2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
West Branch State Park Campground in Wayland, Ohio offers a dedicated horse camping area approximately 45 miles from Eastlake. The horse camping section provides primitive camping facilities specifically designed for equestrians. According to campers, the designated horse camping area historically maintained separation from regular tent campers, though recent policy changes have allowed some non-equestrian campers in this section. Trail riders can access multiple miles of bridle trails directly from the campground, with routes winding through forested areas and along portions of the lake shoreline.
The equestrian camping area at West Branch has experienced management changes affecting the camping experience. Horse owners should be aware that tent campers without horses have increasingly been permitted in the horse camping section, creating potential safety concerns when children or inexperienced campers interact with horses. The primitive horse sites lack electricity and water hookups that are available in the main campground. Trail riding opportunities include several miles of designated horse trails through varied terrain. Riders should contact the park directly about current horse camping policies, as recent reviews indicate changes in site availability and usage rules for the equestrian camping area.
"The bathrooms are clean and include a laundry and sinks outside to wash your dishes. Campground hosts and staff are friendly and helpful. Sites are roomy and clean. Lots of variety."
"There is no WiFi and barely one bar of cell service; your best internet access is at the nice public library 7 miles away in Ravenna Sand beach is an easy walk from all camp sites and boat trailers can"
from $30 - $52 / night
Check Availability"This park is one of my favorites in Ohio at this time. Most of the sites are some what private. There are many trails and even a fog park next to the lake."
"They told me Ohio State Parks were voted #1 in the US. Well there is a reason for that. Beautiful, clean, great spots, not a bad site in the entire park."
from $27 - $80 / night
Check Availability
TravelerYou need to make reservations well in advance for the “primo” sites. The bathrooms are clean and include a laundry and sinks outside to wash your dishes. Campground hosts and staff are friendly and helpful. Sites are roomy and clean. Lots of variety. If you’re into hiking, disc golf, kayaking, fishing, equestrian pursuits, etc, this is the park for you.
Traveler3 Immaculate bath houses all with laundry facilities, all sites have electric (no f-ing generators) and many have have water and sewer hook ups. There is no WiFi and barely one bar of cell service; your best internet access is at the nice public library 7 miles away in Ravenna Sand beach is an easy walk from all camp sites and boat trailers can be parked on your camp site Boat launch has a big trailer parking lot, too. There are hiking, equestrian and mountain biking trails in the park and launching off paddle boards is ok at the boat launch or the nearby beach Friendly staff and camp hosts!
RangerThis park is one of my favorites in Ohio at this time. Most of the sites are some what private. There are many trails and even a fog park next to the lake.
GuideFirst time here. They told me Ohio State Parks were voted #1 in the US. Well there is a reason for that. Beautiful, clean, great spots, not a bad site in the entire park. Wood is dry and cheap right outside the park entrance. Bass fishing is top notch on the lake. I would definitely come back here again and again.
LegendRanger Review: Morsel Spork at West Branch State Park
**Campground Review: **
This state park was very welcome after our first two unlucky Ohio state park experiences. We had no trouble pulling in at 3 pm on a Sunday after Labor Day with no reservations and snagging a very nice spot (Site 50 backs up to Kirwan Reservoir). There are two loops that are on Jay Lake where there is a beach; it was understandable that there weren’t any water view spots that had not been reserved here. A very quiet park that is well-maintained with lots of amenities. Even the rumbling of the nearby trains was on the quiet side! Nice playground with toy stocked sandpit, volleyball net, cheap laundry ($3 per load, wash and dry), dishwashing sinks, showers, and clean bathrooms. There was even a step stool for kids to be able to reach the sinks. A staffed store(9am-7pm on Sunday, 11am-7pm Monday– Thursday and 9 am– 8:30 pm on Saturday) with basic supplies and, of course, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Some of the sites have a slight grade so be cautious when selecting. Many trees that provide separation between sites. Several short hiking trails. A side note: I only saw one non-Ohio license plate besides ours in the entire park, almost like it is an Ohio secret (not anymore!)
-----------------
**Product Review: **
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the opportunity to test products. At this campground, I tested the large Morsel Spork from Outdoor Element. I have to admit that when I unpacked my box from Outdoor Elements, I was surprised at how LONG our morsel sporks were(we have other sporks that are much shorter so I was expecting these to be a similar size) but then I saw a photo of someone using it with their freeze-dried meal and it was an aha moment! No need to dirty another dish because this mighty spork can reach to the bottom of the pouch with no problem! These sporks are also sturdier than others we have used. The rubber scraper edge is a nice touch – would be great for getting the last delicious bits of meals from the freeze-dried meal pouches and I’m thinking also in glass or plastic containers. A very nice addition to our camping tools.
LegendHere's what's great about this campground situated at an easy drive from major cities like Columbus and Cleveland...its scenic, a fully loaded campground with bathhouses, parks, hiking paths, swimming resivoir with boat rental...we highly recommend renting a pontoon for the day and hanging out in the resivoir for swimming and lounging! It's both relaxing and nice to get away from the beach crowd!
