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May 10, 2016
Contact: Elissa Buck, 989-313-0000 or Dave Dekett, 989-785-4388.
Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground now open
 This past Saturday, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources celebrated the opening of the Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground at a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new facility, located on beautiful Avery Lake in Montmorency County, offers equestrians a hilly, secluded atmosphere.
Notable features of this rustic equestrian campground include buddy sites, a manure bunker, a dumpster, vault toilets, potable water (with a generator hookup) and a hand pump.
One of the sites is suitable for group gatherings and includes a fire pit, in-ground grill, tables and lantern poles. In addition, there are hiking, boating and fishing opportunities, and a new day-use parking lot is available for equestrians to access the trail system. There currently are 12 available sites; a total of 24 sites will be available when the second phase is completed this summer.
Partial funding for this first phase was provided by the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
“We are pleased to have completed and opened the first half of the campground,” said Dave Dekett, park supervisor for Clear Lake State Park and administrator of Big Oaks. "Construction has begun on the remaining half, with the entire facility expected to be open by mid-summer."
Equestrian Friends of Big Oaks, the Michigan Trail Riders Association, the Alpena County Horsemen's Association, the Back Country Horsemen and many individual equestrian volunteers from around the state made the completion of this campground possible.
"Equestrian Friends of Big Oaks was formed by equestrians in partnership with the DNR. The friends group is dedicated solely to the maintenance and stewardship of Avery Lake Trails and Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground," said Jinjyr Miller, president of the group. "EFBO provided valuable input and helped shape site details from the inception, making it easier for planners to build an equestrian friendly camping and riding experience. We look forward to many more years of dedicated service to help the project continue to improve and grow.”
Camping fees and registration procedures are posted at the information kiosk at the campground. The campground is first come, first served; reservations are not available.
More information can be found at www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails by searching for Big Oaks or by contacting Dave Dekett at 989-785-4388 or dekettd@michigan.gov.
Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.
A Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground. Learn more about how the Recreation Passport gains you access to Michigan state parks and more at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.
/Editors’ note: An accompanying photo is available below for download. A suggested caption follows.
The Big Oaks Equestrian State Campground, now open, is located on beautiful Avery Lake in Montmorency County./
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
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