Equestrian camping options near Groveport, Ohio offer direct access to miles of bridle trails through diverse forest terrain. The region features both private specialized horse campgrounds and state park facilities with horse-friendly accommodations. During spring and fall, trails remain most accessible with moderate temperatures in the 60-70°F range, though summer humidity can make longer rides challenging.
What to do
Trail riding at Pine Creek Cabins & Camping Resort: Access bridle trails directly from the campground with sites that include horse stalls. "We stayed in one of the small cabins and loved it! Very clean, with thoughtful amenities. Hot tub on the back porch. This cabin also comes with two horse stalls. Bridle trail access right from campground," notes CampgroundKaren.
Hiking at Hocking Hills State Park Campground: Multiple trail options within a 75-minute drive from Groveport. "The hocking hills park itself is awesome. Great trails, beautiful waterfalls, wonderous caves. They are all pretty short hikes and easy access. We enjoyed it with our large breed dog and toddler," shares Laura C.
Mountain biking at Delaware State Park Campground: Dedicated bike trails wind through the forested areas around the lake. "For those wanting to hike there are plenty of hiking/biking trails for you to get out and explore the park. Many of the trails link together so you can decide how long you want to hike," explains Nancy W.
What campers like
Private equestrian sites: "This campground is a true hidden oasis! It won't be long before other campers discover this peace on earth place," writes Chad B. about Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground. The campground has 14 water and electric sites with shade trees and 30 primitive tent sites.
Waterfront access at Alum Creek State Park Campground: Sites near the water provide cooler temperatures during summer months. "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," reports Jenny C.
Well-maintained facilities: "This state park spans over 2,000 acres and is just north of the cute Ohio town of Delaware. The 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites with good separation between sites," states Nancy W. about Delaware State Park. Campers appreciate the spaciousness compared to more crowded facilities.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Weather can impact trail conditions significantly. "Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather," warns Katelyn P. about Alum Creek State Park.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. State parks use a reservation system that typically opens 6 months ahead.
Facilities vary by campground: Not all horse-friendly campgrounds offer the same amenities. "The new owners of the Palmerosa Campground have put a lot of time and money into this campground! Almost everything has been tore down and rebuilt. The new shower house at the office is great!" shares Chad B.
Stall options at Pine Creek Cabins & Camping Resort: "This cabin also comes with two horse stalls," notes CampgroundKaren, explaining how some accommodations include dedicated equine facilities.
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with playground access: Family-focused campgrounds often have dedicated play areas. "The kids loved being close to the water. The campground beach is an absolute must and we even got close to wildlife," shares Jenny C. about Alum Creek.
Look for short trail options: "The hiking and exploring are great! Not good with kids. I still would return here because of the cheap cost and the surrounding hiking opportunities," advises Jenny K. about Hocking Hills.
Consider cabins for easier family stays: "We camped here in our camper in early July 2017. There are a lot of things to do in the area. We visited the Ohio Caverns. The tour is worth the money, the 'gem' mining was fun for our younger kids," recommends Leon H. about Buck Creek State Park Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: "Sites are nice with some sites able to boat up to them," explains Katelyn P. about Alum Creek. RVers should check site specifications as some cannot accommodate larger rigs.
Electric options: "We had an absolute blast at the campsite! We love that electric is included and was helpful for plugging in fans during the hot night," notes Jenny C. Most equestrian campgrounds provide 30-amp service for RVs.
Leveling challenges: "Many sites are not level. Many sites have NO shade. Only Electric available at each site," cautions Gary O. about Dillon State Park Campground. Bringing leveling blocks is recommended, especially at older facilities.