8 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park accommodates equestrian visitors with facilities specifically configured for horse events. The fairgrounds features open grassy areas for camping surrounded by barns and tracks, making it suitable for travelers with horses. Full hookup sites are available with 50 amp service, and the wide roads and level sites can accommodate any size RV and horse trailer combination. The park regularly hosts horse competitions, which provides an additional attraction for equestrian campers. Located just off I-94, the fairgrounds offers easy access for vehicles pulling horse trailers.
Trail access is available in the broader South Rockwood region, with nearby Highland State Recreation Area offering extensive trails for horseback riding. This recreation area features spacious rustic camping with extra large campsites and miles of designated equestrian paths. Horse owners find the extensive trail system ideal for day rides directly from camp. Riders can enjoy well-maintained paths through fields of wildflowers and wooded areas, with opportunities to spot wildlife including wild turkeys. Water access is available at several points throughout the riding trails. The campground is seasonal, operating from April 1 through October 31, so equestrians should plan accordingly when scheduling horse camping trips in the area.
"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."
"Nice campgrounds easy to get around and my children loved it"
"Campground Review: Bishop Lake is a great campground located in the middle of the Brighton Rec Area. The upper and lower campgrounds are both modern, with every site including electric."
"Great family place with paved and dirt biking/hiking trails. Very nice beach with grass and sand. There are 2 areas of inflatables, one of them is for the little kids 48 in. and under."
from $17 - $90 / night
Check Availability"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 $22 / night
Check Availability"Lots of trails within reach and a horse riding stable if that is your thing. Heard lots of wolves, saw lots of tracks but no animals. I’d like to go back in the spring and hike around some more!"
"It is usually easy to get multiple sites next to each other with reservations.
There is a decent sandy beach here with a playground and volleyball net."
"As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here"
"Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan. Large pool in season. Priced reasonably."
from $20 - $35 / 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."
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.
ScoutWhat started as a little get away turned into not wanting to leave! A swimming pool and playground with basketball court to keep my kids entertained and clean facilities convinced me I had made the right choice. As an added plus a horse barn (Heavenly Horse Stables) right on property offering riding lessons, trail rides and meet and greets with their houses and other barn animals, my daughter wanted to move here. Other perks to this campground: Openings to Pinckney State trails right on property and all sorts of lakes, parks and small town downtown areas for food and shopping nearby, H.C.R.C. was a hidden gem.
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
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 staying here. Great private campground with rustic, elec, water/elec (30 amp), and concrete pad sites. Very clean campground with nice shower house. Owners are very friendly. Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system. Near Hell, Michigan and Chelsea, Michigan. Large pool in season. Priced reasonably.
GuideHad the pleasure of visiting first weekend in February, on the coldest weekend of the year! Nice little cabin set in about 800’ from where you park. It has a table, wood stove, and 4 sets of bunks in a back room. Lots of trails within reach and a horse riding stable if that is your thing. Heard lots of wolves, saw lots of tracks but no animals. I’d like to go back in the spring and hike around some more! Pro tip for cold nights is to block the back room and sleep in the main area-
RangerWow.. what a nice little getaway in Hell, Michigan area! Camp host, “Lightening” is a friendly and helpful guy who NEVER stopped working (except to chat with campers here and there). The big pool and bathrooms were immaculate, with surrounding patio furniture sanitized nightly (I watched from my RV window and was so impressed with Lightening’s genuine dedication). The site we had was very large and pretty level. The price we paid was W/E $30/night. Cannot beat that for a fun getaway on a budget! Neat area to find trails and lakes to enjoy as well. Highly recommended campground!
RangerCampground Review:
Bishop Lake is a great campground located in the middle of the Brighton Rec Area. The upper and lower campgrounds are both modern, with every site including electric. There are two rustic campgrounds as well down the road. When we went to go get a campsite (you can reserve online for an $8 fee) they told us that the upper campground would be the better choice, due to the heavy rain that had come through earlier. It was the perfect choice! Our campsite was spacious, with a few pine trees for shade. If you have a hammock, the outer edge of campsites would be perfect. Only downside to our campsite was the distance between the picnic table and the fire pit. The bathrooms and showers are in the lower campground, but it’s a 5 minute walk or 30sec drive to them. They were clean, stocked with toilet paper and the showers were warm. There’s a ton of hiking trails, a boat launch and boat rental, as well as the beach and inflatable water park. Overall a great little nature spot in the middle of the Brighton area.
