12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Hungerford Lake Campground provides primitive equestrian opportunities with dedicated horse staging areas connected to miles of forest trails. The campground accommodates horses at designated sites within the Manistee National Forest, offering both dispersed camping and established campsites for riders seeking backcountry access. The rustic setting caters to tent and RV camping with horses, though amenities are minimal with pit toilets and no electric hookups. Hungerford Equestrian Group Campsite offers reservation-based group camping facilities specifically designed for horse riders traveling together.
Trail access directly from the campground connects riders to the extensive Manistee National Forest trail system ideal for day rides or multi-day excursions. Duke Creek Campground provides additional horse-friendly camping options with on-site horseback rides available for campers. Most equestrian campsites accommodate horse trailers with adequate parking space and room for portable corrals or highlines. The Timbers Edge Campground hosts special Equestrian Weekends with larger lots suitable for riders with horses and trailers. Water access for horses is available at most locations, though riders should verify seasonal availability. White River Special Area provides dispersed camping options suitable for tent camping with horses, though without dedicated equestrian facilities.
"Right across the road from Michigan's Adventure amusement park"
"Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day! We should have reserved an entire week!"
from $75 / night
Check Availability"We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!"
"A lot of horses and hunters. Price was good for electric and water. Nice for dog walking. Friendly managers. No cell service"
"Got here around 1730 on a Sunday. Have the whole place to myself. Not bad getting into, signal is poor. Lots of wildlife."
"Take a walk through the equestrian to check out the horses."
"There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing. "
from $20 - $160 / night
Check Availability"Amazing spot away from the city! The owner of the place is very accommodating and pleasant to be around. Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!"
"The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here"
"We explored the area while camping at nearby Pines Point campground."
"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."
"Activities, trails, fishing, swimming or just relax! One of our family's favorite spots up north."
ScoutKayak/canoe, tubing, horseback riding, golf. They have plenty do do here but they just seem to float along. This is not a camp ground that uplifts there game to make it better and be a rising star. No full hook up site other than seasonal. Campstore is very limited, but good for the kids. Alway enjoy staying here but just think they could be more. They do put on a good fireworks on July 4th
GuideGot here around 1730 on a Sunday. Have the whole place to myself. Not bad getting into, signal is poor. Lots of wildlife.
TravelerThis is the White River special area of the Manistee National Forest. While there are numbered campsites, there are no facilities or amenities. This is more suitable for tents or maybe small campers. Best access seems to be along 160th avenue south of Arthur road. The road seems a bit sketchy but should be okay for most vehicles. We explored the area while camping at nearby Pines Point campground.
GuideFirst let me say the rustic area is walk-in only. I was unaware of this until we arrived. Luckily our site was in the front and not a terrible walk. 3 sites in the middle, grouped together, would be nice for a group to book together. Rustic side is right next to the boat ramp. Inside of the state park is a nice beach for swimming, with concessions. A lot of fishing spots, even if you are bank fishing. Check in window is in the back of the park. Wood and ice available.
TravelerWe just got back from Ionia State Campground, and we had the most lovely time! First of all, I did some research ahead of time to find a more private camping spot, and ours did not disappoint. After looking around the campground, there were numerous spots that were very secluded and private. There were beautiful walking trails all around, and the lake was very pretty.
I had read other reviews saying that the bathrooms were terrible. I did not find them to be all that bad. They were certainly dated, but I found the bathrooms and showers to be kept as clean as they could be. I have also read that the bathrooms will be completely replaced at the end of this year.
The one downside I did find was the beach. I thought that the infrastructure at the beach needed work, particularly the rinse off station and the benches. We only went over to the beach for ice cream, so this didn't bother me personally.
We loved it and plan to come back!
ScoutVery affordable but once arriving and setting up we noticed why. The park is only 4 swings and a single sand pit. The water is very HARD (straight rust and well water) very old water pipes. I brought my parts per million meter and tested the water and it tested at well over 1120 ppm. Quick stop cheap and decent but the water needs a fix.
