Van Buren State Park Campground offers horse camping options with dedicated pens for horses in the equestrian camping area. Located near Holland, Ohio and easily accessible from I-75, this state park features two camping loops with electric hookups at most sites. The horse camping area includes recently installed pens that allow horses to be kept untethered rather than tied up. The grounds are well-maintained with level, shaded sites suitable for tents, RVs, and horses. Campground facilities include drinking water from centralized well pumps, picnic tables, fire rings, and clean pit toilets. The camp host is known for being friendly and helpful to both equestrians and standard campers. No shower facilities are available, which may limit extended stays.
The park maintains a network of trails suitable for horseback riding through wooded areas. Riders find the terrain relatively flat and easy to navigate, making it appropriate for various experience levels. A playground, basketball court, and tethering court are centrally located within the camping area, convenient for families camping with both children and horses. The RV dump station is located in a separate section of the park. Reservations are required and can be made by phone or online, with no walk-ins permitted. The camping season runs year-round, though facilities may be more limited during winter months. The quiet, relaxed atmosphere and clean grounds make this a popular choice for horse owners seeking a peaceful camping experience near Holland, Ohio.
$35 / night
"Since Van Buren State park is an easy 20 minutes away from home for me, i visit there often. it is clean and quiet, they dont get too busy and loud."
"It’s a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers."
"Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me."
"Nice campgrounds easy to get around and my children loved it"
TravelerFriendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me.
ScoutSince Van Buren State park is an easy 20 minutes away from home for me, i visit there often. it is clean and quiet, they dont get too busy and loud. the horse camp is nice with some new pens to keep your horse instead of them having to be tied up. They keep the restrooms clean, but no flush toilets, which dont bother me. My only complaint about Van Buren State park is that there are no shower facilities.
LegendThis is a typical fairground campground with open grassy areas for campsites surrounded by barns and tracks. The fairgrounds is located just off I-94 which makes for easy entrance and exit to the campground, but, means there is lots of road noise. Close by are plenty of stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. In fact, there is a gap in the fence that runs around the fairgrounds allowing you to walk to a Walmart, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and more.
We arrived without a reservation and the women in the office was very helpful providing a map with all available sites during our stay and letting us choose which one we wanted. One of the first things you notice is that a number of people are here long-term so we went to the back area hoping it would be quieter and less crowded. A number of the campsites are “buddy” sites meaning your patio opens to your neighbors so be careful which one you pick. This is pretty undesirable when the neighbor is a total stranger so we chose a site where we didn’t have anyone next to us.
They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options. There is a dump station located in the middle of the park which is easy to get to. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV. The sites are level but some lack grassy making the patio pretty dusty or muddy. Unfortunately, where we were was pretty muddy just after a light rain. This campground works best for RV’s and not tents. For tenters there is a designated section that is set in a corner of the park with large trees for shade but not much privacy between you and others. A water spigot is in the tent area and there was one picnic table. The camp office sells firewood but we only saw two fire pits in the whole park. Be aware that noise from the interstate and nearby train tracks may make for a restless night. Bathrooms are centrally located in the campground and were old and tired but relatively clean. On-site laundry is available.
Apparently, management is having some issues with campers not obeying some of the rules. One of the sad things about this campground is that campers have to be reminded to clean up after their dogs. Apparently, it is such an issue that we got a letter stating that if you don’t pick up your dogs poop you would be asked to leave. How sad is that? There is free WiFi which worked pretty well. Upon checking in, we had to sign a piece of paper stating that we would not download copyrighted material or stream movies or we would be asked to leave.
My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more. Overall, this campground was fine for the few nights we were here and close to the attractions we wanted to visit. We never felt unsafe even though it was close to major cities. We chose this campground because we wanted to go to Ann Arbor and Dearborn and it was a very convenient location.
Pros:
· Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn
· Close to interstate for easy access
· Long, level sites that will fit any RV
· Community garden you can pick from vegetables
· Stores and restaurants are nearby (some within walking distance)
Cons:
· Lots of road noise from I-94
· No trees for shade or privacy
· Would not recommend for tent camping
· Many campers are long-term
· “Buddy” campsites with patios facing each other
LegendWe stayed one night on our way to IN. We’ve never been here before and wanted to check it off our list. It’s a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers. They were clean but I don’t think I’d want to do more than a weekend there. It had a nice playground for kids and plenty of trails to hike or go horseback riding. They also had a dog park and small wildflower garden. The check in cabin had ice and wood for sale but no store. Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents.
