8 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Walkabout Creek Horsemans Camp and Campground serves campers with horses in Chandlersville, approximately 15 miles from Dillon Lake. The campground accommodates tent and RV camping with sites that provide drinking water. The camping area offers bathroom facilities with vault toilets and trash collection services. While no dedicated horse corrals are listed in the facilities, the campground welcomes pets and provides picnic tables at each site. Sites are accessible via drive-in access with ample space for horse trailers. The campground maintains a perfect 5-star rating from visitors who note the property is particularly well-suited for equestrian camping. Firewood is available for purchase on site for evening campfires.
Trail riders can access multiple riding opportunities in the greater Dillon Lake region, with several state parks offering additional camping and recreation options within a reasonable drive. Old Stone Church Campground in Shawnee (about 35 miles south) provides another option for horse enthusiasts with toilet facilities and picnic tables in a more primitive setting. This campground is accessible via walk-in or hike-in methods and accommodates both tent and RV camping. When planning horse camping trips in this region, reservations are recommended, especially during peak summer months. The rolling hill terrain surrounding Dillon Lake creates varied riding experiences with elevation changes and forested areas. Most campgrounds in the region keep bathroom facilities clean and well-maintained for campers.
"Dillon Lake State Park is located about 10 miles west of Zanesville, OH in a heavily forested area. There is no road noise from the local route 146 used to access the campground."
"I camped at this state park in the very scenic rolling hills of central Ohio on a hot and sunny weekend and was happy to find plenty of shade."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $170 / night
"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."
"Lovely park near Zanesville. The park is beautiful, lots of wildlife, and the trails were great."
Available this weekend
from $19 - $55 / night
"We go at least once a year for the Ohio Bigfoot Conference which draws people from all over the country."
"**Salt Fork State Park of Ohio is for individual, couples or group camping. Salt Fork lake is natural spring fed water supply that fills this lake."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $35 / night
"There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff."
"If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $70 / night
"Wayne National Forest shares the area with Burr Oak State Park near Glouster, Oh. Wayne National Forest is split into three areas in southeastern Ohio."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $55 / night
"Great great campground plenty to Joe we took the horses had a blast"
"Very quiet campground with little to no other riders around. Only complaint would be the non equestrians staying in the equestrian area"
from $17 - $50 / night
"Miles of well groomed horse trails available with creek crossings, steep hills and beautiful pine tree."
"As part of a nearly 200-mile bikepacking ride, this was our last stop! We spent 2 nights in their "Class B" area down in the Mohican River Valley and loved it."
Available this weekend
from $23 - $220 / night
"Lake Hope State Park is the unsung hero of Logan county, Ohio. Hocking Hills State Park gets the crowds because of its amenities and closer proximity to Old Man's Cave...but..."
"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."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $45 / night
"They are full of amenities like: horse back riding, shooting sports, canoeing, playground, swimming lake, putt putt and more."
"We come back to MW each year and try to get the same sites (323-322) as they are very private with access to the water while still being super close to the store and walkable to the bathrooms:showers."
from $25 - $44 / night
TravelerGreat view of the sky for stargazing and telescopes at the sites in 40s. Trails are a little neglected though; lots of downed trees and faded blazes. Maybe it’s late in the season, and they will improve in the spring.
ScoutWe camped here for the first time this year and ended up booking 2 more trips here. We just finished our last trip. We love this campsite. No other place has sites this big and give you this much space. Awesome place to camp
GuideWe found site F26 at the far end of the loop. Short paved pad with electric very near a simple clean bathroom with flush toilets. Sites are treeless and fairly close together but the sites in our mini loop all backed up to the woods. Surprised to encounter mosquitoes in October. Overall the campground is huge with 5 separate loops that are spread far apart. The check in station is a significant distance from the first loop A and more than a mile from loop F so if you don’t have reservations, go to the website to find out which sites are available then drive around to make your selection -then call or go online to register. $45.50 for electric only site includes booking fee.
Rangerwe come back to MW a few times each year as the access to the river and quiet nature of the campground is great. The playground is nice, the store is clean and well stocked.
RangerSites are small - especially the ones with power. Bathrooms are dirty and very worn out. Only 1 of 3 of the mens showers were working. Lots of spiders in the bathrooms and the stall doors don't latch effectively. Camp store (and access to ice) was closed for 'remodel'.
