About Ortonville State Recreation Area
Ortonville State Recreation Area spans 5,400 acres across Oakland and Lapeer counties, and its campground is built first and foremost for horse camping. The Ortonville Rustic Equestrian Campground has 21 sites, each with picket poles, a fire ring, and a picnic table, plus a hand pump for water, vault toilets, six horse corrals, and a permanent mounting block.
The campground is reserved primarily for equestrian camping, but it opens to non-equestrian campers from July 1 through August 31 each year. Many sites can accommodate large RVs despite the rustic setup, and a separate rustic cabin — Ortonville Pines, with six triple bunks and two twin beds — sits off the Bloomer Trail for group stays.
Things to Do
Ten miles of designated equestrian trails wind through the park's rolling terrain, making this one of the better horse-camping destinations in southeast Michigan. Non-riders can still use the trail network for hiking, and the park's lakes and woods offer typical day-use recreation like fishing and picnicking beyond the campground itself.
Best Time to Visit
Spring through fall is prime for the equestrian trails, and the campground is open to non-equestrian campers specifically during the July–August window if you want a site without a horse.
Reservation Tips
Because the campground prioritizes equestrian use, non-horse campers should plan their trip for the July 1–August 31 open window and reserve through MiDNRReservations.com well in advance, since the 21-site campground is small relative to demand from the horse-camping community.
Getting There
The park is just outside the village of Ortonville, about 45 minutes northwest of Detroit and a short drive from the Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area.