Equestrian Camping near Wolverine, MI

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    Michigan's equestrian campgrounds provide designated areas for horses and riders near Wolverine. Big Oaks Equestrian State Forest Campground in Atlanta features rustic campsites specifically for equestrians with direct access to trail systems. Non-horse campers are accommodated in sites 1-8, while the remaining areas are reserved for those camping with horses. The campground is surrounded by trees and offers vault toilets but no electricity or water hookups. The campground operates seasonally from May to October and accommodates both tent and RV camping with pets allowed.

    Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp near Grayling provides a more secluded equestrian camping experience with approximately six primitive sites and an open field for horse activities. The campground shows evidence of past logging that has affected its natural character. Vault toilets are available, but the facility lacks drinking water, electrical hookups, and modern amenities. The area has no cellular service coverage, even with Verizon, which is typically the dominant provider in the region. Both campgrounds connect directly to Michigan's extensive network of bridle trails that wind through northern Michigan's forests and provide varied terrain for riders of all experience levels.

    Best Equestrian Campgrounds near Wolverine (10)

      1. Pigeon River State Forest Campground

      4.9(7)11mi from WolverineRVs, Tents

      "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn’t recommend for 6 and under."

      "The shingle mill pathway in Pigeon River State Forest was a nice, quiet trail. Went on a Thursday in June and saw 1 other person over 2 days."

      2. Sturgeon Valley Campground

      5.0(2)2mi from WolverineRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Island lake/Huron River Hudson Mills, Sturgeon River, Pine River MI. Also, Hiawasse River, TN"

      3. Chandler Hill Campground

      5.0(2)7mi from WolverineRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Recommend the on site ATVrental lots of trails to ride"

      4. Gaylord KOA

      3.9(10)22mi from WolverineRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls."

      "The CG is pretty heavily wooded, so access to satellite TV and/or Starlink is highly dependent on location."

      from $61 - $95 / night

      Check Availability

      5. Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

      4.0(2)21mi from WolverineRVs, Tents

      "Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild."

      6. Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground

      3.0(1)31mi from WolverineRVs, Tents

      7. Oscoda County Park

      4.0(5)48mi from WolverineRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "Love this park, right down the street from our family cabin and you get the best views of the Au Sauble river for miles around."

      8. Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp

      1.0(1)36mi from WolverineTents

      9. 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

      4.0(1)47mi from WolverineTents

      "I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas."

      10. Luzerne Express Campground & RV

      3.0(2)48mi from WolverineRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate."

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    Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Wolverine, MI

    1 Photos of 10 Wolverine Campgrounds


    Equestrian Camping Reviews near Wolverine, MI

    33 Reviews of 10 Wolverine Campgrounds


    • Lexi G.
      Jul. 30, 2020

      4-Mile Trail Camp DNR

      Cheap horse camp

      It’s never busy here. I don’t have horses but I’ve seen people stay with horse trailers with their tie outs to the poles that are designed for it. There’s trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well.

    • Dj W.
      Aug. 30, 2023

      Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp

      Small, clearcut all but destroyed, but very secluded

      It was logged off and is essentially destroyed. I think there's 6 "sites" and an open field for equestrian activities.

      Very secluded. Nothing of interest in the nearby area.

      Looks to be seldom used.

      No cell service. Verizon is the dominant service up here. 0 signal.

    • Lydia T.
      May. 13, 2024

      Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground

      A rustic state forest equestrian campground

      A horse campground located directly on trails. Rustic campground with lots of trees. Non horse campers stay in lots 1-8

    • Judy  B.
      Nov. 17, 2020

      Luzerne Express Campground & RV

      All you need in one spot

      The Luzerne Express Campground is literally all you need in one spot. The whole place is incredibly accommodating. Friendly, helpful staff. There is an array of sites available plus RV’s and Cabins for rent so winter camping here is a blast. The area is a trail riders Mecca. From horseback riding to ATV’s. There are horse pens available at the campground for overnight horse camping as well at a very reasonable rate. Walk right off the campground into the Huron National Forest.

    • V
      Jun. 11, 2019

      Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground

      Been going here since I was a kid, still love it.

