East Fork State Park Campground
A large campground spread out over multiple loops. Roads and campsites are paved. Our site #416 was spacious and secluded at the end of a dead end road. The bathhouse was a short hike away and in good condition.
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A.J. Jolly Park & Campground features horse stalls with included bedding for equestrians traveling through the Clarksville area. The equestrian sites accommodate trailers up to 30 feet in length and are positioned approximately 500 feet from the main campground facilities. Stall accommodations receive high marks from travelers using the park as an overnight stop on longer journeys. The park maintains separate camping areas for horse owners, with the equestrian section designed specifically for those traveling with horses. The stall area connects directly to riding trails, though some campers note the approach to certain sites can be challenging to navigate with larger rigs.
Located in Alexandria, Kentucky, A.J. Jolly provides direct access to horse trails that wind through the 1,000-acre park. Riders can access water for their horses at designated areas throughout the trail system. The campground's equestrian section includes a large covered area for group events. Horse camping reservations should be made well in advance, particularly during peak seasons when the limited number of equestrian sites fill quickly. The park's camp ranger receives positive mentions for being exceptionally helpful to equestrians. While the park offers standard camping amenities including water hookups and electric service, horse owners appreciate the specialized facilities that accommodate both rider and mount in one location.
"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"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"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."
"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"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"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"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"Overnighted here with my horses on my way south for the winter, but will definitely be coming back and spending more time. Stall accommodations are excellent, even include bedding."
"Amazing place for the price and proximity to the city!! Just wish there was more hiking trails"
"The lake is smaller, but nice beach area and pedal boats are fun. We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful."
"Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at Pike Lake State Park Campground Review:
We stayed at site 67 next to the camp host. The camp site was nicely shaded with a small creek behind it."
from $33 - $200 / 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 AvailabilityA large campground spread out over multiple loops. Roads and campsites are paved. Our site #416 was spacious and secluded at the end of a dead end road. The bathhouse was a short hike away and in good condition.
This is a large campground with everything you need. Nice, clean, family friendly campground. Has many private sites backed up to trees. Shower houses has always been clean.
Restrooms awful (full of spider ) . There is no shade . And too expensive
This one is the closest to home! We love it here. Great Lake/reservoir for boating, kayaking swimming and fishing. Two Nice shower houses. Playground. Camp store! Updated fhu sites. Has a good size marina with Store in nature Center. Park is great for riding bikes.
I feel this is more of a tent camping campground. You park on pads and park campers anywhere you want. Nice shower house. Not much for kids. Hills.
One of our favorites! So many nice sites! Great for biking, hiking, kids playground. Decent shower rooms. Little fishing going in campground.
Good family camping ground. Most sites are wooded, kids fishing pond. Good playground. Nice shower rooms. Free putt putt and good camp store.
Have been here twice this year. Great campground. Big camp store with restaurant. Putt putt. Most sites and great, some have slopes. Kid friendly. Good hiking trails
My favorite state park in Ohio (so far). Very clean, lots of activities, nice size sites. Easy to get to from Columbus and lots of activities.
Equestrian camping in the greater Clarksville area offers riders access to trails through diverse Ohio landscapes. The region sits within the Little Miami River watershed at approximately 900 feet elevation, with mixed deciduous forests and rolling terrain. Fall temperatures typically range from 40-70°F, while summer months can reach the 90s with moderate humidity, creating a variable climate for horse camping throughout the season.
Trail riding at Hueston Woods: The park offers access to bridle paths that wind through one of Ohio's few remaining old-growth forests. "There is a marina nearby where you can rent a John boat for pretty cheap too," notes Renée C., making it possible to combine riding with fishing during your stay at Cowan Lake State Park Campground.
Horseback riding at Five Rivers: Dayton Metro Parks maintains dedicated equestrian trails with varied terrain. "This was a lovely backpacking trail that is both challenging while not being too hard for new backpackers," shares Kenpocentaur K. about the Five Rivers Metroparks system, where some trails accommodate both horses and hikers.
Horse-friendly water activities: Many parks allow horses access to designated water areas. At Pike Lake, "The lake is smaller, but nice beach area and pedal boats are fun. We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful," reports Leon H., though riders should check specific horse access points.
Dedicated equestrian camping loops: Horse owners appreciate separate camping sections designed specifically for equestrian needs. At Winton Woods Campground, "There are 123 campsites including RV sites, tent pads, and camping cabins," according to Nancy W., with some areas more suitable for larger rigs with horses.
Horse-friendly amenities: Several campgrounds provide water access points for horses. "The nice thing about their site is the additional tables made it easy for us to socially distance," notes Kenpocentaur K. about Twin Creek Metro Park, which offers more space than standard campsites – beneficial for those camping with horses.
Proximity to trail systems: Riders value direct trail access from campsites. At Buck Creek State Park Campground, "Nice place to spend the night" according to Tarah W., with trails connecting directly to camping areas, reducing the need for loading and trailering between rides.
Reservation requirements: Horse camping sites fill quickly during peak seasons. "Get your ideal site early during busy season," advises Kenneth D. about Winton Woods, a rule that applies especially to equestrian sites throughout the region.
Site approach challenges: Some equestrian areas have difficult terrain for larger horse trailers. At A.J. Jolly Park & Campground, "Overnighted here with my horses on my way south for the winter, but will definitely be coming back and spending more time. Stall accommodations are excellent, even include bedding," shares Judy B., though the approach to some sites requires careful navigation.
Weather considerations: Drainage issues affect some campgrounds after heavy rain. At Pike Lake, "It rained quite a bit and many of the sites got flooded. The ground here doesn't drain well," warns Bob M., something horse owners should consider when planning stays.
Beginner-friendly horse experiences: Several parks offer guided rides for younger visitors. "The campground is nice but it's an extremely long walking distance to the lake," mentions Karen J. about East Fork State Park Campground, where families can split activities between riding and water recreation.
Kid-friendly horse campgrounds: Look for equestrian sites with nearby playgrounds. "There are playgrounds in several loops (I saw them in C and G)," notes Lee D. about East Fork State Park, providing options for children when not engaged with horses.
Educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs focused on horses and local wildlife. "The park also had a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features," explains Kenpocentaur K., highlighting additional activities for children at various parks.
Equestrian site sizing: Most horse-friendly sites accommodate trailers up to 30 feet, but capacity varies by park. "Site Quality: All camper pads are paved and most appeared level or just very slightly sloped," reports Lee D. about East Fork State Park, though equestrian sites often have different specifications.
Hookup limitations: Horse camping areas sometimes offer fewer amenities than standard RV sites. "When we reserved months earlier, we knew that our first night (a Saturday) was 100% full as we got the very last site," shares Lee D., highlighting the importance of understanding available facilities.
Shared facilities distance: In some parks, equestrian campers must travel to reach shower houses or dump stations. "Bath/Shower House: Not all loops have their own bath house," mentions Lee D., a consideration for those camping with horses who may be located in specialized loops.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Clarksville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Clarksville, OH is Cowan Lake State Park Campground with a 4.4-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Clarksville, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Clarksville, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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