Courtney Lake

Courtney Lake is in the Western U.P. in the Ottawa National Forest near Mass City, MI. This is a gorgeous area and a very nice campground. It is wooded, lovely, borders the lake and has only recently been opened to those who are camping with horses. The 6 sites open to horse camping are large and mainly level. Sites 1, 4 and 5 have two nice size corrals with easy access gates. Sites 2, 3 and 6 have one large 13×22 corral. There are drinking water faucets throughout camp, you cannot attach a hose to them, but it’s nice, fresh water for you and your horses. There are vault toilets throughout, new fire rings, a lantern hook and picnic tables at each site. There is a new staging area that was built in 2025, when you are heading towards camp, turn left instead of right to find this new day trailhead. Connector trails are in the works for the new day staging area.

Prepare to be wowed by the campground loop after you tack up to hit the trail.  This trail goes through the campground, around Courtney Lake and borders Six Mile Lake (good for watering). It is a stunningly gorgeous ride full of old growth trees. The fall leaf color change would make it even prettier. The Courtney Lake trail system has both non-motorized and motorized trails, they are mostly well marked, and you can ride them all. There are nearly 18 miles of equestrian trail. The trail system used to be divided into north and south by the West Branch Firesteel River, but the forest service has created a beautiful non-motorized river crossing which now connects the entire trail system. This crossing is not to be missed and has some great elevation.

If you cross highway 38, you will find state land that you can also ride. These state forest logging roads greatly increase the riding in this area. There are certainly plenty of two-tracks available on either side of the highway for those who drive their horses.

The Rousseau Bar is located near the campground south on Dishneau Rd and would be a fun ride. It does include some quiet, paved road riding, go as far south as you can on the trail system before heading out to Dishneau Rd. The bar is rich with history and there’s not a level spot in it. In fact, the hump heading to the restrooms increases in size every year. Call ahead for hours, as of July 2026, they are only open on Saturdays.

Courtney Lake has good footing, and humans (no animals at the beach) can enjoy the beach while camping. You are welcome to take your horses and dogs into this sandy lake at the boat launch. This spot also offers great viewing of the moon and stars above. Other activities at Courtney Lake are kayaking, hiking, biking, fishing and cross-country skiing. Please do not ride on the groomed cross-country ski trails if you head out for a snowy ride. Golfing opportunities are a short drive away. This campground is close to scenic areas such as Lake Superior, Bond and Agate Falls, the Porcupine mountains and the mysterious Paulding Light.

The rule for manure management is to bag it and dispose of it in the camp dumpster. Horse feed bags work the best for disposal of manure so be sure to save your feed bags for your trip. Thank you to the USFS and MI-TRALE for a better solution than Pack It Out.

Thank you to MI-TRALE for their continued efforts to bring this wonderful camp and trails to riders everywhere. It’s a must ride! You can find and print a trail map by visiting the MI-TRALE or the Ottawa National Forest websites. On the MI-TRALE website you will find other suggested places to ride your horse in the western upper peninsula. This includes access to Lake Superior and the three-trestle ride over the Firesteel River.