4.1442 reviewsPrice
$20/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
18 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Price
$20/night
Booking
Walk-in Only
Sites
18 campsites
Season
Year-round
Cell
Unknown
Pets
Check Policy
Cedar River North Equestrian State Forest Campground And Trail Camp
45.5024, -87.3978
Equestrians, paddlers, and tent campers who want riverside sites in actual forest solitude will find a lot here for $20. Cedar River Pathway trails start at camp, several sites sit on the bank, and fall foliage plus low bug pressure makes late September the clear sweet spot. Cash
Summer visits mean serious bugs, multiple reviewers call them relentless, horseflies and ticks included. No showers, no dump station, vault toilets only, and rough access roads that can be impassable for low-clearance vehicles. If self-reliance isn't your mode, this camp will fee
Official information for Cedar River North Equestrian State Forest Campground And Trail Camp from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
Nestled among a forest of mixed hardwoods and conifers, this rustic campground is situated along the winding banks of the Cedar River. The Cedar River Pathway is accessible from the campground and offers opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. The Cedar River offers excellent paddling and fishing opportunities. There are 18 sites available, including 12 sites for tent and small trailer use and 6 sites available for equestrian camping. Each equestrian site has two attached 12’ x 14’ corrals. Camping is limited to a 15-day maximum stay. Amenities include vault toilets and potable water from a hand-pump well. The campground is located 13 miles northwest of Cedar River via Cedar River Road, Westman Dam Road and Schuster Lane. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. View Campground closing and opening dates .
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Fall offers the clearest combination of comfortable weather, peak foliage along the Cedar River, and lower bug pressure. Daytime highs run upper 40s to low 60s°F during peak color (late September into October), with nights in the 30s. Trails and campsites see much less traffic than mid-summer, though early November brings a brief uptick during deer season. Wear blaze orange if you're out then. Summer delivers the full Upper Peninsula insect roster: mosquitoes, horseflies, and ticks heavy enough that nearly every review mentions them. Bring repellent and do tick checks. Winter access is backcountry-only; secondary roads aren't plowed.
Fall provides comfortable temps, peak foliage and lower bug pressure—reviewers favor it.
Rustic equestrian state forest campground with basic, back-to-nature amenities: vault (pit) toilets, a hand-pump well for potable water, picnic tables and fire rings at sites, and no electrical or sewer hookups. Equestrian sites include attached corrals.
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