Best Equestrian Camping near Franklin, IN

Johnson County Park is an interesting conglomeration of activity. 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. The park is home to the Hoosier Horse Park with three arenas, 384 stalls and its own 70 site campground plus it is also home to the Antique Machinery Club, Columbus Model Railroad Club, Radio Controlled Flyer Club and Indiana Live Steamers. The RV campground consists of 58 sites with 30amp/50amp electric and water hook ups, level gravel pads(4 sites are paved) and a dump station. Other amenities include a restroom and shower facility, playground for children and community campfire ring. The campground is an easy detour off I-65, Exit#76, for the RVer looking for an overnight or two. Plenty of shopping and restaurants in the area; grocery, outlet mall, name brand dining. The campground is large rig friendly; family oriented and has a camp host on site for any assistance. Just to make you aware…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. The fee for camping is$25 per night with a limit of 14 nights. For reservations call 812-526-6809 or register at the park office. 39°22'48.7"N 86°02'33.4"W

Brown County has always been the jewel of Indiana State Parks for Trail Riders. 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. Arrangements for the horses are Hit or Miss depending on what site you stay on. Some of the sites are well shaded, but others are out in the open in full sun. The shower house is in good condition, except that it has no ventilation, so the floors remain wet. The campground is notorious for flooding in heavy rains. We have had as much as 4 in of water draining through our campsite. Some of the tie up areas for the horses are muddy holes that never get enough sunlight to dry out completely. 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. The camping area for regular campers is beautiful and well maintained, but it seems that Park management is not interested in attracting horse campers. Many of the wooden fences in the camp, as well as tie posts and picnic tables are in poor repair.

I hope you like horses. I was backpacking and got to experience horse camps up close and personal. There are basic toilets and a pavilion. Rest is an empty grass field.

No set camp spots but great to set up and have no light pollution! Close to town but also right off some amazing trails! Sometimes the horse trailers get loud with generators but it is a horse camp ground!

We arrived near dusk on a Friday. The entrance is clearly marked and road is gravel but well maintained. The site is open space with soft, well maintained grass and no muddy areas. There are no marked sites but there is plenty of room for all types of campers. And there all types of campers there. Of 20 or so campers I saw horse trailers, couple of large RVs, teardrops, tent camping and vehicle camping. There are plenty of fire circles. The vault toilets are super clean and you don’t have to waste time flushing. Bonus - Cell phone reception was good! This is a horse camp where you’re welcome to stay without horses… so for etiquette’s sake please leave the spots with corrals and hitch rails for the horse campers! All in all this was a perfect location, extremely well maintained, not crowded with all types of campers peacefully coexisting.

If you come from the East you will pass horsecamp that only has paid for sites. Continue down the road you will see a sign for a second horse camp skip that as well! If you go to the end and take a right there will be spots at the beggining of the trail heads secluded with fire rings. They are drive in. Much more private as well as no smell of horse poop. lol

I have been going to this State park since I can remember. We often take our horses trail riding there for a week every couple of summers of just go down for weekend trips to go hiking.

The horsemans campground is nice and well equipped with wooden racks to tie tie your horses to, water, electricity, and really nice bathrooms and porta-potty style bathrooms spread throughout. We would typically get a campsite a long one of the creeks and us kids would play in it.

The park that is set in massive hills and valleys has lots of different trails, a nature center, a pool, a lodge with a pool/park, large and small cabins for rent, various overlooks, playgrounds, historical sites, a fire watch tower you can go in, beautiful gathering places (large open cabins), daily activities throughout the park, a horse stables, amphithéâtres, a restaurant, a gift store, and much more.

I highly recommend going in the fall, the trees and hills are alive and bursting with color. Also while there stop into the cute little town of Nashville and grab a bite to eat at the Big Woods Brewing Company and visit the artisan shops!

The area is nice and is taken care off. The camp is free and has a 14 day limit. the campground is loop with male and female outhouses and they are kept up nicely. there is also a dumpster at near the entrance of the camp. this is also a horse camp so there are some horse feces around so you have to watch for that. you do not have to have a reservation, i believe it’s just first come first serve. some areas have fire pits, some don’t; you can make one though from rocks. the nearest city is Bloomington which is about 15 miles from camp.

Ended up staying on the horse site post-labor day when there were only other tent campers. Site is a wide open and well-groomed, with trails just a short walk (or ride) away.

Toilets and covered picnic tables nearby.

Quiet with sparse campers. People who were there were nice and we felt safe. Free. Easy to find but slow going w rig on winding narrow roads. No water hook ups had to drive to Hardin 3 miles over and pay $5 for their shower and water for our horses

If you’re a solar person, this is your spot! It’s a giant open field with vault toilets. It says horse camp, but anyone can stay here. If you’re looking for shade or here in the summer months, you may try elsewhere as there is not much shade to be had.

There is an out hpuse and trash dumpster. Lots of room. Park where you want. Cost is free. There are fenced areas if you have horses. There are trails to walk. Been here 3 times and has not been busy during those stays. You can stay 14 days. Max of 30 days per year.

Beautiful surroundings, and lots of trails to hike.

Came in late on a Saturday and found a nice level spot to park for the night.

We have an RTT on top of our truck so being level is what we look for.

Very quiet and peaceful.  

Would recommend. You do not have to have horses to stay here.

I solo camped here overnight and had a pleasant time. Before arriving I had questions about where I'd be able to camp. I called the local ranger line and they were super helpful. A restroom is available on site. For being fairly close to a busy road, it's so peaceful you'd have no idea at all! Free camping if you don't have horses with you!

Great boondocking spot, plenty of flat land making leveling easy. Wide open so solar charging was easy. We were there for 7 days and while they have room for probably 50 or 60 rigs there was only 3 or 4 of us there most of the time.

• pits toliets
• quiet
• clean
• dumpster available

Although intended for horse trailers we did not see a single one there in our 7 days. Plenty of flat land making leveling easy.

Great Attitude an Service by the staff.  I was warmly welcomed and escorted to my site.  The only amenity not available is Sewage Hookup but they offer a dump instead.  Very open wide spaced sites. Shade is hard to come by.

The Park came about because the Property was Part of huge Military Camp developed for WWII.  There were 10 Army Divisions that trained here over the years. The Camp was downsized and Johnson County was given Control over many and I do mean Many Acres.  Activities include 18 Hole Golf Course, Horse Show Barn and Arena, Seniors Center, Hiking Trails, Gun Ranges & on and on. 

I'm here two weeks. I will return

Small campground with nice campsites.Clean shower house.

The lake doesn't allow gas motors so its one of the clearest lakes in central Indiana

A staple of our state here in Indiana. Unfortunately due to some storm damage, trails were rerouted or straight up inaccessible.

Great places to find and set up camp. We even discovered a few extra hidden sites just by being forced off trails due to the damage.

Every dispersed camper should add the hikes to the lake to their checklist.