Equestrian camping near Clermont, Indiana offers access to central Indiana's gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 700-900 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons with humid summers reaching into the 90s and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Most equestrian campgrounds remain open from April through October, though some facilities offer year-round access with limited winter amenities.
What to do
Trail riding at Turkey Run State Park: The park features multiple trail systems accessible from the campground. One visitor noted, "We hiked Trail 3, which has the ladders, and parts of trail 10, 4, and 2. Trail 10 was nothing special but was relatively flat. It was pretty crowded but people were respectful." Access trails directly from Turkey Run State Park Campground.
Canoeing on Sugar Creek: Floating the creek provides a refreshing alternative to trail riding on hot days. A camper shared, "Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks." Turkey Run Canoe & Camping offers equipment rentals and shuttle service with one reviewer mentioning, "Did a nice kayaking loop using their service. Had everything you needed, very chill experience."
Fishing at Westwood Park: The lake provides opportunities for anglers with restrictions on motors. According to a visitor, "This campground sits on a really good fishing lake. The lake is not swimable, beware of snakes, and does not allow gas motors." Another camper added, "Lots of small bass. If you have a boat, trolling motors only."
Hiking around Yellowwood Lake: Explore forest trails ranging from easy to challenging. One camper mentioned, "The park has 5 hiking trails ranging from easy to rugged and access to the Tecumesh Trail(43 miles) originally proposed to span from Florida to Canada." Trails connect to several camping areas suitable for day trips from equestrian facilities.
What campers like
Spacious equestrian sites: The specialized layout at Brown County State Park's Horsemen's Campground receives high marks. A camper noted, "The campground is large, with spaces to accommodate larger rigs. Most of the sites also have electric hook-up, although water spigots are few and far between." This campground offers dedicated areas for both horses and riders.
Clean shower facilities: Westwood Park maintains well-kept bathhouses that campers frequently mention. One reviewer stated, "The restrooms are very clean. The campsites are, I would say, normal size maybe a little cramped. Enough to park two cars in each site." Another added, "Clean shower house."
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds provide peaceful settings away from urban noise. At Yellowwood State Forest, visitors appreciate the tranquility: "Quiet, peaceful camping. You won't run into a bunch of loud partiers." Another camper added, "The only time we have ever seen the campground busy is over big holiday weekends like Labor Day, Memorial Day, and 4th of July. Otherwise use is light."
Lake views: Yellowwood State Forest offers waterfront camping with scenic views. A reviewer mentioned, "The best spot in Black Gum would be site 75. Large site at the end of the loop & right by the lake." The forest also provides boat rentals for fishing and recreation.
What you should know
Reservation policies vary: Many equestrian campgrounds require advance planning. At Turkey Run, a camper advised, "Booked late for this one but ended up with a great corner spot in the middle of a turn off from the main drive." Meanwhile, at Yellowwood State Forest, "It costs $13 now. Well maintained though. Plenty of bathrooms and campsites."
Tent restrictions at some parks: Johnson County Park no longer permits tent camping. A visitor warned, "They used to have awesome tent camping sites, but they stopped allowing tent camping. RV/camper's are the only thing they allow now." Another confirmed, "The Rules sheet that is included in some of the pictures indicates that no tent camping is allowed."
Site conditions for equestrian camping: Horse facilities require special consideration. One camper at Brown County's Horsemen's Campground reported, "Some of the tie up areas for the horses are muddy holes that never get enough sunlight to dry out completely." The same reviewer noted, "The campground is notorious for flooding in heavy rains. We have had as much as 4 in of water draining through our campsite."
Military proximity affects some areas: Johnson County Park borders an active military facility. According to a visitor, "The park is located in close proximity to an active reserve military base that from time to time has exercises with air traffic and the sounds of shells and artillery fire."
Tips for camping with families
Choose wooded sites for privacy: At Turkey Run, a reviewer recommended, "We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167." The same camper advised, "If you're looking for privacy, try to get a wooded site on the outsides that back up to woods."
Consider campsite layout: Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort offers family-friendly options. A visitor mentioned, "This was really convenient and close to Indy, where we took the grandkids to the children's museum. The lake is fabulous, but there didn't seem to be too many fish available for catching!"
Plan for wildlife encounters: At Turkey Run State Park, families should prepare for uninvited guests. One camper warned, "Watch out for the raccoons. Those guys are not afraid of anything." Plan appropriate food storage to prevent nighttime visitors.
Visit during weekdays: Many campgrounds get crowded on weekends. A camper shared this strategy: "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon. Saturday we rented a canoe from a canoe place right down the road from the campground."
Tips from RVers
Level your rig carefully: Uneven terrain presents challenges at several campgrounds. At Turkey Run, a camper noted, "The site was very uneven. It definitely sloops to the back corner. It's was difficult to level our camper but we got it in the end." Bring additional leveling blocks for these areas.
Research access roads: Some equestrian campgrounds have challenging approaches. A visitor to Brown County's Horsemen's Campground advised, "Also be aware that the road leading to the Horseman's camp crosses a creek several times, and in rainy weather there may be water over the road."
Confirm hook-up locations: At Turkey Run Canoe & Camping, a camper cautioned, "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service since there is only one 50 amp, one 30 amp, and one 20 amp service per hook up." Plan accordingly for your electrical needs.
Consider site spacing: Some RV areas place units close together. A reviewer noted, "The sites are difficult to get into and although they allow one car on the site there is barely room for that one car." Larger rigs should call ahead to confirm accessibility.
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