Equestrian camping near Steubenville, Ohio offers diverse terrain across the rolling hills of eastern Ohio at elevations ranging from 800 to 1,200 feet above sea level. The area features primarily deciduous forests with moderate rainfall patterns making spring and fall ideal camping seasons. Summer temperatures typically reach highs in the 80s while winter camping is available but requires preparation for temperatures that can drop into the teens.
What to do
Hiking trail system: 18+ miles of multi-use trails wind through Fernwood State Forest near Bloomingdale. "There are two different trails to hike fishing minutes away the gun rage is also near (the gunshots don't bother me)," notes Justin T. The orange-blazed trail behind site 10 is popular but sometimes has obstacles as Danielle S. mentions, "as of this writing, there are several downed trees blocking the trail a good distance in."
Historical exploration: Visit the pioneer village at Beaver Creek State Park which features original buildings from early settler days. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," explains Shay D.
Fishing opportunities: Local creeks and lakes offer decent fishing spots. Aaron B. reports success at Beaver Creek: "Had some luck fishing at the Canoe/Kayak area in the South East area of the park close to the Group Camp Sites." Mike T. adds that "Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!!"
What campers like
Privacy levels vary: At Hidden Hollow Campground, campers appreciate the layout of some sites. Donald F. mentions "Camp fire rings and picnic tables at most sites. Here late April through early May. 22 total sites, never more than 4 people camping here, including us." However, some equestrian camping areas offer better separation between sites.
Equestrian-specific amenities: Horse owners appreciate dedicated facilities at multiple parks. Wash racks for horses are considered essential by regular visitors, and separate camping areas provide appropriate accommodations for those traveling with horses.
Free camping options: Budget-conscious travelers appreciate no-cost options. Joe W. describes Hidden Hollow as "Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH." Karen W. adds, "All paved sites with picnic tables. Most have fire rings. All free but you must fill out a registration card."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds have nearby shooting ranges that can impact the peaceful experience. At Fernwood State Forest, Jaysha L. warns, "Gun range 5 mins away or so... gunshots all day until 11pm." Emily S. confirms this: "The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit."
Bathroom facilities vary widely: Most equestrian camping areas offer basic facilities. Kimberly from Jefferson Lake State Park reports, "There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning." At Beaver Creek, Aaron B. found "Probably the nicest pit toilets I have experienced."
Water availability: Many campgrounds have limited water sources. Joe W. notes Hidden Hollow has "no source of safe, clean water anymore." Eddie from Jefferson Lake cautions that "All water full up towers only have those spigots that are not threaded. Had to hold hose over spigot about 20 min to fill 35 gal."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. Theresa Tittle R. mentions Jefferson Lake has a "playground, sand volleyball and basketball court," adding that there's a "Small lake for wading with the kiddos, fishing near the dam or skip rocks in the creek."
Site selection for tents: Many sites in the region have uneven terrain. Kimberly advises, "You need to be careful when booking, especially if you are trying to pitch a tent, as some sites are quite sloped." Kellie A. agrees: "Some sites are small and very sloped. Others have lots of room to spread out."
Evening activities: The night sky provides natural entertainment at Salt Fork State Park. Matt H. shares, "The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities. To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: RVers report varying experiences with site levelness. At Canton / East Sparta KOA Holiday, Rick K. notes, "Stepped up hill gravel sites. Very difficult to ride bikes on loose gravel." At Fernwood State Forest, Donald F. reports "No problem getting 40' skoolie in and parked in mostly level spots."
Electric hookup locations: Eddie warns about Jefferson Lake: "Electric is a little far behind pad. We almost needed extension cord." Other campers recommend bringing extension cords as a standard practice.
Road conditions: Some campgrounds have access limitations. Eddie notes, "Bridge out in Bergholtz had a backroad detour." RVers should also note that some park roads prohibit larger vehicles, as Bounding Around discovered at Beaver Creek: "There is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RV's/Trailers can't go on so make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!"
