Cedar River North State Forest Campground offers rustic camping sites with riverfront access along the Cedar River in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The campground features 14 sites, half equipped with horse pens designed specifically for equestrians. Located about 30 miles from Wausaukee, Wisconsin, this area provides a secluded experience for riders seeking to explore the North Woods trail system. The campground's access road, while unpaved and occasionally bumpy, remains accessible for vehicles towing horse trailers.
What to do
Horseback riding trails: The equestrian trails at River Park provide excellent riding opportunities with terrain suitable for various experience levels. "The location is beautiful. Each campsite seems to be separated pretty far apart. I couldn't see anyone else from my site," notes Cole M., highlighting the privacy that riders appreciate.
Fishing excursions: Cast for bass in the Cedar River where many sites offer direct water access. Christopher L. reports that River Park has "great little State Forest campground that follows the river. Very few people, extremely quiet, private sites." The quiet setting creates ideal conditions for anglers.
Kayaking: Launch your kayak directly from Chute Pond Park for a day on the water. "This year they also have now available kayaks for rent at $20 per hour," mentions Makenzie S., providing an option for visitors who don't bring their own equipment.
What campers like
Secluded atmosphere: Many equestrian campgrounds near Wausaukee, Wisconsin offer significant privacy between sites. According to Gwynn S. at River Park, "All four campsites on property are far apart and didn't hear neighbors," making it ideal for those seeking quiet retreats with their horses.
Water access: The combination of horse facilities and water recreation makes these campgrounds versatile. David K. shares his experience: "We brought the dogs with; and 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."
Wildlife viewing: The natural setting provides opportunities to observe local wildlife. Multiple campers report seeing birds, small mammals, and hearing coyotes in the early morning hours. The forest setting creates habitat for diverse species typical of the Upper Michigan and Northern Wisconsin ecosystem.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access roads to horse-friendly campgrounds in the area often require careful navigation. Christopher L. notes, "Road is slightly bumpy but completely fine for almost any vehicle to go down," though drivers towing larger trailers should proceed with caution.
Drinking water availability: Most equestrian campgrounds provide basic water access via hand pumps or spigots. Rustic Timbers Door County Camping offers more amenities, with Jeff G. noting, "Friendly staff, clean common area, and nice amenities. The space we had is large, it would fit any RV."
Insects: Be prepared for mosquitoes, particularly during summer months. Christopher L. warns directly that "Mosquitoes are plentiful," which can affect both horses and riders. Bringing appropriate insect repellent for humans and animals is essential.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with playgrounds: Chute Pond Park offers family-friendly amenities beyond horse facilities. Emily K. shares, "They have a little footbridge to fish off of, a playground, and a nice beach. You can rent out kayaks and little boats."
Consider water activities: When planning a horse camping trip with children, select sites that offer swimming options. "Slippery Rock is a waterfall from the river that you can actually slide down. They also have a rock you can jump off as well into water," explains Emily K. about Chute Pond Park.
Check site spacing: For families with horses and children, adequate space becomes crucial. Look for reviews mentioning site size and layout. Pete W. notes about Chute Pond, "sites are nice, a lot of shade on most sites. some sites are harder to back into with long trailers."
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Horse trailers combined with camping units require substantial space. Cole M. cautions, "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."
Utilities considerations: Most horse campgrounds near Wausaukee offer limited hookups. For RVers requiring electricity, Green's Green Acres Campground provides electric hookups while still accommodating horses. However, as David K. notes, "While it may not look like much from the road in the approach, as the photos and some of the signage suggests, this camp is largely centered around music."
Ground surface: Check reviews for information about site surfaces when planning RV setups at horse campgrounds. Kayla M. shares from her experience, "My only complaint is that with dogs it would have been nice to have some grass the entire site was gravel to the tree line."
Traveler
