Equestrian camping near Westland, Michigan offers several options for both day riding and overnight stays with horses. The terrain around Westland features a mix of meadows, wooded trails and glacial hills across the surrounding recreation areas. Most campgrounds in the region sit at elevations between 800-1,000 feet above sea level, with temperature ranges typically between 25-85°F depending on season.
What to do
Trail riding through varied terrain: Pontiac Lake Recreation Area connects to extensive trail networks through its 3,745-acre property. "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," notes Christie V.
Swimming in natural lakes: Seven Lakes State Park offers crystal-clear water ideal for cooling off after a day on horseback. "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, a good public beach," shares Andy B.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many local trails provide opportunities to spot deer, wild turkeys and other wildlife. At Highland State Recreation Area, one camper reports, "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!"
What campers like
Spacious sites for horse trailers: Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park accommodates larger vehicles and trailers. "They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV," explains Nancy W.
Privacy between campsites: Several campgrounds offer good separation between sites. At Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, campers appreciate the natural buffers: "The spots are all pretty private due to trees and vegetation. Nice fire pit. Water hookup and dump on site," notes Sam H.
Convenient trail access: Bishop Lake Campground provides good connections to local riding trails. "This is a larger state park with full size sites for RVs. There is electric on each site along with fire rings and picnic tables," says Mike B., while another reviewer mentions the "Nice walking trails" and lake for outdoor activities.
What you should know
Limited dedicated equestrian facilities: Most campgrounds lack permanent horse amenities. At Hell Creek Ranch & Campground, "Direct connections to the Waterloo Pinckney trail system" are available according to Jason F., but you'll need to bring your own portable corral equipment.
Seasonal availability: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park is closed seasonally as one camper discovered: "I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season."
Bug preparation essential: Insect protection is critical for both horses and riders. At Brighton Recreation Area, one camper warns: "There are TONS of mosquitos."
Tips for camping with families
Multi-activity options: Oakland County Addison Oaks offers various activities beyond horseback riding. "Nice park, family friendly, very clean and maintained. Bike and boat rental, children's playground and activities. Hiking and biking trails," says tim O.
Beach access considerations: Many families appreciate the swimming options after riding. At Bishop Lake Campground, families enjoy that "The lake has water activities you can pay extra for if you would like to do that."
Plan for varying trail difficulty: Trails range from beginner to advanced, requiring careful planning for family rides. At Highland State Recreation Area, "Extensive trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding" are available, making it suitable for riders of different experience levels.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: At Highland Recreation Area, hookup positioning can be challenging. "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," advises Mary H.
Site selection strategy: Choose sites carefully based on your equestrian needs. At Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, "Because it's a state park, they have fresh drinking water, would for bonfires in private spots. This is one of the best areas for hiking and biking and kayaking and swimming," according to Christine A.
Access considerations: RVers should note terrain challenges at some locations. For Wayne County Fairgrounds, "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."
