Horsemen's Camp at Whitewater Memorial State Park offers equestrian enthusiasts a dedicated camping area with direct trail access in east-central Indiana. Situated in an area characterized by rolling hills and mixed hardwood forests, the elevation ranges from 900-1100 feet throughout the region. The seasonal climate includes warm summers with average highs in the 80s and moderate humidity, making spring and fall optimal for equestrian camping.
What to Do
Trail riding on dedicated paths: Whitewater Memorial State Park connects riders to multiple trails with varied terrain. "We love spending our weekends here," notes Kimberly A., who frequently visits the park for recreation.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes provide excellent spots for anglers looking to combine camping and fishing. "Awesome fishing lake with tons of good spots to fish," reports Kimberly A. about Whitewater Memorial State Park.
Hiking accessible trails: Twin Creek Metro Park offers hiking options for all skill levels. "There's a great backpacking trail that's challenging and an easy middle meeting place for friends/family from Columbus and Cincinnati that can meet in Dayton Metroparks/Five Rivers - Germantown and take on the TVT challenge," writes Karen K.
Water recreation: Many equestrian camping areas near East Connersville provide water access for non-riding days. "This is a great place to swim, very quiet. There are plenty of places for picnics and a nice campground," says Aimee M. about the lake at Whitewater Memorial.
What Campers Like
Spacious campsites: Hueston Woods State Park features well-designed sites suitable for equestrian campers. "We love Hueston Woods! We have been there twice now and tent camp. A lot of the sites are large and have enough space for everything you need!" shares Maddy B.
Privacy between sites: Summit Lake State Park offers good separation between camping areas. "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," notes Lisa M.
Clean facilities: Horse campgrounds maintain their amenities well for campers. "Clean bathrooms with push button showers," reports Kristene B. about Versailles State Park, another equestrian-friendly option near East Connersville, Indiana.
Multiple trail options: The variety of trails appeals to riders of different skill levels. "The trails are well maintained and lake is beautiful no matter when you go," says Chrissy S. about trails at Westwood Park.
What You Should Know
Weather considerations: Conditions can affect trail quality for horses. "Weekend campers experienced heavy storms as we left," notes Dave V. about camping at Hueston Woods during shoulder season.
Wildlife awareness: Raccoons are common at horse campgrounds. "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 your vehicle or well secured," advises John F.
Site selection strategy: Research specific sites before booking at Westwood Park. "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," explains Stephen H.
Water availability: Some horse campgrounds have limited potable water. "No water so be sure to bring your own," advises Kenpocentaur K. about certain Five Rivers Metroparks sites.
Tips for Camping with Families
Playground access: Winton Woods Campground provides recreation areas for children. "There is a playground for children, and a camp store that sells firewood and supplies," notes Anne H.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs for young riders. "They have some planned activities and hikes for those interested!" mentions Megan D. about Hueston Woods State Park.
Multiple activities: Look for parks with diverse options beyond riding. "From walk in camping to painball hueston woods has it all. Lots of trails and creeks, biking, boating, play grounds, swimming, food, store, movie nights mini golf and more! They even have an animal preserve," shares Daniele M.
Site spacing considerations: "I wish all campsites were like these - very, very spread out!" says Brady R. about Horsemen's Camp, noting that "they were very spread out and had lots of great space to actually enjoy nature."
Tips from RVers
Hookup locations: Be prepared for various electrical connection setups. "In terms of trails, there was a starting access point at the horse campground for horseback riding trails that also led to the horse barn, but if you are wanting to hike, you have to drive, unfortunately," notes Brady R. about access points at horse campgrounds.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require equipment for proper trailer positioning. "Our site was a pull through and, while level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back," says Marshall P. about sites at Summit Lake State Park.
Reservation timing: Book well ahead for equestrian sites with hookups. "Conveniently located just South of Liberty, Indiana. Access to the Brookville Lake. Playground available. Beach area available. Easy to reserve through the In.gov website," explains Mark S. about Whitewater Memorial State Park.
Dump station planning: "I would also note that there is only one dump station for the three campgrounds so there can be quite the line when trying to get out of there on a Sunday afternoon," warns Jessie W. about Versailles State Park's facilities.
