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Pokagon State Park Campground provides horseback riding opportunities through its on-site saddle barn, allowing visitors to explore the park's extensive trail system on guided rides. The campground features over 500 sites spread across multiple loops, with each camping area surrounded by wooded areas that provide shade and separation between sites. Bathrooms with showers are available in each of the five campground loops. While the park accommodates tent camping, RV camping, and cabin rentals, it does not offer dedicated horse corrals or equestrian-specific campsites for visitors bringing their own horses.
Trails throughout Pokagon State Park connect with the nearby nature preserve, creating an extensive network for outdoor recreation. The park maintains separate, well-marked trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding to prevent user conflicts. The saddle barn offers horse tours for visitors 52 inches and taller, while smaller children can enjoy shorter donkey rides. Some sites have limited level space and may present challenges for larger horse trailers. The park's location near Lake James provides additional recreational opportunities, including swimming and boating, making it suitable for mixed family activities where some members want to ride horses while others prefer water activities. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months when the campground reaches capacity.
"Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric)."
"This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it."
from $20 - $480 / night
Check Availability"Met up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by."
"Chain is perfect for kayaking and canoeing with 9 connected lakes and 11 total. A couple lakes are perfect for boat fishing as long as you have an electric motor only."
from $14 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Overall Rating: 4 for access to the area, very clean facilities, and not too many campers thus time of year.
Price 2024: $35 for water/electric only.""A little close to your neighbors but the way the sites are angled you had plenty of room. Very friendly people. Easy in and out."
GuideEquestrian trails and campgrounds are popular here. Horse rides sold on site. There is a nice hotel that sometimes hosts events actually located in the park. Come tobagginging and ice fishing in the winter and then pamper yourself in the hotel, or visit in the summer and have a beach day or easy hike with the family. Great spot for Pokémon Go because of the available cell service.
TravelerPokagon State Park has an excellent state park campground. Sites are in a well wooded area situated on 5 different loops (1 non-electric, 4 electric). Many sites are flat (good for tent camping) while others are slightly rolling hills (helps breakup the sites a bit). There is a lot to do in the park including many trails, horse riding (horse stable on site), and lake swimming on a nicely improved beach. Only cons are no full hook up and the fire rings/grills could be improved.
TravelerThis is an extremely large campground. About seventy-five percent of the sites are electric. We stayed in Site 255, which was not electric (booked last minute). This site was fairly level but very close to other sites…wouldn’t recommend it. However, Site 269 (next to Site 277) afforded great privacy and was large; among the non-electric sites this was the best I saw. I did not survey the electric sites, but I’m sure the site matters a lot. Non-electric sites are $20.00, plus a $9.00 park entrance fee.
There are numerous walking trails, along with horse and bike trails. Additionally, there are boat rentals, horseback rides, pony rentals, swimming, nature center, and a restaurant at the inn.
This is a family oriented park. Extended family groupings are very common. Nevertheless, people and their children are well behaved.
I would recommend this campground for two days or more. A one day stay will mean you probably won’t see much of this wonderful park. The only reason I gave it a four was that even in mid-September it was packed.
LegendI have camped here a couple of times while visiting northern Indiana to have repairs done on my RV. Overall, I like this campground where for $30/night you can get a 50 amp full hook-up site or $23/night a 30 amp and water site. If you plan on staying longer weekly and monthly rates are really good. The campground sits in the middle of the county fairgrounds so there is usually something going on – either a fair, concert, horse event, or an RV rally. Depending on what time of year you are here and part of the week, the campground could be very crowded or very empty. The nice thing is the people in the office let you pick whatever site you want and don’t assign one to you. There are 275 full hook-up sites with 50 amp full hook-up and 30 amp water & electric only. There are no fires allowed and some sites don’t have picnic tables but you can request one and they will bring it to your site.
There is very little shade and during my last visit the late September fall temperatures climbed to nearly 90 degrees and was brutal. This campground is better suited for RVs than tents but you are permitted to tent camp. Bathrooms and showers are scattered about and I was amazed at always how clean they (and the grounds as a whole) are. They do offer WiFi which worked pretty well in non-peak hours like early morning but was not reliable and sometimes frustrating. Since many sites have a clear view of the sky, you most likely will get satellite television reception and a dozen or so antenna channels.
