Equestrian camping near Huntington, West Virginia offers access to diverse terrain spanning the Ohio-Kentucky border with over 200 miles of combined trails. Most horse campgrounds maintain separate facilities from standard camping areas to accommodate trailers and provide specialized amenities. Trail difficulty varies from beginner-friendly flat paths to challenging mountain routes with elevation changes of 500-800 feet, particularly in the Wayne National Forest region.
What to do
Trail ride along creek bottoms: Iron Ridge at Lake Vesuvius provides direct access to forest trails where riders encounter varied terrain. "Good campground, great hiking. Not a lot of privacy, but sites are comfortably spaced out. Great hiking and Lake Vesuvius is small but beautiful. Also, there's a hidden gem of a cave/overhang along one of the hiking trails," notes Corey M.
Explore interconnected trail networks: Paddle Creek Horse Camp in Wayne National Forest connects to multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels. The primitive camping area serves as an excellent base for day rides on trails that wind through mature oak and hickory forests.
Visit natural bridges and rock formations: Carter Caves State Resort Park Campground offers unique geological features along equestrian routes. "This is a beautiful state park with breathtaking views of creeks along the roadway, wonderful landscape designed by nature, good hiking trails, peaceful campground, and a nice lodge," according to Lisa S.
What campers like
Well-maintained shower facilities: Horse riders particularly appreciate clean facilities after trail rides. At Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius, Jackie D. shares, "Great campground with super easy access to the trail and lake. The sites are spread apart enough so you aren't right beside someone - and shaded. Well prepared sites with a clearing, fire ring, and a picnic table. Nice host and rangers too!"
Level camping pads: Equestrian campers value sites that accommodate both horse trailers and camping equipment. "Beautiful place to camp. Some sites are more difficult for parking a camper than others. We stayed at site 6 which wasn't too difficult to park but the water pressure was extremely high," warns Wendi L. about Iron Ridge.
Privacy between sites: Greenbo Lake State Resort Park provides separation between camping areas. "Greenbo is a good campground that we've come to years, and over the last few it keeps getting better. Bathhouses are clean and maintained really well, good selection of primitive, electric and water, and full hook up sites," reports Todd C.
What you should know
Water access varies seasonally: Natural water sources for horses may be unreliable during dry months. Many equestrian camps have limited water hookups. "Great campground with super easy access to the trail and lake... Bathrooms were meh: the walls need cleaned or painted, no where to put your things, and there was no hand soap - no biggie though," notes Jackie D. about Iron Ridge.
Trail closures after heavy rain: Many equestrian trails close temporarily after rainfall to prevent erosion. Check with park offices before arrival.
Distance from supplies: Shawnee State Park Campground and surrounding horse trails require preparation. "Not much access to a good town for supplies so bring what you need. If you want to take a drive for a great hole in the way steak house try The Ribber. But go early 45 min wait at 4pm and it gets worse," advises Jarrod M.
Tips for camping with families
Dedicated equestrian areas for kids: Some campgrounds separate horse camping from general camping. A camper at Chief Logan State Park explains, "Chief Logan has a lot of interesting things to see, including an outdoor animal exhibit, a lodge, a pool, a theatre, and a museum all close together."
Beginner-friendly trails: Look for loops under 5 miles with minimal elevation change for younger riders. At Ashland Huntington West KOA, families appreciate the amenities: "KOA staff was very friendly and accommodating. We were able to stay extra days with out any problems. The campground has miniature golf, A playground, A fenced area for dogs a pond and A swimming pool," notes Joseph C.
Off-horse activities: Plan alternative activities for non-riding days. "Loved the fenced in soft play area for the toddlers. Great field for flying kites. Camp store had lots of food options and coffee. Pool was small but big enough to enjoy," Brooke V. shares about Ashland Huntington West KOA.
Tips from RVers
Extension cord requirements: Many equestrian sites place electrical hookups at a distance. At Carter Caves, one reviewer notes: "The only issue was that some of the sites were around 50 ft from the electric hook up. Thankfully we were able to switch spots instead of renting an extension cord."
Leveling challenges: Horse camping areas often have less developed pads. "Nice, quiet campground. Not a ton of privacy, but much better than an RV park. More shade and privacy here than the nearby Oak Hill campground on the other side of the lake," explains Corey M. about Iron Ridge.
Limited cell service: Many equestrian camping areas have poor connectivity. At Chief Logan State Park Campground, Jennifer B. notes there's "cell phone service for both AT&T and Verizon customers" - but this is uncommon in many horse camping areas.
