Horseback Riding

Explore the equestrian way
Explore beautiful Northern Michigan on horseback on scenic trail rides through a wide variety of terrain. Depending on the area, trail rides explore forests, meadowlands, scenic pinelands, wetlands and lakeshores. Enjoy a relaxing guided trail ride at a local stable, resort or campground. You also can share the experience of a working horse ranch on a casual western retreat for a week. Learn how to care for horses and ride, or perfect your riding skills with specialized instructional lessons. Quality horseback riding for all levels of experience is available.

Riding Stables:

Trail Camps

Garey Lake Trail Camp
Traverse City Field Office: (231) 922-5280
Benzie County - 8 miles SE of Empire via M-72, Plowman Rd & Pettengill Rd
Group area designed for use by equestrian campers riding the Shore to Shore Riding/Hiking Trail. Non-equestrian campers welcome too. Maximum capacity is for 200 individuals and can accommodate tents and small trailers. Campground is located on Garey Lake which offers good pan fishing. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump. Lake Ann (9 miles SE) and Honor (12 miles SW).

Hopkins Creek Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp
Cadillac Operations Service Center:(231) 824-3591.
Missaukee County - 5.5 miles North of Arlene via M-42 and Lucas Road.
Campground is located adjacent to Shore to Shore Riding/Hiking Trail and is designed to accommodate equestrian campers. Non-equestrian campers are also welcome. There are 23 designated sites for tent and small trailer use available on the first come, first serve basis. The group area has a maximum capacity is for 108 individuals and can accommodate tents and small trailers. Manton (11 miles SW) and Fife Lake (12 miles North).

Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp
Traverse City Field Office: (231) 922-5280
Grand Traverse County - 4.5 miles NW of Interlochen via M-137, US-31 and Wildwood Rd.
Group area designed for use by equestrian campersriding the Shore to Shore Riding/Hiking Trail. Non-equestrian campers welcometoo. Maximum capacity is for 200 individuals and can accommodate tents andsmall trailers.  Campground is nearLake Dubonnet State Forest Campground. Rustic campground includes vault toiletsand potable water from well hand pump. There is also a submersible pump thatrequires a 5000 watt generator.

Luzerne National Forest Trail Camp
Mio Ranger Station: (989) 826-3252
107 McKinley Drive, Mio, MI 48647
The Luzerne Trail Camp is located in Oscoda County, Michigan. The nearest community is Luzerne, about 3 miles North. The Luzerne Trail Camp is located along the Michigan Shore-to-Shore hiking and horse riding trail. Maintained primarily by the Michigan Trail Riders Association, the Luzerne Trail camp features beautiful stands of oak and maple and offers a variety of wildlife for hikers and horseback riders. In order to keep the trail camp beautiful, visitors are asked to pack out what they pack in. 10 campsites and group campsite.

McKinley Naitonal Forest Trail Camp
Forest Service Road 4004, McKinley, Mio, MI 48647
(989) 826-3252
The McKinley Trail Camp is located in Oscoda County, Michigan. The nearest community is Mio, about 9 miles west. This large trail camp is one of several campgrounds on the Shore-to-Shore trail. Used primarily by horseback riders, the camp is available throughout the year for hunting, backpacking, biking, and general camping. The campground can easily accommodate large groups.

Scheck's Place Trail Camp
Traverse City Field Office: (231) 922-5280
12 miles SW of Williamsburg via Williamsburg Rd, Supply Rd & Brown Bridge Rd
Group area designed for use by equestrian campers riding the Shore to Shore Riding/Hiking Trail. Non-equestrian campers welcome too. Maximum capacity is for 200 individuals and can accommodate tents and small trailers. Campground is near Scheck's Place State Forest Campground along the Boardman River. Mayfield (4 miles SW) and Traverse City (14 miles NW).

South Branch National Forest Trail Camp
Huron Shores Ranger Station, Oscoda, MI 48750 (989) 739-0728
South Branch Trail Camp is located in Iosco County, Michigan. The nearest community is South Branch 5 miles to the west and Hale 10 miles to the south. South Branch Trail Camp serves the 240-mile Michigan Shore-to-Shore Riging and Hiking Trail. The camp primarily serves campers with horses usin the trail system, however anyone is welcome. South Branch Trail Camp is adjacent to the South Branch River which contains brown trout and is with 1.5 miles of Loud Dam on the Au Sable River. There are many places for horses to rest and campers to recreate.