Gear Review: As a ranger for The Dyrt, I sometimes get sent awesome gear that I could use and try for my upcoming trip. This time I got to try the equinox hoodie from Eclipse Sun Products (https://eclipseglove.com/collections/all-eclipse-sun-products/products/equinox-hoodie-beach-cover-up). This hoodie is super super lightweight, and the open sides allow for a nice breeze on hot days. Of course, their main feature is the 50+ UPF fabric used in not just the hoodie, but all of Eclipses sun products. I am a melanoma survivor, so having something lightweight, but protective, is so great. It’s one size fits all, and while it fits me great at 5’5, I have also heard from other taller people that it fits them great as well. It does the job well, and while I live in Michigan and it only got to about 75°, I could feel it keeping the sun off my skin. Totally recommend the equinox hoodie!!
The Highland State Recreation Area provides equestrian campers with extra-large rustic sites that can accommodate horse trailers of any size. Located 25 miles northwest of South Rockwood, this recreation area spans over 5,900 acres of woodland and open fields. Summer temperatures typically range between 70-85°F, with occasional evening temperatures dropping to the 50s, creating comfortable conditions for both riders and horses.
Trail riding on designated paths: Highland State Recreation Area offers extensive trails specifically designed for horseback riding. "Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Lovely little no wake lake perfect for swimming, fishing or paddling," notes Jennifer H., highlighting the multi-use nature of the trail system.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The diverse terrain provides excellent opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We ran up on a group of probably 70 wild turkeys on the trail!" shares Adrienne C., describing the unexpected wildlife encounters possible when exploring the area's trails on horseback.
Historical site exploration: While riding through Brighton Recreation Area, visitors can explore historical points of interest. "There's also 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!" explains Adrienne C.
Spacious sites for equestrian setups: "Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around," says Jennifer H. about the equestrian-friendly camping at Highland State Recreation Area. These generously sized sites easily accommodate horse trailers and camping equipment.
Private, quiet atmosphere: The Pontiac Lake Recreation Area provides secluded campsites for horse owners. "Very nice sites. Wooded and up north feel. Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake," describes Christie V., emphasizing the natural setting ideal for equestrian camping.
Clean facilities: Bishop Lake Campground maintains well-kept facilities for riders and their horses. "The campgrounds restrooms and showers were clean. Our campsite had a view of the lake, but no shade," reports Debra B., describing the practical amenities available.
Seasonal considerations: Most horse campgrounds in the region operate within specific timeframes. At Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park, "I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season," warns Mike M., reminding equestrian campers to verify operating dates.
Bug protection essential: Horse owners should come prepared with insect protection for themselves and their animals. "The biggest problem was mosquito activity. The camping area sits on an inaccessible lake with a marsh area," explains Ryan F., describing conditions that affect both humans and horses.
Terrain variations: Different campgrounds offer varied terrain for different riding preferences. "Great state park with full size sites for RVs. There is electric on each site along with fire rings and picnic tables," explains Mike B., describing the facilities that support different camping styles for equestrian visitors.
Kid-friendly activities beyond riding: Waterloo Sugarloaf Modern offers diverse recreation options. "Spent 4 nights and 5 days camping with my husband and 2 kids. We had fun and the kids had a blast. They rode bikes around the loop and loved swimming and the the playground," shares Kim S., describing family amenities.
Educational opportunities: Family horse camping provides learning experiences about wildlife and nature. "Tenting at its finest... brother his wife and 5 kids my husband at the time and 4 kids reserved a group area and had a blast teaching and showing those who had never camped how fun it could be!" relates Tammy P.
Safety considerations: Families should be aware of camping conditions when bringing children and horses. "If it's rainy or muddy, you might want to think twice about entering the rustic camping area. We have a 4Runner, so it was no problem but a few little cars did slide around and have trouble on the hill by our site," advises Ryan F., highlighting access challenges.
Site selection for horse trailers: When selecting sites at Hell Creek Ranch & Campground, consider specific needs for horse trailers. "The site we had was very large and pretty level. The price we paid was W/E $30/night. Cannot beat that for a fun getaway on a budget!" shares Lisa D., describing accommodations suitable for equestrian setups.
Hookup variations: Different campgrounds offer varied levels of hookups for RVs with horse trailers. "They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options," explains Nancy W., detailing the utility options.
Navigational considerations: Equestrian campers should plan routes carefully. "This campground has a great close in SE Mi location but still feels secluded," says Marcy D., highlighting the accessibility for horse trailers while maintaining a rural feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near South Rockwood, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near South Rockwood, MI is Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park with a 3-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near South Rockwood, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near South Rockwood, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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