Best Equestrian Camping near Parkersburg, WV

Kinderhook Horse Trail in Wayne National Forest offers primitive camping options for equestrians with dedicated trailer parking areas. The trailhead features basic amenities including a vault toilet, picnic table, and manual water pump for horses. Non-equestrians occasionally use the camping area, but the site primarily serves riders accessing the trail system. The flat tent spots near the restroom provide convenient camping for those traveling with horses. Regular vehicles must park approximately 100 yards before the restroom, as the closer parking areas are reserved exclusively for horse trailers.

The Kinderhook trail system connects to multiple equestrian routes throughout Wayne National Forest, though some trails may be seasonally overgrown. The Paw Paw trail offers a smoother, wider riding experience leading to hilltop views. Nearby, Old Stone Church Campground provides additional equestrian camping with pull-through sites specifically designed for horse trailers. The $15 camping fee (with 50% discount for National Parks pass holders) operates on an honor system. Blue Rock State Park also maintains equestrian camping facilities, though some visitors note that non-equestrians occasionally occupy the horse camping areas, potentially limiting availability during peak seasons.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Parkersburg, West Virginia (12)

    1. Mountwood Park Family Campground(Wood County Park)

    5 Reviews
    Petroleum, WV
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (304) 679-3611

    $20 - $40 / night

    2. Burr Oak State Park Campground

    33 Reviews
    Glouster, OH
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 767-3683

    "The Blue Trail goes through here and provides a fun hike. There is a bathroom across the road and access to water at the entrance of the site. Showers are 15 minutes walk or a quick drive away."

    "Burr Oak State Park is on the eastern edge of Wayne National Forest, outside Glouster, Oh , off Rt 13. The Lodge is on the opposite side of the lake off Rt 78."

    3. Kinderhook Horse Trail

    5 Reviews
    Newport, OH
    20 miles

    "Parking for regular cars is 100 yards before restroom (the others are for horse trailers only). Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump."

    "Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road.Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table."

    4. Strouds Run State Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Athens, OH
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 592-2302

    "The go to camping location for Athens. Many campsites, trails, and amenities. Anything from boat rentals, a small store, and docks to use near the lake."

    "Sites are only rented in person once you arrive, they have clear instructions at the entrance. Sites were nice and level, but a bit on the smaller side. Plenty of trails for hiking around the park."

    5. Kinderhook Trailhead

    1 Review
    Newport, OH
    20 miles
    Website

    "Stayed: 9/6/2020 - FREE

    Site: Left fire pit facing toilet

    This campground is the equestrian Kinderhook Trailhead within Wayne National Forest."

    6. Lake Hope State Park Campground

    35 Reviews
    New Plymouth, OH
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 596-5253

    "At lake hope you can enjoy camping in many ways rather if it’s by tent (the way I prefer) or by camper. It’s a very nice place to have some family fun. Very nice beach and swimming area."

    "Lake Hope has plenty of recreational opportunities for everyone and the campground is close by! The campground is quiet and well kept."

    7. Zaleski State Forest

    17 Reviews
    Zaleski, OH
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 596-5781

    "Twice it rained so much some of the trails were uncrossable but even then we still enjoyed ourselves. The is one spot about 3 miles in that is pretty far off trail, flat and on top of a hill."

    "Zaleski State Forest is adjacent to Lake Hope State Park. Off Rt 278 near Zaleski, Oh, true Ohio countryside to enjoy on the way in. Signal is spotty."

    8. Blue Rock State Park Campground

    6 Reviews
    Blue Rock, OH
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 674-4794

    "Lovely park near Zanesville. The park is beautiful, lots of wildlife, and the trails were great."

    "Blue Rock State Park is outside Zanesville, Oh off I70. Rt 60 takes you South and then you have a choice of routes in. Good Ohio farmland scenery."

    9. Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead

    2 Reviews
    Nelsonville, OH
    43 miles

    "The second night we only had one tent near us. There are plenty of pull-off areas on the road leading up to this trailhead that were being used night one as well."

    "OHV trails closed for winter. Hiking allowed year-round. Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter. Probably busy on weekends during the season. Nice place."