One of the things I like about this park is the vast expanse of grounds to wander about walking my dog. There is a trail system just outside of the park that allows you miles and miles of walking and biking trails. Downtown Goshen is less than two miles away and has some great restaurants (including Venturi Pizza, Maple Indian Cuisine – which has an awesome buffet, and Goshen Brewing Company). The Saturday farmers market is great with lots of produce, breads, meats, cheeses, and crafts.
The last time I visited coincided with the Mennonite Relief Fund which was a big fund raiser for their charity that packed the grounds with stuff for sale, food, and activities. It was fun to be there during the event but it meant the campground and grounds were packed.
Now for the bad about this campground. It is located right next to very busy train tracks that operate 24/7 and blow their horns quite often. They were really annoying in the middle of the night. Sites are close together so if it is crowded and you have a neighbor, you will be right on top of them. There is no shade which can be very miserable.
Pros:
· Price - $30/night for a 50 amp full hook-up site
· Nearby downtown stores and restaurants
· Sites are not assigned so you can pick where you want to camp
· Grassy patios
· Large grounds to meander around
· Nearby biking/walking trail
Cons:
· Very noisy from nearby trains operated at all hours
· Few trees for shade or privacy
· Some sites are very tight and close to your neighbor
· Can be very crowded
· WiFi provided but not reliable
TravelerMet up with 18 other skoolies our first Indiana meet. Met great people had a fantastic time. Great park kids swam, showers are clean. Electric at sites but water isn’t but very close by.
TravelerThere are trail, beaches, boats, horses... so many things to do
LegendThis state park was established in 1925, so almost 100 years old. The campground must be the original layout. There's a maze like quality to it. The roads are narrow & you may be driving off the road for a big rig.
Some sites are level, some aren't. Some can accommodate larger rigs, most can't. Check the site descriptions carefully & to be doubly sure, call the office & ask.
There's water stations that look very old. They have wooden, shingled roofs. There's 2 dump stations located in loops 3 & 4. IN THE CAMPGROUND! NEXT TO CAMPSITES!!!!
There's 5 loops to the main campground.
100 loop is small & closer to the lake than the other loops. It's the loop we chose this time.
The sites are on the small side. There's 3 campsites that are close to the lake. 115, which is a larger site. 117 & 119 which have clear views of the lake. 117 is more a tent or popup site & is small. 119 is the best of the bunch. A large pad & a large site. There's no privacy bushes. These sites have a view of the lake with trees & brush & are on a ridge overlooking the lake. They aren't ON the lake.
On either side of 117 & 119 are 2 trails that lead to the lake. There's benches & a dock to tie up your boat.
The rest of the sites are a mixed bag. Some are level, some have an incline. If you have a big rig, be aware that the road to the 100 campsites branches into one way. Leading into the campsites, the road is narrow & has a ravine on one side!
200 Loop is non electric
300 Loop is the biggest loop & seems like the best bet for larger rigs. As stated above, some sites are better than others. There's a uniformity here that's missing from the other loops.
Stay away from sites 393& 395!!! These sites are literally right on top of the dump station! As always watch for pit toilets near the sites.
400 loop is a smaller loop next to the 200 loop. There's only one shower house for both loops. Avoid site 444 & probably site 454. These sites are VERY close to the dump station.
500 loop is also smaller& has some nice sites tucked by themselves in the trees. There seems to be more privacy brush on this loop with SOME sites.
512 is close to the shower house. 511 & 513 were somewhat secluded.
If you have a boat you want to tie up at the dock, go for the 100 loop. If you can't get it, be aware there's no parking near the trails to the lake. You can park by the bathhouse & walk.
The shower & restrooms are atrocious!!! Worst looking buildings since Spring Mill SP! Dirty & need an entire overhaul. In fact, raze the buildings & build new ones! They're "cleaned" once a day. Suuuuuure they are. There was actual poop on the door of one of the women's toilet stalls the whole time I was there. Mold & spiders& dirt in the corners. Looks like the last upgrade was in the 50s.
ScoutWe visited for just one night on a fall weekday. Campground was not crowded. Our site #315 was spacious with a nice foliage buffer around it. Many nice sites, but also many small, not private at all sites. We enjoyed a hike on one of the nice hiking trails, saw many families enjoying the bicycle trails and paved park roads. There is an Inn and restaurant in the park. We talked about how nice it would be to meetup with non Camping family members at this location. There are horse stables and a winter toboggan run as well
TravelerI have stayed in the Inn and the camp site. I highly recommend it. There are so many activities that people of all ages can enjoy! I Particularly like the horse back riding trails, and in the winter there are toboggan rides!
