Dispersed camping options surround Bremen, Ohio within the Zaleski State Forest and Wayne National Forest areas. The region sits in rolling hills at elevations between 700-1100 feet, creating varied terrain for horse trails. Seasonal conditions affect trail access, with spring bringing muddy conditions and fall offering cooler temperatures ideal for equestrian camping.
What to Do
Trail riding near Airplane Rock: Access panoramic views on horseback from Zaleski State Forest, where marked trails connect to impressive rock formations. "The hocking hills park itself is awesome. Great trails, beautiful waterfalls, wonderous caves. They are all pretty short hikes and easy access," reports Laura C., who visited with both her dog and toddler.
Explore Moonville Tunnel: Take the connector trail from Zaleski's south loop to the historic tunnel. "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.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes offer fishing near the equestrian campsites. At Burr Oak State Park Campground, campers can combine horse camping with lake activities. "The docks have near constant traffic but it's not super busy. Just a car every few hours. There were fishermen there most of the night when we were there," notes Kelsey R.
What Campers Like
Secluded camping spots: Old Stone Church Campground offers pull-through sites configured specifically for horses and camping vehicles. "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)," explains Tammy F., who found the campground quiet except for some road traffic.
Modern horse facilities: Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground features completely rebuilt stalls designed for larger horses. "The new owners of the Palmerosa Campground have put a lot of time and money into this campground! Almost everything has been tore down and rebuilt. The new shower house at the office is great! You have your own shower, toilet and vanity in a locked room!" reports Chad B.
Varied terrain options: Trail systems accommodate different riding abilities from beginner to advanced. "The trails are well marked and easy to follow. And there are several loop sections so you can easily plan various tips accordingly," notes James about the Zaleski trail system.
What You Should Know
Primitive facilities at some sites: Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead provides basic amenities with limited options during off-season. "Stayed one night. OHV trails closed for winter. Hiking allowed year-round. Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter," reports Doug H.
Weekend crowding: Popular equestrian sites fill quickly on weekends. "Saturday was super busy, and we snagged the last available spot with a fire ring. The second night we only had one tent near us," Taylor P. notes about Dorr-Run.
Water availability varies: Some sites have limited water access, especially in drier months. "Portable water is available at the parking lot only. The walk-in campground does NOT connect by trail to any other trails. A car is fairly necessary," Kate W. advises about certain Hocking Hills areas.
Tips for Camping with Families
Choose campgrounds with shower facilities: Lake Hope State Park Campground offers clean bathrooms for family comfort. "I'm a tent camper and a hiker, but my family and I even spent some time at the lake and rented a paddle board and a water bike which was so much fun!" shares Anne P.
Look for accessible water features: Lakes provide activities when children need breaks from trail riding. "We enjoyed swimming in the pool. There's outhouses with no running water but also a relatively new bath house with nice showers and toilets," Elana C. mentions about facilities in the region.
Plan for cell service limitations: Some areas have spotty coverage. "Cell service was available, but not great," Taylor notes about the Dorr-Run area, making it important to have offline maps and emergency plans.
Tips from RVers
Research site leveling requirements: Many equestrian sites weren't designed with RV leveling in mind. "Camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level. Site around is sloped in all directions," Daniel reports about one campground in the region.
Reserve early for larger rigs: Big rig access is limited at most equestrian sites. "There are some full hook ups but mostly just electric. They have pancake breakfast on Saturday mornings through summer and doughnuts on Sunday," shares Jill B. about camping facilities in the broader area.
Bring sufficient water: Not all equestrian sites offer full hookups. "No full hookup but potable water available throughout camping circles," Linda B. mentions, suggesting campers come prepared with filled tanks.
Traveler
