Equestrian Camping near Union Pier, MI

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    Limited equestrian camping options exist near Union Pier, Michigan. The primary campgrounds in the area, including Potato Creek State Park Campground, Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday, and Tippecanoe River State Park Campground, do not feature dedicated horse corrals or specialized equestrian facilities according to available data. Potato Creek State Park offers extensive outdoor recreation opportunities with hiking and biking trails, but lacks specific equestrian accommodations. The park maintains well-groomed grounds with access to Worster Lake and multiple activity options including fishing, boating, and swimming during peak season.

    Trail systems throughout these campgrounds primarily serve hikers and cyclists rather than horseback riders. Potato Creek State Park features paved bike trails and numerous hiking paths that wind through wetland areas rich with wildlife viewing opportunities. The park encompasses large camping areas with sites for tents, RVs, and cabins, though none specifically designated for horses. Visitors looking for equestrian-friendly camping near Union Pier would need to venture farther from the immediate area to find facilities with horse-specific amenities such as corrals, trailer parking areas, or dedicated bridle trails. The campgrounds in this region focus primarily on family-oriented outdoor recreation rather than specialized horse camping experiences.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Union Pier (4)

      1. Potato Creek State Park Campground

      4.5(50)25mi from Union Pier365 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean. Bath houses are always clean!"

      "There is a nice prairie area to walk around in, and an easy to ride pave bike trail. We watched the osprey nest one year for several hours."

      from $20 - $90 / night

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      2. Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

      4.7(17)38mi from Union Pier97 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did."

      "This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly."

      3. Tippecanoe River State Park Campground

      4.2(30)49mi from Union Pier188 sitesRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "There was a horse camp available as well as youth tenting and cabins to rent. This is a great State Park with more things to offer in addition to the ones mentioned above."

      "Trails and the river close by. Bathrooms are phenomenal!! Enjoy!"

      from $14 - $50 / night

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      4. Elkhart County Fairgrounds

      3.5(8)49mi from Union PierRVs, Tents

      "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."

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    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Union Pier, MI

    105 Reviews of 4 Union Pier Campgrounds


    • Jessica L.
      Jul. 28, 2016

      Potato Creek State Park Campground

      Activities for all seasons...

      ...although you probably wouldn't want to camp in the Indiana winter. I grew up coming here mostly to sled on the hills! But, there is a lot more to do. It surrounds Worster Lake and there are cabins, RV sites, and tent sites along with horse trails and bike trails. In the winter, there's sledding hills and ice fishing. The campgrounds are pretty standard, nothing special. If you live in the area, it's a fine little getaway.

    • D
      Apr. 25, 2019

      Potato Creek State Park Campground

      A wonderful state campground

      I feel this is one of the best state parks in Indiana. Come with your own water as they don’t have water hookups at your campsite but there are some nearby. The sites are very spacious and clean. Bath houses are always clean! Playground areas for the kids throughout the park lots of bike and walking trails. No pools but a beautiful man made lake for swimming and fishing. Lots of wildlife throughout the park. A great nature center is a must to see for the little ones. My family has camped here for many years. There is also a separate campground for horse lovers.

    • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 23, 2017

      Elkhart County Fairgrounds

      Typical Fairgrounds Camping Experience

      I 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

    • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 8, 2019

      Potato Creek State Park Campground

      Campground=4 stars; check-in=2 stars

      Campground= 4 stars; check-in= 2 stars. Very large campground with close to 300 sites plus a horse camp and about 20 cabins. We picked this park solely because it was convenient to our next destination, so we were not concerned with amenities. We did not make a reservation because I really do not want to pay the extra fee if it is not necessary. Upon arrival, we paid the $9 entrance fee ($7 for Indiana residents) and drove the 3 miles to the campground office. Somewhat surprised to find both staffed at 6 pm on a Thursday after Labor Day. We were told to drive around and pick several desired sites as they could not tell us which ones still had people due to arrive that night who had reserved. Huh?? So, we drove around two of the five loops and picked half a dozen sites that would be suitable. But that’s where the fun began- not! There seemed to be some computer glitch in that every site we asked about showed as not available, even though more than half the sites were empty. Eventually, we were told to just go to one of the sites we picked and set up and that a security guard would come and collect our money. Eventually, at just before 9 pm, the security guard did come and told us the glitch had been fixed and asked that we come to the office and register. The glitch was not fixed! But we paid our fee and were able to stay the night and the staff was very apologetic. 

