Sycamore State Park Campground provides trails for horseback riding with several equestrian-friendly campsites. The park has grounds suitable for both tent and RV camping with electric hookups, drinking water, and facilities for horses. Trail riders can access miles of designated bridle paths through a variety of terrain including wooded areas and open fields. The horseback riding trails are often noted for their variety and accessibility for riders of different experience levels. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings, with restrooms and showers available for campers. The trails are particularly noted for their quality and maintenance, making them suitable for day rides from the campground.
Horsemen's Camp at Whitewater Memorial State Park, located in Liberty, Indiana within driving distance of Alpha, offers dedicated equestrian camping with amenities specifically designed for horse owners. The campground features electric hookups, water hookups, and sewer hookups for RVs, while maintaining accessibility for horse trailers. Trail access connects directly to the park's extensive bridle trail system, allowing riders to explore wooded terrain and scenic views without trailering horses between rides. The campground provides drinking water, toilets, and shower facilities for campers. Reservations are recommended, particularly during peak riding seasons when the trails attract riders from throughout the region. The camp includes fire rings at each site, with firewood available for purchase nearby.
$24 - $33 / night
"A well manicured campground just outside Dayton, easy to get to, back in pavement site with 30A electric, picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of potable water spigots around, just not at the site."
"I did not spend enough time here to give a thorough review, but what I will say is that this site is nice if you need a campsite for a couple nights while passing through Ohio."
"Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry."
"Cowan Lake State Park is near Wilmington, Ohio and they have been making a lot of improvements to the park. It is a great location between Cincinnati and Columbus with easy access from the highway. "
$15 - $28 / night
"This meant with two little ones we wouldn't have to constantly remind them to socially distance or put on masks. We were alone but had plenty of park supports."
"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"
$100 - $200 / night
"This park has such a variety of things to do. there’s a great disc golf course, really nice trails to hike with challenging hills and nice areas with shelters for grilling and parties and such."
$31 / night
"The park is about 3000 acres with a beautiful sailing / fishing lake. There is a beautiful lodge and golf course, archery range, and plenty of hiking paths and equestrian paths."
"We have stayed in both the general camping spot as well as the horse campground. Love them both."
$29 - $30 / night
"One loop is for equestrian camping but when we were there, I only saw one horse trailer, and the rest were occupied by RV campers. "
"This is your standard Ohio State Park campground. It has the usual parking, water, restrooms, camp store, and activities. East Fork is rather nice as it has the lake and long trails. "
$20 - $55 / night
"I may be biased, with it being close to home, but they have a lot for the kids to do. Beach, volleyball net, playground. Plenty of water locations. For me the bathrooms are unusable."
"This park is know for the lake that is kayak and canoe friendly since it doesn’t allow any kind of boat with a motor. It also features a beach , 2 playgrounds and several hiking trails."
$33 / night
"Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend."
"Some are adjacent to the playground There are tons of things to do: Miniature golf Disc golf BMX trails Small dog park Golf course Horse camp"
"Tent/RV sites were level and had lots of Shade and trees for Hammocks. 1.7 mile paved walking trail is great for walking, running and biking. A short 18 hole Disc Golf course is close by."
"The location is located on the lake with access to put in a kayak or canoe. The bathrooms are clean, with private combined shower/dressing stalls."
$17 - $27 / night
GuideAutumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry. Had to wait for rvs in front of me to register.
LegendThis is part of the Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metro Parks) and it is at the Twin Creek metro park. This is an old boy scout camp (Camp Hook) back in the day.
During these COVID-19 times we wanted a place to park that wasn't the traditional Ohio State Parks camp site. We didn't want to share a common bathroom/bath house or playground area. We picked this as the Twin Creek camp site only has 3 camp sites within the park. Even then they are out of side from each other. You can somewhat hear the other two camp sites (rarely). This meant with two little ones we wouldn't have to constantly remind them to socially distance or put on masks. We were alone but had plenty of park supports. We had two great park volunteers/security stop by to make sure we had everything we need.
The nice thing about the Dayton metro parks is that each night in the front county camp sites they include a bundle of fire wood. This is not the small sad bundle that you often buy at gas stations or other markets. This is a huge bundle. It is dry and cut in an easy to use manner. It is also kept in a little box so it is dry even if you do have weather while camping. If you wish to add an additional bundle of firewood the price is very reasonable at $10.00. I do this every time I camp there to support their campsites/metro parks. I have yet to use up their firewood in the box when I camp for a whole weekend. It is also nice that we don't have to put it in our cars so less clean up after camping. It also helps with the whole burn local fire wood so you are not transporting bugs. Or you don't have to cross your fingers and hope someone close by sells firewood.
