Best Equestrian Camping near Indianapolis, 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.

Yellowwood State Forest, named for the environmentally unique Yellowwood tree, is 23, 326 acres located 7 miles West of the artist community of Nashville, Indiana. Nestled in the rolling hills of southern Indiana famous for it's fall leaf color displays and gorgeous vistas. Yellowwood offers 79 primitive class c sites in four campground areas adjacent to the 133 acre Yellowwood Lake; Red Pine, White-Oak Hickory, Redbud and Black Gum;$13 per night. There are several potable water stations and pit toilets throughout the campgrounds and one dump station located in Red Bud. The Red Bud area also has a small camp store(not open during our visit, so not sure of their offerings). We did note some ADA accessible sites. Horse camping is also available in 12 class c sites in the Horseman Camp with miles of horse trails. Several picnic areas and shelters in the area; one beautiful location overlooking the lake with stunning brown county stone fireplaces. This park is perfect for tent camping or smaller units; we would not recommend for larger units as most sites are small and unlevel and may challenge your maneuvering skills! 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. The park office facility offers boat(lake is known for good fishing) and kayak rental, ice and firewood. If you need facilities to accommodate your larger rig or feel a need for more amenities; Brown County State Park is just a few miles to the East...but don't pass up planning at least a day trip to enjoy this incredibly beautiful State Forest property. 772 Yellowwood Lake Rd, Nashville, IN 47448 GPS- 39.183995,-86.337878

 This is a State Forest campground near Nashville, Indiana. Primitive camping. Pit toilets only. This is by Yellowwood Lake, so boating & fishing opportunities. 

All these sites are first come, first serve. No reservations. 

There's a Forest Office with area information & a small display. 

There's several trails of varying length. 

Believe it or not- gold panning is a thing here! You need a permit.

They rent boats at the Forest Office. Electric motor only.

 There's several camping loops. There's a horse camp also. 

The boat ramp is near the horse camp loop.

 We didn't go down the Red Pine Loop, but did check out White Oak/Redbud& Black Gum.

 Hickory loop is right off the road & the sites are visible from the road. They looked nicely spaced.

White oak loop had several nice sites. Redbud is close to a building they call a camp store. It may have been many years ago, but not open now.

 Several picnic spots by the lake. The best site in Redbud would be 39. Large site with some shade. I would also say 38, but site 37 is directly behind it. This is the camp host spot, so occupied. These sites are near the pit toilets.

The best spot in Black Gum would be site 75. Large site at the end of the loop & right by the lake.

 If you go back to Hwy 46 where the road split on your way in, follow the sign to the dam. Just a large earthen dam, but there's trail heads here. There's the Scarce O' Fat Trail which has been mentioned on the Facebook Indiana Hiking page.

$13 per night regular camping.$16 per night for horseman's.

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!

Westwood is a beautiful well manicured park. 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. It’s a small campground with around 33-38 camp sites and it’s first come first serve. No reservations. The lake is nice. Lots of small bass. If you have a boat, trolling motors only. Bank fishing is limited from what I walked but plenty of places you can fish. There is a 10 mile hiking / biking trail all the way around the lake. There are horse riding trails too. I will visit again.

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

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. The entire day ark and campground are clean and well maintained. The bathhouse at the campground is pretty nice, and there is a small playground area for the kids. Sites are a little small, but do provide shade. One drawback is the no reservation policy. While that can be a good thing at times, if you want to weekend camp, you better plan on setting up your site on Wednesday or Thursday. Always call ahead before heading that way to see if they have sites available.