There are more than 1,000 miles of state-designated trails open to equestrian riders and 20 plus equestrian-friendly campgrounds located in many Michigan state parks and state forests. Riding stables are available in a handful of southeastern state parks, which offer horse rentals.

• DNR - Horseback Riding
• View DNR map of designated equestrian trails and campgrounds
• http://michiganhorsetrails.com  Comprehensive guide to all trails and public/private campgrounds.

State parks with equestrian trails and amenities

• Bass River Recreation Area – 3 miles of trails are shared with mountain bikes and hikers
• Brighton Recreation Area – 19 miles of trails, riding rentals, a stable, equestrian camping and a staging area
• Fort Custer Recreation Area – 19.1 miles of trails are shared with hiker
• William Field Memorial Hart Montague Trail State Park – 4 miles of trails from mile marker 16 to 20
• Highland Recreation Area – 14.9 miles of trails, riding rentals, a stable and equestrian camping
• Ionia Recreation Area – 15 miles of trails and equestrian camping
• ​Ortonville Recreation Area – 8.5 miles of trails and equestrian camping
• Pinckney Recreation Area – 13 miles of trails, a staging area and a stable
• Pontiac Lake Recreation Area – 17 miles of trails, equestrian camping, riding rentals and a stable
• Proud Lake Recreation Area – 9.5 miles of equestrian/mountain bike trail
• Rockport Recreation Area – 9.2 miles of trails open to equestrians
• Sleepy Hollow State Park – 12.9 miles of trails
• Van Buren Trail State Park – 13 miles of trails
• Waterloo Recreation Area – 17 miles of trails, riding rentals and equestrian camping
• Yankee Springs Recreation Area –10 miles of trails and equestrian camping

 Equestrian-friendly campgrounds:

• 4 Mile Trail Camp
• Big Oaks State Forest Campground
• Black Lake Trail Camp
• Brighton-Equestrian
• Cedar River North State Forest Campground
• Elk Hill Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp
• Garey Lake Trail Camp
• Goose Creek Trail Camp
• Headquarters Lake State Forest Campground
• Highland-Rustic and Equestrian
• Hopkins Creek Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp
• Ionia Equestrian-Rustic
• Johnsons Crossing Trail Camp
• Lake Dubonnet Trail Camp
• Ortonville-Equestrian
• Pontiac-Equestrian
• Rapid River Trail Camp
• Scheck’s Place Trail Camp
• Stoney Creek Trail Camp
• Walsh Road Equestrian State Forest Campground and Trail Camp
• Waterloo-Equestrian
• Yankee Springs-Equestrian

Riding stables with rentals

Riding stables that offer rentals are available in a handful of southeastern Michigan state parks. These facilities are privately operated so prices, hours and regulations will vary by location. The stables include:

• Horse N Around Riding Stable at Waterloo 
• Brighton Recreation Area Riding Stables
• Maybury Riding Stable
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Volunteer efforts

​Many dedicated volunteers help maintain equestrian trails, plan special events and organize clean-up efforts. Michigan state parks are self-supporting and rely on user fees and dedicated volunteers to help protect and preserve these scenic areas. Consider joining the efforts of these important partners:

• Hungerford Trail Riders Association- http://www.hungerfordtrailriders.org/
  
• Muskegon County Trail Rides Assoc. - https://www.facebook.com/groups/141261687780968/
  
• Brighton Trail Riders Assoc.-http://brightontrailriders.net/home.html
  
• Ortonville (OREA)- https://www.hadleyhills.com/
  
• Shiawassee Trail Riders Assoc- NO LINK
  
• Fort Custer Horse Friends Association- https://fchfa.org/
  
• Pinckney Trail Riders Association- http://pinckneytrailriders.com/
  
• Proud Lake Trail Riders Association- https://proudlaketrailriders.org/
  
• Maybury Trail Riders Association- https://www.facebook.com/mayburytrailriders/
  

Please follow all rules! If you have questions about trail etiquette, find your answers here.