5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Mohican State Park Campground offers several horse-friendly campsites with access to miles of well-groomed horse trails. The trail system includes creek crossings, steep hills, and scenic pine trees for varied riding experiences. The primitive horse camp area includes high lines for tethering horses at the entrance. Dogs are permitted to accompany equestrians on the trails. The campground provides standard amenities including restrooms, showers, electric hookups, and water access at main facilities. The campsites are decent-sized with adequate space for horse trailers.
The bridle trails at Mohican connect to a larger network of riding paths throughout the state forest. Riders can access multiple trail loops of varying difficulty levels directly from the campground. Primitive pack-in camping is also available with ten free sites accessible by horseback about a mile from main facilities. These first-come, first-served sites require no reservations and are situated along both mountain bike and horse trails. Trail maintenance is consistent with clear markings and regular grooming. During winter months, fewer riders use the trails, but the primitive sites remain open with limited facilities. Horse owners should bring water buckets, feed bags, and portable corrals as the campground does not provide permanent stalls or corrals.
"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"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."
from $27 - $220 / night
Check Availability"Didn’t see much of the park on Friday, but Saturday we went exploring and saw the marina, beach, horse camp area, and walked some of the bridle trails."
"Positives: Lots are spacious
- Lots of activities: WhoaZone, boating, fishing, horseback riding, near Mohican Adventures for rafting, hiking
- Quiet and with friendly staff and seasonal campers
- Large"
from $27 / night
Check Availability"Bathrooms are open and close by. No showers. Very clean and quiet. There were 4 others staying here. All were nice. If you arrive after hours grab an envelope and drop payment in an envelope."
from $20 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Not your typical going hiking kinda campground (there are trails but they are not “major”) you come here to step away from city life and tour a working farm. Ohio countryside at its best."
"Lots of hiking trails and a few sites boasting the filming locations for scenes from the movie Shawshank Redemption."
from $23 - $180 / night
Check Availability
GuideMiles of well groomed horse trails available with creek crossings, steep hills and beautiful pine tree. There’s a primitive horse camp as well, and places to tie horses at the entrance with high lines. Dogs are welcome to.
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!
LegendAs 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.
The oddly named “Class A” camping area offers everything from full-hook up camping slots for campers large and small, as well as just electric sites and 10 “walk-in” primitive sites, and cabins -- all of which are reservable. This area has all the bells and whistles of a modern campground with an environmental learning center, a nice outdoor pool, clean showers and bathrooms, an extensive playground and hiking and mountain biking trails right out the front door.
The “Class B” area offers 25 primitive sites on a first-come, first-served basis. It is almost 6 miles by road from the “A” services, but only a 2-mile flatish hike along the river trail. At these sites, there are only pit toilets and a water pump. Each site has a picnic table and a small fire ring. There is also a large group camping area just a few miles away from the primitive “Class B” area.
Tubing and canoeing are available within the park, but there are also several canoe outfitters in the area which provide rental / pick up services. The sheer number of these businesses makes me think that summer time can be crowded!!
Beautiful shaded trails meander all throughout the park and they boast some of the most challenging mountain biking in the mid-west, so read your trail maps. Hiking, equestrian and winter snowmobile trails also offer some great opportunities to get out and stretch your legs throughout the year. There is also a safe and convenient, bike lane / bike path into nearby Loudonville, which has a small grocery story and the usual fast-food restaurants.
Note: The only reason why this park didn't get a 5 star was due to their customer service. It was absolutely lousy, confusing, and the young folks working behind the counter acted as if they didn't want to be there and/or hadn't been trained. We almost left, but since we had cycled 42 miles to get there that day, we chose to stay and enjoyed our time in their Class B sites.
GuideNear the bridal trails you'll find Park and Pack site #4. It's a great spot if your legs are tired after a long day of hiking or if you did too many hills that day. Or if you're a beginner camper, or family that want to try something new, it's easy to walk into and out of. You'll find campsite #4 near the horse pavilion and a large wood barn where it looks that wood is provided. The trail itself is flat, wide and conditions depend on recent rainfall and horse use. It was mostly dry with some muddy areas to navigate around. You'll need to transport it back to camp somehow by pack or a cart/wheelbarrow... It has creative man made benches from logs/branches, a great view for sunset. Per paper maps it looks like it's among the other campsites but actually it's on its own and the opposite side of the multiple bridal trailhead.
