Van Buren State Park offers equestrian camping near Carey, Ohio with trail riding opportunities throughout the 1,000-acre park. The terrain is relatively flat and well-suited for winter activities, with visitors reporting excellent cross-country skiing conditions during colder months. The campground provides separate areas for horse campers and standard campers, with recently constructed horse pens available in the equestrian section.
What to do
Winter recreation opportunities: The park's simple terrain makes it ideal for seasonal activities beyond horseback riding. "I came cross country skiing here in early January and it was absolutely amazing. It is cold but the terrain is simple for first time skiers," notes Kevin T. about Van Buren State Park Campground.
Explore the trail system: The park features multiple hiking trails accessible directly from the campground. "Van Buren State Park is very easy to access from I-75. It has tons of trails and a pond," shares Lindsay B. The trail network accommodates various skill levels, with most paths providing relatively flat terrain.
Visit the wildflower garden: A small wildflower garden within the park offers a pleasant strolling opportunity. According to Shannon G., the park includes "a dog park and small wildflower garden," making it suitable for both pet owners and nature enthusiasts interested in native plant species.
What campers like
Family-friendly layout: The campground's design provides convenient access to recreation amenities. "If you can get a good middle spot it's nice if you have kids since there's a playground, swings, basketball, and tether court," explains Brendan V. about Delaware State Park Campground.
Privacy between sites: Many campsites offer good separation and natural screening. "The site we were on was set back in the woods. My daughter had tons of fun exploring the woods connected to our site," shares Ashley R. This layout provides a more secluded camping experience despite the campground's relatively small size.
Newly paved camping pads: Recent improvements have enhanced the camping experience. Shannon G. notes, "Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents."
What you should know
Limited bathroom facilities: The campground offers basic restroom access but lacks certain amenities. "There were only drop toilets and no showers. They were clean but I don't think I'd want to do more than a weekend there," explains Shannon G. about Van Buren State Park Campground.
Variable electric service: Some sites may have electrical issues during peak season. According to Alysha W., "Electric did not work at all sites," so campers requiring reliable power should confirm functionality upon arrival.
Water access points: The campground provides water via centralized stations rather than individual hookups. Joseph N. mentions, "Clean and sturdy pit toilets with centralized well water," indicating that campers will need to fill water containers at these common areas.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Consider site selection based on proximity to play areas. Scott F. shares, "Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper," highlighting the benefit of certain campsites within Delaware State Park Campground.
Site selection for tent camping: Families in tents should carefully choose their sites. Brendan V. advises, "Some of the sites are small so you have to be careful which site you reserve if you're a tent camper. The outside of the circle is your best bet and there's a few scattered in the middle."
Road noise considerations: Be aware of potential traffic sounds when selecting campsites. "The park is also just off a country road so traffic can occasionally be heard but it's not excessive," notes Brendan V., suggesting that noise-sensitive campers may prefer sites farther from the road.
Tips from RVers
Dump station location: RVers should note the dump station is not adjacent to the camping area. Nicole G. points out, "Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump," which requires planning ahead for departure.
Site dimensions and amenities: RV sites feature newly improved parking areas with varying sizes. Shannon G. reports, "All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end," indicating that the park accommodates RVs but with limited hookups.
