Horsemen's Camp at Whitewater Memorial State Park caters to equestrian campers with specialized sites designed for horse trailers and accommodations. Located 2.5 miles north of Centerville in east-central Indiana, this area experiences moderate seasonal changes with average summer temperatures reaching 85°F and winter lows around 20°F. The terrain consists of rolling hills with a mix of woodland and open areas suitable for various styles of horseback riding.
What to do
Trail riding opportunities: Whitewater Memorial State Park connects to miles of bridle trails that accommodate riders of all experience levels. "We love Hueston Woods! We have been there twice now and tent camp. A lot of the sites are large and have enough space for everything you need! The beach is a short distance away and love that they also include a dog swimming area," shares Maddy B. about Hueston Woods State Park, which is approximately 30 miles from Centerville.
Water recreation: Summit Lake offers clear water for fishing and non-motorized boating. "This is a great place to swim, very quiet. There are plenty of places for picnics and a nice campground," notes Aimee M. about Whitewater Memorial State Park. The park contains a 200-acre lake with dedicated swimming beach, boat ramps, and fishing spots.
Hiking experiences: Explore the network of nature trails surrounding the equestrian areas. "There are several hiking trails and biking trails. Streams were dried up at our visit. A cool restoration covered bridge was a short hop from the campground," writes Dave V. in his review of Hueston Woods. Many trails feature interpretive signs about local flora and fauna.
What campers like
Spacious sites: The horse camping areas provide much more room than standard campsites. "I came here and stayed in my tent (family had their horse trailer with camper) for a night during the chilly nights of October. I wish all campsites were like these - very, very spread out!" notes Brady R. about Summit Lake State Park. The average horse campsite offers 50-80 feet between neighbors.
Natural surroundings: The wooded settings create a secluded atmosphere. "The park's location provides a peaceful setting while remaining only 10-15 minutes from town for supplies," according to one camper. At Summit Lake, "Camping area B had the restroom being remodeled with outhouses placed in place of them. They also had dumpsters close to our campsite. They had an easily accessed boat launch and we enjoyed the lake and some fishing," shares Scott P.
Facility maintenance: Regularly updated amenities keep the experience comfortable. "The campground facilities are newly updated with two large shower/bath houses. A few of the campsites are buddy sites that allow you to camp with a friend and share the same area. Many fishermen and kayakers frequent the lake trails," remarks Brandie B. about Whitewater Memorial State Park.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Equestrian sites fill quickly during peak season. "Easy to reserve through the In.gov website. Many things to do," shares Mark S. about Whitewater Memorial. Book at least 3-4 months in advance for summer weekends and 1-2 months for weekday stays.
Facility differences: Horse camping areas typically have different amenities than standard campgrounds. "Another flaw is that the bathrooms in the horse campground aren't modern and they're pit toilets. Even with the cooler weather, they still wreaked and were not pleasant to use," notes Brady R. about the horsemen's facilities.
Access considerations: Some trails require special permits or have seasonal restrictions. At Westwood Park, "This campground sits on a really good fishing lake. The lake is not swimable, beware of snakes, and does not allow gas motors. There are a few nice trails, some horse trails, and nice picnic areas," explains Kelly H. Check with park offices about current trail conditions.
Tips for camping with families
Entertainment options: Choose parks with diverse activities for children. "From walk in camping to painball hueston woods has it all. Lots of trails and creeks, biking, boating, play grounds, swimming, food, store, movie nights mini golf and more! They even have an animal preserve," recommends Daniele M. about Hueston Woods State Park.
Safety planning: Establish clear rules for children around horses and water. "We just purchased an RV and was so excited to take a trip with it!! Being a first time RV owner we didn't want to travel too far from home just in case something would go wrong," shares Charles K. about Winton Woods Campground, noting its proximity to emergency services and stores.
Educational opportunities: Many parks offer ranger programs focused on local wildlife. "In the primitive camping the bathrooms are just outhouses, but I had so much fun here! I used to come to their beach all the time as a kid, so this trip was so nostalgic to me! It poured rain but despite that I had a great time hiking the trails and visiting the nature center!" says Desiree R. about Hueston Woods.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose horse camping sites based on trailer length and turning radius. "Very nice campground with 50-amp full hook-up site with lots to do in the area. Our site was level and the roads were easy to navigate in our motorhome," notes Nancy W. about Winton Woods Campground.
Utility connections: Horse camping sites typically offer different hookup configurations. "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. 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," explains Lisa M. about Dayton Metro Parks.