TravelerWe stayed during the week for one night. Campground was clean and quiet, had electric hookups at most sites. Host was very friendly. They also have a camp area for horses. Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump.
TravelerCampground is small but well maintained. Hiking is great. Probably better for people with horses. Electric did not work at all sites. Pit toilets did not seem sufficient for all camp sites.
RangerVan Buren State Park is very easy to access from I-75. It has tons of trails and a pond. There are a few places to car camp or RV camp nearby. I love getting out of town and visiting Van Buren State Park, and I have lots of good memories. It gets 4 stars because I now live in Montana and Montana camping outshines Ohio, but I can't bash on Van Buren State Park at all.
TravelerVery nice, clean, people and staff very friendly. You must reserve a spot by phone or online only, no walk ins. I made my reservation while standing at the visitor cabin
TravelerTried it for the first time. It was quiet and relaxing. The camp host was nice and friendly. Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper. Will be back soon.
Van Buren State Park Campground provides equestrian-focused camping opportunities 20 minutes from Holland, Ohio. The terrain consists of flat woodland trails through northwestern Ohio's mixed hardwood forests, making it accessible for riders of various experience levels. The campground remains open year-round with seasonal adjustments to services, though winter visitors should prepare for limited amenities and colder conditions.
Cross-country skiing: Van Buren State Park offers excellent winter recreation opportunities for visitors willing to brave the colder months. "I came cross country skiing here in early January and it was absolutely amazing. It is cold but the terrain is simple for first time skiers," notes Kevin T. from Van Buren State Park.
Hiking the trail system: The park maintains several miles of trails through wooded areas that can be enjoyed by non-equestrians as well. The relatively flat terrain makes these trails accessible for most ability levels. "Van Buren State Park is very easy to access from I-75. It has tons of trails and a pond," shares Lindsay B., who considers it "a gem in Northwest Ohio."
Wildlife observation: The park's natural areas provide habitat for local wildlife, particularly during spring and fall migrations. The small wildflower garden mentioned by campers attracts pollinators and birds during warmer months, offering quiet observation opportunities.
Peaceful atmosphere: Campers consistently mention the quiet, relaxed environment at Van Buren State Park. "We stayed during the week for one night. Campground was clean and quiet, had electric hookups at most sites. Host was very friendly," reports Nicole G. about her experience at the campground.
Playground facilities: Families appreciate the centrally located recreational amenities. "Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper," writes Scott F., who found the campground to be "quiet and relaxing" and plans to return.
Renovated camping areas: Recent improvements to the campground have enhanced the camping experience. "The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents," observes Shannon G. about the updated facilities at Van Buren State Park.
Limited bathroom facilities: The campground does not offer showers, which restricts longer stays for some campers. "They keep the restrooms clean, but no flush toilets, which dont bother me. My only complaint about Van Buren State Park is that there are no shower facilities," explains Angie B., who still rates the park positively despite this limitation.
Seasonal operation considerations: While the campground operates year-round, amenities may be reduced during winter. Before planning off-season visits, check with park management about available facilities and road conditions, especially for horse trailers.
Site selection strategy: Not all sites are created equal at Van Buren. "Some of the sites are small so you have to be careful which you site you reserve if you're a tent camper. The outside of the circle is your best bet and there's a few scattered in the middle," advises Brendan V., who found the grounds "very well maintained."
Playground proximity: When booking a site with children, request locations near the central recreation area. "If you can get a good middle spot it's nice if you have kids since there's a playground, swings, basketball, and tether court," suggests Brendan V., highlighting the benefits of strategic site selection.
Noise considerations: While generally quiet, the campground's proximity to a country road means occasional traffic noise. Families sensitive to sound disruptions should request sites further from the road. "The park is also just off a country road so traffic can occasionally be heard but it's not excessive," notes one camper.
Water logistics: With only centralized well pumps available, families should bring containers for transporting and storing water at their sites. This becomes especially important for those camping with children who may need more frequent access to water for drinking and cleaning.
Electric hookup reliability: RVers should verify their specific site's electrical service before settling in. "Electric did not work at all sites," cautions Alysha W., suggesting campers test connections upon arrival.
RV dump station location: Plan ahead for using the sanitation facilities, which require a short drive. "Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump," mentions Nicole G., something RVers should factor into their departure schedule.
Space considerations: The campground accommodates a range of RV sizes with its level sites. "Its a smaller campground with only two loops of sites, but its flat, shaded, and comfortable," reports Joseph N., who particularly appreciates Van Buren for both tent and RV camping options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Holland, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Holland, OH is Van Buren State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 12 reviews.
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