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Ortonville Equestrian Campground offers horse-friendly camping within the Ortonville Recreation Area, providing direct access to the park's network of equestrian trails. The campground features basic amenities for horses and riders, with toilets and drinking water available on-site. Sites accommodate tents and RVs, though electric hookups are not provided. Campfires are permitted in designated rings at each site, which includes a picnic table. The campground remains open year-round with a rustic camping experience that appeals to equestrians seeking trail riding opportunities. Sites are primarily accessed via drive-in, and alcohol is permitted within the campground area. The extensive trail system accommodates equestrians, with well-maintained paths suitable for daily rides.
Located in Oakland County, the trails connect to broader regional riding networks that feature varied terrain suitable for different skill levels. Ortonville's equestrian trails wind through wooded areas that provide scenic riding experiences throughout all seasons. Horse owners should bring their own water containers for their animals as hookups are not available directly at campsites. Trailer parking is available near the camping area, providing convenient access to both camping facilities and trailheads. The campground is particularly well-known for its equestrian-focused design, with adequate space for horse trailers at the camping areas. Riders appreciate the natural setting that includes multiple trail options directly accessible from the camping area. Trail conditions are maintained year-round, though seasonal weather can affect accessibility, particularly during spring thaw or after heavy rainfall when some trail sections may become temporarily restricted.
"The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit."
"Always a great local retreat away from our hectic daily life. Don’t have to travel far to find some nature. Most sites generously sized, hookups available, clean restrooms."
"Addison Oaks is a campground that features hiking and mountain biking trails, campground, cabins, disc golf course, and a lake for boating."
"The grounds are huge with bike/hike trails, a lake and a disc golf course. Mountain biking seems to be very popular there are dirt trails off the paved hiking loop."
"Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store."
"An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible."
from $22 / night
Check Availability"This is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn.."
"Great time to unplug and just enjoy our surroundings and begin to learn our own creativity!"
"This is one of our family's favorite close to home sites. Extra large camp sites, lots of room for the kids to run around. Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding."
"There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.)"
"Wish there was a few additional water filling points and that the dumpsters were all located near the camp entrance/exit. But really nothing to complain about. "
"Campground Review: Bishop Lake is a great campground located in the middle of the Brighton Rec Area. The upper and lower campgrounds are both modern, with every site including electric."
"Great family place with paved and dirt biking/hiking trails. Very nice beach with grass and sand. There are 2 areas of inflatables, one of them is for the little kids 48 in. and under."
from $17 - $90 / night
Check Availability"The campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings."
"Large play areas, dog run, basketball court, lots of walking trails, and family friendly."
"The location is pretty great, off the beaten path but, within 30 minutes of major stores and conveniences. "
"Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me."
"Nice campgrounds easy to get around and my children loved it"
LegendThe campground here is actually a quite popular equestrian campground. There is a campground and a staging area. Rustic vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. The campground itself isn’t really much to write home about (unless you have horses that is). The lakes and launches are however very nice and there are some great trail systems through the area.
GuideVery nice sites. Wooded and up north feel. Great hiking and world class mountain bike trails. Nice big lake. Only drawback is you must drive to the lake or hike 1.8 miles through the woods on a trail to get there. No camp store. Equestrian trails and I hear they have a remote control airplane field and shooting range.
TravelerFriendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me.
LegendThis is a typical fairground campground with open grassy areas for campsites surrounded by barns and tracks. The fairgrounds is located just off I-94 which makes for easy entrance and exit to the campground, but, means there is lots of road noise. Close by are plenty of stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. In fact, there is a gap in the fence that runs around the fairgrounds allowing you to walk to a Walmart, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and more.
We arrived without a reservation and the women in the office was very helpful providing a map with all available sites during our stay and letting us choose which one we wanted. One of the first things you notice is that a number of people are here long-term so we went to the back area hoping it would be quieter and less crowded. A number of the campsites are “buddy” sites meaning your patio opens to your neighbors so be careful which one you pick. This is pretty undesirable when the neighbor is a total stranger so we chose a site where we didn’t have anyone next to us.