ScoutStayed in two different areas of West Branch State Park while visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Very impressed with large, clean bath houses, including fully private showers. Sites were very large and spread out, visit bing lots of nice privacy. Though we did not take advantage, the park also offered horse bridle trails, mountain biking and water activities on the lake. What a gem!
GuideWe just got back from our first trip to Mosquito Lake State Park Campground. All in all, it was a great experience.
We stayed in site 67, which is a waterfront site, with electric. The water is about 25 yards from the pad, but is visible from the entire site. The site was spacious, but not as private as some of the others. There is some woods between this site and the sites on either side, but other sites are visible. The fire pits and picnic tables were staggered, so it created some distance to make it feel more private.
The campground as a whole, was very quiet. We stayed from Wednesday to Friday. The group next to us seemed a little rowdy when we first pulled in, but by 10:00 there was no noise anywhere near us.
Most sites seemed pretty level from side to side, but where we were, several had a slope from front to back. Away from the waterfront, most sites looked pretty level. The amount of space between sites varied from site to site. Some sites had woods on both sides, while others were pretty open. Some had nice large grassy areas, others were much smaller. Sites from 214-224 are in a cul de sac and are water front, but they were pretty close together with very little privacy between sites, if any. They are very close to the water though.
There are bathrooms and water scatter about, but from what I saw there was only 1 shower house.
Wal-mart and other shopping and restaurants were about 3 miles away. Park was easy to get to, only one turn for us off the highway. Lake was great for kayaking and paddleboarding. Very nice dog park in a different part of the park. There is a boat launch accessible from inside the campground.
Dump station has 2 lanes which was nice when checking out. Fresh water fill up was also located near the dump station.
GuideBeautiful area for a get away in Ohio. The beach is never too packed. You can take kayaks out and venture off around the shores.
West Branch State Park offers equestrian camping approximately 45 miles from Eastlake, Ohio. The horse camping area includes direct access to multiple miles of bridle trails throughout the 2,650-acre park. Riders can traverse wooded terrain ranging from gently rolling hills to steeper sections near the lake shoreline, with trails maintained year-round but often muddy during spring thaw and after heavy rains.
Lakefront fishing access: Many sites at West Branch State Park Campground provide direct water access where campers can fish right from their sites. "We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite," notes Alisa G., who appreciates the convenience for water activities.
Beach swimming options: West Branch features both a smaller beach at the campground and a larger swimming area across the lake. "There is a small beach at the campground but a larger one on the other side of the lake," explains Alisa G., who visits annually with her family.
Dog-friendly recreation: The horse trails at West Branch are complemented by a dedicated dog park near the intersection of Rock Spring and Esworthy roads. Kim B. mentions that the "dog park is pretty great, too," making this a good option for equestrian campers who also bring their dogs.
Clean bathroom facilities: West Branch consistently receives praise for exceptional restroom cleanliness. "Best bathrooms around! Showers great. Bathrooms great," writes Kim B., while Teresa B. confirms they have "very clean bathrooms" throughout the campground.
Spacious, wooded sites: The campground offers well-spaced sites with good separation between camping spots. Dan M. appreciates the "very private sites" while Alisa G. describes them as "private, spacious, shady sites" that provide ample room for larger groups and equipment.
Book exchange and amenities: Beyond the trails and water activities, the campground includes thoughtful extras like a lending library. Alisa G. notes, "There is even a book exchange shelf at the shower house in case of rainy days," and mentions that "the park office loans games and sports equipment to campers."
Significant site leveling needed: Some campsites require substantial adjustments for RVs and trailers. Andrea F. explains, "Our site was labeled slight slope. That was a joke... we had to lower the front 15 inches. The jack was down as low as it would go and we were still off by 1.5 inches."
Water fill design issues: RV campers should plan for potential challenges when filling fresh water tanks. "The water fill is on an incline so when our tank was 'full' pulling away from fill station it was really only 2/3 full," reports Andrea F., noting this is manageable for weekend trips but problematic for longer stays.
Advance reservations essential: Sites with premium views book quickly, especially waterfront locations. Alisa G. advises, "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!"
Kid-friendly amenities: West Branch State Park provides specialized features for children beyond the standard playground. "Nice playground with toy stocked sandpit," reports Lee D., who also appreciated the thoughtful "step stool for kids to be able to reach the sinks" in the bathrooms.
Saturday ice cream socials: The park hosts regular weekend events suitable for children. Alisa G. shares that "an ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," making for a fun regular activity during summer stays.
Explore hidden trails: While bridle trails dominate at West Branch, families can find additional paths for exploration. "There are little hideaway trails everywhere, making for a fun adventure!" recommends Jill T., who visits frequently with her family during the summer months.
Self-contained camping options: RVers seeking waterfront sites should know the premium locations typically lack hookups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Eastlake, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Eastlake, OH is West Branch State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 66 reviews.
Keep Exploring
