Wayne County offers several equestrian-friendly recreation areas with trails and campgrounds. Located in southeastern Michigan, this region maintains multiple state and county parks designed for horse owners at elevations ranging from 580 to 1,050 feet. Equestrian camping options include both dedicated horse facilities and multi-use recreation areas with specific accommodations for horses and their owners.
What to do
Trail riding at Highland State Recreation Area: This park features extensive bridle paths across varied terrain. The park maintains privacy between sites despite being popular. "The rustic campground features extra large campsites with room for horses and equipment, providing privacy and ample space for equestrian setups," notes one visitor.
Explore historical sites on horseback: Highland State Recreation Area connects riders to historic locations. "Trails connect riders to different parts of the park, including Haven Hill, a historic site formerly used as the Ford family summer retreat," states a review. The trails offer diverse natural scenery for riders of all experience levels.
Attend equestrian events: Competitive events happen regularly at Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park. As William E. describes, "I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me." These events occur throughout the camping season from April to October.
What campers like
Direct trail access: Most campers appreciate the convenience of reaching trails without trailering. "Horse owners can access designated equestrian trails directly from the camping areas," mentions a frequent visitor to Highland Recreation Area.
Spacious sites for equipment: Hell Creek Ranch & Campground offers ample space for horse trailers and equipment. Ashley S. notes, "Openings to Pinckney State trails right on property and all sorts of lakes, parks and small town downtown areas for food and shopping nearby, H.C.R.C. was a hidden gem."
Clean facilities: Many equestrian campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. Lisa D. from Hell Creek Ranch reports, "The big pool and bathrooms were immaculate, with surrounding patio furniture sanitized nightly. The site we had was very large and pretty level."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: Check opening dates as campgrounds have varying seasons. At Wayne County Fairgrounds, Mike M. discovered, "I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season." Most equestrian facilities operate from April through October.
Varying levels of amenities: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area offers more rustic options. Mary H. advises, "If you are hoping to hook up to electrical, bring extension cords; some hook ups are exceptionally far away from the designated RV parking pad."
Insect preparation: Horse campgrounds can have significant insect activity. "There are tons of mosquitoes and ticks, so make sure you bring bug spray," warns Kristina J. about Pontiac Lake. Insect repellent for both horses and humans is essential during summer months.
Tips for camping with families
Water activities: Brighton Recreation Area offers swimming options for families with horses. "The lake you can rent kayaks, paddle boards, row boats or paddle boats. They offer all types of camping," shares Melissa M.
Kid-friendly amenities: Several equestrian campgrounds include playgrounds. Jillian E. states, "Such a cool place to enjoy with the kids, we had a blast at Jump Island!" This water attraction at Brighton Recreation Area provides entertainment after a day of riding.
Plan for noise levels: Consider campground atmosphere when traveling with children. At Brighton's Bishop Lake Campground, 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."
Tips from RVers
Space considerations: Seven Lakes State Park Campground accommodates larger rigs with horse trailers. "Sites and facilities are well maintained. Sites tend to slope towards Sand Lake so have leveling blocks if that's important to you," advises Edward C.
Hookup availability: Most equestrian campgrounds offer varied hookup options. At Seven Lakes, sites feature electric but not all have water. Holly S. notes, "The sites are decently sized with most being easily gotten into with an RV."
Site selection strategy: For maximum privacy when camping with horses, select wisely. Neil T. shares about Seven Lakes, "Our site: 39. Could drive circles around inside it. Even has a tree in the middle of it with room to drive all the way around it(not with a trailer)."
