11 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
East Fork State Park Campground maintains 17 equestrian campsites in its dedicated horse camping area. The sites accommodate both tent and RV camping with electric hookups available. Horse owners can access multiple bridle trails directly from the campground, with trail connections throughout the 4,870-acre park. The campground features standard amenities including drinking water, restrooms, and shower facilities. Sites include picnic tables and fire rings. The horse camping area remains separated from the main campground, providing a quieter experience for those traveling with horses.
Horsemen's Camp at Whitewater Memorial State Park connects riders to an extensive network of bridle trails through wooded terrain. Located in Liberty, Indiana, approximately 60 miles from Beavercreek, this equestrian campground offers electric hookups with both 30-amp and 50-amp service. Water hookups and a sanitary dump station serve campers with trailers. The campground provides direct access to the lake with a beach area for swimming after trail rides. Restrooms, showers, and a camp store with basic supplies support extended stays. Trails wind through varied terrain with water crossings and scenic overlooks. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak riding seasons.
"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."
from $29 - $160 / night
Check Availability"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. "
from $29 - $160 / night
Check Availability"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"
from $15 - $28 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $23 - $200 / night
Check Availability"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."
"This camp ground is pretty standard for Ohio State Parks. It does have a cool new sleeping option. Yurts! We enjoyed our time in the yurt. "
from $27 - $100 / night
Check Availability"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. "
"They have horseback riding trails , bring your own horses , witch they have accomidations for or rent from near by stables ."
from $39 - $52 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $55 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Enjoy a few hours or the day hiking one of eight trails or all of them. If you have horses take them out on the two loops especially for them. Lodge, campground, cabins so many options."
from $39 - $52 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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! "
"Short hike to the lake. Great beach area and shower facilities. Pet friendly, horse trails, camp store. Liberty is a short drive and has all essentials plus J’s Dairy Inn 🤤"
from $20 - $33 / night
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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.)
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.
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.
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.
GuideI 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!
Totally makes sense given that you have large horse trailers/campers and also horses at each site, but even then, they were very spread out and had lots of great space to actually enjoy nature.
In terms of trails, there was a starting access point at the horse campground for horseback riding trails that also led to the horse barn, but if you are wanting to hike, you have to drive, unfortunately. Another flaw is that the bathrooms in the horse campground aren't modern and they're pit toilets. Even with the cooler weather, they still wreaked and were not pleasant to use.
Equestrian camping options near Beavercreek, Ohio extend beyond the dedicated sites at East Fork State Park and Whitewater Memorial State Park. The region sits at approximately 800-900 feet elevation with rolling terrain that transitions from suburban areas to wooded landscapes. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-85°F while spring and fall can fluctuate significantly, creating variable camping conditions throughout the extended season.
Hiking with varied terrain: Buck Creek State Park offers multiple trail options with different difficulty levels. "The tour is worth the money, the 'gem' mining was fun for our younger kids. There are two swimming beaches, the public one and one in the campground," notes Leon H., who adds that "Yellow Springs is a great, funky town" with "many great places to eat."
Backpacking on challenging trails: Five Rivers Metroparks maintains an extensive trail system with true backcountry experiences. "This was a lovely backpacking trail that is both challenging while not being too hard for new backpackers. They provided a common cooking area between the backpacking sites," shares Kenpocentaur K., who appreciates that "Twin Valley Trail was well marked and had a variety of ravines."
Paddling on motor-free lakes: Kiser Lake State Park restricts motorized boats, creating a peaceful paddling experience. "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," according to Andrea F., who adds that the park "features a beach, 2 playgrounds and several hiking trails."
Wildlife observation: Sycamore State Park provides opportunities for nature viewing in different habitats. "The park is great for hunting and has a few good spots to fish," reports Ashten J., though they note that "the hiking trails are often over grown and not very challenging."
Spacious campsites: Cowan Lake State Park Campground offers generous sites with good separation. "We stayed in Site 78. The lot was VERY large and well maintained. The asphalt pad was decently level; a picnic table and fire ring were included," explains Kim H., adding that "there was significant variety in the types of sites: some were quite wooded while others were full sun."
