Equestrian camping options extend beyond the facilities at Mammoth Cave National Park. These horse campgrounds near New Haven, Kentucky offer varied terrain from dense woodlands to open valley views. Multiple sites across the region provide access to established trail systems with elevation changes between 400-700 feet, creating challenging rides through hardwood forests and alongside waterways during spring and fall seasons.
What to do
Trail riding at Green River Stables: Located approximately 37 miles from New Haven with direct access to Green River Lake State Park trails. "Southern hospitality! Has horse camping with covered stalls. Great trails on Green River Lake State Park for hiking, biking & horses. Located close to boat ramps," notes Erin W.
Cave exploration options: While staying at Mammoth Cave Campground, consider the variety of guided tours. "Reserve the all day guided tour with crawling about in small spaces for the best experience. Make sure your boots have enough tread or you won't be allowed to do the tour!" advises Dan X. Another visitor recommends: "Our normally restless kids were so taken by the 2 hr cave tour that they remained in near total silence and awe as we tunneled through this slow moving guided cave walk."
Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds offer fishing access, especially at Cecilia Campgrounds where visitors report significant catches. "I've caught largemouth bass over 5 lb from the pond and all kinds of panfish," reports a regular visitor to this equestrian-friendly location west of New Haven.
What campers like
Privacy and natural setting: The primitive camping area at My Old Kentucky Home State Park Campground provides a tranquil wooded environment. "The primitive tent camping is located in a grove of beautiful, mature trees. Fire rings & picnic tables are dotted throughout the trees," explains Rachelle W. Another camper adds, "Smaller campground that has huge beautiful trees. sites are spaced out which has been really nice. Feels more like camping."
Clean facilities: Maple Springs Campground maintains well-kept facilities despite being more rustic. "The campground offered several facilities such as a communal fire pit and a few privies and water supply stations. Everything was clean and in order while I was there," reports one visitor. At Taylorsville Lake State Park, "the bath house was pretty immaculate for such a full weekend."
Wildlife viewing: Multiple horse campgrounds near New Haven feature abundant wildlife. At Mammoth Cave Campground, visitors note "Deer & turkey walk thru ur campsite! Very clean & quiet! The wildlife are very friendly!" Another camper enjoyed "Fireflies are great at night. Frogs are singing in the evening."
What you should know
Site selection considerations: Research individual sites carefully at these horse-friendly campgrounds. At Jefferson Memorial Forest Campground, "Our site was on the road leading up to the loop and those sites seem best since a few don't have campers across from them and they are spaced out slightly more than the sites on the actual loop... although you're further from water."
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds have specific booking timelines. "This campground books 6 months out. Very hard to get a spot, but so worth it!" notes a visitor to Nolin Lake State Park. For primitive camping, some parks operate differently: "The primitive tent camping is just an open area for all to share with picnic tables and grills scattered around."
Seasonal considerations: Tick activity affects camping comfort at some equestrian sites. One visitor to Maple Springs warns: "The only downside to the entire trip is that the park is infested with seed ticks and deer ticks. I was pulling ticks off of every inch of me even though I was coated in several layers of hardcore bug spray."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Otter Creek Park Campground, "We go every fall with our entire family to enjoy the Halloween activities. The campers all go all out and let the kids trick or treat. There is even a group who does a haunted house and it is so fun!"
Educational opportunities: The region offers educational experiences beyond riding trails. "If you are going to geocache pre-save your coordinates and instructions cause there is no signal in the park," advises one experienced visitor to Mammoth Cave. Another family notes their children enjoyed "the My Old KY Home historic house and gardens with our kids (13 & 5) and everyone enjoyed it."
Site spacing considerations: Families should research site layout before booking. At Taylorsville Lake State Park, "We camped there in July for my son's birthday party. We were near the restroom facilities which were very clean. The camping area was recently mowed. Plenty of parking for guests and tents."
Tips from RVers
Hookup variations: Pay attention to utility details when booking horse campgrounds near New Haven. At Nolin Lake State Park, "The campground has two tent camping locations and a rv area. The scenery was amazing." Another RVer adds that "the tent campground has spacious, level sites. The sites are located in a grove of pine trees."
Levelness challenges: Some sites require additional equipment for comfortable setup. "Make sure to have levelers to handle 7+ inches," advises one camper at My Old Kentucky Home State Park, while another notes "Many sites were not level and some sites were very short so make sure you review the site description."
Access limitations: RVers should note ferry restrictions at some locations. "If you are in a RV note that you can't go across the ferry with your rig!!! You have to go around the park to access this campground. We are so glad we realized that ahead of time."