GuideSecond time here. Quiet, except for the birds chirping.
Only 3 other campsites in use on an August weekend.
Water and pit toilet.
Enough At&t cell service to connect, but it's not great.
RangerNot our favorite. Very small campground. Good hiking trails. Decent beach. Very hilly. Shower house was kinda gross.
RangerWe return to Mohican wilderness a few times each year and love the sites we choose right on the river.
Most sites here are wide open field sites and would not suite our style of camping.
Bathrooms are typically clean.
GuideClean bathrooms. Nice park rangers. Open areas with fire pits.
Dillon Lake features a 1,360-acre water body surrounded by rolling wooded hills in eastern Ohio's Muskingum County. The area sits at approximately 740 feet elevation with a humid continental climate characterized by warm summers and cold winters. Winter camping remains available at select locations with some offering reduced amenities between November and March, while summer temperatures regularly reach into the high 80s.
Watercraft activities: Dillon Lake offers boating opportunities with several launch points around the shoreline. "We did not make it down to the lake yet, but so far I'm a happy camper," notes Ron A. about the area near Dillon State Park Campground.
Hiking trails: Trails range from easy walking paths to more challenging routes through forested areas. "The hiking was wonderful, the equestrian trails looked very nice, and the fire tower was a fun climb," reports Ryan W. from his experience at Blue Rock State Park Campground.
Horseback riding: Several dedicated equestrian trails wind through the region. "Great great campground plenty to Joe we took the horses had a blast," shares Cheryl C. about Walkabout Creek Horsemans Camp. The Blue Rock State Park region includes equestrian-friendly paths that connect with broader trail networks.
Wildlife viewing: The forests surrounding Dillon Lake support diverse wildlife populations. "The deer are plentiful and beautiful," mentions Andrea H. about her stay at Dillon State Park Campground.
Secluded areas: Certain campground sections offer more privacy. "Go to the back of the campground. It is very quiet," advises John L. about Salt Fork State Park Campground, which shares similar terrain features with Dillon Lake area campgrounds.
Non-electric options: For those seeking more rustic experiences, some campgrounds provide non-electric sites. "Area C is the most secluded area. All RV sites have 50A/30A electric. Limited sites have full hook-up," explains Brian B. about his Dillon Lake camping experience.
Reservation importance: Campgrounds fill quickly during peak season (May-September). "It was just a quick overnighter, but we did take a little time to walk and bird. The campground was 80% empty, very quiet except for some late-night traffic on the county road nearby," reports Brian M. from a spring visit to Salt Fork State Park Campground.
Site terrain: Many sites throughout the region require leveling equipment. "Small campground, lower camp sites are pretty close together but it's treed and shady with a creek running through," explains Megan P. about Blue Rock State Park Campground.
Horse camp etiquette: When using designated equestrian campgrounds, respect facilities designed for horses. "Very quiet campground with little to no other riders around. Only complaint would be the non equestrians staying in the equestrian area," notes Janessa S. about Blue Rock State Park's equestrian facilities.
Bathroom facilities: Comfort stations vary widely between campgrounds. "The bathrooms on the campsite we stayed in were atrocious! I've never smelled anything so bad in my life and dirty, dirty, dirty!" cautions Nicole F. about her experience at Blue Rock State Park Campground.
Educational programs: Some parks offer naturalist-led activities. "The activities with the naturalist (Cayden) were fun and engaging," shares Ryan W. about Blue Rock State Park programming.
Beach considerations: Water quality notifications may affect swimming plans. "We did not swim due to frequency of E-Coli warnings at this lake which was disappointing as it was very warm and we would have enjoyed a cool lake swim," notes Linda B. about Dillon Lake.
Site selection: Choose sites based on specific needs. "Site required minimal leveling. We were on like a hilltop and overlooked lower level RV circle," explains Linda B. about Dillon State Park Campground.
Water access: Potable water locations can affect site selection. "We were by a water spout and every time an RV/Trailer came in they of course had to fill up. Check a campground map and try to avoid these sites," advises Linda B. from her experience at Dillon State Park.
Pull-through availability: Some horse campgrounds accommodate RVs with pull-through sites. "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)," reports Tammy F. about her stay at Old Stone Church Campground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Dillon Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Dillon Lake is Dillon State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Dillon Lake?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near Dillon Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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