Looking for a rustic and comfortable horse camping experience near Gambier? Camping with horses is a beautiful way to experience nature. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
Large campground features shady sites for all types of camping. Pets are welcome on designated sites.
An equestrian camp has 30 primitive sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
286 electric campsites offer both wooded and sunny areas, some of which overlook the lake. Each site has 20-, 30- and 50-amp electrical hookup. 24 full-service campsites offer electric, sewer and water hookups Heated shower facilities with flush toilets and dump station Beach and boat ramp for exclusive use of the overnight guests Basketball courts, volleyball, miniature golf, horseshoe pits, and playgrounds Nature programs Equestrian camp has 30 primitive sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
This recreation area is part of Delaware Lake
This recreation area is part of Dillon Lake
$25 - $44 / night
$27 / night
From Nov 1 - April 1, water service is not available in the Ohio Expo Center campgrounds.
$50 / night
Legend
General: 214-site campground, all with electric hookups. Campsites are in four loops.
Site Quality: All sites are paved and appeared to be level. A fire ring, picnic table, and electric hookup complete each site. Generous foliage provides separation between most sites.
Bath/Shower: Fully contained all-gender units in the third loop. Each one has a bench and a baby changing station. Soap and air dryers. A more traditional bath/shower house was in the fourth loop (don’t know about the first two loops).
Activities/Amenities: Several hiking trails (but it was raining when we were there so didn’t explore), a small putt-putt course (free use of putters and balls), disc golf, shuffleboard, basketball, tennis, and a small camper store. Each loop has a playground and other recreational options (i.e. volleyball net). The marina offers water toy rentals.
My five-star rating is based on the possibility of what our stay might have been if the weather had cooperated! Unfortunately, it was cold and rainy during our stay in June. We will definitely be back again to take advantage of the marina rentals.
Guide
We came here during the 2024 River of Fire Event. The campground was packed but you couldn’t tell because the sites were all so spacious! Half the sites are right on the river which gives a good view and great place to fish and kayak(too cold on this trip). The event was very well organized and very fun to participate in. Staff was all very friendly and helpful! After the event many campers cleared out(end of season and kids in school) so my husband and I basically had the whole campground to ourselves for 2 of the days. It was extremely peaceful there and we look forward to returning.
Ranger
First time visiting this state campground and we only stayed one night, did not explore entire park. Grounds well maintained, clean and decent amenities. The sites are well placed and a good size. But no water view on any of the “premium water view” sites in loop L, other than one L17 (the picture with view) Same for loop K. Guests and hosts were friendly and welcoming. Quiet except for the road noise due to nearby busy roads. The boat launch to lake access is very nice with plenty of parking and space. Not bad for a stop when traveling through or a weekend. We stayed with 34’ camper. Site L15 (picture with red truck)
Traveler
Very quiet campground with little to no other riders around. Only complaint would be the non equestrians staying in the equestrian area
Guide
I didn’t see much of this park because I only stayed overnight, but I got a good nights rest and felt safe. A few of the spots are not level and it appeared that not all of them had tables or fire pits. It didn’t appear that anyone did drive throughs to monitor noise or who was there, but I didn’t mind. There were quite a bit of teens camping out and while they were pretty loud late into the night, it made me happy to see them camping and floating the river. The pit toilet shelters were large and clean too.
Guide
First time at this park booked last minute so options were limited wasn't sure what leftovers we would get but ended up with 2 great sites. We lucked out and had 2 trees just right for hammock relaxing but it seems like lots of sites have no trees just depends on the section of park not alot of privacy between. Sites but there huge so you don't feel stuffed in next to everyone. Shower houses are limited 1 in each section but plenty of flush bathrooms located all over and kept very clean. Internet works very well verizon and att.
GuideVery well maintained, established state park. Sites are paved, level, and generally ample in space. Ample shade and privacy if needed. Amenities include boating, fishing, disc golf, MTB trails, live music select evenings, etc. Facilities are cleaned regularly. Staff are friendly and helpful..
GuideOlder state park, but very well maintained. Restrooms and showers clean and sanitary. Pool was not open yet when we were there. Close to hiking, MTB trails, canoeing. Sites are generally level with ample spacing. Park staff were friendly and helpful. We camped at Mohican State Park in a Motorhome on a site along the river.
TravelerI have tent camped, rented a cabin, and taken my RV there. It is nice by the creek and lots of trails nearby to hike. The pool is nice in the summer and the people working at check in and at the camp store are so nice.
GuideBeen here before came back because we liked it so much. Sites are good sized compared to alot of state parks good for tent and rv. Cell service is good, bathrooms are older and could use updating but are decently clean for use.
TravelerAbsolutely loved the short overnight stay. Perfect sunset and sunrise experience, the grounds are kept well, bathroom/shower house is as clean as can be 😻🥰 perfect for families!
GuideCute place! Stayed right by the water
Scout
Small campground, lower camp sites are pretty close together but it's treed and shady with a creek running through. No one was here during our stay so felt like we had the campground to ourselves. Newer flush toilets near the group camp sites are nice. Camp store has showers for camper use. Really pretty lake!
RangerAlum Creek State Park is a very well designed State park. Its located north of Columbus, Oh just off I-71N. The sites have level pads. The park is very neat and clean. Our particular rv site was an electric only site (L06) but water was just across the street so if was convienent to fill the camper. This was a very pretty campground with boating and water sports as the main activity.
When approaching the campground make sure you GPS is set for the campground and not the park. the two are separated by a few miles and signage at the park to the campground is not clear, especially, at 11:00PM when it is dark.
While were there they had a trivia night which was fun and a free pancake breakfast on Sat. morning which was quite delicious.