Easy lake access: Kiser Lake State Park Campground provides waterfront camping with scenic views. "We camped on lot 57 and the view of the lake was awesome!" shares Brad H., while Alexandra F. describes it as "absolutely stunning over looking the water with the trees turning colors."
Group camping options: Five Rivers Metroparks maintains several group sites with ample amenities. "This was a lovely campsite with 4 picnic tables, fire ring, and a very clean latrine. The other two group camp sites were far enough away that you couldn't hear or see them," reports Kenpocentaur K., who appreciates that "they provide a bundle of fire wood free each night."
Seasonal Halloween activities: Several parks offer special October events. At Kiser Lake, Alexandra F. notes, "They had all sorts of Halloween activities going on, so it wasn't very quiet, but I still enjoyed myself." Similar events occur at other parks in the region during fall weekends.
Cell service variability: Network coverage can be spotty in some parks despite proximity to urban areas. At East Fork State Park, Lee D. mentions "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."
Seasonal bathroom closures: Buck Creek State Park Campground maintains limited facilities off-season. "Bathrooms were clean but not spotless and in need of a little repair. We were there on a Tuesday in October so not very crowded," reports Mike & Deb L., indicating reduced maintenance during shoulder seasons.
Reservation requirements: Winton Woods Campground requires advance booking, especially for weekends. "The online reservation system is easy to use and gives you an array of sites/cabins to choose from. Be aware that lots of people use this park on the weekends so it can get quiet busy," notes Nancy W.
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons pose challenges at some parks. At Whitewater Memorial State Park, John F. warns, "Watch out for the 🦝 raccoons they are pretty aggressive and were all over our campsite. Clearly they are used to getting handouts, so keep your foodstuffs in you vehicle or well secured."
Look for playground access: Buck Creek State Park Campground offers multiple play areas. "Easy walk to fish or to campers beach... my sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes," shares Buck B., highlighting the family-friendly layout.
Consider non-electric sites for tent privacy: Some parks offer more seclusion in primitive areas. "I was looking for a backcountry camping site that would give me some privacy and make it feel as though I was deep in the woods. Buckcreek had great hammock camping spots," shares Mandi B. who found it "especially considering we scoured several other campgrounds and most of them didn't have trees at the spots."
Check organized activities schedule: East Fork offers structured programs for children. "The nature center offered movies in the evening for guest," notes Andrea F., while at Cowan Lake, Kim H. observed "the campground was filled with parents and kids riding bikes, playing, and having fun."
Evaluate bathroom proximity: Some campsites require longer walks to facilities. "The bathroom was perfectly adequate but a long walk from our site," notes Shirley M. about Buck Creek, while at Hueston Woods, Maddy B. indicates "the bathrooms are a little outdated but the park is very well kept."
Research pad types and lengths: East Fork State Park Campground features paved sites with varying characteristics. "Camp sites are all blacktop, level, and clean," reports Jarrod M., while Johnothan R. at Cowan Lake mentions "a bit rough getting RV setup, but pad is fairly level, so easily setup to use slides."
Check hookup availability: Winton Woods provides full hookups but site differences matter. "Most RV sites are back-in but there are 12 pull-thru sites. There is a myriad of sites here from 50-amp full hook-up with paved pads and patios to 30-amp gravel sites," explains Nancy W., who appreciates that "all utilities worked accordingly and were well-placed."
Consider internet needs: Connectivity varies significantly between parks. At Cowan Lake, Johnothan R. reports "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. Great enough for work or play."
Utilize campground-specific amenities: Horse owners have specialized facilities at Whitewater Memorial State Park. Brady R. notes, "I wish all campsites were like these - very, very spread out! Totally makes sense given that you have large horse trailers/campers and also horses at each site."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Beavercreek, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Beavercreek, OH is Buck Creek State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Beavercreek, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Beavercreek, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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