Hovey Lake Equine Trailhead offers rustic dispersed camping in the eastern Upper Peninsula's Hiawatha National Forest. Located approximately 7 miles from Wetmore, Michigan, this area sits at an elevation of about 850 feet in a mixed hardwood forest dotted with wetlands. The region typically experiences warm summers with highs in the 70s and cold winters with significant snowfall, making late spring through early fall the primary camping season.
What to do
Trail riding exploration: The equestrian trail system provides access to miles of forest paths with varying difficulty levels. "Great site located between two lakes. In response to the previous review, your best directions will come from locating the site on your GPS (in our case Google Maps) and dropping a pin," notes Ben L. about Ironjaw Lake Dispersed Campsite, which connects to the broader trail network.
Lake recreation: Multiple small lakes surround the camping areas, offering fishing and paddling opportunities. "We did have to clear a bunch of down trees to get down the road but we had the site and the lakes to ourselves. It was gorgeous," reports Willow M. about her experience at Ironjaw Lake, where both Ironjaw and nearby Swan Lake provide water access.
ATV and snowmobile trails: Seasonal motorized recreation routes connect throughout the forest. "Great campground! Book early to get a spot. It's clean, quiet and caters to riders. It has direct trail access from the property, and they provide a free ORV hand washing station and air for tires," explains Erika P. about Jack Pine Lodge and Campground, located about 15 miles from Hovey Lake.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: The dispersed nature of camping areas provides separation from other campers. "I love that the campsites are not on top of each other and there are trees between the neighboring campsite. They cut tree branches to clean open spots for RVs," notes Erika P. about the spaciousness at Jack Pine Lodge and Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The forest setting offers opportunities to observe local animals. "At times the night was eerily silent, at other times I heard dirt bikes and tractor trailers in the distance, also heard a pack of coyotes at one point and pretty sure I heard some sort of padfooted animal walk by my site once or twice," describes Kevin D. about his experience at Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping.
Central location: The area provides access to multiple Upper Peninsula destinations. "In the middle of the National Forest, smack in the middle of the UP. Everything is about 45 minutes away, but you'll get an amazing night sky and great camping hosts," shares Simone N. about Jack Pine Lodge's strategic location.
What you should know
Limited amenities: Most equestrian campgrounds near Wetmore require self-sufficiency. "Sites are fairly spacious but don't have any of the hookups or amenities mentioned on the site profile - some do have rudimentary fire pits though. There are 3 sites in total. Ground is flat enough to comfortably tent camp," reports Kevin D. about Hickey Marsh.
Seasonal insects: Prepare for mosquitoes and biting flies during summer months. "This is a great spot, very private and easy to access. T-Mobile cell services was very good. I would warn though that the mosquitoes were pretty bad when we visited," advises Amy Y. about Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping.
Cell service variability: Coverage depends on carrier and exact location. "Don't expect any Verizon cell coverage here. Sites are nice and large, staff is friendly and the bar has good food," notes Hannah about Jack Pine Lodge, while others report good coverage with other carriers in nearby areas.
Tips for camping with families
Cabin alternatives: For those wanting more comfort while maintaining trail access. "Clean, sites are level. I was charged $45 for a site with electricity. A site without is $35 or at least this is what I was asked to pay. Host is friendly," shares Arash F. about Catchin' Crickets Campground, which offers both tent sites and cabins.
Safety considerations: Remote locations require extra preparation. "We lost all service, were on dirt roads and we were miles past any signs of civilization... We decide there are far too many creepy signs pointing towards this not being a good idea," cautions Bella G. about her experience attempting to locate Ironjaw Lake, highlighting the importance of clear directions and daylight arrival.
Pet-friendly options: Many equestrian campgrounds welcome dogs alongside horses. "I enjoyed my visit here. Clean and quiet camping, friendly workers. We were the only tenters but didn't stop us! Great place to bring a friendly dog. Plenty of space/other dogs here," mentions Hannah P. about Jack Pine Lodge and Campground.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Most horse campgrounds near Wetmore accommodate smaller to mid-sized rigs. "Just want an overnight stay and are self contained it's perfect. We pulled in a 15 foot trailer and turned it around but wouldn't go much bigger," advises Naomi L. about site constraints at Hickey Marsh Dispersed Camping.
Seasonal access: Forest roads may have seasonal restrictions or conditions. "We only found 2 pull in sites and took the first one. We were able to back our 26 foot travel trailer in and stay hooked up to it. There was only 1 car drive by in 2 days," reports Tim about the quiet but limited parking at Hickey Marsh.
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