The nice thing about their site is the additional tables made it easy for us to socially distance. When I camp at local state parks and we only have one table it can be tricky to keep coolers, food, and people separated. We also were able to have kids do craft at one of the tables while we were preparing meals. This camp site is listed as a 10 person camp site. There is no water on site so make sure you bring all the water that you will need.
We also were able to hike the easy trails around the camp site. No need to put the kids in the car unless we wanted to. Which we still did:)
We drove into town and discovered a covered bridge that I had missed on an earlier camping trip. (Germantown). This town also has the Florentine which is one of the oldest inns in Ohio. It was closed while we were in town but it is well worth a stop. The town also has a community pool as well that you can buy a day pool pass.
The campsite does have two spots that would be neat for a wedding. You can reserve an amphitheater.
The campsites during peak season are $20 during week days and $28 for weekends. I still find this to be one of the best values for camping in Ohio. Especially, when you consider the level of privacy that you have on these sites. The vault toilets are one of the best as they are always clean. We have hand sanitizer and toilet paper. We didn't have to share our vault toilet with any other family units.
All of these small touches really made COVID-19 camping with kids much easier. We look forward to being back at this camp site in the fall.
Here is the website to make a reservation https://www.metroparks.org/rentals-permits/reserve-a-campsite/?id=786190&api=facilities&type=camp
LegendCowan Lake State Park is near Wilmington, Ohio and they have been making a lot of improvements to the park. It is a great location between Cincinnati and Columbus with easy access from the highway. This is good if you want to meet with friends somewhat in between. It isn't too close to the highway so you don't hear the road noise as it is a few miles away but it is an easy drive to the park.
They have been revamping the Nature Center to make it more accessible to folks as they have recently added a ramp. The Nature Center actually has two buildings side by side used for different purposes. Then behind the Nature Center they have a location where several birds are located in cages. Then next to where the birds are kept you will notice a new paw print trail that is a short but informative hike.
The commissary has great pizza and ice cream. We also bought our firewood and ice from them as well. We didn't need to leave the park. We had a few trails to pick from and picked two of the shorter ones for members in our group.
The cabins have been revamped as well. They are all close to each other so if you wanted to have a family reunion or a get together this would be a great spot to do so. At the end of the main road it will lead you to the lake. You can use the dock to put your boat out (kayak and certain motor boats). Folks are fishing at the lake or simply enjoying the beauty of the lake.
The beach is simple but that is part of the charm. It is clean and we were able to swim on the hot days that we had while camping.
LegendThis was a last minute reservation and only available due to a cancellation. The campground was full for the weekend. The campground is pretty big with different types of sites. Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend. The site we reserved had a hill right next to the passenger side/door side of your camper. If you had a big camper, it might be tight to open your slides and an awning. You most likely would not sit right outside your camper door. In fact, the fire ring is behind the site and up a small hill. We set up our ez-up in the back and out of the way, it worked for us. There was also a path that led you into the playground. Speaking of playgrounds, you will hear a lot of kids if the weather is nice. We were right across from the camp host (very nice lady) and very short walk to the bathhouse. The bathhouse had 4 flushable toilets and I think 3 showers. The showers did not have benches in the stall, only on the outside directly across. With a full campground, the bathrooms were kept very clean with the amount of people using it. We walked around and noticed a lot of bathhouses and another playground. We took a hike that led us to the lodge - it was an in and out and just under 5 miles. On our way back we stopped at the camp store which was well stocked with items you may need or not. There is a putt putt course, frisbee disc course, horse trails, dog park, nature center, golf course and more trails nearby. There are plenty of things to do if you like to keep busy or are trying to keep kids entertained. (The bees and stinkbugs were out and about while we were there.)
GuideHueston Wood, a real gem. The park is about 3000 acres with a beautiful sailing / fishing lake. There is a beautiful lodge and golf course, archery range, and plenty of hiking paths and equestrian paths.
The biggest issue for us was the description of the site at C36 was nothing like the description. We approached the staff in the office and they expressed no concern in helping us. One camping family left due to the office staff's attitude.
Ok, now for the positive! We met one of the volunteers, Gary, who was able to find us a site to hold our 34 foot motorhome. He made our July 4th weekend, couldn't have been more accomodating.
