Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground sits in the forested hills of southeastern Ohio, approximately 35 miles from Galloway. The campground features 44 sites across both primitive and serviced areas, with 14 water and electric sites positioned under shade trees. Horse owners can access 28 covered stalls recently built to accommodate larger horses.
What to do
Trail riding with horses: Bridle trails connect directly from Pine Creek Cabins & Camping Resort to the surrounding Hocking Hills region. "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 to scenic overlooks: The hilly terrain near Laurelville provides elevated views of the surrounding countryside. At Great Seal State Park Campground, campers can access multi-use trails. "Simple and safe... Although no utilities... there is a shelter, restroom and trash recepticle. Campfires are permissible. Hiking trails head off from this park that cover many miles. A steep hike up Sugar Loaf will wake you up in the morning," explains Michael L.
Fishing in area lakes: Many campgrounds offer fishing opportunities within walking distance of campsites. "Amazing and quiet location, super quiet, low traffic and decent fishing," reports Buck B. about Kiser Lake State Park Campground.
What campers like
Private, spacious sites: Campgrounds in the region often feature secluded spots with natural barriers between sites. "Love!! This is probably our favourite state park we have been to thus far. We went camping early October in tents. It was cold but it was so much fun. The best thing about this campground is the fact that all the sites have privacy," writes Maddy B. about Delaware State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: Recent renovations have improved bathroom facilities at several campgrounds. "The new shower house at the office is great! You have your own shower, toilet and vanity in a locked room!" explains Chad B. about the updated facilities at Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground.
Family-friendly activities: Many parks offer organized weekend activities. "They have pancake breakfast on Saturday mornings through summer and doughnuts on Sunday. Helpful camphost. There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area," shares Jill B.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Campsite conditions can change rapidly with rainfall. "Be careful with rainy weather, some sites have flooded in poor weather," warns Katelyn P. about Alum Creek State Park.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian camping facilities fill quickly during peak seasons. "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," notes Chad B., which suggests increasing popularity may make reservations more essential.
Trail access points: Some trails require road travel from campgrounds. At Hocking Hills State Park Campground, "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," reports Laura C.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds have multiple play areas for children. "The campground has no full hookups but does have electric. RV sites have a view of the lake. Sites are clean and paved. There is a new shower house that's pretty nice, but the other bathrooms are pretty nasty. For $29 nightly it's a good campground. They do things with kids on many weekends," shares Aaliya B. about Kiser Lake State Park.
Halloween weekends: Fall camping includes special activities for children. "I had spot 66 (non-electric standard) and I would definitely pick that spot again! It was absolutely stunning over looking the water with the trees turning colors. I went the first weekend in October so they had a lot of families there because they had all sorts of Halloween activities going on," notes Alexandra F.
Beach swimming areas: Many parks offer designated swimming areas 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 and we even got close to wildlife (aka some pesky raccoons)," reports Jenny C.
Tips from RVers
Water and electric sites: At Delaware State Park, campers appreciate the well-maintained utility connections. "This is another of our favorite Ohio State Parks. The campground is setup in a nice layout with each of the separate sections having a spoke and wheel layout with a bathhouse in the middle. Sites are roomy and we like the wooded feel," explains Marshall P.
Backup location options: For equestrian camping near Galloway when Palmerosa is full, consider alternative campgrounds. "While we are not horsemen, my husband and I so enjoyed our stay at this remote and picturesque campground. The property reflects great pride and financial investment: nicely-appointed and immaculate bathroom facilities; well-spaced campsites; classy equine stalls; and accommodating service second to none," says Angie F. about Palmerosa.
Seasonal considerations: Some campgrounds have limited services during off-season. "The camp spots were decently sized but no cover between camp spots and little shade. Bathrooms were clean but not spotless and in need of a little repair. We were there on a Tuesday in October so not very crowded," shares Mike & Deb L.
