Horse camping enthusiasts near New Pekin, Indiana can access miles of forested trails through the Hoosier National Forest's designated equestrian sites. Located in south-central Indiana where elevation ranges from 400-800 feet, these campgrounds provide basic amenities for riders and their horses with varying levels of privacy. Sites typically fill quickly during organized trail rides and seasonal hunting periods from April through November.
What to do
Trail riding access: Hoosier National Forest offers extensive equestrian trails through densely wooded terrain. At Youngs Creek Horse Camp, riders find hitching posts near campsites. "The only time this camp is full is when a trail ride is going on, then it fills up fast," notes Susan A., who visits regularly.
Hiking options: Multiple trail difficulties accommodate different skill levels. At O'Bannon Woods State Park, "several hiking trails w various difficulties" provide access to natural features, according to Donald S. The park system includes "plenty of fishing at the lake, electric motors only, but does offer trout," as Donald T. mentions about Spring Mill State Park.
Pioneer villages: Historical attractions complement outdoor activities. Spring Mill State Park maintains a working pioneer village where "an original corn mill stands and you can buy freshly ground corm mill," according to Rachel W. The educational value extends to "a very nice nature center w ranger tours," available at O'Bannon Woods.
What campers like
Primitive camping solitude: Dispersed camping areas provide more privacy than established campgrounds. At Berry Ridge Road, "each site is fairly far apart. It's really quite only seen a handful of cars drive by," reports Ozzie L. These free camping spots typically accommodate tents and smaller vehicles.
Night sounds: Natural soundscapes enhance the camping experience. Elizabeth W. notes at Youngs Creek Horse Camp, "The chorus frog do roar through the night. 100% worth it." Similarly, at Jefferson Memorial Forest, Robert P. appreciates "seclusion here and the closeness to nature" with "lots of trees for hammocking."
Forest immersion: The dense hardwood forests create a sense of remoteness despite proximity to towns. At Charles C. Deam Wilderness, Hannah F. found "so many beautiful trees and plants to see, plus lots of creeks to walk through." She adds, "There are an abundance of areas to set up a hammock."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most horse camps provide only basic amenities. At Youngs Creek, Michael U. describes "5-6 primitive spots with fire rings and tables. Very little privacy." The site has "vault toilets and a fresh water pump" according to Susan A., but no showers.
Road conditions: Access roads require careful navigation, especially after rain. At Blackwell Campground, Cj H. found "quiet with sparse campers" but noted it was "slow going w rig on winding narrow roads." Similarly, Michael U. advises horse campers to bring "tents and vans only" to Youngs Creek.
Supply runs: Towns near camping areas offer limited shopping options. Susan A. mentions Youngs Creek is "only five miles from Paoli, and there is a Walmart there if you need supplies." For horse owners, Cj H. shares, "No water hook ups had to drive to Hardin 3 miles over and pay $5 for their shower and water for our horses."
Tips for camping with families
State parks for amenities: Families often prefer established campgrounds with facilities. At Deam Lake State Recreation Area, Lauren M. found "this campground is very family-friendly and fun. There are horse trails, a beach, and great water for swimming/kayaking/canoeing." Their experience included "good spacing between the sites" without feeling crowded.
Cabin options: For families wanting more comfort, cabins provide solid shelter. Angela F. stayed at Deam Lake's Cardinal Cabin and reports "tons of privacy and the best bathrooms I have ever seen. Not a single bug and they even had antibacterial hand soap at every sink."
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences for children. At Spring Mill, Jessie W. shares, "They had a Smokey the Bear program for the kids and some really fun activities at the nature center while we were there." The park also offers "cave tour by boat, and also visit the pioneer village" for educational activities.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring preparation. At Clifty Falls State Park, Beverly J. warns, "Site 22 was so sloped our red levelers barely made it work." Meanwhile, at Blackwell Campground, The Wandering Shores found "plenty of flat land making leveling easy. Wide open so solar charging was easy."
Hookup availability: Electricity and water connections vary between campgrounds. Derek J. found O'Bannon Woods had "50,30,20 amp service in one box" but "no water at the site though. Throughout the campground are potable water spigots that you can hook up to and add water to your tank."
Size limitations: Certain horse campgrounds cannot accommodate larger rigs. According to Juniper L., Blackwell Campground is "a giant open field with vault toilets. It says horse camp, but anyone can stay here." However, for those with larger setups, Thomas U. warns at Spring Mill that "the site we where at was heavily sloped, the only flat part was where they put the fire pit at."
Guide
