Equestrian Camping near Smithville, IN

Horsemen's Campground sits within a network of recreational areas in southern Indiana with over 30 miles of diverse equestrian trails. Located in Brown County State Park at 1,020 feet elevation, this area features rolling limestone hills and mixed hardwood forests. Trail conditions vary seasonally, with spring typically bringing muddy sections along creek crossings.

What to do

Trail riding with elevation changes: The 18-mile Saddle Barn Trail connects to the larger system for extended rides. "We hiked Trail 3 with our dog, but we cut off early before the ladders using Trail 10. Our dog did pretty well in the section of Trail 3 before the ladders, and be prepared to get wet," notes Samantha S. from Turkey Run State Park Campground.

Float trips on Sugar Creek: Just north in Marshall, canoes and kayaks provide a different perspective. "Sugar Creek is also great for floating with inner tubes, canoes, or kayaks," says Joel R. from Turkey Run State Park Campground.

Hiking interconnected paths: The Tecumseh Trail (43 miles) passes through Yellowwood State Forest, offering connections to shorter loops. "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," explains Stephen & Theresa B.

What campers like

Privacy in wooded sites: Some equestrian campgrounds offer secluded options. "We took our van and stayed at Turkey Run for a three night weekend. We were in a wooded section and it was pretty private however our site was pretty sloped. Next time I would probably pick the site on either side of 167," shares Samantha S.

Free dispersed camping options: Areas like Berry Ridge Road provide alternatives to established horse camps. "Multiple campsites in the area, I've stayed at two both of which were away from others, clean, fairly flat and had plenty of dead wood around to burn. Some sites, at least one, could fit a pretty good sized camper," reports Jeremy F.

Clean facilities: Many horse camping facilities maintain well-kept restrooms. "The bathrooms were super clean and the showers were hot with good water pressure," notes Samantha S. about facilities at Turkey Run State Park.

What you should know

Site terrain varies significantly: Even in dedicated horse campgrounds, ground can be uneven. "The site was huge but given the unevenness it would be difficult for tents," explains Michelle M. about Turkey Run State Park Campground.

Water crossings on access roads: Some horse camps require navigating creek beds. "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," warns Audrey M. about Horsemen's Campground.

Flooding concerns: Heavy rains can impact equestrian sites more than standard camping areas. "The campground is notorious for flooding in heavy rains. We have had as much as 4 in of water draining through our campsite," reports Audrey M.

Tips for camping with families

Choose shaded sites in summer: Heat management is important with horses and children. "Some of the sites are well shaded, but others are out in the open in full sun," notes Audrey M. about Horsemen's Campground.

Plan for varying trail difficulty: Not all horse trails suit young riders. "The park sits 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," explains Anna A.

Consider weekday visits: Avoiding crowds enhances the experience with horses. "In order to avoid crowds on the trails, we got there Thursday night so we could hike Friday morning / early afternoon," recommends Samantha S.

Tips from RVers

Limited level sites for larger rigs: Horse camping with RVs requires planning. "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," notes Audrey M.

Shared electric service: At some facilities, utilities are configured for efficiency. "The electric is shared with another site which could be a problem if you have the same type of service since there is only one 50 amp, one 30 amp, and one 20 amp service per hook up," explains Scott B. from Turkey Run Canoe & Camping.

Water fill considerations: Plan for water management. "There is portable water at the entrance but the road coming and going to the campsite is only wide enough for one rig and you will block traffic while you are filling up," adds Scott B.