TravelerMohican offers great accommodations and clean facilities. It’s not the most secluded spots but if you are looking for something tucked away there a few sites. The ability to tube down the river and walk back to your camp site was so much fun. Trailheads are located right of the grounds and the surrounding area is full of great things to do. If swimming is your thing the pool is clean and well maintained and situated between two ridgelines so you float and stare around at wooded hillsides. Great after a day of hiking or crushing the mountain biking trails. Grab a walk-in site or one by the river. No problems with hammocks in sites we chose but not all sites have enough mature trees.
LegendI found Malabar Farm in Lucas, OH on my way home from Mom’s house. Never heard of it before and I have been this way for over 20 years now. Louis Bromfield was a conservationist and among many other things (including winning a Pulitzer) he was in the forefront of organic and self-sustaining gardening. This place is amazing! ( and would be an excellent home schoolers camping trip!) Not your typical going hiking kinda campground (there are trails but they are not “major”) you come here to step away from city life and tour a working farm. Ohio countryside at its best. Primitive camping with a gravel parking pad and water, fire ring, picnic table and hitching post. No reservations, this is a first come campground. There’s also a small rentable cabin open year round. Definitely worth a visit and very family oriented events. ( your teenager will roll their eyes at you but probably secretly enjoy the visit)
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!)
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**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.
LegendThis trip was memorable for so many reasons but the Chestnuts really make this park stand out. The park has several Chestnut trees which is usually a rare find these days. Later on, I found a sign explaining why the park had so many Chestnut trees. They are working to bring them back. We used our grubstick to roast them over the open fire. Many of us fondly think of the Christmas song but how often have you roasted your own Chestnuts while camping?
The tent sites (short walk from parking lot) and one car per tent site. Our site was not the traditional walk up/park camp site. It was a nice change of pace. More space and great neighbors.
The camp store at this park had a lot of great things such as corn hole outside, a mining activity for the family, trikes you could rent, and most importantly ice cream.
The camp store is right across from the pool. The pool is currently closed but not many state parks in Ohio have a pool right in the camp ground area. This is a rare treat. The pool had the traditional pool, kiddo pool, and small splash pad. You could also see where they had installed a curb cut for those in wheel chairs or needing ramps. No pool lift that I could see to help someone lower in and out of the pool. This may be put away for the season so call to find out. They also had a ramp installed that led up to the pool. One side the old steps and the other side a new ADA ramp.
The fire wood was in a white bag and that made it easy to move and kept the car clean which I appreciated. They also had bait so if you wanted to walk behind the pool and continue to the river it wouldn't be far to go fishing.
The shower house by us did not have an ADA bathroom and I didn't get a chance to look for the ADA shower.
Behind the campsites (our section) you could grab a short trail to the river. This was a lovely surprise as I followed a foot path. We opted not to do the overlook hike to the gorge as we had fellow campers with us that couldn't do a long hike for safety reasons. It as a nice surprise to learn that one could also drive to the overlook if they need to and all parties could enjoy the view together. Two different ways to get to the same place which means if you need to split up your campers based on physical skills then you could do so and then eat at the shelter together.
The camp ground has been FULL several times this season so make sure you make your reservations. This park also has a way for you to put on and take out of the river. You will see folks walking around with their inner tubes as they will float down the small section.
We also drove 10 miles away to the Mohican Lodge to treat ourselves to some food and an OSU Football game at the bar downstairs. The bar has a great back patio and view of the lake. It too has a variety of games in the back patio. They were awesome and turned on the closed caption feature for us. Those of us that wanted to watched the game and others were able to play various games at the lodge (Ping pong, pool, read a book by the fire, go see the owls on site, and more).
The pool at the lodge is being redone at the moment. I may try to upload that information later. So look for it to be new and improved. The pool also has a sauna for those that need some help to warm up/relax tight muscles. Usually, you can get a day pass for the lodge pool even when you are staying at the camp sites. This is a small fee but well worth it.
