River Park in Stephenson, Michigan offers four rustic campsites that accommodate horses with ample room for trailers. Situated in the Upper Peninsula near the Wisconsin border, this park provides equestrian-friendly camping along the Menominee River. The park maintains its wilderness character while offering basic amenities like vault toilets and hand pump wells.
What to do
Explore river activities: At Chute Pond Park, visitors can enjoy various water recreation options. "You can rent out kayaks and little boats. There's lots of hiking trails. One trail leads to a scenic overlook and another leads to slippery rock. Slippery Rock is a waterfall from the river that you can actually slide down," shares Emily K.
Visit local waterfalls: The region offers several accessible waterfall experiences within driving distance of Townsend. "The trails that go down towards the falls are really nice and it's a great campground to watch the stars!" notes Shelby N. about the natural attractions at Chute Pond.
Fish in local waters: Fishing opportunities abound throughout the area's rivers and ponds. "The fishing is fantastic. Even a place to ride a tube down a lazy river," mentions Jeremy B. about his experience at Chute Pond Park. Local waters contain various species including panfish and trout.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Campers appreciate the separation between sites at River Park. "Each campsite seems to be separated pretty far apart. I couldn't see anyone else from my site (#2)," notes Cole M. This privacy allows for a more secluded wilderness experience.
Waterfront camping: Many visitors specifically request riverside sites. "We are in site 3 overlooking the River. We will come back again; each site had a trash and fire ring," reports Zachary J. about his Fourth of July stay at River Park.
Natural swimming spots: Marathon County Dells of the Eau Claire Park offers unique water features. "The most epic part of the place is the Eau Claire river with the rocks and mini water falls. In the summertime you will see people all over the rocks swimming/sun bathing/having picnics," explains Raechel S.
What you should know
Road access limitations: Some campgrounds have challenging access roads for larger rigs. "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," warns Cole M. about River Park.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking a back-to-basics experience, Underdown Campground offers truly primitive sites. "No running water, no bathrooms, no crowded plots. It's as primitive as can be. Very ample space except near the water," explains Wade W.
Seasonal considerations: Most horse campgrounds near Townsend, Wisconsin have limited operating seasons. "The weekends are busy there all summer long," notes Raechel S. about Marathon County Dells, which operates from May to October. Spring visitors may encounter high water and ice breakup.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation opportunities: Families appreciate campgrounds with swimming and water activities. "They have a little footbridge to fish off of, a playground, and a nice beach," says Emily K. about Embarrass River Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to spot local wildlife. "We seen deer while riding through the trails," reports Matthew J. about Embarrass River Campground's wooded areas.
Glass hazards: Some campsites require inspection before setup. "There was a good amount of broken glass and some trash at site 2, so be careful if you have little ones or dogs," warns Gwynn S. about her experience at River Park.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: RV campers should verify utility connections before booking. "Sites include a fire pit, long camping table, and trash can. Was very spacious and could fit a camper with a tent easily," notes Gwynn S. about River Park's site 2.
Site accessibility: At Green's Green Acres Campground, RV campers find adequate space. "Ok, large area," notes Robert F. about the RV sites, though the campground isn't suitable for big rigs.
Dump station locations: Some campgrounds offer sanitary dump facilities. "They recently updated the sites to have electric. They do have RV sites with full hookups," explains Matthew J. about the facilities at Embarrass River Campground.
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