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West Branch State Park Campground offers trails for riding across a wooded landscape bordering Berlin Lake in Wayland, Ohio, approximately 35 miles from Hinckley. The park's bridle trails connect to a wider network of equestrian paths throughout the surrounding state forest. While no dedicated horse corrals are available at campsites, riders can bring portable containment systems. The campground provides electric hookups at most sites, with accommodations for tents, RVs, cabins, and yurts. Bathroom facilities include clean showers, flush toilets, and laundry services. The campground remains open year-round with full amenities, receiving high ratings for cleanliness and maintenance.
The equestrian trails at West Branch State Park range from easy to moderate difficulty, suitable for riders of various experience levels. Trail access points are well-marked with adequate parking areas for horse trailers near the campground entrance. Canton/East Sparta KOA Holiday (Bear Creek Ranch) is another option for horse enthusiasts, located approximately 45 miles from Hinckley. This facility accommodates tent, RV, and cabin camping with water and electric hookups. Both locations maintain strict rules regarding waste management for horses, requiring owners to clean up manure and store feed securely. Seasonal considerations include wet trail conditions during spring months, with optimal riding weather from late May through October. Winter camping remains available with reduced services.
"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"Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it. All staff were very friendly. Would def recommend anyone to go."
"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
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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!
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.
LegendHere's what's great about this campground situated at an easy drive from major cities like Columbus and Cleveland...its scenic, a fully loaded campground with bathhouses, parks, hiking paths, swimming resivoir with boat rental...we highly recommend renting a pontoon for the day and hanging out in the resivoir for swimming and lounging! It's both relaxing and nice to get away from the beach crowd!
ScoutStayed in two different areas of West Branch State Park while visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Very impressed with large, clean bath houses, including fully private showers. Sites were very large and spread out, visit bing lots of nice privacy. Though we did not take advantage, the park also offered horse bridle trails, mountain biking and water activities on the lake. What a gem!
GuideTook the family there and loved it. It’s clean and quiet. Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it. All staff were very friendly. Would def recommend anyone to go.
GuideBeautiful area for a get away in Ohio. The beach is never too packed. You can take kayaks out and venture off around the shores.
ScoutMy family has been going to this camp for years! It’s been updated a few times over the years, for the better! It has everything you need. Boat ramps for the lake in the campground, multiple shower houses, large and small campsites with full and primitive options! Tent and pull through RV sites as well. They have a few miles of hiking trails even horse trails! They do events through out the year. Our favorite Halloween! Camper decorate their sites and do trick or treating for the kids. They even do a haunted trail where volunteers set up to scare everyone! We had a spot on the trail for years lol
LegendWest Branch is one of the best-known family campgrounds in NE Ohio. And it's not hard to understand why. Full amenities, clean facilities, and a nice lake round out the picture of a great place to get some family R&R.
Here's what you can expect:
1. It's Busy.
Like, really busy. Be sure to book early as spots fill up often. Sites are fairly close to each other, but most people seem respectful of space and limits.
2. It's Accessible.
West Branch is a quick drive from Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown - hence the draw. if you live anywhere close, there's no reason NOT to check this place out!
3. It's Fun (but a bit loud)
If you're looking for quiet, West Branch might not be the place for you. Since the lake has not real HP limits, you'll hear boats motoring quite a bit throughout the day.
4. It's got everything :)
Seriously. There's nothing else you could want. Hiking trails, swimming, a fully stocked office for the essentials you forgot.
Quick tip: Bring swimsuits. There are plenty of places to swim in the well-kept beaches or off a boat. West Branch is a great family getaway for summer swimming!
West Branch State Park Campground spans nearly 2,650 acres in northeastern Ohio, featuring a 2,650-acre reservoir with 14 miles of shoreline. Located 35 miles from Hinckley, the park experiences warm summers with average temperatures reaching 85°F and cold winters where temperatures drop to 20°F. The campground offers distinct seasonal advantages for equestrian campers, with late summer and early fall providing the best trail conditions.
Trail riding with elevation changes: Riders accessing West Branch State Park Campground can explore moderately challenging terrain. "There are many scenic hiking trails at West Branch. Bridal trails are located on Esworthy Rd," notes Alisa G., highlighting the dedicated horse trails that connect to the larger network.
Kayaking from waterfront campsites: Launch directly from lakefront sites at West Branch. "We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite. There are many inlets to explore or fish," explains one camper who appreciates the water access opportunities.
Dog park access: Exercise dogs at the dedicated park near the campground. "There is a newer dog park near the intersection of Rock Spring and Esworthy roads," mentions a regular visitor, providing a welcome amenity for equestrian campers traveling with canine companions.
Private, wooded sites: Many sites offer substantial privacy and shade at Canton / East Sparta KOA Holiday, approximately 45 miles from Hinckley. "Great family owned KOA. Horseback riding on site," shares Lisa D., who returns at least once yearly with her family.
Clean facilities: West Branch maintains exceptional cleanliness standards across all facilities. "Best bathrooms around! Showers great. Bathrooms great. Lots of 'lakefront' spots. Dog park is pretty great, too!" reports Kim B., highlighting the well-maintained amenities.
Family-oriented activities: Scheduled events enhance the camping experience for families. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," mentions a regular visitor who appreciates the programming beyond standard equestrian activities.
Site leveling challenges: Many sites require careful setup due to terrain. "We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches. The jack was down as low as it would go and we were still off by 1.5 inches," reports Andrea F. at Ashland Fairgrounds, providing valuable insight for RV equestrians.
Water fill station design: The water fill station location can complicate tank filling. "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," notes one camper, an important consideration for horse owners needing adequate water supplies.
Campsite selection strategy: Reserve waterfront sites well in advance due to high demand. "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly!" advises a regular visitor, emphasizing the importance of planning ahead, especially during peak horse camping seasons.
Equipment lending program: Canton-East Sparta KOA offers convenience for families traveling light. "Everyone who helped me with my arrival was very nice and made it easy for me," reports Chris, appreciating the staff assistance with equipment and setup.
Kid-friendly beach access: Choose sites near the campground beach for convenient swimming. "Site 160. No electricity, no hook ups, but a HUGE lakefront site. Beach is right next door too!" shares Rino S., highlighting the proximity advantage for families with children.
Playground amenities: Multiple play areas accommodate different age groups. "Nice playground with toy stocked sandpit, volleyball net," notes one camper, describing the recreational options beyond horseback riding that keep children entertained.
Site selection for rig size: Large rigs should research specific site dimensions before booking. "Check in is very easy as you pass the camp store on your way in. All campsites have a fire ring and picnic table," explains a regular visitor, but notes that not all sites accommodate larger vehicles comfortably.
Electrical hookup availability: Verify power needs against site capabilities when booking. "We're in a self contained RV so it's not a problem for us," mentions one camper about non-electric sites, an important consideration for RVers requiring power for horse-related equipment.
Gravel site challenges: Some campgrounds feature loose gravel that impacts mobility. "Mostly gravel site..very difficult to ride bikes on loose gravel. My grandson fell twice," warns Rick K., highlighting accessibility concerns for campers with mobility limitations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Hinckley, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Hinckley, 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 Hinckley, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Hinckley, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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