    10. Old Stone Church Campground

    2 Reviews
    New Lexington, OH
    45 miles
    Website

    "Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website)."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 12 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Parkersburg, WV

1 Photos of 12 Parkersburg Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Parkersburg, WV

118 Reviews of 12 Parkersburg Campgrounds


  • Dave V.
    Aug. 24, 2017

    Mountwood Park Family Campground(Wood County Park)

    Know Before You Go

    As with any trip, do your research, read your reviews, peruse Google Satellite maps and talk to locals when you can.

    Mountwood County Park http://www.mountwoodpark.org/about.html is located about 15 minutes east of Parkersburg on Rt 50. Heading east on Rt 50 from Parkersburg, WV you will arrive at Mountwood County Park on the right...but the campground portion is a mile further east on the left side of the road. Both are marked by road signage...but most would assume they are all in one location.

    If you bring your quads, dirt bikes or mountain bikes with you when you camp, then Mountwood County Park is for you. Right off the back of Mountwood are plenty of ATV trails to keep you busy during your stay. If bombing mountain bike trails is your thing, then across the highway from the campground is your dream. If relaxing in a serene mountain or river valley campground atmosphere is what you desire...keep driving east on Rt 50 another 20 minutes to North Bend State Park.

    The primitive tent sites ($20 nightly) are less than desirable and more of an afterthought...and I'm being gracious. There is patchy tall grass, dirt and rocks with no leveled areas. And you have to wander a distance to the restroom/showerhouse when needed. You can rent the tiny cabins ($40 nightly) up on the top of the hill if you desire. They were rented and filled during my visit, surrounded with trailers filled with quads (not a bad thing, just not what I was expecting). One of the main ATV offroad trail entrances is a hundred yards or so past the primitive tent sites so anticipate traffic and some noise. There were a few electric/water sites available for RV/Campers but the majority of them were filled.

    It does appear that that there are several "long term campers" at numerous sites, as wooden steps and decks are built and attached to the campers. I would not describe the campground as neat and tidy, but fills a need.

    The other portion of the county park lies across Rt 50 about 1/2 mile east. This is where you will find a nice 50 acre lake...shaped like a "T" on its side... for short paddles or fishing (no swimming permitted), a solid collection of varied ability MTB trails and a cool, little local WV Oil history museum. Being a bit of a history buff, I was fascinated by the museum...how the local town was created during the oil boon and then destroyed by fire...of an enormous wilderness mansion that sat where the campground now sits. Interesting stuff.

    There is a nice dog park if you brought your pooch. Several picnic areas with picnic shelters, playgrounds, and decent shared hiking trails.

    As stated, if your main purpose is to MTB or ATV, then you might be contented with Mountwood County Park Campground. As county parks go, Mountwood County Park, itself, is nice and has a lot to offer. If quiet camping is your objective, I would recommend NorthBend State Park just down the road a piece.

  • Dare To Everywhere  .The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2020

    Kinderhook Trailhead

    Unique "Dispersed" Camping

    Stayed: 9/6/2020 - FREE

    Site: Left fire pit facing toilet

    This campground is the equestrian Kinderhook Trailhead within Wayne National Forest.

    I didn't know what to expect for a dispersed campground at a trailhead. We pulled in and there was one couple setup at a designated site (picnic table and fire pit). As we drove around the trailhead, we found a second designated site. The forest website says dispersed camping is allowed and fires are allowed with a 10 foot clearance and a ring of rocks. So when we pulled up and saw picnic tables and fire pits provided, I was a little confused. I'd assume you'd also be allowed to create your own site, if the two designated sites are taken. There's not a ton of room, but I'd say another 5 sites could setup and be somewhat spread out. It is an open area, so there wouldn't be physical privacy, although the tall trees provide shade.

    With it being an equestrian trail, there were a lot of horses and trailers throughout the day. Before sunset, everyone cleared out and only campers remained.

    One vault toilet and perfect AT&T and Sprint cell service.

    #DareToEverywhere

  • Annika E.
    May. 28, 2024

    Kinderhook Horse Trail

    Flat tentspots

    Parking for regular cars is 100 yards before restroom (the others are for horse trailers only). Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown. The Paw Paw trail on the other hand was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill.

