Carter Caves State Resort Park offers equestrian camping opportunities approximately 1.5 miles from the main campground area. The equestrian campground includes full hookup sites with pull-through access designed to accommodate larger rigs. This area features both 30-amp and 50-amp electrical service, though some campers note that extension cords may be needed at certain sites. The horse-friendly campground connects directly to the park's network of bridle paths and hiking trails.
What to do
Kayaking the Licking River: The Ole Cornfield campground provides convenient access for paddlers. "We went kayaking (they have a kayaking service on site) and played in the river. Far enough away from the road that we didn't hear any noise, just the river running," notes Karen P. The campground offers shuttle service to the dam for a scenic float back to camp.
Explore cave systems: Carter Caves features multiple cave exploration options. "Various levels of cabing experience at a reasonable cost. Lots of hiking, fairly well marked. Almost every hike is relatively short with an arch or natural bridge as a feature," explains Bryan G., who visited with a scout group. Cave tours vary in difficulty from beginner to more challenging routes.
Mountain biking: Twin Knobs Recreation Area offers direct trail access for cyclists. "There are mountain biking trails that you can access right from the campground so that was nice," according to a reviewer who appreciated the trail connectivity. The campground's location on Cave Run Lake also allows for combined water and land activities.
What campers like
Secluded sites: Twin Knobs Recreation Area provides private camping spots. "The campground is in a wooded area and each campsite is separate by woods from the nearby sites," notes Stephen H. The natural separation between sites creates a more private outdoor experience than typical state park campgrounds.
Clean facilities: The Ole Cornfield maintains well-kept amenities according to visitors. "The campground is always extremely clean as are the bathrooms. Water and electric on site with a wide spot," reports Karen P. The bathrooms feature quality paper products and clean shower facilities.
Peaceful atmosphere: Greenbo Lake State Park offers a quieter camping experience. "Primitive Site 22 was fantastic, tucked away from everyone and quiet," writes Paul K. The campground provides both electric and primitive sites with varying degrees of privacy, though some report the sites are packed together in certain areas.
What you should know
Water hookup positioning: At Jenny Wiley State Park, water connections require planning. "What's odd is that you share a water spigot with a neighbor so you have to have a long hose to go across your whole section," explains Pamela S. Some sites have awkward utility placement with water hookups positioned at the front rather than sides of campsites.
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds in the area have limited connectivity. Twin Knobs campers report, "Internet service is spotty there– our Verizon hotspot worked ok, but the Sprint was super slow." At Shawnee State Park in nearby Ohio, visitors note "there is absolutely no cell service in the Campground."
Reservation timing: For equestrian campgrounds near Grayson Lake, advance planning is essential. The equestrian campground at Carter Caves can fill quickly during peak season. Many campers recommend reservations 6+ months in advance for premium sites, especially those with horse-friendly amenities or sites close to water.
Tips for camping with families
Water play options: Shallow water access at The Ole Cornfield suits young children. "The grandkids love to play in the river, which is about 1 to 2 feet deep at this location. Great for wading and catching minnows, crawdads, and such," shares Karen P. This provides safe water exploration for children not ready for deeper lake swimming.
Planned activities: Carter Caves State Park offers organized programs for kids. "Grab a ranger-guided tour and learn something! Great for the kids!" suggests Chris B. During holiday periods like Halloween, the park hosts special themed weekends with decorating contests and trick-or-treating opportunities.
Playground access: Shawnee State Park includes dedicated kid-friendly areas. "The campground had fun amenities for kids, like a very small mini golf course and an outdoor screen for movie nights," reports Jay T. The campground also features multiple playgrounds and organized weekend activities.
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup sharing: At Greenbo Lake State Park, power posts serve multiple sites. "They advertise the sites with 30 and 50 amp hookups. What they didn't say was that you had to share a post. The people beside me already had the 50 amp," explains Karen P., who had to adjust by running appliances on propane instead.
Water pressure management: Iron Ridge at Lake Vesuvius campers should monitor pressure. "Beautiful place to camp. Some sites are more difficult for parking a camper than others...but the water pressure was extremely high," warns Wendi L. RVers should bring pressure regulators to protect their plumbing systems.
Site length verification: When reserving at Shawnee State Park, double-check site dimensions. One RVer reports: "We were told that the site we'd been assigned was room enough for 52'. Our RV is only 34' so that would be more than enough. we got there and it was maybe 20-24" in length." Several visitors recommend calling to verify actual site dimensions rather than relying solely on website information.