They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options. There is a dump station located in the middle of the park which is easy to get to. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV. The sites are level but some lack grassy making the patio pretty dusty or muddy. Unfortunately, where we were was pretty muddy just after a light rain. This campground works best for RV’s and not tents. For tenters there is a designated section that is set in a corner of the park with large trees for shade but not much privacy between you and others. A water spigot is in the tent area and there was one picnic table. The camp office sells firewood but we only saw two fire pits in the whole park. Be aware that noise from the interstate and nearby train tracks may make for a restless night. Bathrooms are centrally located in the campground and were old and tired but relatively clean. On-site laundry is available.
Apparently, management is having some issues with campers not obeying some of the rules. One of the sad things about this campground is that campers have to be reminded to clean up after their dogs. Apparently, it is such an issue that we got a letter stating that if you don’t pick up your dogs poop you would be asked to leave. How sad is that? There is free WiFi which worked pretty well. Upon checking in, we had to sign a piece of paper stating that we would not download copyrighted material or stream movies or we would be asked to leave.
My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more. Overall, this campground was fine for the few nights we were here and close to the attractions we wanted to visit. We never felt unsafe even though it was close to major cities. We chose this campground because we wanted to go to Ann Arbor and Dearborn and it was a very convenient location.
Pros:
· Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn
· Close to interstate for easy access
· Long, level sites that will fit any RV
· Community garden you can pick from vegetables
· Stores and restaurants are nearby (some within walking distance)
Cons:
· Lots of road noise from I-94
· No trees for shade or privacy
· Would not recommend for tent camping
· Many campers are long-term
· “Buddy” campsites with patios facing each other
GuideThis is another great scout ing campground with cabins, rustic camping, tent sites, lakes, horses to ride, this is one HUGE camp ground for scouts to enjoy and learn..
ScoutA very quiet campground. The sites are spread out and only 2 vehicles per site are allowed. The East campground is more open and had 3 small cabins that can be rented. The West camping is more wooded and isolated. An extensive horse back riding trail system and MTB trails are easily accessible.
TravelerThis was our first time camping. The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great. We brought our own kayaks but they do rent boats. We saw deer and rabbit. Our spot #18 I felt was spacious and not to close to the people next to us and trees behind us. We had privacy and it was quiet. The people we did talk to were all very friendly. We heard the showers were decent but we used our own. I would stay again.
ScoutThis is a fabulous campground! There are over 20 sites, about half of which are located lake side (not directly on the lake, but there are little paths that lead you there and you can somewhat see the water from these sites.) There is a boat launch on one end of campground and the amazing beach on the other. The water is clear and warm (perfect lake for swimming) and there is both sand and grassy areas on the fairly large beach. The beach also offers picnic tables and benches. The only negative aspect I can see about this campground is that the sites are right on top of each other, so if you have a loud group or a generator next to you, it is noisy. But most campgrounds have sites set real close together, so you will find this pretty much everywhere. Def camp here! About an hours drive from a Pictured Rocks National Park. There are no showers or running water. Camp hosts were very nice, helpful, & welcoming.
RangerCampground Review:
Bishop Lake is a great campground located in the middle of the Brighton Rec Area. The upper and lower campgrounds are both modern, with every site including electric. There are two rustic campgrounds as well down the road. When we went to go get a campsite (you can reserve online for an $8 fee) they told us that the upper campground would be the better choice, due to the heavy rain that had come through earlier. It was the perfect choice! Our campsite was spacious, with a few pine trees for shade. If you have a hammock, the outer edge of campsites would be perfect. Only downside to our campsite was the distance between the picnic table and the fire pit. The bathrooms and showers are in the lower campground, but it’s a 5 minute walk or 30sec drive to them. They were clean, stocked with toilet paper and the showers were warm. There’s a ton of hiking trails, a boat launch and boat rental, as well as the beach and inflatable water park. Overall a great little nature spot in the middle of the Brighton area.
Gear Review: As a ranger for The Dyrt, I sometimes get sent awesome gear that I could use and try for my upcoming trip. This time I got to try the equinox hoodie from Eclipse Sun Products (https://eclipseglove.com/collections/all-eclipse-sun-products/products/equinox-hoodie-beach-cover-up). This hoodie is super super lightweight, and the open sides allow for a nice breeze on hot days. Of course, their main feature is the 50+ UPF fabric used in not just the hoodie, but all of Eclipses sun products. I am a melanoma survivor, so having something lightweight, but protective, is so great. It’s one size fits all, and while it fits me great at 5’5, I have also heard from other taller people that it fits them great as well. It does the job well, and while I live in Michigan and it only got to about 75°, I could feel it keeping the sun off my skin. Totally recommend the equinox hoodie!!
