Equestrian camping options near Mount Gilead, Ohio cover more than 3,000 acres of trails across the region. These facilities typically remain open from April through November, with most horse camps closing during winter months due to muddy conditions and freezing temperatures. The area sits within Ohio's Appalachian foothills, creating varied terrain for riders with elevation changes between 900-1,200 feet.
What to do
Trail riding at Mohican Wilderness: Located in Glenmont, this campground offers access to multiple riverside trails suitable for novice and experienced riders. "We have camped here 3 times now and even though it's a large park the sites are huge so you still feel like you can kick back and relax. Quiet neighbors and friendly staff plus everything is mowed and well maintained," notes Andrea F.
Fishing at Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground: Equestrians can access shoreline fishing spots from dedicated bridle paths. "The lake is an all sport lake so there is fishing, tubing, jet skis and kayaking. The marina has boat rentals available. And since it is in the Mohican area, there is more hiking and activities in the state forest," reports Michelle H.
Historic tours at Malabar Farm State Park Campground: After trail riding, visit the historic working farm with guided tours. "Lots of hiking trails and a few sites boasting the filming locations for scenes from the movie Shawshank Redemption. We also did a house tour and learned about who Louis Bromfield was and why he was so important to the area," explains Andrea F.
What campers like
Privacy at tent sites: Many campers appreciate the secluded nature of tent camping areas at horse campgrounds. At Delaware State Park Campground, "the best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy. There are nice trails to walk and the bathrooms are the best I've seen at a campground," shares Maddy B.
Clean facilities: Despite heavy use during peak riding season, most equestrian campgrounds maintain clean facilities. "The shower houses are clean as well as the grounds. The lake was high this weekend and the beach was a bit under water, but still fun," reports Tina D. about Pleasant Hill Lake Park.
Access to water: Many horse trails cross streams and creeks, providing natural watering spots for horses. At Mohican State Park Campground, "beautiful campsites on the water and near it. Playgrounds, cabins, camper cabins, tent sites & camper sites. Some camper sites have electric & water," notes Renée C.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most horse campgrounds operate from April through October. "Camping in the off season is our favorite time of year. This particular park has potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open. The water at the full hook up sites are turned off," explains Andrea F. about Mohican State Park.
Reservation requirements: While some equestrian camps operate on first-come, first-served basis, others require advance booking. "Large campground. Boat docking is available. I just love love the beach lake. Great entertainment too. New shower houses by the beach. Great staff. Very friendly and helpful," shares Karrie Kat W. about Pleasant Hill Lake Park.
Cell service limitations: Many horse trails and camps have limited connectivity. At Alum Creek State Park Campground, campers report varied experiences: "The prices here are reasonable, however most sites are booked by seasonal campers who pay for the whole season and leave their RV/set-ups in one place the whole season, so all the choice sites (ie lakefront) are always taken," notes Catherine.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several equestrian campgrounds feature playgrounds for children. "This is another of our favorite Ohio State Parks. The campground is setup in a nice layout with each of the separate sections having a spoke and wheel layout with a bathhouse in the middle. Sites are roomy and we like the wooded feel," shares Marshall P. about Delaware State Park.
Beach activities: After riding, families can cool off at on-site beaches. "We had an absolute blast at the campsite! We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water. The campground beach is an absolute must and we even got close to wildlife (aka some pesky raccoons)," reports Jenny C. at Alum Creek State Park.
Educational opportunities: Several equestrian campgrounds offer learning experiences. At Mohican Wilderness, "They also have little shops that allows visitors to watch loom and black smith demonstrations and the little ones can participate in candle and leather making. If you are able to survive without technology and take a little step back into a simpler life style, this is the campground for you!" says Shannon P.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for horse trailers: Equestrian RVers need larger sites for truck and trailer combinations. At Mohican Wilderness, "the campsites are huge and usually shaded. Mohican Wilderness will be a lot more rustic than other campgrounds but this only adds to the relaxation factor," explains William P.
Hookup availability: Not all equestrian campgrounds offer full hookups. At Malabar Farm State Park, "This campground is all non electric. We did run our generator during that day but kept it off at night so we didn't disturb other campers. Only 15 sites and most are very sloped but we had site 3 and it was okay," cautions Andrea F.
Weather considerations: Spring and fall visits require preparation for temperature changes. At Delaware State Park, "We stayed here for two nights while visiting friends in the area but wished we would have stayed to enjoy all that the park had to offer. The campground was really nice and quiet when we stayed there which was during the week and in the spring and not very crowded," advises Nancy W.
