11 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground provides direct access to Michigan's northern trail systems with dedicated horse-friendly campsites. Located near Vanderbilt, this rustic state forest campground features sites specifically designed for horse campers with ample space for trailer parking and horses. Non-equestrian campers can use sites 1-8, while the remaining areas are reserved for those bringing horses. The campground is positioned within a wooded setting that offers natural shade for horses during summer months. The sites are clean and mostly private, with vault toilets and hand-pumped drinking water available throughout the grounds.
Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground connects to trail networks approximately 30 minutes south of Vanderbilt. This small, secluded campground contains about six rustic sites in an open field setting ideal for equestrian activities. Pigeon River State Forest nearby offers additional camping options with dispersed sites suitable for horse camping enthusiasts. The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the area, providing access to numerous trails for riding. Most sites can accommodate horse trailers with adequate turn-around space. The facilities remain primitive with vault toilets but no modern amenities like showers or electric hookups. Riders should note that seasonal conditions affect trail access, particularly during spring thaw when some areas may become too muddy for safe passage.
"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."
from $61 - $95 / night
Check Availability"The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."
"The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."
"Island lake/Huron River Hudson Mills, Sturgeon River, Pine River MI. Also, Hiawasse River, TN"
"Recommend the on site ATVrental lots of trails to ride"
"Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild."
"Love this park, right down the street from our family cabin and you get the best views of the Au Sauble river for miles around."
"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."
"The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate."
GuideIt’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.
GuideIt was logged off and is essentially destroyed. I think there's 6 "sites" and an open field for equestrian activities.
Very secluded. Nothing of interest in the nearby area.
Looks to be seldom used.
No cell service. Verizon is the dominant service up here. 0 signal.
LegendA horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8
RangerThe Luzerne Express Campground is literally all you need in one spot. The whole place is incredibly accommodating. Friendly, helpful staff. There is an array of sites available plus RV’s and Cabins for rent so winter camping here is a blast. The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate. Walk right off the campground into the Huron National Forest.
TravelerEntire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets. Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild.
RangerWhile 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. Full coin laundry was helpful too! They had kids activities over the 4thof July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on. Nearby towns of Gaylord and Boyne provided us with plenty to do, and only a couple hours to get to Sleeping Bear sand dunes. We thought this place was worth the expense- big, flat, level sites with fire pit and full hook up. Nice pine trees and plenty of space for kids to play. Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways.
RangerThis campground is not my favorite, although my husband did not mind staying there. One of the reasons it is not my favorite is because the bathrooms were disgusting. I do not think that they were cleaned the entire four days we were there. They were super-hot and dirty. Another reason I did not care for the campground is because while we were there, my cousin’s dog was taken to doggy jail! We went on a kayaking trip down the Au Sable river and were gone a couple of hours. My cousin has a big dog that was tied to the tree. The dog had water, but must have knocked it over. The weather was not hot, it was in the low 70’s. My uncle’s site was right next door and he was watching the dog. My uncle was preparing dinner and went into the camper to grab what he needed to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. While he was making hamburger patties someone must have walked by and saw that the dog’s water was empty (because the dog knocked it over), that person went to the park attendant and they called animal control. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle said he was in the camper for about 20 mins making patties and getting food ready to grill outside. Apparently, it is not actually animal control that came to get him, it was a person down the street that takes the animals to his home on the weekend when animal control is not open. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle was frantic and walked around the entire campground and then went to the front desk. The lady was so rude to my uncle. My uncle is a very nice and funny man and he was just beside himself! My cousin came back from the kayaking trip and my uncle told him what happened. My cousin went to the man’s house that took the dog and had to pay $80 to get him out! It was quite the ordeal. My uncle felt bad because he wasn’t out there the entire time with the dog, but he wasn’t gone that long and it wasn’t that hot outside. My uncle would have seen that the water was empty and would have refilled it. The sites are HUGE and there are some trees, but I would not camp here again. That situation left a bad taste in my mouth and the bathrooms not being cleaned during our stay put me over the edge.
ScoutThis place is amazing if you just like to get away from everything. Surrounded by Huron and rarely many people there. Tons of privacy and more land to roam than you'll be able to. Highly reccomend for anyone looking to camp without ANY ammentities. Access is 4x4 only winter months.