  • Ryan W.
    Jul. 11, 2022

    Blue Rock State Park Campground

    Beautiful hidden gem campground

    Lovely park near Zanesville. The park is beautiful, lots of wildlife, and the trails were great. There is a creek running through the main primitive campsites below the dam, with minnows and crawfish for the kids to catch, plenty of shade, and the remodel a few years ago added nice bathrooms over in the group camp area up against the base of the dam. The fishing was good, and the activities with the naturalist (Cayden) were fun and engaging. The hiking was wonderful, the equestrian trails looked very nice, and the fire tower was a fun climb. The beach was a little dirty from the geese, but that didn't slow anyone down on swimming. Also, while the showers were up by the beach, there was always plenty of hot water.

  • Lori L.
    May. 22, 2018

    Lake Hope State Park Campground

    Away from hocking hills crowds

    Lake Hope gave me a new way to experience an area I grew very close to and appreciate but cannot stand the swarms of people. It was a great quiet and spacious campground with solid amenities and it’s own nearby sites. We were in Wayne National Forest and right next to the infamous Moonville tunnel. It was no problem to drive over to the caves in hocking hills but it was also nice to stay close by a couple days too. This is likely the only way we’ll do the area moving forward

  • Jonathan W.
    Jul. 11, 2018

    Lake Hope State Park Campground

    Very nice campgrounds and lake

    At lake hope you can enjoy camping in many ways rather if it’s by tent (the way I prefer) or by camper. It’s a very nice place to have some family fun. Very nice beach and swimming area. Hiking and horse back riding trails. Canoe/kayak rental. Very nice dinning area at the lodge. I would recommend this place to anyone and everyone.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 2, 2024

    Old Stone Church Campground

    Easy Access - Mostly Quiet

    Easy pull-thru site for our small travel trailer. Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website). Maybe because it was Halloween night, maybe due to hunting season, I dunno, but there seemed to be more traffic than expected for this road. Our only neighbors got a little... rowdy, but it was okay.

    Campsite fee is $15 on the honor system. If you have a National Park's Golden Age or Access pass, they honor a 50 percent discount.

    I had good 4G ATT cell service. Worked well, with no drops. Data was a bit slower than usual but still good.

    The only facilities here were a single pit toilet (surprisingly clean) and a trash can at each site. There may be more services during the height of the season, at least water for horses, but nothing else I could tell.

    A short distance further down the road, just after it turns to gravel, at the Old Stone Church trailhead, there are grassy places to back in smaller campers/RVs. And even further down the road, after it turns back to asphalt :D, there's a private campground with utilities, I think, but we only saw it and didn't check it out.


Guide to Parkersburg

West Virginia offers a unique experience for horse camping enthusiasts, with several campgrounds providing excellent amenities and activities tailored for equestrian adventurers.

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

  • At Mountwood Park Family Campground, visitors can enjoy hiking trails and a dog park, making it a great spot for both horses and pets.
  • The Kinderhook Horse Trail features dedicated horse trails, allowing riders to explore the beautiful surroundings while enjoying the outdoors.
  • Zaleski State Forest offers scenic trails perfect for horseback riding, along with opportunities for hiking and nature exploration.

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

  • Mountwood Park Family Campground provides electric hookups and water access, ensuring a comfortable stay for both horses and their owners.
  • At Kinderhook Horse Trail, campers can find picnic tables and fire rings, making it easy to relax after a day of riding.
  • Zaleski State Forest features accessible restrooms and ample space for horse trailers, catering to the needs of equestrian campers.

Most campgrounds have horse-focused amenities like trails and facilities

  • Mountwood Park Family Campground is known for its well-maintained trails that are suitable for horseback riding, providing a scenic backdrop for your adventures.
  • The Kinderhook Horse Trail is specifically designed for equestrian use, ensuring that riders have a dedicated space to enjoy their time outdoors.
  • Zaleski State Forest offers a variety of horse trails, making it a popular choice for those looking to explore the natural beauty of West Virginia on horseback.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Parkersburg, WV?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Parkersburg, WV is Mountwood Park Family Campground(Wood County Park) with a 3.6-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Parkersburg, WV?

TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Parkersburg, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.