      Entire camp is rustic with well pumps throughout, also all restrooms are vault toilets. Sinkhole trails within walking distance, beautiful lake with some nice fish. I believe it is a no wake lake so it doesn’t get too wild.

    • Stephanie C.
      Aug. 31, 2017

      Oscoda County Park

      No plans to return to this campground

      This campground is not my favorite, although my husband did not mind staying there. One of the reasons it is not my favorite is because the bathrooms were disgusting. I do not think that they were cleaned the entire four days we were there. They were super-hot and dirty. Another reason I did not care for the campground is because while we were there, my cousin’s dog was taken to doggy jail! We went on a kayaking trip down the Au Sable river and were gone a couple of hours. My cousin has a big dog that was tied to the tree. The dog had water, but must have knocked it over. The weather was not hot, it was in the low 70’s. My uncle’s site was right next door and he was watching the dog. My uncle was preparing dinner and went into the camper to grab what he needed to grill hamburgers and hot dogs. While he was making hamburger patties someone must have walked by and saw that the dog’s water was empty (because the dog knocked it over), that person went to the park attendant and they called animal control. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle said he was in the camper for about 20 mins making patties and getting food ready to grill outside. Apparently, it is not actually animal control that came to get him, it was a person down the street that takes the animals to his home on the weekend when animal control is not open. My uncle came out of the camper and the dog was gone. My uncle was frantic and walked around the entire campground and then went to the front desk. The lady was so rude to my uncle. My uncle is a very nice and funny man and he was just beside himself! My cousin came back from the kayaking trip and my uncle told him what happened. My cousin went to the man’s house that took the dog and had to pay $80 to get him out! It was quite the ordeal. My uncle felt bad because he wasn’t out there the entire time with the dog, but he wasn’t gone that long and it wasn’t that hot outside. My uncle would have seen that the water was empty and would have refilled it. The sites are HUGE and there are some trees, but I would not camp here again. That situation left a bad taste in my mouth and the bathrooms not being cleaned during our stay put me over the edge.

    • Kim L.
      Aug. 28, 2019

      Gaylord KOA

      Very well kept KOA

      While it was pricey at $65 night, we had a very spacious full hookup site within easy walking distance of pool. Shower house was very nice and modern, with 4 shower stalls. Full coin laundry was helpful too! They had kids activities over the 4thof July weekend, and our kid loved it. The KOA is about a 5 min drive to Otsego Lake and the state park, where there's a nice beach and easy lake access. There's also a newly paved bike trail right by the lake for you to log some miles on. Nearby towns of Gaylord and Boyne provided us with plenty to do, and only a couple hours to get to Sleeping Bear sand dunes. We thought this place was worth the expense- big, flat, level sites with fire pit and full hook up. Nice pine trees and plenty of space for kids to play. Did not like the additional fee for kid to get wrist band for jump pillow and mini gold, but did it anyways.

    • Geo D.
      Jun. 19, 2021

      Luzerne Express Campground & RV

      Do not go to this campground if you are expecting a good time.

      This is one of the worst campgrounds I have ever been to. The bathrooms and showers close at 10pm, and the restrooms themselves are nasty, the showers cost $2 (in quarters) for 6 minutes of lukewarm water, the locals are hostile to unfamiliar faces, and to top it off, the rental ATVs and dirt track to ride them on is o ly separated from the campsites by a board fence, so expect to hear all kinds of small engines zipping by at all hours. The RV trailers for rental are all used trailers circa 1995 and "refurbished", which entails a quick coat of interior paint and laminate flooring screwed to the floors with drywall screws. Guests who have rented the RV trailers are instructed to not use the showers in their trailers. Absolutely not worth the money, would rate 0 stars if I could. If you are looking for a camping experience that puts you in the heart of upper Michigan redneck territory, this is the place for you. If you want a good experience, look elsewhere.

    • S
      Sep. 5, 2021

      Gaylord KOA

      Horrible

      The owners were constantly driving around and correcting people. Rules are okay but they were over the top. They would even stop and just stare at our site while we sat outside.. it was very odd. Also not kept up at all. The playground was old and my 30 lb dog slipped out from under the “dog park” fence because it was so high off the ground where they were allowed to be unleashed, luckily we got her and she’s ok.


