Pokagon State Park Campground offers horseback riding through its on-site saddle barn. Located near Angola, Indiana, approximately 30 miles from Sturgis, this campground features over 500 sites across multiple loops with varying levels of privacy and terrain. The saddle barn provides both regular horseback riding for adults and pony rides for children under 52 inches tall. Visitors frequently note the well-maintained trail system that connects with a nearby nature preserve, providing diverse riding experiences for equestrians of all skill levels. The campground accommodates tents, RVs, and cabin lodging year-round, with electric hookups, water access, sanitary dump stations, showers, and clean restrooms.
Trail riders access multiple designated bridle paths through the wooded park areas, with routes suitable for beginners and experienced equestrians. The trails wind through forests and connect to scenic viewpoints throughout the park's natural areas. Most sites include picnic tables and fire rings, though some campers note that certain sites have significant slopes that can challenge RV leveling. Horse owners should check with the park office regarding any special permits or requirements for bringing personal horses, as policies may vary from the guided ride offerings. The park's extensive amenities include a lake with swimming beach, nature center, and bike trails that complement the equestrian options, making it suitable for families with varied outdoor interests.
$20 - $480 / night
"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
$14 - $80 / night
"If you're traveling with kids or enjoy the community of being near your fellow campers this is a great option. If you are looking for a peaceful retreat this may be a bit loud and busy."
"I came here with a few family member to hike and get away from the rat race of life and that's exactly what I got. An awesome 1st time experience. "
"The trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶"
"Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes."
"Overall Rating: 4 for access to the area, very clean facilities, and not too many campers thus time of year.
Price 2024: $35 for water/electric only.""A little close to your neighbors but the way the sites are angled you had plenty of room. Very friendly people. Easy in and out."
GuideEquestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
TravelerThe trails are great for hikers, bikers, & equestrians. We’ve had family camp outs there, as well my husband & I alone. It’s all dog friendly too! 🐕🐶
ScoutMMichigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25per night with electric. Several no wake lakes for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. One lake with swimming beach. Lots of trails for hiking, horses and mountain bikes. Roads quiet and could easily ride your road bike to nearby bike paths. I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky.
TravelerThere are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do
LegendI have camped here a couple of times while visiting northern Indiana to have repairs done on my RV. Overall, I like this campground where for $30/night you can get a 50 amp full hook-up site or $23/night a 30 amp and water site. If you plan on staying longer weekly and monthly rates are really good. The campground sits in the middle of the county fairgrounds so there is usually something going on – either a fair, concert, horse event, or an RV rally. Depending on what time of year you are here and part of the week, the campground could be very crowded or very empty. The nice thing is the people in the office let you pick whatever site you want and don’t assign one to you. There are 275 full hook-up sites with 50 amp full hook-up and 30 amp water & electric only. There are no fires allowed and some sites don’t have picnic tables but you can request one and they will bring it to your site.
There is very little shade and during my last visit the late September fall temperatures climbed to nearly 90 degrees and was brutal. This campground is better suited for RVs than tents but you are permitted to tent camp. Bathrooms and showers are scattered about and I was amazed at always how clean they (and the grounds as a whole) are. They do offer WiFi which worked pretty well in non-peak hours like early morning but was not reliable and sometimes frustrating. Since many sites have a clear view of the sky, you most likely will get satellite television reception and a dozen or so antenna channels.
One of the things I like about this park is the vast expanse of grounds to wander about walking my dog. There is a trail system just outside of the park that allows you miles and miles of walking and biking trails. Downtown Goshen is less than two miles away and has some great restaurants (including Venturi Pizza, Maple Indian Cuisine – which has an awesome buffet, and Goshen Brewing Company). The Saturday farmers market is great with lots of produce, breads, meats, cheeses, and crafts.
The last time I visited coincided with the Mennonite Relief Fund which was a big fund raiser for their charity that packed the grounds with stuff for sale, food, and activities. It was fun to be there during the event but it meant the campground and grounds were packed.
Now for the bad about this campground. It is located right next to very busy train tracks that operate 24/7 and blow their horns quite often. They were really annoying in the middle of the night. Sites are close together so if it is crowded and you have a neighbor, you will be right on top of them. There is no shade which can be very miserable.
Pros:
· Price - $30/night for a 50 amp full hook-up site
· Nearby downtown stores and restaurants
· Sites are not assigned so you can pick where you want to camp
· Grassy patios
· Large grounds to meander around
· Nearby biking/walking trail
Cons:
· Very noisy from nearby trains operated at all hours
· Few trees for shade or privacy
· Some sites are very tight and close to your neighbor
· Can be very crowded
· WiFi provided but not reliable
LegendThis state park was established in 1925, so almost 100 years old. The campground must be the original layout. There's a maze like quality to it. The roads are narrow & you may be driving off the road for a big rig.
Some sites are level, some aren't. Some can accommodate larger rigs, most can't. Check the site descriptions carefully & to be doubly sure, call the office & ask.
There's water stations that look very old. They have wooden, shingled roofs. There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!
There's 5 loops to the main campground.
100 loop is small & closer to the lake than the other loops. It's the loop we chose this time.
The sites are on the small side. There's 3 campsites that are close to the lake. 115, which is a larger site. 117 & 119 which have clear views of the lake. 117 is more a tent or popup site & is small. 119 is the best of the bunch. A large pad & a large site. There's no privacy bushes. These sites have a view of the lake with trees & brush & are on a ridge overlooking the lake. They aren't ON the lake.
