Equestrian camping options near Bainbridge, Ohio provide access to diverse trail systems through the Appalachian foothills. The region sits between 700-1300 feet elevation with a mix of forested ridges and creek valleys. Most horse campgrounds maintain seasonal operations from April through November, with limited winter access depending on weather conditions.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Pike Lake State Park Campground offers a small lake for fishing. "Love this spot, very secluded and quiet... nice little lake to fish or kayak," notes Buck B., who found the tranquil water ideal for casual anglers.
Hiking on Greenbriar Trail: Fall visitors at Pike Lake can experience stunning foliage along the hiking paths. "We visited when the leaves were changing and it was absolutely gorgeous. Hiking was great," reports Mitch + Kristi N., who found the terrain accessible yet interesting.
Visit Moonville Tunnel: Zaleski State Forest connects to a historic railway tunnel via a connector trail. "I highly recommend taking the short connector trail on the south loop to cut over to the Moonville Rail Trail. We spent one afternoon hiking over to the Moonville Tunnel and it was one of the coolest parts of our four day trek," shares James W.
Paddle sports: Calm waters at multiple parks support beginners learning paddle sports. "There is a small pond/lake that has a beach you can kayak or canoe and fish (renting them is an option)," mentions Shannon G. about Pike Lake's rentable watercraft.
What campers like
Secluded tent spots: Shawnee State Park Campground offers tent-specific sites with natural separation from RV areas. "Unlike many Ohio State parks I've visited, the Shawnee campground has a variety of great tent sites. Several of these are hidden in the trees at the top of some steps and up a short path," writes Jay T., who appreciated the layout.
Quiet weekday stays: Several campgrounds maintain a peaceful atmosphere during mid-week periods. "This campground had a good, laid-back vibe. I had a site where I was able to put up a hammock. Many sites are along a pretty running stream," reports Karen about Pike Lake's tranquil setting.
Primitive camping with amenities: Great Seal State Park Campground balances basic camping with necessary facilities. "Simple and safe... Fifteen reservable sites via online or phone. Equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers seem to use this park often. Although no utilities... there is a shelter, restroom and trash receptacle," explains Michael L.
Diverse site options: Campgrounds in this region offer varied terrain types to match camping preferences. "Campsites are all blacktop, level, and clean. Nice bath houses, and playgrounds," notes Jarrod M. about East Fork State Park's well-maintained facilities.
What you should know
Weather impacts: Drainage problems affect camping at several sites in the region after rainfall. "We enjoyed our stay here. Just an fyi to others- it rained quite a bit and many of the sites got flooded. The ground here doesn't drain well," warns Bob M. about Pike Lake's water management issues.
Limited connectivity: Cowan Lake State Park Campground offers varying levels of cell service depending on 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," reports Johnothan R., noting the substantial differences.
Shade availability: Recent tree removal has changed sun exposure at some parks. "Nice place, spread out, plenty of room between sites, very little shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees," mentions Brandon P. about Cowan Lake's landscape changes.
Walk-in tent sites: Some campgrounds require gear hauling to reach secluded spots. "Make sure to pay attention to 'walk-in' sites. It's more like 'hike a half mile with your gear' sites! All in all we had a blast and a good laugh about our trek with all our stuff!!" cautions Amanda P. about Hocking Hills.
Tips for camping with families
Junior activities: Hocking Hills State Park Campground provides ranger-led programs for kids. "The rangers and naturalists have many activities going on and are very knowledgeable," shares Kate W., who found staff engagement enhanced their stay.
Camp store supplies: Pike Lake maintains emergency supplies and food items for campers. "We walked up to the camp store which had a ton of items. If you forgot to bring it, they probably had it," notes Shannon G. during her family visit.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature playground equipment for different age groups. "There are two playgrounds, one in the campground and one right across the way," mentions another reviewer about Pike Lake's family-friendly layout.
Seasonal activities: Halloween camping events are popular at several parks. "The campground looks nice, we plan on bringing our camper next time. Not much nearby, but Waverly has some good eats. Seems popular with horse riders," shares Leon H. about activities at Pike Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground offers spacious electric sites for horse trailers. "They have 14 water and electric sites with plenty of shade trees. 30 primitive tent sites also with plenty of shade!!" reports Chad B., highlighting the improved facilities.
Electric-only hookups: Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds offer electric but not 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," mentions Johnothan R. about managing expectations.
Site dimensions: RVers should carefully verify space requirements before booking. "The sites weren't very spacious but there's lots of trees nearby and an easy walk to get to Old Mans Cave," notes Elana C. about the Hocking Hills camping area.
