Horsemen's Camp at Whitewater Memorial State Park offers specialized facilities for equestrian campers with electric hookups, water access, and trail connections. The campground sits at approximately 900 feet elevation in east-central Indiana, about 15 miles from Ridgeville. Trail riders can access horseback paths directly from individual campsites, which feature considerable spacing between neighbors to accommodate trailers.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing: Summit Lake State Park Campground provides excellent water recreation opportunities on its no-wake lake. "We like the still lake for kayaking," notes Casse T., while Rich K. adds that "Beautiful lake for kayaking! If you don't own a kayak or canoe, they offer rentals."
Horseback riding: At Horsemen's Camp — Whitewater Memorial State Park, trail riders can explore routes that lead to the horse barn area. According to Brady R., "There was a starting access point at the horse campground for horseback riding trails that also led to the horse barn."
Hiking trail exploration: Ouabache State Park Campground maintains several trail systems with terrain variety. Bethany S. explains, "Love all the trails here, lots of options for how long of a hike you want to take! There's a surprising variation between more deciduous and coniferous environments depending on the trail you choose."
Tower climbing: The restored fire tower at Ouabache State Park offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Jacob A. recommends, "The bison enclosure is always fun to check out, and the last time we stayed I actually walked to the top of the restored fire tower to take in the view."
What campers like
Lake views: At Lost Bridge West State Recreation Area, waterfront sites provide scenic views. As Kim K. describes, "Gorgeous lake sunrise/sunsets. Lots of eagle sightings! Plenty of deer. Leaves are beautiful in fall."
Wildlife encounters: Salamonie Lake's recreation areas offer opportunities to spot local wildlife. Erie N. states, "This is one of the best parks we have been to in Indiana. We Volunteer all over our the USA at State Parks and National Forest."
Scenic bike trails: Ouabache State Park connects to nearby cycling routes. Jacob A. explains, "The paved bike trail in the park starts near the campground, and connects with a bike trail along the Wabash River that goes into nearby Bluffton, and is an easy ride."
Spacious equestrian sites: Horse campers appreciate the extra space at Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground, where Brady R. notes, "I wish all campsites were like these - very, very spread out! Totally makes sense given that you have large horse trailers/campers and also horses at each site."
What you should know
Water quality concerns: At some campgrounds, water conditions vary. At Ouabache State Park, Emily P. warns, "The potable water is brown and smelly.. be sure to bring your water filter! But we did enjoy our weekend here."
Seasonal flooding: Some campsites at Lost Bridge State Rec Area — Salamonie Lake may be affected by high water. Shasta K. shares, "A lot of the campsites were closed due to flooding but we managed to have a site that was untouched."
Toilet facilities: Campground bathroom quality varies widely across the region. Brady R. mentions about Horsemen's Camp, "The bathrooms in the horse campground aren't modern and they're pit toilets. Even with the cooler weather, they still wreaked and were not pleasant to use."
Site selection strategy: Choose carefully when booking at Summit Lake State Park. 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
Playground access: Westwood Park offers facilities for children. Kelly H. notes, "There is a small playground area for the kids. Sites are a little small, but do provide shade."
Educational wildlife viewing: Families can learn about local fauna at Ouabache State Park. Brad H. shares, "Nice quiet campground. Plenty of activities for families to do. The kids loved the Bison. 200 ft fire tower you can climb. Beach is nice."
Beach activities: Multiple parks offer swimming areas for children. As Brandie B. describes Whitewater Memorial State Park, "It has water access to both Brookville and Whitewater lakes. Many fishermen and kayakers frequent the lake trails."
Wildlife precautions: Teach children about respecting 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
Leveling needs: Summit Lake requires preparation for uneven sites. Lisa M. advises, "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."
Site spacing considerations: Look for sites with adequate room between neighbors when booking. Cynthia K. reports about Lost Bridge West, "Some sites are very close together, while some offer a little more room. Sites 221- 243, 202-204 offer lake views."
Maneuvering limitations: Larger rigs may struggle in certain campgrounds. Lisa M. cautions about 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."
Utility availability: Some campgrounds have limited hookups. As Steve C. notes about Ouabache State Park, "Only draw back is no water and sewer hook up at the campsite."
