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

Best Equestrian Camping near Traverse City, MI

45 Reviews

In northern Michigan lies some of the best camping options in the state where you can stay by the lake or sheltered in the pine trees. Near Traverse City, MI, campers and RVers will find everything they need to make their camping trip a success. Campgrounds near the West Arm beaches give you a chance to relax and enjoy the water in the summer. You can walk, drive, or boat in to your campsite. Stay close to nature in a tent or rent a cozy cabin. Trails in the state forest are ideal for exploring on horseback or try one of the campsites at the fairgrounds where campers are close to the rides and the rest of the action.

Map showing campgrounds near Traverse City, MichiganExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near Traverse City, Michigan (8)

    1. Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp

    9 Reviews
    Interlochen, MI
    11 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. Scheck's Place State Forest Campground

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

    "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."

    "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)."

    3. Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    4 Reviews
    Grawn, MI
    8 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. Turtle Lake Campground

    8 Reviews
    Honor, MI
    17 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."

    5. Manton Trails RV Park, Hotel & Campground

    3 Reviews
    Fife Lake, MI
    20 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. Gaylord KOA

    10 Reviews
    Gaylord, MI
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 939-8723

    $61 - $95 / night

    "While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls."

    "The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location."

    7. Manistee National Forest Marzinski Horse Trail Campground

    5 Reviews
    Manistee, MI
    45 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."

    8. 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    1 Review
    Grayling, MI
    49 miles
    Website
    +1 (989) 348-7068

    "I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas."

Show More
Showing results 1-8 of 8 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Traverse City Contest

Enter to Win

Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Traverse City, MI

1 Photos of 8 Traverse City Campgrounds

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Traverse City, MI

45 Reviews of 8 Traverse City Campgrounds

  • 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.

  • 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!

  • J
    Jul. 18, 2021

    Northwestern Michigan Fairgrounds

    Good for RV Rally

    We stayed July 2021 for an RV rally. We had no building of shelter for community gatherings. But, weather cooperated and we had a great time.

    Power 50/30 were fine. Water is a shared spigot on most sites, but some sites have water. There is a good dump station. Sites are level. No landscaping.

    Lots of restaurants and attractions in Traverse City.

    We would stay again.

  • 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.

  • Lexi G.
    Jul. 30, 2020

    4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

    Cheap horse camp

    It’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.

  • 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.

Guide to Traverse City

Horse camping in Michigan offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure and equestrian-friendly amenities, making it a perfect getaway for horse lovers.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like spacious sites and water access

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Tips for equestrian camping near Traverse City, Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Traverse City, MI?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Traverse City, MI is Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Traverse City, MI?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Traverse City, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring