The Dyrt can help you find the perfect horse camping site near Mount Vernon. Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. With our help, you'll find the best Kentucky equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
$30 / night
The park is situated in the middle of 14,000 plus acres of forest. We have a 56 acre lake with pedal boats and row boats. There are miles of hiking trails that meander through the forest. It is a great place to get back to nature. We also have an 18 hole golf course, tennis and basketball court, and a lodge with a full service dinning room. Equine Camping: Pennyrile Forest offers 8 pull-through campsites specifically designed for horse owners. These sites feature electric, water and sewer hook-ups. Each site has its own corresponding hitching posts for up to four horses, picnic table, lantern hanger & fire ring/grill combo. Horse campers have access to all campground amenities, which include bathhouses, laundry area and playgrounds. A new 1.25 mile horse trail near the campground connects horseback riders to the 40+ miles of horse trails on the adjacent Pennyrile State Forest.
This campground is the site of an old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) work camp. Somewhat off the beaten path Camp Cadiz is usually quiet and rarely do the campsites fill up; with the exception of turkey and deer hunting seasons. The campsites are level and each has a fire ring with grill and picnic table. __Equestrian camping is allowed.__Recreation Area brochure/map
Traveler
Harmonie State Park looks like a great place for a family vacation. In addition to the campground with at least 2 playgrounds, there are trails, picnic areas and a boat ramp. We only stayed 1 night. Site 166 is big and on the end of a road. There's a restroom and water spigot within walking distance. They have showers but we didn't use them. Our only problem was 1 or more raccoons kept coming into our site. We shooed them away but they kept coming back. I'm sure they were just looking for food.
ScoutI stayed here and camped for a bike rally. I think you can only camp during an event. And cost is different from each event. Nice place
ScoutIt had electeic hook up but we were tent camping early May 2024. The campsite is mostly hill with a wash out running through it. It is also the breeding site of thousands of Miner Bees. They were docile and no one got stung but they were everywhere from sun up to sun down the entire site hummed with bees. The entire ground was full of holes that they were coming in and out of. Close to bathroom/showers and a playground, fresh water source across the road.
ScoutEverything was well kept and clean. Multiple bath/shower houses on each loop. Push button showers. Takes about a minute to get water hot, but good after that. Dated, but clean and functional. The lights stay on 24/7 so bugs are in the shower house.
Multiple walking trails and bike trails. Nice shelter houses and picnic areas. Multiple playgrounds. Nature center in the campground. Many events scheduled for summer. New Harmony (town) is close by and a must stop. Nature walks, lots of unique history you will find nowhere else, quaint shopping, coffee shops, wine bar, dining, etc...
The pool has been filled in at the park. Very disappointing.
I was demolished by mosquitos and was covered in deet. Tried picaridin too. If you get the biters off you, the gnats were all over me too. Not sure if just time of year or maybe always this way (did rain multiple times).
Couldn't use mountain bike trails and most hike trails as it was too wet.
Suggest calling before making reservations because many of electric sites are not level, at all. Ask which would be best.
GuideWe had a great time here. Nice spaced out place. We stayed at site 192. It was at the back of the campground, but close to the bathrooms/showers and just across from the playground. It was close enough to walk to the Nature Center and grab ice cream. There’s even a hiking trail right behind. And not much through traffic since it’s in the back. Staff was extremely friendly. They had ice and firewood to purchase. Even the other campers were extremely friendly. We were only a few mins from downtown New Harmony. The coffee shop there was very good. Evansville was about 30 mins. We had to go get a new car battery there and DNR used a jump box to get us going. Very clean bathrooms and grounds. The only reason it didn’t get 5 stars were the showers. Older, took awhile to heat up, only had water for about 15 seconds at a time. Not easy to get a squirming toddler bathed. Better than nothing though. Great campground, highly recommend!
TravelerHad the campground to myself. Facilities for showering were fine. Park employees were very friendly. I saw some cabins at park that they rent out that looked like a good deal for the non camping people. Short drive away is the town of New Harmony. They seem to have a lot of events in summer and fall. Access to the Wabash River right at the park
Guide
This is such a beautiful park. The rooms are dated but very clean. The views here are breathtaking. Hiking trails, paddle boating, canoeing and kayaking and geocaching.
Guidethe heat was definitely a vibe killer. our tent trapped in so much heat and humidity it was INSANE. plots are very close together, so you have people around you. and animals start to become active around 8:30pm. we had some trouble with a few raccoons coming up to our table and having no fear to approach us. i suggest keeping a large stick with you. and bring a candle to keep bugs away. they’re everywhere and all over you. wouldn’t recommend trail #2 either. only trail i went on while i was there and i ran into at least 20 spiderwebs, a large bug chased us for another good 2 miles continuing to land on us and buzz in our ears. the trails are long with no mile markers, but very cool scenery on the way. the trail ended at a road, where you have to walk all the way back to camp (about 45 minutes) up hills and on the road.. ALSO LIVE BUGS IN SHOWERS!!
LegendThis state park was easy to find. We arrived about 4:45 PM as their Sunday check in time is 5:00 PM. There were still campers coming out of the park. Check in was super easy thanks to a very nice ranger. We proceeded 3 miles into the park to the campground(CG) loop areas. We were offered pull through site 20 if we didn’t want our reserved site 22 that was a back-in with electric(50/30 AMP) only. Site 22 was an easy back-in and its a large site so we stuck with this site. We paid$23 per night, plus$5 transaction fee, and$3.22 tax for this site. Upon arrival we payed a one-time$9(out of state) entrance fee. There are water spigots periodically spaced around the loops. Ours was about 55 feet from our site, which was convenient to fill our fresh water tank. There was a sign on the spigot not allowing splitters to connect for more permanent use. We were in one of the CG’s first loops, 16-28, that was pretty much empty during our two night’s stay Sun- Tue the first week week of June. We liked this loop’s privacy and space between sites. In the main campground areas(sites 60- 100s) the RV and tent sites were closer together but we did notice that a few sites around 118 had electric and water. There were quite a few restrooms/shower facilities smartly placed throughout the CG loops. This state park was among the cleanest and well maintain that we have experienced during our journeys.
LegendThis is a small state park in an out of the way part of the state. Located in Southwest Indiana, about 40 miles from Evansville.
This is a typical Indiana State Park. Some sites are pretty close together, some are spacious. There's electricity, but water is shared. Some sites have 50 amp, so when you're looking to reserve, check that out. IMO, the best site is site 39. It's at the end of the row, with somewhat secluded. It's a walk to the bathroom, but worth it. Site 22 is also a good site at the end of a row & has a trail from the site to the small pond.
Be sure to watch for the grade also. Some of the sites had a noticeable incline.
Bathrooms are pretty dismal. They smelled bad too. They need to start replacing these old, worn out comfort stations with something from this century! The nature center is in the campground & is pretty small. We enjoyed it though.
The camp store is in the park office& is ridiculous. Bring everything you need, cause you won't find it there!
8 trails the longest is 2.5 miles, the shortest.25 miles. There's also mountain bike trails & a 4 mile horse trail.
GuideWe stayed at Harmonie State Park for 4 nights Tue-Fri the second weekend of April. Unfortunately the weather was cold, windy, and rainy. I don’t know if it was the weather but the gnats were everywhere. We had a pull through site #40 is was very narrow but it had a beautiful view out our back windows. Water was available throughout the park. It was easy to hook up if we needed more water. Only 3 spigots were not uncovered yet. We had a raccoon visit our campsite and heard bobcats at night.
Take a tour of New Harmony if you like history. The town is beautiful most of the shops were not open during the week.
Overall the park is beautiful we just didn’t have great luck with the weather.
Scout
Stayed here in March 2020. My favorite part about this campground was that there were only 8 campsites so it was very quiet and remote. I arrived at 7pm on Friday and snagged the last site. The fire pit had a grate large enough to cook on and I didn’t need to use my extra grate that I keep in my camping kit. Bathrooms were not super clean but they were fine. There was potable water from a spigot and lots of kindling around to get fires going. No showers. Over all a nice site. I would stay there again.
TravelerGood and large campground I went during the middle of the week after Labor Day and I was able to find a nice secluded site 100 yards from the nearest camper The bathrooms were nice and clean I would stay here again
TravelerNice
GuideThere are alot of campsites to choose from. They all have some shade but most are totally shaded with large trees. Sites have gravel pads . Each one has a grassy area (big) which was perfect for our pups. We walked the whole camping area and actually there are no bad sites. We are here on a thursday and practically no one here but are told it will fill up tonight. Traveling, so only here for 2 nights but would definitely stay longer if we could. The nature center( in center of camp) is having a nature show called "Eel of fortune" this afternoon. Looking forward to that. Staff are wonderful and enjoy hearing where you are from.
ScoutThe Pennyrile state park campground is in need of a makeover. I didn’t see any sites suitable for a tent. I was car camping and slept in my SUV so no tent but I’m glad I didn’t have to rely on the sites being level. There were roots and rocks on all the sites. It is quite and relaxing. Electric and water was adequate. The shower house only had one working shower in the women’s bathroom. The entire thing could use a good cleaning and maintenance.
GuideThis is a huge state park! There are lots and lots of campsites in this state park bordering the Wabash River. Sites are divided into smallish areas some for tents, some for RVs and some mixed. Lots of trees for shade. Bathhouses in each area with showers and toilets. Very clean & well maintained. Some areas with children playgrounds. The park has multiple picnic areas and shelters. There are a couple of ponds. There is a boat launch at the Wabash River. There is a good size swimming pool (though closed at my visit for the pandemic). Park sells firewood for individual fire pits at each site. Electric hookups at most tent sites. Water spigots near each bathhouse.
TravelerThis place was laid out and built by someone who hates RVs. Seriously steep compound slopes, tight 90 degree turns, and hookups 100’ away on the wrong side of the site all make this place horrible for anything but a pop up. I saw at least four people worth reservations leave because they couldn’t get into their site. The bath house has one working shower and it wasn’t very clean. The dump station was 15’ from a site so I totally ruined someone’s peaceful breakfast. The hiking trail was a dead end on an unidentifiable paved road. The beach and boat access are gated until 10am. No early morning paddling for me.
Now the good stuff:
GuideThis park is gorgeous! I needed a place to say to visit a family member in the Hospital in Evansville and this park was a great place to stay and relax after long day. Must of the park I didn’t explore, but they have a lot to offer. Bathrooms/showers are good, sites are good, and staff is very friendly! Learned that allergies are worse for most people in this area of the country so if you have allergies, be prepared. Bugs were also very active.
ScoutThis place I can't even begin . I have lived in KY ALOT OF MY LIFE .I HAD NO IDEA THIS EXISTED. AND I STILL HAVE A HARD TIME I FEEL LIKE I HAVE OPENED THE DOORS OF A STORY BOOK AND THERE IT IS THIS PLACE IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR BUT ALWAYS THOUGHT I HAD TO GO FAR AWAY TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS OR .JUST KEEP DREAMING ABOUT IT . BUT ITS VERY WELL KEPT NOT TO CROWDED . NOW IF UR A SWIMMER GET UP AND GET UR SPOT EARLY CUZ IF NOT WELL THAT SHUD BE SELF EXPLANITORY LOL. BUT ITS A GREAT PLACE TO JUST GO RELAX MEET NEW PEOPLE OR NOT SOME LIKE THERE PRIVACY . SOME PLACES U GO DOGS ACTING CRAZY,KIDS EVERYWERE..LOUD MUSIC .OR PEOPLE ITS REALLY A GREAT PLACE .STAFF IS GREAT .CLEAN BATHROOMS .NICE CAMP SITES . NICE HIKING ,SITE SEEING ALL TOGETHER .U WONT WANT TO LEAVE ..I REALLY FELT LIKE I HAD A vacation. HERE IVE BEEN ALOT DIFFERENT PLACED S AND ALOT.I IVE NEEDED A VACATION AFTER CUZ IT JUST STRESSED OUT SITUATION. BUT THIS PLACE IS ON MY FORSURE RETURN FOR MANY YEARS ..THANK U ..FOR GIVEN ME AND MY FAMILY GREAT MEMORIES FOR LIFE..