Ortonville Equestrian Campground serves trail riders with basic facilities in a natural setting. The campground connects to extensive trail networks designed for horseback riding throughout Ortonville Recreation Area. Riders access varied terrain year-round, though spring thaw and heavy rainfall can affect trail conditions. The rustic sites accommodate both tents and RVs without electric hookups, providing drinking water, toilets, and designated campfire rings.
Fishing opportunities: Seven Lakes State Park offers multiple lakes perfect for anglers. "The campground has a private lake that's good for swimming and fishing," explains Holly S. The water quality is exceptional, as Andy B. notes: "Sand Lake was our spot and the water was breath taking - it's a small pond really, but great for kayaking. Crystal clear, clean water."
Hiking trail exploration: Highland State Recreation Area features extensive hiking options through diverse terrain. "The natural scenery is STUNNING with fields of flowers and trees. We ran up on a group of probably 70 wild turkeys on the trail!" shares Adrienne C. The park maintains "extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding" according to Jennifer H.
Winter activities: For cold-weather equestrian camping near Washington, Michigan, winter trails remain accessible. At Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, Christine A. notes, "This is one of the best areas for hiking and biking and kayaking and swimming." The recreation area stays open year-round, providing winter riding options when conditions permit.
Privacy between sites: Many riders appreciate secluded camping areas when bringing horses. Pontiac Lake Recreation Area delivers: "The sites aren't super far away from each other but there are trees between sites so from most of the sites you can't really see your neighbors," explains Sarah P. Christie V. adds, "Very nice sites. Wooded and up north feel."
Access to water recreation: At Seven Lakes State Park Campground, equestrians can relax after trail rides with water activities. Maggie M. states, "Seven Lakes has a great hike that takes you all around the lake, as well as smaller loops. You can find challenging hikes or an easy path. Sunrise is stunning here." Karen C. confirms: "The park has a beautiful 2.5 mile trail around the lake that makes this campground great."
Clean facilities: Addison Oaks County Park maintains well-kept amenities. Joe S. reports, "I enjoyed the trails, disc golf and overall wonderful Park staff! Extremely clean and well-kept." Gary E. agrees: "Always been a great trip. Good sites I have stayed in both area B and C. Great hiking trails easy access. Friendly staff."
Mosquito and tick presence: Be prepared for insects when equestrian camping. At Pontiac Lake, Kristina J. warns, "There are tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray. Also make sure that all food and garbage is secure at night, the raccoons have no fear."
Trail conditions vary seasonally: Highland Recreation Area trails change with weather. Jennifer H. notes, "Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Lovely little no wake lake perfect for swimming, fishing or paddling." Plan accordingly for mud after rain.
Site spacing considerations: For those seeking space between campsites, Bishop Lake Campground may present challenges. John K. reports, "The campground is nice with good access to bikes, trails, water, beach. Unfortunately the sites are on top of each other and very loud."
Kid-focused recreation: Oakland County Addison Oaks provides activities beyond horseback riding. Tim & Nancy C. describe: "We stayed in area A in a water/electric site. It was a Boo Fest weekend. Lots of socially distanced activities for the kids and a scavenger hunt (finding clues on signs in park to solve a mystery)."
Swimming beaches: Beach access enhances family equestrian trips. Tim & Nancy continue, "There 26 miles of bike trails and hiking. Many in park are paved. Also a disc golf course." This variety keeps children entertained.
Playground facilities: Addison Oaks County Park includes play areas. Wendy K. reports, "Tons of trails for hiking and biking. They have kids activities on the weekends, a lake for swimming, great playgrounds and everything is really clean."
Paved sites available: RVers seeking stability will find solid options. Ron E. from Addison Oaks County Park shares, "Nice quick weekend retreat campground. Cement pads, water, and electric. Loop C is spacious with some trees."
Leveling preparation: At Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park, staff helps with positioning. According to David J., "The staff is pretty helpful. They take you to the campsite and assist guiding you in. Full hook ups are available, as are partial h/I'd and tent spaces."
Site selection strategy: When traveling with horses, trailer parking matters. William E. recommends Wayne County Fairgrounds: "Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Washington, MI?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Washington, MI is Addison Oaks County Park with a 4.5-star rating from 13 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Washington, MI?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Washington, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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