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Courtney Lake Equestrian Trail - mdsimpson added this area

Mass City , MI



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The Courtney Lake Equestrian Trail, located on the Ottawa National Forest, offers 14 miles of riding on Forest roads with a sandy surface. The trail is located adjacent to a developed campground, Courtney Lake Campground. Please note horse are NOT allowed in the campground, but the campground offers vault toilets and potable water. The trailhead on FR 1980 offers adequate parking for several horse trailers and is a popular dispersed camping site for horseback riders visiting the trail. Additional trailheads offer access to the trail and the trail is marked with equestrian trail symbols.

An equestrian-only stream crossing in planned for 2017, giving horseback riders access across the West Branch of the Firesteel River, connecting the north and south halves of the trail system.

An equestrian/OHV campground is being planned on State of Michigan lands across the highway from the FR1980 trailhead, with plans to open in the near future.

Many thanks to Mdsimpson for sharing this wonderful horse riding area!

 

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Land manager is Ottawa National Forest – http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ottawa/recarea/?recid=12325

The Courtney Campground is closed to horses – Primitive horse camping is available at the FR 1980 trailhead.

The nearly one million acre Ottawa National Forest provides a wide variety of equestrian opportunities ranging from well maintained roads and trails to the more challenging cross country travel. Except for Sylvania Wilderness and specifically designated hiker only trails, including the North Country National Scenic Trail, the entire Forest is open to horses. This includes open roads, closed, gated and blocked roads unless the road is specifically signed as closed to horses. Horses are not permitted in developed recreation areas, including campgrounds.
Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the Ottawa National Forest, excluding Sylvania Wilderness. Areas that offer dispersed camping opportunities on National Forest Lands include roads and old logging roads, which often have bermed areas set back to allow room for truck and trailer parking. Please do not block roads or gates when camping in dispersed areas and stay limits are 16 days.
Many of the roads and trails on the Ottawa are open to other uses including motor vehicle travel, off highway vehicles, snowmobiles, hikers and mountain bikes, unless otherwise specified. Roads and trails travel through a variety of management areas across the Ottawa National Forest. These areas are managed for a wide range of multiple use activities including recreation, threatened and endangered species, fish and wildlife, water quality and wood products. To help prevent erosion, impacts to threatened and endangered species, archeological sites, or other fragile sources please stay on roads and trails. For more information, please call the Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center at 906-358-4724.