GuideA huge campground for both tents and RVs. Electrical but no water connections at each RV site. Hot showers and bathrooms within walking distance of each site. The shower spigots stay on a loooong time so no need to keep pushing for shower stream. Super friendly ranger who let us pay for our site and firewood on our departure morning as the park office was closed. We were there on a Monday and it was super empty. Heard the weekends are crowded as there are several playgrounds and a pool. No laundry.
LegendThis small, rustic camp is at the edge of Shawnee and only had a few campers staying multiple nights with us. Then the turkey hunting season came upon us and the sites filled.
We had site choices that ended up being along the gravel forest road that goes by camp. This put us away from other dogs but caused other issues. Every vehicle that went by generated dust which then coated everything in our camp. If you come here, we suggest taking the site that is furthest from the road (it's right next to the small forest road that heads off to the hiking trails. They had shade as well as sun and no dust.
The sites are large but there isn't any foliage between them. Luckily the dogs were in camps further away from our dog so she was able to relax. The water pump got frequent use and the twin vault toilets were plenty for the campground.
The hiking trails that headed out from the camp were wonderful. We even hiked down the forest road and found a hidden cemetery tucked away. The river to river trail heads out from camp too - we saw a group of backpackers leave their cars and head off for the night. Garden of the Gods area is a short drive away for more hiking options.
Choose your time wisely. Camp filled up with hunters who started generators at 3 in the morning to get ready to head out for turkey. Once we realized what was going on, we put our dog's bright shirt on. Everyone was wonderful and we had some interesting conversations. It was also morel mushroom time so some people were hunting for them.
GuideMotorcycle camping across America and I wanted to see grades of the gods. What I didn’t want was to camp on top of someone else ... Garden of the Gods camp was, in a word, awful. Cadiz was spacious, quiet, and the other campers wanted to camp not party. Stayed an extra day because of it
ScoutThis camp ground is only about 10 min from Garden Of The Gods. It’s down a gravel road a bit but nothing too hard to find. The spaces are wide open and big for multiple tents. There is well water, a bathroom (open septic tank) for pit and picnic table at each site. No heavy traffic on the gravel road so it’s very quiet.
RangerIf you want a campground that has it all, Pennyrile State Park is where you want to be!
It has a GORGEOUS white sand beach with breathtaking blue water. Crazy to see that in KY!
Explore their caves, kayaking, canoeing, basketball and so much more! They even offer a wrangler campground if you want to bring the horses.
A little pricier than others, but worth it.
GuideI love this campground. It's super quiet despite the gravel road nearby. The vault restroom is kept very clean. It has easy access to the River to River trail, and I love the CCC stonework. While we were there, a small pack of 3 local dogs wandered through the campground which was a bit concerning at first, but they were all friendly, so no issues there.
ScoutLove this place
Horse camping in Kentucky offers a unique experience for equestrians looking to explore the beautiful landscapes while enjoying the company of their horses. With well-equipped campgrounds and a variety of activities, it's a great way to connect with nature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mount Vernon, KY?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mount Vernon, KY is Harmonie State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 34 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mount Vernon, KY?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Mount Vernon, KY, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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