Sites have 30A electric and there is plenty of potable water available around the campground, just not at the site. Each site has a fire ring and a picnic table. At the A and B loop there was plenty of space around the site to spread out.
The dump station is fairly new and can accommodate 2 RV's. Though most site are grass, some have gravel, but the A loop sites are full hookup and concrete or paved (but not all flat). When setting reservation and with an RV over 20ft, shoot for A or B loop.
The grounds are just beautiful, hiking trails great but not all marked well. A place we will return.
ScoutTHIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO JUST GET AWAY FROM EVERYTHING AND RELAX. IT IS BEAUTIFUL TERRAIN TO RIDE ATV'S, HORSES, YOU CAN HIKE, FLY KITES, BRING THE KIDS POWER WHEELS OR BIKES YOU CAN EXPLORE THE CREEK OR JUST SIT IN THE SHADE OR NEXT TO THE FIRE AND TAKE IT ALL IN. ITS STILL ONLY 10-15 MINS FROM TOWN IF YOU FORGOT SOME SUPPLIES.
TravelerI've stayed here in the past and Cowan Lake does not disappoint. The B site campground is all non-electric tent camping, and far enough away from the larger RV pads that it's a quiet little campsite! Also, these sites are super close to the bathrooms on the beach, which were very clean during our stay. I was incredibly impressed, because the beach gets pretty busy during the day. The beach itself was clean (for a lakeside beach- there are geese, it's Ohio) and the lake was gorgeous! I will say, the only MILD annoyance is that some of the other campers would drive to the parking lot in front of our campsite and park there into the evening hours to fish or head down to the docks. I'm an early riser, so the headlights and car doors slamming were mildly annoying after about 10p. Not enough to make me choose a different campsite, but worth noting. We rented a tandem kayak and explored the lake, and the equipment was all in good condition. The Commisary is pretty limited but they do have a small kitchen and ice cream, as well as the basics like firewood and ice, as well as the boat rentals. Overall, one of my favorite lakeside campgrounds!
LegendGeneral: Huge state park with over 400 sites. All are pet-friendly and electric. About 20 are FHU. While tent camping is permitted, certain sites are not recommended for it as there would be no place to pitch a tent. One loop is for equestrian camping but when we were there, I only saw one horse trailer, and the rest were occupied by RV campers.
Site Quality: All camper pads are paved and most appeared level or just very slightly sloped. A picnic table and fire ring complete the site. Some sites have more trees to provide privacy while others are closer together with little separation.
Bath/Shower House: Not all loops have their own bath house and the I loop where we stayed was one of them. We used the one in the H Loop. The bathhouses were clean, and the shower had nice hot water, however, it doesn’t seem like there were sufficient facilities for how large the campground was (H Loop had two showers, two toilets, and three sinks). Hooks or shelves would have been appreciated.
Activities/Amenities: Many activities can be enjoyed here including mini golf (small nine-hole course), soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, corn hole, boating, and bicycling. Playgrounds are in several loops (I saw them in C and G). Rentals are available but most are only in season (ended September 30). There is a nature center and several hiking or paved biking/walking trails. There is also a camper beach for boating and swimming.
When we reserved months earlier, we knew that our first night (a Saturday) was 100% full as we got the very last site. What we did not know is that there was a HUGE Halloween celebration complete with 30-40 decorated golf carts parading through the campground. The road was closed until 6:45 pm (we arrived around 7 pm) and cars lined both sides of the approximately two-mile road! If that's your thing, great but it wasn't necessarily ours!
I appreciate that this park encourages so much outdoor activity, but it is not very pedestrian-friendly. I walked the road from one end to the other and there was no shoulder and, in many spots, no place to safely step off into the grass. I’m guessing it is assumed you will either have a car or golf cart to get around.
One final note: for a park so close to a large city (Cincinnati), I was surprised the cell service was so lacking (on Verizon). We eked out one and occasionally two bars of 4G.
LegendLots of room! Privacy, some sites have accommodations for several tents as well as full hook up for campers. Some are adjacent to the playground There are tons of things to do: Miniature golf Disc golf BMX trails Small dog park Golf course Horse camp
Buck Creek State Park offers horseback riding trails and camping near Alpha, Ohio within a 30-minute drive. The campground includes level sites for both tents and RVs with electric hookups. Several campgrounds in the region provide equestrian-friendly accommodations with direct access to bridle trails. Water access is available at most locations, with many campgrounds situated near lakes or rivers.
