Equestrian camping near Greenville, Ohio spans across several parks within a 60-mile radius. The region features wooded rolling hills with elevation changes from 850 to 1,100 feet, creating both challenging and beginner-friendly terrain for horse riders. Trails typically remain open from April through October, with some closures during wet conditions or hunting seasons.
What to do
Trail riding at Hueston Woods State Park: The park offers multi-use trails through mature hardwood forests where riders frequently encounter wildlife. "From walk in camping to painball hueston woods has it all. Lots of trails and creeks, biking, boating, play grounds, swimming, food, store, movie nights mini golf and more! They even have an animal preserve," notes Daniele M., who visited Hueston Woods State Park Campground.
Lake activities at Kiser Lake: A motorless lake provides calm waters perfect for horses to cool off after rides. "The campground has a beautiful lake and nice (although short) hiking trails. The problem is that there is no running water- no showers and smelly pit toilets. There is one spigot for drinking water," explains Mandi B. about Kiser Lake State Park Campground.
Weekend events at Buck Creek: Seasonal horse-themed events run throughout summer months, typically on weekends. "One of my favorites in this area, great rv spots and even better tent/non electric spots... easy walk to fish or to campers beach... my sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes," reports Buck B. about camping at Buck Creek.
What campers like
Spacious horse sites at Whitewater Memorial: Sites at the horsemen's campground provide extra room for horse trailers with living quarters. "I came here and stayed in my tent (family had their horse trailer with camper) for a night during the chilly nights of October. I wish all campsites were like these - very, very spread out!" shares Brady R. about Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground.
Accessible terrain for various skill levels: Trails include both flat sections and challenging climbs suitable for all experience levels. "The Twin Valley Trail is actually a collection of trails in the Germantown and Twin Creek Metropark, interconnected by a rugged, heavily wooded trail with switchbacks managing the climbs and descents over the limestone bluffs and cuts overlooking the downstream portion of the Twin Creek," explains Charles R. about Dayton Metro Parks.
Overnight camping convenience: Many parks allow riders to camp directly with horses at their sites. "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. Just be careful if you hike with dogs since some trails intersect with a nature preserve which doesn't allow pets," advises Andrea F. about Kiser Lake.
What you should know
Limited facilities at some horse camps: Toilet facilities vary widely between parks, with some offering only pit toilets. "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," notes Kenpocentaur K. about camping at Dayton Metro Parks.
Water availability challenges: Not all horsemen's areas have running water, requiring campers to bring their own. "No water so make sure you bring all the water that you will need," warns Kenpocentaur K. about the Twin Creek location.
Seasonal trail conditions: Spring often brings muddy trails while summer growth can narrow pathways. "The creek runoff is managed by the Germantown Dam, and the park is upstream, so the heavy rains we'd been having had left the valley and banks very sloppy and muddy, but that was not the fault of the park," explains Charles R.
Tips for camping with families
Shared amenities for children and horses: Some parks have facilities that appeal to both riders and non-riding family members. "We love Hueston Woods! We have been there twice now and tent camp. A lot of the sites are large and have enough space for everything you need! The beach is a short distance away and love that they also include a dog swimming area," recommends Maddy B.
Beginner-friendly options: Summit Lake offers introductory riding opportunities on relatively flat terrain. "This is a nice park for those who want to camp/hike/fish and not travel too far from home. It's a relatively quiet campground with lots of different sites available, some of which are right on the water," shares Dave E. about Summit Lake State Park Campground.
Wildlife observation opportunities: Kids can often spot deer, birds, and small mammals from horseback. "Deer sighting were plentiful as were chattering tree rats...ahem, squirrels, sorry. Woodpeckers stayed busy overhead. At dusk an overly friendly masked trash panda encroached seeking to share my delectable and perfectly toasted s'more," recounts Dave V. about his experience at Hueston Woods.
Tips from RVers
Electric service considerations: Not all equestrian sites offer the same power options. "Its an ok park. The water is shared with your neighbor, so be sure to have a long hose. The showers were sketchy. I wouldn't use them personally," advises Laura W. about Horsemen's Camp — Whitewater Memorial State Park.
Site leveling challenges: Many equestrian sites require additional leveling for RVs. "Our site was a pull through and, while level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back," reports Marshall P. about Summit Lake.
Weekend reservation timing: Horse camping sites fill quickly during peak season, requiring advance booking. "Always call ahead before heading that way to see if they have sites available," recommends Kelly H. about Westwood Park.