While we were at the lodge an outside non-profit group was there with 2 owls. We hope to drive up to Mansfield sometime to explore their property (90 acres) with birds they have rescued or are helping. https://www.ohiobirdsanctuary.com/ they come to the lodge usually on Sat evening at 7 PM.
For those who are a fan of Shawshank Redemption the movie you are an easy day trip away from the Mansfield Reformatory. https://www.mrps.org/explore/tours
Mohican State Park provides equestrian camping near Grafton, Ohio with specialized horse trails and facilities. The state park features various terrain challenges including creek crossings and steep hills through scenic woodland areas. Horse owners can access both dedicated equestrian camping areas and a network of connected bridle trails throughout the surrounding state forest.
Trail riding in state forest areas: At West Branch State Park Campground, riders can explore multiple inlets by horseback. One camper noted, "There are many inlets to explore or fish. There is a boat launch at the campground. There are many scenic hiking trails at West Branch. Bridal trails are located on Esworthy Rd."
Explore horse-friendly hiking paths: Malabar Farm State Park Campground offers numerous trails suitable for day rides. A visitor shared, "Lots of hiking trails and a few sites boasting the filming locations for scenes from the movie Shawshank Redemption." The primitive camping setup includes "a gravel parking pad and water, fire ring, picnic table and hitching post."
Overnight pack trips: For riders seeking a more immersive experience, venture out on overnight trips from base camps. As one camper at Pleasant Hill Lake Park mentioned, "Very large park with plenty of room for hikes, bike rides and walks. The lake is an all sport lake so there is fishing, tubing, jet skis and kayaking."
Quiet weekday horse camping options: Many equestrians prefer weekday visits when Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground is less crowded. A camper described it as "a nice weekend but the sites if everything was full is very cramped." For those seeking solitude, weekday visits offer more space for horse trailers and equipment.
Winter equestrian access: Off-season camping provides a different experience for horse owners. One camper at Mohican noted, "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."
Riverside horse campsites: Ashland Fairgrounds offers convenient overnight horse camping facilities. A visitor described it as "a great place to stop over night. Ashland fairgrounds has $20 tent sites or $35 full hookups. You may need an extension cord. All back in sites. Bathrooms are open and close by."
Seasonal horse trail conditions: Trail conditions vary dramatically with seasons. A visitor to Pleasant Hill noted, "We have been going to Pleasant Hill for weekend camping for the last 10 years. They have recently put a lot of money in upgrading their campground."
High-line requirements: Most equestrian sites require you bring your own portable corral systems. At Mohican State Park Campground, primitive sites are available but have specific requirements. According to one reviewer, "There are 10 free camp sites for backpackers in Mohican, each is about a mile hike in, no vehicles can reach these sites. There are 4 on the mountain bike trail and 6 on the horse trails, first come first serve, no reservations."
Trail sharing etiquette: Horses share some trails with mountain bikes and hikers. A camper mentioned about Mohican's campground in the Hemlock Gorge: "It is right alongside the river and at the bottom of the gorge. I always try to go to the end of the long campground where I feel it is quieter."
Junior ranger equestrian programs: Some parks offer special horse-oriented programs for children. West Branch has family-friendly facilities as one visitor noted: "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."
Kid-friendly horseback experiences: Mohican State Park Campground offers opportunities for families with both horses and camping equipment. As one camper described, "Perfect for first time campers" with "clean tent camping" areas.
Non-equestrian activities for mixed groups: Plan alternative activities for family members who don't ride. At Malabar Farm, a visitor recommended it as "an excellent home schoolers camping trip! Not your typical going hiking kinda campground (there are trails but they are not 'major') you come here to step away from city life and tour a working farm."
Horse trailer parking specifics: RVs with attached horse trailers require special consideration. At West Branch, "Some of the sites have a slight grade so be cautious when selecting. Many trees that provide separation between sites."
Electric needs for equestrian camping: For RV owners with horse trailers, electrical requirements differ. One camper at Mohican noted about nearby sites: "Site 138" has "nice and large" sites "with lots of trees throughout the park."
Water access points: RVers should note water access locations, as one Pleasant Hill camper warned: "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. This was okay for a short weekend but not good planning from who ever designed the park."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Grafton, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Grafton, OH is West Branch State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 66 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Grafton, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Grafton, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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