    Guide to Wolverine

    Equestrian campgrounds near Wolverine, Michigan connect to over 200 miles of bridle trails throughout northern Michigan's forests. The area sits at approximately 900 feet elevation with primarily sandy soil and mixed hardwood forests. Summer temperatures average 75-80°F during peak camping season with occasional thunderstorms and cooler evening temperatures around 55°F.

    What to do

    Trail riding access: At Pigeon River State Forest Campground, riders can explore the adjacent trail system. "The Shingle Mill Pathway runs through the campgrounds which is ideal for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. The river is also great for fly fishing and floating down if you decide to bring a tube," notes Halie C.

    Swimming in sinkholes: Natural sinkholes in the region offer unique swimming spots. "Lots of awesome sink holes to swim in, and even elk sightings. If you can manage to find this place, you will love it," shares Kate K. about the dispersed camping areas in Pigeon River State Forest.

    ATV rental options: For motorized trail enthusiasts, Chandler Hill Campground provides on-site ATV rentals with direct access to riding areas. "Recommend the on site ATV rental, lots of trails to ride," notes Brad F.

    What campers like

    Secluded riverfront sites: Many equestrian campers value the peaceful riverside locations. "I love coming to Pigeon River not only because it is secluded and peaceful, but because there are so many things to do in the area," says Halie C. The riverfront sites allow campers to "fall asleep to [the river] at night."

    Family-friendly amenities: Gaylord KOA offers activities specifically designed for families. "This is a great laid back, family campground. The sites are bigger than other campgrounds in the area," says Lydia T., while another camper mentions, "They had kids activities over the 4th of July weekend, and our kid loved it."

    Rustic camping experience: Equestrian trails near Wolverine provide genuine outdoor experiences. "The sites are all great! Camp along the river if you can. Make sure you have all of your supplies before you arrive as the nearest town is 20+ minutes away," advises Aaron T. about Pigeon River State Forest Campground.

    What you should know

    Cell service limitations: Many horse camping areas have limited or no connectivity. "Bring a map/gps because there is not cell service," warns Aaron T. about Pigeon River. This is consistent throughout the region, with Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground also having minimal service.

    Insect preparation: Biting insects can be problematic, especially in summer. "Beware of the bugs!" warns Halie C. about Pigeon River, while Ian R. mentions "the insane amount of ticks" on trails in the area.

    Water access considerations: Campsites may not always have direct water access. "You can launch your boat and beach it near the campground and your campsite but no direct access that we saw," reports Nicole V. about Shoepac Lake Campground.

    Tips for camping with families

    Safety near water: Rivers in the region can have strong currents. Paul C. advises about Pigeon River: "The river ran along the edge of our site. Highly recommend, but the current is strong so beware if you have little ones. I wouldn't recommend for 6 and under."

    Playground facilities: Sturgeon Valley Campground provides river access for family kayaking trips. "Judy is lovely. River access great. My favorite place to camp and kayak," notes Sue R.

    Spacing between sites: Look for campgrounds with adequate space between campsites. "Sites are well spaced," notes Chris R. about Gaylord KOA, while Holly K. says about Chandler Hill: "Camp sites are nicely spread out and our 4 kids have a ball. They just updated their playground area as well!"

    Tips from RVers

    Site specifications: Equestrian campgrounds often accommodate larger rigs. "You can pick sites on the river or back by the woods. There are vault toilets and a well for water. I've seen people tenting and I've seen people with large fifth wheels. Some sites are only big enough for tents but most sites can fit large RVs," explains Lydia T. about Pigeon River.

    Leveling requirements: Be prepared for uneven terrain at some locations. Ray & Terri F. mention about Gaylord KOA: "Our site had a fair bit of slope side to side, which I mentioned to the person that led us to our site. He said they'd look into it."

    Water access planning: 4-Mile Trail Camp DNR has limited facilities. "There's trails in the surrounding areas. Also water pump and vault toilets. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided as well," shares Lexi G., highlighting the basic amenities available for equestrian campers.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Wolverine, MI?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Wolverine, MI is Pigeon River State Forest Campground with a 4.9-star rating from 7 reviews.

    What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Wolverine, MI?

    TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Wolverine, MI, with real photos and reviews from campers.