      There is no differentiation between RV and tent sites (the only one that is separate is the horse camp). The E Loop seemed to be the most crowded, mostly with RVs. The sites in the D Loop were spaced a decent amount of distance apart but other than that, there was no real privacy between them. This was not a problem because the loop had many empty sites and we were able to easily find one that had an empty one on either side of us. There are paths to the beach accessible from the D and E loops but note the beach is only open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There is no longer a dog beach at Potato Creek. There is a general store(open until 8 pm) and bike rentals which, if we were going to stay longer, we might have taken advantage of. There are boat rentals in season. Several trails and playgrounds so I imagine that in the summer, this is a nice family campground (even the name is Family campground). 

      The mosquitos were vicious, likely worse due to the amount of rain the area has had this year. Bathrooms were very clean and there was hot water, a nice luxury but you have to be careful not to bump your head on the shelf over the sink when washing your face. Didn’t use them but there were also showers. 

      The check-in process notwithstanding, our stay was fine for the night.

    • Jill T.
      Aug. 30, 2021

      Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

      AWESOME

      So far this is the nicest KOA ever. Beautifully landscaped sites are very, very nice. Many sites with cement patios and grills. There's cabins and yurts too. Nice very busy pool and slide, play areas, walking trail, camp store with hot food. Not far from Lake Michigan and places to buy fresh fruit and veggies. Check it out you'll be happy you did. We were here twice this year!

    • Thomas U.
      Aug. 11, 2018

      Tippecanoe River State Park Campground

      Good place to camp and Kayak

      Great place for a weekend camping trip of kayaking and some hiking.

      Pro's

      • Large Campsites
      • Clean showers and bathrooms
      • 2 kayak ramps with ability to hike in between them
      • Fire tower
      • Great views in the river
      • Horse Trails

      Con's

      • No privacy in campsites, so it more of a RV's / partying camping
      • Hiking is mainly flat trails thru the woods
      • No Camp Store, the Host sold firewood and Ice
    • E
      Oct. 15, 2018

      Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday

      Great Family Visit

      This is a great place to camp with young children, as there are many activities around the camp. It is family owned and operated and you can tell- warm and friendly. If you want to explore, there are six Lake Michigan beaches within 15 minutes, and it's located between South Haven, MI and Saint Joseph, MI.

    • Roger W.The Dyrt PRO User
      Sep. 25, 2024

      Elkhart County Fairgrounds

      Area Convenient and Clean

      Elkhart County 4-h Fairgrounds: (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

      (72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)

      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. Security: No Usage during visit: Very light Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: none Site Spacing: very close Pad surface: our area was grass Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: Quiet except for one day of motorcycle raises at the nearby track.
      Outside Road Noise: Not most sites Through Traffic in campground: Some for activities at the fairground Electric Hookup: Yes Sewer Hookup: some sites Dump Station: yes Potable Water Available: At sites Bathroom: Very nice flush toilets Showers: yes Pull Throughs: Yes Cell Service (AT&T): Varied throughout campground Setting: open grass fields around very well manicured county fairground. Recent Weather: 70s and rain. Insects:None Host: I am not sure.
      Rig Size: Large Sites: full hookups and water/electric only

    • Jacob A.The Dyrt PRO User
      Apr. 12, 2021

      Potato Creek State Park Campground

      This is our favorite State Park campground

      The campground is huge, but we have never felt crowded. There is a nice prairie area to walk around in, and an easy to ride pave bike trail. We watched the osprey nest one year for several hours. We have not yet had a kayak out on the lake, but the lake is big. The bathrooms have always been clean, and the campground hosts friendly. The sites vary in size and slope, so research and prepare for anything. But all of the sites are manageable. South Bend is close by if you want to adventure in.


    Guide to Union Pier

    Equestrian facilities near Union Pier, Michigan remain limited, with specialized horse campgrounds requiring a significant drive from the immediate area. Campers looking for horseback riding accommodations need to travel approximately 40-60 miles to find suitable options with corrals, equestrian-friendly trails, and trailer parking. The region's sandy soil and wooded terrain characterize most local campgrounds, which primarily cater to tent, RV, and cabin campers rather than those traveling with horses.

    What to do

    Explore hiking trails: At Tippecanoe River State Park, visitors can access several trails directly from the campground including Trails 1, 3, 4, and 5. "This is a North Central State Park in Indiana. Not one of the better units, but it has some charms. There's some trails that can be accessed from the campground - Trails 1, 3, 4 & 5," notes Cynthia K., who recommends visiting in spring or late fall to avoid mosquitoes.