On either side of 117 & 119 are 2 trails that lead to the lake. There's benches & a dock to tie up your boat.
The rest of the sites are a mixed bag. Some are level, some have an incline. If you have a big rig, be aware that the road to the 100 campsites branches into one way. Leading into the campsites, the road is narrow & has a ravine on one side!
200 Loop is non electric
300 Loop is the biggest loop & seems like the best bet for larger rigs. As stated above, some sites are better than others. There's a uniformity here that's missing from the other loops.
Stay away from sites 393& 395!!! These sites are literally right on top of the dump station! As always watch for pit toilets near the sites.
400 loop is a smaller loop next to the 200 loop. There's only one shower house for both loops. Avoid site 444 & probably site 454. These sites are VERY close to the dump station.
500 loop is also smaller& has some nice sites tucked by themselves in the trees. There seems to be more privacy brush on this loop with SOME sites.
512 is close to the shower house. 511 & 513 were somewhat secluded.
If you have a boat you want to tie up at the dock, go for the 100 loop. If you can't get it, be aware there's no parking near the trails to the lake. You can park by the bathhouse & walk.
The shower & restrooms are atrocious!!! Worst looking buildings since Spring Mill SP! Dirty & need an entire overhaul. In fact, raze the buildings & build new ones! They're "cleaned" once a day. Suuuuuure they are. There was actual poop on the door of one of the women's toilet stalls the whole time I was there. Mold & spiders& dirt in the corners. Looks like the last upgrade was in the 50s.
TravelerWow! Three lakes, hiking, biking and horse trails, showers, camp host and super quiet this past week while there. Not many campers, but everyone there seemed pleasant and were quiet. Deep sites, electric if you so desire, firepit and tables. I use a tent. Driving from the west through Augusta is a treat...so pretty. Civilization not far at all. Fishing, beach, play areas and an amusement park for mountain bikers! No alcohol. Will return!
Pokagon State Park Campground features diverse equestrian opportunities 30 miles from Sturgis. The facility maintains 9 miles of bridle paths that connect to adjacent natural areas through rolling terrain. Trail difficulty varies from beginner-friendly flat routes to more challenging paths with moderate elevation changes and natural obstacles. Summer weekends often reach capacity, requiring advance reservations during peak season.
Seasonal horseback opportunities: Fort Custer Recreation Area offers trails that remain accessible from April through October, with designated equestrian parking areas. "Endless hiking trails and two lakes where you can fish, swim, and boat. If you're in the area, this is highly recommended," notes Bob B., highlighting the diverse recreation options beyond horseback riding.
Organized trail events: Pokagon State Park hosts guided trail rides throughout summer months with staff naturalists providing ecological interpretation. "The trails wind through forests and connect to scenic viewpoints throughout the park's natural areas," with routes suitable for various experience levels.
Winter recreation alternatives: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides cold-weather options when equestrian trails close for the season. "We come here out of convenience, since we live twenty minutes away. The campground is decent," mentions Whitley K., who appreciates the park's accessibility for short visits when horseback riding isn't available.
Privacy between sites: Fort Custer Recreation Area provides natural vegetation buffers between campsites. "We found a campsite that was large with vegetation separating us from neighbors. I didn't expect to find something this interesting," writes Art S., who appreciated the unexpected seclusion.
Trail connectivity: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers interconnected waterways and land trails. "There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored," according to Amanda J., who found the facility clean and safe for family activities.
Family-friendly amenities: Fort Custer Recreation Area maintains dedicated swimming areas separate from fishing zones. "I've never found another campground with such a great mix of secluded sites, but still opportunities to meet and party with fellow camper," says Bob B., highlighting the balance between privacy and community.
Site selection considerations: Fort Custer Recreation Area campsites vary significantly in sun exposure. "Our site was on the far end of a loop. This meant a longer walk to the restrooms and showers. We soon found out that there was enough clearing in the treetops to give our camp full sun for most of the day," reports Art S., suggesting more shaded sites for summer visits.
Water/hookup limitations: Horse campgrounds near Sturgis, Michigan typically offer electric-only hookups at sites. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," notes VB S. about Fort Custer Recreation Area, a common setup at equestrian-friendly parks in the region.
Weather monitoring importance: Sudden storms can affect trail conditions around Sturgis. "We had some rain and storms moving in so this proved useful in helping us sneak out of camp really early to avoid the downpour that was looming," shares Art S., emphasizing the importance of weather awareness when planning riding activities.
Activity balancing: Chain O' Lakes State Park provides options for different age groups. "Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," writes Jeremy C., who appreciated the clean facilities and reasonable prices for family outings.
Quiet zone timing: Fort Custer Recreation Area has specific quiet hours enforced. "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky," mentions Janet N., highlighting the park's commitment to preserving natural darkness for stargazing opportunities.
Campsite selection for kids: Chain O' Lakes State Park offers sites with varying proximity to facilities. "Tent lots are flat and a good size. RR and showers nearby," notes Karson G., important considerations when camping with children who need frequent bathroom access.
Dump station planning: Fort Custer Recreation Area can experience congestion at service points during peak periods. "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long," warns Bob B., suggesting early morning or late evening visits to these facilities to avoid delays.
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites throughout horse campgrounds near Sturgis require significant leveling. "Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," according to Bob B., though preparation with leveling blocks remains important for comfortable stays at most equestrian-friendly campgrounds in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Sturgis, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Sturgis, MI is Pokagon State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Sturgis, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Sturgis, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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