Jami M.
Guide
GuideIonia State Recreation Area
Great get away
Clean, family friendly, beautiful. Take a walk through the equestrian to check out the horses.
Equestrian Camping near Stanwood, MI
12 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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SUMMARY PRESENTED BY
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.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Stanwood (12)
1. Hungerford Lake Campground
2. Duke Creek Campground
"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!"
3. Hungerford Equestrian Group Campsite
from $75 / night
Check Availability4. Timbers Edge Campground
"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"
5. Manistee National Forest Condon Lakes West Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area
"Got here around 1730 on a Sunday. Have the whole place to myself. Not bad getting into, signal is poor. Lots of wildlife."
6. Ionia State Recreation Area
"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 Availability7. Scalley Lake Park Campground and Cabins
"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"
8. White River Campsite #1
"We explored the area while camping at nearby Pines Point campground."
9. Double RR Ranch RV Resort
"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."
10. Whiskey Creek Campground
"Activities, trails, fishing, swimming or just relax! One of our family's favorite spots up north."
Drive Time
- 39 min from Grand Rapids, MI
- 1 hr 6 min from Muskegon, MI
- 1 hr 13 min from Midland, MI
- 1 hr 31 min from Lansing, MI
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Stanwood, MI
2 Photos of 12 Stanwood Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near Stanwood, MI
40 Reviews of 12 Stanwood Campgrounds
- Joshua E.
TravelerIonia State Recreation Area
Great activities for outdoors lovers
Ionia has so many great outdoor activities for almost anyone. There is a disc golf course, mountain bike trail, equestrian trails, hiking trails, a beautiful no wake lake perfect for swimming, kayaking, or fishing. The beach is fantastic especially for little kids who might not be the best swimmers ready for Lake Michigan or lakes with lots of boats and waves to deal with. Nice and sandy and a nice store and ice cream shop at the beach.
The campground itself is very nice, but you may find the activities are a short drive away from your site to get there. The sites are all a little bit shallow especially if you have a larger travel trailer you may find it a bit tight. There is a great variety of shaded and sunny sites. There is only one bathroom for the campground so it can be a bit busy and it could probably use an update.
- Becky P.
RangerTimbers Edge Campground
Quiet Getaway!
We stayed here during their Equestrian Weekends several years in a row, great hosts and large lots make this place a nice hidden gem!
Arron P.GuideHungerford Lake Campground
Rustic camping at finest!
Dispersed camping and camp sites available. There are horse staging areas and hiking trails. The lake is nice, small enough for a kayak/ no motor boat, nice.
- SSharon S.
ScoutTimbers Edge Campground
Nice for horses and hunting
I went in November. Most campers were there on the weekend. Pit toilets, a pond, hot showers but shower room unheated, no dump station,nice size lots. A lot of horses and hunters. Price was good for electric and water. Nice for dog walking. Friendly managers. No cell service
- Joanie C.Scout
Double RR Ranch RV Resort
Lots to do
There 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.
- MMichael S.Traveler
Ionia State Recreation Area
Really, That’s Your Signage??
Well if you are arriving here late, good luck.... Pretty much the worst signage I’ve seen in Michigan State Recreation Area. Very good signs to pretty much everything other than Beechwood Campground. Once you do figure out that you have to drive to acolyte back end of park to register then turn all the way back around and find hidden non marked campground, you’ll soon realize they are walk/hike in sites. NO WHERE on DNR website for reservations does it say this. As is if this isn’t bad enough, once you park and find trail the sign then reads “East or west” for sites. Not B1- whatever this way B whatever that way do bring your compass too and flashlight if dark. To say the sites are uneven is putting it mildly. For 15 sites, you seriously can’t level them?? Really lazy considering how nice disc course is and signage for course. I wouldn’t waste your time or money camping here, visit park and use trails or disc course yes. Camp, no way ever again!!
- Carol M.Scout
Duke Creek Campground
Very nice
Right across the road from Michigan's Adventure amusement park
- Marta B.Scout
Timbers Edge Campground
Owner very rude and disrespectful
Run 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.
Guide to Stanwood
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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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?
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?
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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