For Astronomers this is a Bortle class 4 site with an SQM rating of 21.27. I did not get observe from this site as it was cloudy due to wildfire smoke. Overall we had a great time at the park.
The electric only sites were priced at $33/night.
GuideSpent the weekend would've spent longer if not for work. Some sites were bigger than others but all had plenty of space and alot of tree shade. They put in a put put course recently, had disk golf. We were in section c it had upgraded single person shower house and I was told there in the process of upgrading all of them to that style. huge beach area and each section has its own playground for the kids. Cell phone service I had verizon which was 1 bar but the wife has att and her phone worked no problems.
RangerMy wife and I have begun our full-time RV living. We stayed at this state park during the transition from selling our house. We did not have time to enjoy everything this park has to offer. However, the staff was friendly, the campsites were well maintained and it was quiet.
GuideFound this SP during a cross-country trip for a quick night stay. Big site, clean bathroom. Worked great for our stay.
TravelerI stay here typically at least two weekends every summer and I always have a great time! Make sure to bring some money for ice cream because it’s awesome!
GuideWe tent camped at one of the primitive riverfront sites. Site 810 in the Narrows. Our site was a little muddy and a little smaller than other sites but overall we were very happy with the campground and would camp there again!
GuideWe had a great three nights stay here in June, weather was lovely. Dale, one of the volunteer hosts, even helped me with a problem I had in my hot water heater while I was there. Great access to trails and tubing along the river, and a friendly group of campers. Shower houses were meticulously maintained and grounds are nice and clean. Wi-Fi was kind of sketchy for video calling at least at my site number 44.
TravelerPark Staff was great and very friendly. Was lucky enough to get a Creek Side spot. Nothing like coffee with the Morning sun on a cool morning.
LegendWe stayed on a full hook up site (turned off for the season) that had a nice concrete level pad. There was also a nice side pad that kept our chairs clean. A little further back in the campground to be close to the shower house that was open. Then found out that comfort station next to us was open - nice! Also close the water which was full and rushing all weekend.
The camp store was open on the weekend and the staff was nice to chat with. They had wood, but it was slab cut which doesn’t burn very well. We decided against it. Lots of snacks and other items still available.
Some sites were really close to the water, almost too close as the water flooded a few spots. The campground is nice to walk if you like to get in a little workout. They also have small camper cabins and them much bigger cabins which a few are pet friendly.
We went on a hike by the covered bridge to one of the waterfalls. Lots of trials to choose from.
LegendEveryone online is constantly raving about Alum Creek so we finally decided to try it out. Initially we had site A9 but when we arrived we realized the main road (55mph) was extremely close and loud. We ended up looking at all of the open sites and picking C3, which literally might be the best site in the park. Even still, the constant road noise and insane amount of small plane traffic is extremely annoying. The fire station across the street doesn't help either. The park seems to be roughly 80/20 mix of small sites to medium/ large sites. Usually my reviews are a ton of positives, then a few negatives. This one unfortunately is almost all negatives. The oddly places bathrooms have no parking, only the two shower houses on our half of the park did. I say oddly places because they are kind of in the middle of the woods with multiple paths going to them. You would definitely benifit by finding these paths before it's dark or you'll be lost like we were. Also you may not want a site with one of these paths if you don't like people walking through your site. Due to looking for a better site and it being October, it was dark by the time we finished setting up. One of the few nice things about the park is how dark it gets at night. Unfortunately, there are barely any signs around the park and the ones they have ahine green in your headlights and are almost illegible. Kind of like the light yellow site numbers on the grey electric box. The park does have many nice amenities like, miniature golf, a large dog park, many trails and a nature center. Down the road is a very large beach, a dam and parks. The absolute best part was the camp store. Literally the nicest people in the world were working here... I'm pretty sure we wouldn't stay here again, especially in the summer when it's probably crazy busy. Especially when Delaware state park is 10 miles away and literally our favorite park in Ohio. The two are complete opposites.
ScoutFriendly and helpful staff. Campground was clean and nicely kept. Wifi was excellent. Bathrooms were clean. Beautiful foliage and hiking trails.
LegendWe thought we’d give this campground a try during the off season as it usually fills up during regular camping season.
Campground - it’s a big campground but only part of it is open in the winter. The drive in was plowed and they continue to get plow it through the weekend. Unfortunately there was more ice than snow in the road. The creek was flowing pretty good and was really pretty to watch and we saw a bald eagle flying back and forth.
Campsite-the pad was covered with snow and ice so we had to level a little more as the elements were a little tough to work with. The fire ring was up on a small hill which was a struggle to get up and down due to the ice but would be nice in the summer. You’d be able to see around and across the street to see the creek. Campsites are a little close together but some along the creek look a little more comfortable.
Camp store-big and a ton of items to choose from. They had fresh eggs, local meat, ice cream and more. The staff was friendly and helpful too!
Shower house-only one shower house was open and it was down by the maintenance building. Thankfully the camp store had a small bathroom available and was much closer. The shower house itself was clean, warm and had lots of room for multiple campers.
Really pretty with the snow and would like to go back when it’s warmer.
Traveler
Stayed here for a concert next door at Historic Crew Stadium. We practically had the place to ourselves and the sites were pretty decent. Definitely isn't cleaned as much as it could be. Only the female restroom was unlocked and it was pretty ratchet.
GuideThis is my favorite Ohio State Park to camp in so far. Good ATT coverage, look carefully at length of pad as some are shorter. Lovely beach nice views. Only problem was some street noise and the Trick or Treating and Halloween events first weekend of October meant there were a lot lot lot of cars and people and 1.5 hours with the streets closed for activities.
Ohio offers a variety of options for horse camping enthusiasts, providing scenic trails and facilities tailored for equestrian adventures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Gambier, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Gambier, OH is Mohican State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 43 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Gambier, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Gambier, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