Mountain biking trails: Twin Creek Metro Park has challenging terrain for riders of different skill levels. "This was a lovely backpacking trail that is both challenging while not being too hard for new backpackers," notes Kenpocentaur K. about Dayton Metro Parks.
Fishing opportunities: Kiser Lake State Park has calm waters ideal for bank fishing and kayak fishing. "Amazing and quiet location, super quiet, low traffic and decent fishing," says Buck B. about Kiser Lake State Park Campground.
Paddling and water sports: Many campgrounds have lakes with boat rentals. "The nice thing about their site is the additional tables made it easy for us to socially distance. We also were able to hike the easy trails around the camp site. No need to put the kids in the car unless we wanted to," reports Kenpocentaur K. about Twin Creek Metro Park.
Covered bridge exploration: Several historic covered bridges are located near Alpha. "We drove into town and discovered a covered bridge that I had missed on an earlier camping trip. (Germantown). This town also has the Florentine which is one of the oldest inns in Ohio," writes a reviewer about their stay near Dayton.
Secluded sites: Five Rivers Metroparks offers remote camping options for those seeking privacy. "This is part of the Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metro Parks) and it is at the Twin Creek metro park. This is an old boy scout camp (Camp Hook) back in the day," says Kenpocentaur K.
Lake views: Several campgrounds offer waterfront sites. "We camped on lot 57 and the view of the lake was awesome! The new bathhouse is open year round," writes Brad H. about Kiser Lake State Park Campground.
Well-maintained facilities: Most parks have clean bathrooms and shower facilities. "Bathrooms are clean, and the shower had nice hot water, however, it doesn't seem like there were sufficient facilities for how large the campground was," notes Lee D. about East Fork State Park Campground.
Equestrian-focused amenities: Specialized campgrounds cater to horse owners with appropriate facilities. While these campgrounds provide horse-friendly accommodations, they're accessible to non-equestrian campers too during less busy periods.
Limited water access: Some campgrounds require you to bring your own water. "No water so make sure you bring all the water that you will need," advises Kenpocentaur K. about camping in the region.
Variable cell service: Coverage can be spotty in some areas. "For a park so close to a large city (Cincinnati), I was surprised the cell service was so lacking (on Verizon). We eked out one and occasionally two bars of 4G," explains Lee D. about East Fork State Park.
Reservation requirements: Most parks require advance booking, especially on weekends. "When we reserved months earlier, we knew that our first night (a Saturday) was 100% full as we got the very last site," shares Lee D.
Seasonal activities: Many campgrounds have special weekend events, particularly in fall. "What we did not know is that there was a HUGE Halloween celebration complete with 30-40 decorated golf carts parading through the campground," notes a reviewer about East Fork State Park.
Playgrounds and activities: Cowan Lake State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities. "Lots to do for families. Nice size lots. A variety of water stations," notes Abby N.
Bike-friendly campgrounds: Several parks have safe areas for children to ride. "The campground is filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun. Nobody was out of control or obnoxious," reports Kim H. about Cowan Lake State Park.
Educational opportunities: Nature centers provide learning experiences. "I loved the informational boxes and tags that they had on the trees or plants. This is helpful if you have little ones with you or if you are like me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail," shares a reviewer about Five Rivers Metroparks.
Halloween events: Many parks host special activities in October. "I went the first weekend in October so they had a lot of families there because they had all sorts of Halloween activities going on," explains Alexandra F. about Kiser Lake State Park.
Site leveling considerations: Most campgrounds have relatively level sites. "Camp sites are all blacktop, level, and clean. Nice bath houses, and playgrounds," reports Jarrod M. about East Fork State Park Campground.
Electric options vary: Not all campgrounds offer full hookups. "Electric site only, full service all full. A bit rough getting RV setup, but pad is fairly level, so easily setup to use slides," explains Johnothan R. about Cowan Lake State Park Campground.
Dump station availability: Most parks have dump stations, but not all sites have sewer hookups. "Has water to fill tanks and Dumping Stations to empty as needed, so great semi-boondocking," notes Johnothan R.
Connectivity options: Cell service varies by carrier. "Internet here on t-moble 5G home is 90Mbps down and 6 to 20Mbps up. Verizon on cellphone, only 10Mbs down, 1-3Mbps up. ATT cellphones are similar to Verizon," shares Johnothan R. about connectivity at Cowan Lake State Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Alpha, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Alpha, OH is Buck Creek State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 32 reviews.
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