Fort Custer Recreation Area provides dedicated trails for equestrian use and camping options accommodating horse owners. The campsites are large with good spacing between sites, creating privacy for campers with trailers. Electric hookups are available at campsites. The park maintains several miles of designated horse trails through diverse terrain. Alcohol is allowed in the camping areas. The recreation area operates year-round, allowing for equestrian camping in multiple seasons. The campground does not have dedicated horse corrals, but the spacious sites accommodate portable corrals and contain areas for tethering horses.
Trail riders access multiple trail systems directly from the camping areas. Fort Custer offers separate trail designations for horses, mountain bikes, and hikers to prevent user conflicts. The park features three lakes with water access points suitable for horses. Trailer parking is available at designated areas near the trailheads. The mountain bike trails are challenging and separate from the horse trails, preventing dangerous encounters between horses and cyclists. Most sites have good shade from mature trees, beneficial for horse comfort during summer months. The park's location near Augusta provides access to additional supplies and services if needed. Fort Custer Recreation Area requires reservations for campsites, particularly during peak summer months when the park experiences higher visitor numbers.
"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."
$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."
"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."
$17 / night
"No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails."
"All rustic sites, horses welcomed, vault toilets, and water pumps. Pay for site by money drop in tube so bring your check book. The lake is great for kayaking. Miles of trails to wander and discover."
"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."
"Confidently located a mile outside of Charlotte, with all the conviences of restraunts, walmart, Meijer etc."
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.
TravelerEly Lake Campground is a County campground in Allegan Michigan. All of the sites are rustic. Here are the bullet points:
First the positives: It is a beautiful rustic campground. We stayed on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake. The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake, however it is ill defined in some places so just keep your eyes peeled for yellow markers on the trees (which are everywhere so you wont get lost).
This place also attracts a lot of equestrian campers and they have trails specifically for horseback riding. So if you have kids that love horses, you may see some on the weekends.
The negatives: It is a wonderful experience until about 10:30 PM on Friday and Saturday night. This place attracts a rowdy crowd and in the evenings (apparently there is no where else for the locals to have a rager). There is loud music , people yelling, fireworks going off and… not very much sleep. And I am not just talking about a few people with their music on -- it was someone blasting their sub-woofer with electronic dance music until 4:45 AM. It was really disappointing because otherwise the experience was positive. Luckily my kids are all deep sleepers so I was the only one who had to sit up all night.
They clean the bathrooms daily from what I can tell, but otherwise the campground is not maintained. There was trash around our site, and when you walk the trail about the lake you will see cigarette packets and beer bottles occasionally. Also along the trail were two massive hornet nests that really should have been removed by park management - but it's clear they don't ever maintain the trail.
If you're willing to overlook some garbage, and if the party people stay away you could have a wonderful camping trip. Allegan County has a beautiful natural resource here, but sadly it seems like it is being squandered, and wont last.
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.
ScoutThis is always my go to campground! All natural camping with plenty of nice people! One word of advise is to bring your own tp though lol they seem to always run out on Sunday mornings lol but are back up and running by mid afternoon. No showers and just outhouses but that's REAL camping right!!!? No power motor lake but there is another lake close by that is. We take the canoe with a trolling motor and hit that as well. Pet friendly. They have horse campsites and trails. Walking trails around the lake that offer nature at it's purest! I have been coming to this lake to camp for over 40 years and I hope I have 40 more years left!!!
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! 🐕🐶
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.
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
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!
Fort Custer Recreation Area near Vicksburg, Michigan offers campsites with electric hookups but no water or sewer connections at individual sites. Located within approximately 20 miles of Vicksburg, the recreation area spans over 3,000 acres with three inland lakes. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-85°F during the day, with cooler evenings around 55-65°F.
Hiking and biking trails: Fort Custer Recreation Area maintains separate trail systems for different users to prevent conflicts. "We hiked on a multi-use trail that the ranger suggested. The blue trail goes around a couple lakes and was wonderful. We did miss a sign or two and ended up turning our 4 mile trip into a 6.5 mile one but there are plenty of spots to rest and enjoy the time," notes Art S. from Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Horseback riding trails: Riders can access dedicated trails at Fort Custer where the terrain varies from wooded areas to open fields. "Michigan State park with large sites and lots of privacy. $25 per 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," shares Janet N.
Lake activities: Multiple lakes offer options for non-motorized water recreation. "We loved it here already with only being here twice! We had an amazing time tent camping it was so quiet!" reports Hannah at Fort Custer Recreation Area. The recreation area's lakes support fishing, swimming, and paddling.
Private, spacious sites: Many equestrian campgrounds near Vicksburg feature well-spaced sites. "We camped on the side with sites 49-73 (specifically site 50) which has larger more secluded sites than the other side of the Lake," writes James K. about Ely Lake Campground, noting its rustic appeal.
Blueberry picking: Some campgrounds offer unique seasonal activities. "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!" shares Cindy B. about Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday.
Shoreline access: Lakes provide recreational opportunities beyond just horseback riding. "The Lake is for non-motorized recreational use so it is mostly used for kayaking and canoeing and fishing. There is about a 1 mile trail that you can walk around the exterior of the Lake," describes James K. at Ely Lake Campground.
Limited facilities at some locations: Not all campgrounds offer full amenities. "There are no bathrooms, just pit toilets. There is no electricity. There is a hand pump for water, although I would recommend bringing your own drinking water because the water from the hand pump is very discolored," explains James K. about rustic camping at Ely Lake.
Evening noise levels vary: Some campgrounds experience late-night activity. "I loved the lack of lights in the park at night making for a beautiful night sky," shares Janet N. about Pokagon State Park, which maintains quieter evening hours than some other area campgrounds.
Dump station lines: Plan extra time for RV services during busy periods. "Since there are no water or sewer hook ups, lines at the dump/fill station can get long," warns Bob B. about Fort Custer Recreation Area, emphasizing the need to time your arrival and departure strategically.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer better facilities for children. "Tons of things to do (playgrounds, lake, beach, hiking, horseback and pony rides etc). The lodge is a nice structure but the food we sampled was mediocre," notes Anand about Pokagon State Park Campground.
Kid-friendly activities: Scheduled events keep younger campers engaged. "This campground never disappoints. Heated pool and lots of activities for kids. Camp with blueberries right outside your door!" shares Amy J. about Covert/South Haven KOA Holiday.
Bug preparation: Some sites require extra insect protection. "Lots need mowing so lots of bugs, bring insect repellent," advises Cathy Y. about Fort Custer Recreation Area, highlighting the importance of proper preparation for outdoor activities with children.
Site selection for horses and RVs: When seeking equestrian camping near Vicksburg, consider site spacing. "Sites are easy to get in and out of with RV/TT," notes Bob B. about Fort Custer Recreation Area.
Hookup limitations: Understand what utilities are available. "Sites have electrical service only. Must use the dump station," explains VB S. about Fort Custer, clarifying expectations for RVers requiring hookups.
Size restrictions: Some campgrounds have limited access for larger rigs. "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven. Bike trail, hiking trails, store, beach, inn, nature center," advises J C. about Pokagon State Park, noting the potential challenges for bigger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Vicksburg, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Vicksburg, MI is Fort Custer Recreation Area with a 4.3-star rating from 44 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Vicksburg, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near Vicksburg, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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