Equestrian camping opportunities surround Oil Springs, Kentucky, with several state parks and national forest areas offering dedicated horse trails and facilities. The region features moderate elevations ranging from 600-1,200 feet with humid summers and mild winters. Most horseback riding trails remain open year-round, though spring and fall provide optimal trail conditions with temperatures typically between 50-75°F.
What to Do
Trail riding at Dewey Lake: Explore the backcountry trails surrounding Jenny Wiley State Park, which offers diverse terrain for riders of all levels. "If you want to do any horseback riding, you have to bring your own horse and gear, but contact the JWSP office first on where you can ride your horse. Better yet, you can take about a 30 minute drive from the Lodge to the German Bridge Campground area up Cow Creek, which is also in the Dewey Lake area," notes reviewer Tena G.
Cave exploration: Several trails at Carter Caves State Resort Park accommodate riders and lead to natural bridges and cave systems. "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," mentions Bryan G.
Lakeside fishing: Bring fishing gear when visiting horse camps. "Nestled in the Mountains of Eastern Ky, this is a nice little getaway. The fishing on Dewy Lake is awesome. The water is muddy a lot. But if you like catfishing, this is your Lake," says David O. about Jenny Wiley State Park.
What Campers Like
Spacious horse-friendly sites: Daniel Boone National Forest White Sulphur Horse Camp offers generously sized camping areas specifically designed for trailers and horses. "We try and use horse camps when traveling in larger groups since they have more space and are not always used... the place was clean, restroom facilities were stocked with TP," reports John.
Creek-side camping: Many campers appreciate sites along water features. "We were on site 53 along the creek," mentions a reviewer at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park. The campground offers "huge sites for plenty of recreational activities and still have space left over," according to Lisa S.
Trail access: Direct access to trail systems ranks high among equestrian campers. At German Bridge - Dewey Lake, campers appreciate "easy access to the lake. And great view," as noted by Leah P., making it convenient for riders to explore the surrounding terrain.
What You Should Know
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. At White Sulphur Horse Camp, John reports "slight cell service for Verizon & AT&T, enough for maybe text but not very consistent." This is common at most equestrian camping areas in the region.
Water quality concerns: Several campers note water quality issues in the area lakes. "DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FROM THIS LAKE... AND DON'T SWIM IN IT EITHER! FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK... CATCH & RELEASE!" cautions Tena G. about Dewey Lake.
Electrical hookup setup: Some campgrounds have unusual electrical arrangements. At Greenbo Lake State Park, one camper notes, "Had showed up at site with no electricity available. Was told had to share box but only one 30 and one 50 amp. So if you both have a 30 amp the other has to get an adapter for the 50."
Tips for Camping with Families
Pack water supplies: Most horse camps have limited drinking water facilities. Bring extra containers for both human and equine needs. At German Bridge, one reviewer notes it's "not for the new camper, very limited on the nicer things at a campsite."
Consider seasonal crowds: During peak times, some areas become quite busy. "It can get a little crowded in the campground at certain times due to holidays but it's not hard to lose the crowd," mentions Kristie B. about Jenny Wiley State Park.
Bring entertainment options: While trails provide daytime activities, evenings may require additional entertainment. At Twin Knobs Recreation Area, Karen P. explains, "We had a lot of kids, so we ended up running out of water. I had to carry water from about 500 or 600 ft away."
Tips from RVers
Extension equipment needed: RVers should come prepared with extra-long hoses and electrical cords. "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites," advises Ron & Bonnie D. about Carter Caves State Park.
Level sites available: Despite mountainous terrain, many campgrounds offer suitable RV sites. Twin Knobs Recreation Area provides "level and graveled" sites according to Karen P., who notes, "We had two campers on the site lined up on one side. One is a 22 ft. and the other a 37 ft. We had plenty of room on the campsite."
Road conditions vary: Access roads to horse camps may present challenges. "The road to the lake could use a little TLC," mentions Lisa S. about Carter Caves, a common situation at many equestrian-focused camping areas in the region.
Ranger