    Bike on paved paths: Potato Creek State Park offers both paved biking paths and mountain biking trails for cyclists of various skill levels. "Peppermint Hill mountain bike/hiking loop was really fun and not to be missed," shares Christy Y. about one of the park's popular trails. The park's mix of wetlands and wooded areas provides diverse scenery for riders.

    Pick blueberries: Unique to Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday is the opportunity to pick fresh blueberries right at your campsite during summer months. "This KOA has blueberry fields everywhere on the property. For a period of time in summer and early fall, you can pick your own blueberries in the morning to have in your breakfast pancakes!" explains Cindy B., who appreciates this distinctive feature.

    What campers like

    Shaded campsites: Tippecanoe River State Park Campground offers well-established sites with mature trees throughout. "Large sites with lots of trees," mentions Susan C., while Gary S. adds, "Mature wooded campground. Plentiful level grassy tent spots to put up a tent." These shaded sites provide natural cooling during summer months.

    Spacious site layouts: Many campers appreciate the room to spread out at Potato Creek State Park. "We recommend securing a spot in the back sites 230-287 for larger lots and quieter atmosphere. Younger families tend to book up front near the playground and the noise and activities are more robust," advises Frank M., suggesting site selection based on desired camping experience.

    Clean facilities: Regular maintenance and cleanliness stand out at campgrounds in the region. "Bathrooms/showers are NICE! And it's only 10-15 minutes from the beach in south Haven-beautiful!" notes Melissa B. about Covert/South Haven KOA, while Tucker A. mentions Tippecanoe River State Park is "well maintained and beautiful."

    What you should know

    Cell service variations: Connectivity differs significantly between campgrounds, which matters for those needing to stay connected. At Potato Creek State Park Campground, Frank M. notes "spotty WIFI. I like unplugging but sometimes work demands I respond promptly." Meanwhile at Tippecanoe River, Monica C. reports, "I have AT&T service and could not use my phone at all, my husband has Verizon and had no problems with cell service."

    Seasonal considerations: Insect activity peaks during summer months at many area campgrounds. At Tippecanoe River State Park, Cynthia K. advises, "The mosquitos get bad in the summer, so come prepared. We camped the end of May & they were just getting going. Spring & late fall would be a good time to visit." Similarly at Potato Creek, Frank M. warns, "Natural wetlands abound, so definitely bring the mosquito spray."

    Distance to equestrian facilities: True horse campgrounds near Union Pier are scarce, requiring dedicated equestrians to drive further out. Most local campgrounds prioritize family recreation rather than specialized horseback riding amenities, with none of the reviewed sites offering horse corrals or dedicated bridle paths.

    Tips for camping with families

    Playground proximity matters: At Tippecanoe River State Park, certain sites offer direct playground access. "For the playground, sites 2, 3, 4, 6, & 7 have direct access to a playground & you can watch your children from your site. All the interior sites by comfort station B have direct access to the playground from your site & you can watch your children from your site. Avoid if you dislike the sound of children playing," advises Cynthia K.

    Consider activity options: Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday stands out for its family programming. "Friendly staff, lots of kid activities. Nice pool, clean campground. Barrel train ride is a lot of fun for the whole family," shares Jill P. Lisa P. adds, "The kids love the activities and the pool and my family who are not necessarily 'outdoorsy' love that they can sleep in an air conditioned cabin with cable!"

    Fire tower excursion: For a quick adventure with children, Tippecanoe River State Park offers an accessible landmark. "There is a firetower, which is fun for the kids and the hike to get there is short," mentions Kaley A., making this an easy addition to a family itinerary without requiring extensive hiking.

    Tips from RVers

    Electrical hookup planning: At Potato Creek State Park, RVers should prepare for potentially distant electrical connections. "Be ready with back up cords, some sites require 75 ft to hook up," advises Frank M., highlighting the importance of bringing extension cords. The park's layout means some RV sites require longer electrical connections than standard.

    Travel time considerations: When planning daily activities from Potato Creek State Park, account for significant exit time. "Takes 10-15 mins to drive out of campground, so keep this in mind," notes Frank M., an important detail for those planning off-site excursions or supply runs. This extended travel time can impact day trip planning to nearby attractions.

    Level site availability: RVers at Covert/South Haven KOA will find accommodating sites for various rig sizes. "Good spots for RV/pull behind/tents. Clean facilities and only a 20 min drive from South Haven's beautiful beaches!" mentions Hannah S., noting the campground provides suitable options for different camping setups.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Union Pier, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Union Pier, MI is Potato Creek State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 50 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Union Pier, MI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Union Pier, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.