Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir."

    2. Turtle Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Honor, MI
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 275-7353

    "Close to traverse city and sleeping bear dunes!"

    "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."

    3. Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Grawn, MI
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 943-4150

    $25 / night

    "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"

    4. Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

    5 Reviews
    Kingsley, MI
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (231) 922-5280

    "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)."

    "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."

    5. Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Fife Lake, MI
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (269) 857-8000

    $25 - $55 / night

    "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."

    6. Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground

    5 Reviews
    Manistee, MI
    47 miles
    Website

    "I only spent a night here while passing through, but it's a very nice campground that's specifically suited to equestrians."

    "I wish we had a place to dump our grey water, but otherwise it was an easy drive in and had fresh water."

Show More
Showing results 1-6 of 6 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Sleeping Bear Dunes Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Sleeping Bear Dunes

1 Photos of 6 Sleeping Bear Dunes Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sleeping Bear Dunes

34 Reviews of 6 Sleeping Bear Dunes Campgrounds

  • Jason C.
    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!

  • evi L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 2, 2021

    Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground

    Everything you need

    I only spent a night here while passing through, but it's a very nice campground that's specifically suited to equestrians. This established and well maintained campground is free, and you can stay up to two weeks. There's a well kept pit toilet, 21 established campsites w/ firerings, and even a water pump (meant for horses.) Only a few other campers on a Wednesday night, including some people with horses, and all have been friendly. The campsites are all flat and quite large, being that they are meant to accommodate people with a horse trailer, and there are numerous hitching posts throughout the campground. A great place overall.

  • Judy B.
    Jul. 15, 2016

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Beautiful Campground

    We stayed at this campground while doing the Michigan Shore to Shore Trail by horseback, therefore we were in the "horse" portion of the campground. This campground had easy access to the water, and the restrooms were very clean. The campground seemed to have a lot if unnecessary traffic.

  • Gemma G.
    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.

  • J
    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.

  • Dalton B.
    Sep. 5, 2018

    Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    Childhood Favorite

    Cant count how many times i've been here. Being only a couple miles from home, I could ride my bike through the forest paths to this camp ground. The camp is located on the N.W. shore of the Lake Dubonnet resovoir. Rustic, cheap, horse friendly, out house, and pleanty of forest and lake to explore.

  • C
    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.

  • T
    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.

  • L
    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

Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes

Horse camping near Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michigan offers a unique blend of scenic trails and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Equestrian campgrounds include essential features

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sleeping Bear Dunes 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?

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

Keep Exploring