Pokagon State Park Campground offers diverse equestrian opportunities beyond standard camping experiences. The extensive trail network spans through wooded areas and connects to adjacent nature preserves, accommodating riders of various skill levels. Trail access points are strategically located near camping loops, allowing for convenient morning rides without vehicle relocation. The park maintains separate trails for different activities to prevent conflicts between horses, hikers, and cyclists.
Trail riding tours: The saddle barn provides guided horseback experiences for visitors 52 inches and taller, with rides departing multiple times daily during peak season. According to Amanda J., "There is so much to do. Between the hiking trails, boating, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and biking. You won't ever get bored. The facility is clean and very safe."
Lake activities: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground features interconnected waterways ideal for kayaking or canoeing between camping sessions. Jeremy C. notes, "Kayaking and the beach was a huge hit with the kids," making this location suitable for families who want water-based recreation alongside equestrian options.
Winter recreation: During colder months when horseback riding is limited, the parks transition to offer alternative outdoor activities. The seasonal changes create different recreational opportunities throughout the year. Rachel N. mentions, "Visited April 4, more people than I thought, but found a spot to be by myself," indicating the park's popularity even during shoulder seasons.
Natural setting: The campgrounds feature wooded sites that provide natural buffers between camping spots. Karson G. describes, "Nice quiet campground with lots of wildlife. Tent lots are flat and a good size. RR and showers nearby."
Facility maintenance: Pokagon State Park Campground receives consistent praise for its upkeep and management. Shelly S. shares, "Pokagon State Park is one of the most manicured, well maintained parks I've been to. The Army Corp does some good work but Pokagon has them beat." This attention to detail extends to the equestrian facilities and trail maintenance.
Seasonal variations: Each season offers different experiences for equestrian campers. Summer provides extended daylight hours for evening rides, while fall delivers colorful trail scenery. As noted by Ruby M., "it was warm and dry wonderful time with family and friends," highlighting the campground's appeal during summer holidays.
Site limitations: Some camping areas have size restrictions that may impact horse trailer parking. J C. advises, "Sites are shorter and sometimes uneven," which requires advance planning for visitors bringing equestrian equipment.
Weekend crowds: Holiday and summer weekends see significant increases in visitor numbers, which can impact trail availability for riders. Truly W. notes, "We were in the tent portion and it was very loud... It was Memorial Day weekend which could explain the noise/busy-ness."
Reservation requirements: Chain O' Lakes State Park Campground has limited specialized camping options that book quickly. Whitley K. points out, "There are a handful of paddle up camping spots that are very hard to reserve," indicating that all specialized camping options require advance planning.
Mixed activity planning: Schedule horseback activities alongside other recreation options for family members with different interests. Amy K. recommends, "There's 500+ sites, but all nicely separated and shaded. There's an inn, restaurant, cabins, boat rentals, horseback riding, bike trails, beach, toboggan run, etc. Tons of picnic areas and pavilions; would be a great spot for a family reunion."
Educational opportunities: Pokagon State Park Campground offers naturalist programs that complement equestrian activities for younger visitors. Julie B. shares, "We spoke with the naturalist and volunteered our time she was absolutely fantastic," highlighting interactive learning opportunities available at the park.
Alternative riding options: For children too small for full-sized horses, specialized options exist. Anand mentions, "Tons of things to do (playgrounds, lake, beach, hiking, horseback and pony rides etc)," confirming that younger children can participate in equestrian activities through appropriately sized mounts.
Utility connections: For RVers bringing horses, sites with appropriate hookups are limited but available. Kristen S. notes, "Only electric hookups, but good for a short weekend. Best bike orbs, horseback riding, and quiet," suggesting that while services are basic, they are sufficient for weekend equestrian camping trips.
Site selection: Choose camping locations based on access to equestrian facilities rather than premium views. Jeffrey Y. mentions, "Beautiful park, well maintained, with lots to do. At $35 ish per night it's truly a great park," indicating the value proposition despite basic amenities at some sites.
Seasonal considerations: Spring camping near equestrian trails requires awareness of drainage issues. Jerry R. cautions, "Camped in non electric site, had reservation but had to move to another site due to my first one under water," highlighting the importance of flexible planning during wet seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hamilton, IN?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hamilton, IN is Pokagon State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 52 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Hamilton, IN?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 equestrian camping locations near Hamilton, IN, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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