Several equestrian campgrounds near Mooreland, Indiana offer dedicated facilities for horse owners traveling with their animals. Located in east-central Indiana, the area features gently rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 900-1,100 feet above sea level. This region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F, making May through October the prime camping season for horseback riders.
What to do
Trail riding: Whitewater Memorial State Park connects to a network of bridle trails suitable for riders of various experience levels. The park features "access point at the horse campground for horseback riding trails that also led to the horse barn," as Brady R. notes, though "if you are wanting to hike, you have to drive, unfortunately."
Fishing opportunities: The lakes near Mooreland provide excellent fishing access. At Summit Lake State Park Campground, campers report "lots of different sites available, some of which are right on the water" according to Dave E. Dirty E. adds that it's primarily a "fishing camp" with "spots by lake for most spacious and views."
Water recreation: Many parks in the region offer water activities beyond fishing. Pine Lake Fishing & Camping Resort provides lakefront access that's "really convenient and close to Indy" as Debbie S. points out, adding that "the lake is fabulous" even though "there didn't seem to be too many fish available for catching!"
What campers like
Spacious equestrian sites: Horse campsites tend to be more generously sized than standard sites. Brady R. described the Horsemen's Camp, noting "I wish all campsites were like these - very, very spread out!" explaining "totally makes sense given that you have large horse trailers/campers and also horses at each site."
Clean facilities: Westwood Park receives praise for its maintenance. Stephen H. describes it as "a beautiful well manicured park" with "very clean" restrooms. Kelly H. concurs that "the entire park and campground are clean and well maintained" and mentions "the bathhouse at the campground is pretty nice."
Lake access: Proximity to lakes ranks high among camper priorities. At Westwood Park, Greg C. notes the "nice lake for kayaking" while Kelly H. explains it "sits on a really good fishing lake" though warns it "is not swimable, beware of snakes, and does not allow gas motors."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Unlike some campgrounds, certain horse camping areas require advance booking. At Hueston Woods State Park Campground, Dave V. warns that during busy seasons, "the upper campground was sold out" and "the lower non electric loop would also be sold out" reinforcing his "gratefulness for midweek camping."
Bathroom considerations: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds and camping loops. Brady R. points out that "the bathrooms in the horse campground aren't modern and they're pit toilets" adding that "even with the cooler weather, they still wreaked and were not pleasant to use."
Site selection: Choose sites based on your shade and space needs. At Summit Lake, Stephanie B. advises "when I arrived I was a little worried because the first loop was flat, grassy and open with very few trees in the camp spots good for hammocks. The second loop had what I was looking for."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Brandie B. recommends Whitewater Memorial State Park for families, noting "it has water access to both Brookville and Whitewater lakes" and many "fishermen and kayakers frequent the lake trails."
Playground access: Several area campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. Kelly H. mentions that at Westwood Park "there is a small playground area for the kids" alongside the clean bathhouse facilities.
Wildlife awareness: Educate children about maintaining distance from local wildlife. John F. warns about Whitewater Memorial: "Watch out for the 🦝 raccoons they are pretty aggressive and were all over our campsite. Clearly they are used to getting handouts, so keep your foodstuffs in you vehicle or well secured."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling considerations: RV campers should prepare for uneven sites at some parks. Marshall P. reports that at Summit Lake State Park, "our site was a pull through and, while level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back."
Utility hookups: Check for power compatibility with your specific rig. Lisa M. explains that at Summit Lake, "sites 1 through 74 seem to be a lot more level and larger, but they were in a sort of an open area with very little shade. The rest of the sites were fairly unlevel, but were in shaded areas."
Size limitations: Large rigs may face challenges at certain campgrounds. Lisa M. cautions that at Summit Lake, "I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop. We are a 30ft. Fifth wheel and it was pretty tight for us."