Equestrian camping near Beech Grove, Indiana offers access to wooded trails and lake activities within an hour's drive. The region features rolling limestone terrain with elevations ranging from 600-1,000 feet, creating challenging trail systems for riders. Most horse camps experience seasonal closures after heavy rainfall when creek crossings become impassable.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: At Berry Ridge Road - Dispersed Camping, riders can access secluded routes through dense forest. "There a nice trail meandering next to road. I came across at least 5 lil spots," notes Brian S., who appreciates the minimal traffic on these paths.
Fishing at multiple lakes: Summit Lake State Park provides bank fishing and boat access for anglers. According to Marshall P., "Trails around the lake were nice with many opportunities for scenic photographs," making it ideal for combining riding with fishing breaks.
Gold panning adventures: Yellowwood State Forest permits gold panning with proper permits. Cynthia K. explains, "Believe it or not- gold panning is a thing here! You need a permit," offering a unique activity beyond traditional trail riding.
Photography opportunities: Johnson County Park's varied landscapes create excellent photography settings. Stephen & Theresa B. note that "The park is 622 acres that include two campgrounds, approximately 5 miles of hiking trails, equestrian school, 18 hole disc golf course, shelter houses, amphitheater, lakes, fishing and more."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Yellowwood State Forest, campers appreciate the separation between camping areas. Daisy C. mentions, "We have several times been one of two or three campers in the loop," highlighting the quiet atmosphere even during peak seasons.
Clean facilities: Summit Lake State Park Campground maintains well-kept restrooms and showers. Lisa M. reports, "The showers were your typical camp showers not great but not horrible," while noting the overall cleanliness of the park.
Primitive camping options: For those seeking basic accommodations with their horses, Johnson County Park provides simple sites. Jerry D. describes it as "Nice but bare bones former military campground," which appeals to riders wanting minimal amenities.
Wooded site selection: Westwood Park offers shaded sites for summer comfort. Stephen H. notes, "The campsites are, I would say, normal size maybe a little cramped. Enough to park two cars in each site," providing adequate space for modest setups.
What you should know
No reservation systems: Several equestrian campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis. At Westwood Park, Kelly H. advises, "One drawback is the no reservation policy. While that can be a good thing at times, if you want to weekend camp, you better plan on setting up your site on Wednesday or Thursday."
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds require significant leveling. At Summit Lake, Marshall P. cautions that while sites are "level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back."
Limited water access: Water availability varies seasonally at most equestrian camps. Ron H. notes at Yellowwood State Forest, "There is water available and outhouses, there is a dump station for RVs."
Off-season facilities: During shoulder seasons, amenities may be reduced. Marshall P. reports, "Potable water was available at the entrance but was not on yet in the campground itself," a common situation in early spring and late fall.
Tips for camping with families
Lake activities for children: Johnson County Park offers various water-based recreation. Nomon K. describes, "Activities include 18 Hole Golf Course, Horse Show Barn and Arena, Seniors Center, Hiking Trails, Gun Ranges & on and on," providing multiple options for family members not riding.
Playground accessibility: For families with younger children, look for campgrounds with play areas. Janet F. notes Johnson County Park has "Very quiet and peaceful!! Clean bathrooms/showers!!! Park is nice and clean too!!"
Tent camping restrictions: Some parks have changed their accommodation policies. Chris W. warns, "They used to have awesome tent camping sites, but they stopped allowing tent camping. RV/camper's are the only thing they allow now," an important consideration for families using diverse equipment.
Nearby attractions: Plan day trips to regional points of interest. Margo B. shares about Yellowwood, "We have also had lots of fun renting a rowboat, and being out on the water," perfect for non-riders in your group.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for shade: At Summit Lake State Park Campground, Lisa M. recommends, "Sites 1 through 74 seem to be a lot more level and larger, but they were in a sort of an open area with very little shade. The rest of the sites were fairly unlevel, but were in shaded areas."
Length restrictions: Large rigs face limitations at many horse camps. Lisa continues, "I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop."
Limited full hookup options: At Horsemen's Campground, Audrey M. cautions, "Most of the sites also have electric hook-up, although water spigots are few and far between," making water conservation important during extended stays.
Weather-related access issues: Rain affects both campsite conditions and road access. Audrey also warns, "The road leading to the Horseman's camp crosses a creek several times, and in rainy weather there may be water over the road," potentially stranding larger rigs.
