Best Equestrian Camping near Pendleton, 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

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

The Summer Vacation Life 😎 😍 Holidays opportunity Dale

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!! Pretty place and fun for a laid back place to stay. I wouldn’t recommend it for long term.

This was the third time we had camped at Summit Lake State Park. It has always been a good experience. There are two campground loops - one is more open with sites are that are level and the other is in the woods with many sites that are on slopes. We camped in site 120 this time which was on the end so we looked out into the woods. Bonus! 

The state park has a nice lake with a swimming beach and kayak/canoe rentals available. If you have a site near the lake you can launch your boat directly from your campsite!

For those of you who are bicycle enthusiasts, the Losantville trail head fro the Cardinal Greenway Bike Trail is only a few miles away. The trail runs from Marion to Richmond and is very well maintained and not crowded.

Very large camping spots with huge lawns away from lake; This spot was #53. lakeside camping a little more packed in but more shade. Reserve early! Cute beach was easy to get to, allowed dogs (not on sand). Park program happened while we were there - very educational. Highly professionally run, tight security and ample parking. No sparklers. Water lines close to campsites. Wal-Mart close, large Cabelas 45 mins away. Would stay again!

Just joined.  Trying to find any city park or visitor centers permitting camping.  I know they are out there but not well known.  Easy to use.  Love the fact I can use it if offline.  I'll review in a few weeks when I actually need it.

We stayed before the peak season opened up.  Potable water was available at the entrance but was not on yet in the campground itself.   The sites are well spaced out with a few pull through sites and many back ins.

Our site was a pull through and, while level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back.

Trails around the lake were nice with many opportunities for scenic photographs, etc.

There are not a lot of things to see or do in the area but we did visit the Wilbur Wright Birthplace as well as local community restaurants and grocery stores within about a 20 minute drive.

Summit Lake is a very nice place to get away for a weekend from Indy but not so much a destination spot. Friendly staff and well maintained. Wooded spots that are water adjacent are beautiful. Since it’s a no wake lake, the noisiest thing is usually the geese

You can rent a small boat by the day and keep it at your camp site.

It’s a great place to watch the water or take walks. Not a lot to do otherwise. The beach is not worth the trouble.

Arrived on Thursday for July 4th weekend. Park is very nice, weather was comfortable. Only issue was Saturday morning a power outage to a part of the park left all water in the entire state park off for 3-4 hours.

We stayed over July 4th weekend  Campground was crowded, but very quiet.  Most sites are shady, and some are feet from the lake.  A lot of kayakers when we stayed, very few boats.  Our site had some shade, and had a level gravel pad.  Once off the gravel, it did slope.  We wanted a flat area for our dog/baby fencing, so we parked slightly off the gravel and it worked fine.  Staff were very friendly.  All sites have water.  The power went out at the pumping house, and a staff member and the campground host went to the sites to let us know.  It was only out for about an hour.

Park has canoe rentals and a small beach, a well as several boat launches.  Overall, a very nice, well maintained park and campground.  We will definitely return, this time with kayaks.

Nice, quiet and well taken care of area

This is a nice park for those who want to camp/hike/fish and not travel too far from home. It's a relatively quiet campground with lots of different sites available, some of which are right on the water. All sites have a picnic table and fire ring. Sorry, I don't have any pictures :(

We camped here several time last year(2017). We had great experiences each time. Beautiful lake for kayaking! If you don’t owe a kayak or canoe, they offer rentals.

All sites are gravel with mature trees if you want shade or full sun. Pet friendly. Nice playgrounds for the kids or grandkids. Very nice beach area. Wonderful hiking trails and offer a variety of programs/activities.

it was a beautiful night and I was near lake

we live summit lake. the campground has a lot of spots with ZERO trees so be sure to read the descriptions. the spots along the lake are beautiful but hard to book. we like the still lake for kayaking.

tThis park has a lot to offer. The lake offers amazing fun activities. We love kayaking and have our own (but wait... they rent them- canoes too & for just $5 an hour... Say WHAT? ) Yes it's true. The lake has a fabulous beach for swimming along with a fairly nice concession stand also inexpensive. The park is very clean- LOVE IT! They are currently remodeling and updating one of the restrooms but one was still available (as well as additional port-o-potty's). The camping spots are all fairly large. We could have put an extra 3 tents on our site (we have a 17' camper). This park has 2 seperate loops one which has a large playground.

So now the drawbacks ... There are NO, I repeat, NO hiking trails. They have walking paths only. Still pretty and lots to look at but no actual trails. Bummer as we love to hike.

The biggest issue is the strictness of the DNR. We have a large camping group that is very respectful and all environmentalist. However, we managed to get 3 seperate tickets this weekend. There was a sign for no beer on the beach ( so we had beer in our cooler in our car- and someone in the group drank the beer on the way to the beach - empty can by the time we arrived - just to throw in trash and someone saw the can and reported it- automatic ticket. Also 2 friends, who are always cautious of the kids on their bikes, playing in the road, etc. however, got speeding tickets. SO JUST USE CAUTION. But at the actual campsites, we did not have any issues at all.

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. There was alot of surface plant life to catch our lines on.

This campground is small but diverse. You can camp in the woods with a lake view or out in the open with your camper, tent or rent a cottage. It has clean restrooms, a beach, hiking trails and tends to be quiet. It’s not far from the city. It’s a quick trip place for a short weekend.

Restroom & shower facilities are clean

Flat-steep Grades for tent camping and camper camping.

Many hiking trails

Boat rental.

Swim area

We really enjoy this park. Many of the campsites are right near the water with lake view. Fishing is fun too with a dock within short walking distance of most campsites.