Cedar River North State Forest Campground and River Park offer excellent equestrian camping opportunities in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, about 45 miles northeast of Ephraim, Wisconsin. This region features glacial terrain with mixed hardwood forests and numerous rivers at elevations ranging from 580-650 feet above sea level. Several campgrounds in the area accommodate horses with dedicated corrals and access to trail systems that connect to broader networks.
What to do
Trail riding: Cedar River North State Forest Campground offers equestrian trails that double as ski trails in winter. Christopher L. describes it as "a great little State Forest campground that follows the river. Very few people, extremely quiet, private sites."
Fishing opportunities: The Cedar River offers good fishing access. As Lauren B. notes, "the river is a great place for catching bass." Bring your fishing gear and appropriate licenses for Michigan waters.
River activities: River Park in Stephenson provides water access for boating. David K. shares, "we were able to kayak and fish along the river within view of our campsite. Some of the sites themselves are elegantly perched above the riverbank and give you a great view overlooking the mini rapids."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At River Park, campers appreciate the spacing. Eric S. mentions, "Plenty of space at each of the sites," while David K. notes, "Each site is a good distance away from the nearest one so you do feel more remote as you camp."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting attracts various animals. Gwynn S. reports, "We found lots of wildlife but the best was cute little tree frogs!" This adds to the natural camping experience.
Water proximity: Washington Island Campground offers unique water-adjacent camping. Mary H. shares, "The campsites are in a beautiful forest," while the island location provides "lots to do and see" including beaches around the perimeter.
What you should know
Road conditions: Forest roads to horse camping areas can be challenging. Cole M. warns about Cedar River North: "I would not recommend this campground for anyone with a larger camper. I have a 38' long, 12'+ tall bumper pull and was scraping the roof on trees and struggled to get backed into the site."
Ferry transportation: For Washington Island, you'll need to take a ferry. Kelly G. notes, "The ferry ride was easy to navigate and when we arrived we were able to just drive right on. Even with our 13'2" clearance they easily accommodated us."
Limited amenities: Bathroom facilities vary widely. At River Park, Eric S. notes, "Vault toilets were clean, centrally located and close to the hand pump well," while at Washington Island, Ronald G. cautions, "The bathrooms unfortunately do not match the upscale vibe of the campground. They were dirty, tons of sand tracked in, poorly maintained."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Rustic Timbers Door County Camping offers family-friendly facilities. Linda N. says, "The newer playground is now open/free and includes a pickleball court, which was enjoyed by everyone. There is also a nice little convenience store and a bar/restaurant with a patio that overlooks the play area."
Beach access: Look for campgrounds with water features. At Bay Shore Park, Jennifer S. mentions, "There is a lot to do for kids a great play area, swimming, fishing, boating etc."
Seasonal activities: Timing matters for family trips. Kayla M. shares her experience at Rustic Timbers: "They had a live band all day Saturday until 9:15 and it made it difficult to get our 4 year old to nap/go to bed even with 2 sound soother on high and a fan running but I will say the band looked fun!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection: At Bay Shore Park, Nikki & Mike note, "The electric and water hookups were on opposite sides of the site, and we had to keep adjusting the travel trailer to get both to actually hook up."
Weather considerations: Prepare for mud after rain. Nikki & Mike continue, "The ground was a sandy-dirt, which wasn't too bad at first, but after an overnight rain it was a muddy mess."
Size limitations: For horse camping with RVs, select your campground carefully. Zachary J. confirms that Cedar River North has sites that "had a trash and fire ring" and are large enough for modest setups, but larger rigs may struggle with access.
Traveler