TravelerThis is one of the worst campgrounds I have ever been to. The bathrooms and showers close at 10pm, and the restrooms themselves are nasty, the showers cost $2 (in quarters) for 6 minutes of lukewarm water, the locals are hostile to unfamiliar faces, and to top it off, the rental ATVs and dirt track to ride them on is o ly separated from the campsites by a board fence, so expect to hear all kinds of small engines zipping by at all hours. The RV trailers for rental are all used trailers circa 1995 and "refurbished", which entails a quick coat of interior paint and laminate flooring screwed to the floors with drywall screws. Guests who have rented the RV trailers are instructed to not use the showers in their trailers. Absolutely not worth the money, would rate 0 stars if I could. If you are looking for a camping experience that puts you in the heart of upper Michigan redneck territory, this is the place for you. If you want a good experience, look elsewhere.
Vanderbilt sits within Michigan's northern forest region with easy access to the Pigeon River Country State Forest, a 105,000-acre wilderness area known for Michigan's elk herd. Winter temperatures typically range from 10-25°F with summer averages between 65-80°F. This area offers numerous rustic camping options with minimal amenities where cell service can be spotty to non-existent in many locations.
Kayaking or fishing on local rivers: Sturgeon Valley Campground provides direct river access for paddlers. "Judy is lovely. River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak," notes camper Sue R.
Mountain biking on Shingle Mill Pathway: This 10-mile loop trail runs through Pigeon River State Forest Campground. "The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campground. Each site comes with fire pit and picnic table," reports Lydia T.
Elk viewing excursions: The Pigeon River area hosts Michigan's only free-ranging elk herd. Kate K. mentions, "There are a few rustic campgrounds, but we usually just stay at one of the dispersed sites because most of them have a sweet set up. Lots of awesome sink holes to swim in, and even elk sightings."
Secluded riverfront sites: Many campers value riverside camping spots. Paul C. shares about Pigeon River State Forest Campground: "Me and my son picked one of a few spots on the pigeon river. The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones."
Peaceful equestrian facilities: Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground offers dedicated horse camping. "A horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8," notes Lydia T.
Swimming in unique sinkholes: The region features unusual natural swimming spots. "Lots of awesome sink holes to swim in, and even elk sightings. If you can manage to find this place, you will love it!" shares Kate K. about the Pigeon River area.
Limited cell service: Prepare for disconnection. Aaron T. warns about Pigeon River: "Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away. Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service."
Insect preparation: Bug protection is essential in this area. Halie C. cautions about Pigeon River State Forest Campground: "The best place to camp is right on the river which is lovely to fall asleep to at night. Beware of the bugs! Also, there is no cell service."
Varied site sizes at equestrian campgrounds: Not all sites accommodate larger rigs. Walsh Road Equestrian Campground has approximately six rustic sites in an open field setting, while Dj W. notes it was "logged off and is essentially destroyed. I think there's 6 'sites' and an open field for equestrian activities."
Playground availability: Gaylord KOA offers family-friendly amenities. Lindsey S. mentions: "Large sites, amazing hosts, does charge for a band for kids to do activities like jumping pad etc. this includes a bike rental and golf but was an added charge."
River safety considerations: Monitor children near water. Paul C. cautions: "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under."
Activity options for different ages: Some campgrounds offer organized events. Amanda C. shares about Gaylord KOA: "Stayed for 6 days. Staff was awesome. Sites were neat. Park was clean. Lots to do for kids. Loved it here."
Site leveling challenges: Prepare leveling equipment. Ray & Terri F. note about Gaylord KOA: "Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site. He said they'd look into it."
Variable site sizes at horse campgrounds near Vanderbilt: Lydia T. observes about Pigeon River State Forest Campground: "I've seen people tenting and I've seen people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large RVs."
Road conditions: Many access roads are unpaved. Neil mentions about Gaylord KOA: "Sites not paved and entrance roads not paved!!!" This is common for most equestrian campgrounds in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Vanderbilt, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Vanderbilt, MI is Gaylord KOA with a 3.9-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Vanderbilt, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Vanderbilt, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