ScoutRun down campground with rude disrespectful owner. We were attacked over something that was so trivial...a few hoof prints by our trailer where we we told to park. Horses did not dig or paw. She drove up to us and complained that they tore up her grass, which wasn't true. There was no grass to begin with, it was moss. Our ponied stood quietly tied to trailer as we saddled up and then when we came back from our rife and unsaddled. We were with them the entire time....it was a short day ride with a friend who was camping there. Woman never asked or told us to picket. Normal function for horseman is to ride from trailer. I Just couldn't believe it. Told woman we understood and would be leaving and wouldn't be back. She kept running her mouth. I told her to drop it and that again, we would leave and would not be back. Kept running her mouth, and Id had enough and told her to shut up.
ScoutThere 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.
ScoutWhen will the nasty shower and toilet facilities get fixed? What will it take. A news crew Or law suits which do you want? Please get it remodeled! No one needs to smell it’s unsafe conditions from walking by it from 30 feet away.
Dispersed camping options near Stanwood, Michigan provide access to Manistee National Forest's extensive trail systems. The area sits within the Newaygo Plains, a sandy outwash plain characterized by oak and pine forests at elevations between 800-1200 feet. Winter camping requires proper cold weather gear with temperatures regularly dropping below freezing from December through March.
Trail riding access: Riders at White River Campsite #1 can explore unmarked forest paths. "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 camper Vegan T.
Golf while camping: Several campgrounds offer golf course access directly from your site. At Double RR Ranch RV Resort, "My husband liked the golf course that came with renting spot," reports Joanie C., who also mentions wildlife viewing opportunities throughout the property.
Water activities: Kayaking on smaller lakes provides motor-free recreation. The Scalley Lake area features "Private lake with no motors so it is very quiet and peaceful!!!" according to Nolyn S., making it ideal for paddlers seeking calmer waters.
Family-friendly amenities: Duke Creek Campground offers structured activities for children. "Train rides, Pool, Scavenger hunt, trails, bike rides, there just weren't enough hours in the day!" exclaims Becky P., highlighting the variety of organized recreation.
Wildlife viewing: Many campsites offer opportunities to observe local wildlife. At Condon Lakes West, one camper notes, "Got here around 1730 on a Sunday. Have the whole place to myself. Not bad getting into, signal is poor. Lots of wildlife."
Cabin accommodations: For those seeking alternatives to tent camping, Scalley Lake offers cabin rentals. "The cabins are clean and nice, the view of the lake is beautiful. My 6 children had a great time here," reports Nora M., suggesting these accommodations work well for larger families.
Site spacing varies: Reviews indicate significant differences in campsite proximity. At Timbers Edge Campground, conflicting experiences show some find "large lots" while others experienced "Neighbors right on top of you."
Seasonal considerations: Most horse campgrounds near Stanwood, Michigan operate seasonally. Condon Lakes West operates from May to October, while Scalley Lake Park runs May 1 to October 1, requiring advance planning for shoulder season visits.
Limited cell service: Many forest campgrounds have poor connectivity. The Condon Lakes area specifically notes "signal is poor," making offline navigation tools essential for backcountry exploration.
Activity planning: Schedule enough time to enjoy all available recreation. "We should have reserved an entire week!" advises Becky P. about Duke Creek Campground, suggesting weekend visits may feel rushed for families.
Cabin options for larger groups: Scalley Lake Park Campground accommodates families of various sizes. "My 6 children had a great time here," notes one reviewer about their cabin stay, indicating spacious accommodations.
First-timer friendly locations: Some campgrounds specifically welcome inexperienced campers. "Friendly staff, made us feel comfortable being first timers camping. Very helpful!!" shares Stacy H. about her experience at Whiskey Creek Campground.
Horse trailer considerations: Equestrian campgrounds around Stanwood offer varying accommodations for horse trailers. "We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!" notes Becky P. about her experiences at Timbers Edge.
Limited hookup options: Many forest service campgrounds lack full hookups. For those requiring more amenities, Whiskey Creek Resort offers "New showers in camping area" according to Jeff F., though overall facilities remain rustic.
Winter access: While most campgrounds operate seasonally, Whiskey Creek Resort remains open year-round, providing an option for winter camping with some amenities, though specific winter services may be limited.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Stanwood, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Stanwood, MI is Hungerford Lake Campground with a 3-star rating from 1 review.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Stanwood, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Stanwood, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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