Best Equestrian Camping near Canfield, OH
West Branch State Park Campground offers a dedicated equestrian camping section near Canfield, Ohio. Horse campers share this area with primitive tent campers in the back section of the campground, providing a more secluded experience away from the main camping loops. The primitive equestrian camping area allows riders direct access to approximately 20 miles of bridle trails that are also open to snowmobiles during winter months. Concerns have been raised about the safety of mixing tent campers with horse campers, as children running around horses can create hazardous situations. The park features two camp hosts specifically in the equestrian area who help educate visitors about horse safety and proper campground etiquette.
The bridle trails at West Branch connect to a larger trail network throughout the 5,000-acre park that stretches along Kirwan Reservoir. Unlike the main campground area, the equestrian section does not offer electrical hookups, water connections, or full-service amenities. Some horse owners have expressed frustration that primitive tent campers are permitted in the horse camping area while equestrians cannot access the main campground with full hookups for their horse trailers. Trail riders seeking overnight accommodations should make reservations well in advance, especially during summer months when the entire campground experiences heavy use. The park's location provides convenient access for equestrians from Cleveland, Akron, Canton and Youngstown looking for day-use or overnight trail riding opportunities.
