5 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Mohican State Park Campground maintains miles of well-groomed horse trails with creek crossings, steep hills, and beautiful pine trees for riders to explore. The primitive horse camp provides space for equestrians bringing their own horses, with high lines available at the entrance for securing animals. Trails accommodate both horses and dogs, making it possible for riders to bring their canine companions along. Located in the scenic Mohican region near Loudonville, the park combines riding opportunities with camping options ranging from tent sites to cabins. The campground serves as an excellent base for exploring the extensive trail system, with primitive camping areas specifically designed for horse owners who prefer a more rustic experience.
Direct access to the horse trails from the primitive campground eliminates the need for loading and trailering between rides. The clear, maintained paths offer varied terrain and scenic views throughout the Mohican forest system. Water crossings along the trails provide natural water sources for horses during rides, though riders should bring additional water for horses at campsites. The primitive horse camping area follows a first-come, first-served system with no reservations accepted. Experienced riders appreciate the combination of challenging sections and easier paths that accommodate different skill levels. Camping near the trailheads allows for multiple daily rides without relocating equipment, making Mohican a practical choice for weekend equestrian camping trips within easy driving distance of major Ohio cities.
"As part of a nearly 200-mile bikepacking ride, this was our last stop! We spent 2 nights in their "Class B" area down in the Mohican River Valley and loved it."
"The cabins at Mohican State Park are highly sought after for a reason--beautiful interiors, comfortable beds, and riverfront location. "
Available next weekend
from $27 - $220 / night
"They are full of amenities like: horse back riding, shooting sports, canoeing, playground, swimming lake, putt putt and more."
"We come back to MW each year and try to get the same sites (323-322) as they are very private with access to the water while still being super close to the store and walkable to the bathrooms:showers."
from $25 - $44 / night
"Didn’t see much of the park on Friday, but Saturday we went exploring and saw the marina, beach, horse camp area, and walked some of the bridle trails."
"Positives: Lots are spacious
- Lots of activities: WhoaZone, boating, fishing, horseback riding, near Mohican Adventures for rafting, hiking
- Quiet and with friendly staff and seasonal campers
- Large"
from $27 / night
"Not your typical going hiking kinda campground (there are trails but they are not “major”) you come here to step away from city life and tour a working farm. Ohio countryside at its best."
"Lots of hiking trails and a few sites boasting the filming locations for scenes from the movie Shawshank Redemption."
Available next weekend
from $23 - $180 / night
"Happened to be next to the park host. No choice of where to locate my large tent. Showers/bathrooms were OK--older facilities. "
"There are tons of trails to check out all throughout the park. Kayaking on the northern side of the lake would be recommended. It gets too busy with larger boats in the main area of the lake."
Available next weekend
from $23 - $70 / night
"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
"This state park spans over 2,000 acres and is just north of the cute Ohio town of Delaware. "
"Delaware State Park is a gem in the Ohio state park system. What is amazing to us is how few people seem to know it exists!"
Available next weekend
from $39 - $40 / night
"I camped at this state park in the very scenic rolling hills of central Ohio on a hot and sunny weekend and was happy to find plenty of shade."
"I have been extremely disappointed with Ohio State Park campgrounds."
Available next weekend
from $24 - $160 / night
"Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it. All staff were very friendly. Would def recommend anyone to go."
ScoutWe camped here for the first time this year and ended up booking 2 more trips here. We just finished our last trip. We love this campsite. No other place has sites this big and give you this much space. Awesome place to camp
ScoutRight close to Columbus this campground is a staple for locals trying to just get away for the weekend. There is an amphitheater, a camper’s beach, nature center, and more all within the campground. Alum creek state park is a larger facility surrounding the campground with a public beach, walking paths, mountain bike trails, archery range, hunting areas, boat marina and more. The public beach is rather gravelly but has nice shower houses and grills available. We are attending during fall fest where they put on many activities for the campers and it is a lot of fun. You have to reserve 6 months in advance to be able to get in on fall fest unless there is a last minute cancellation. Our site is relatively flat parking, we didn’t need to level the rig. It did rain the morning we got here and the area around the fire pit was a bit muddy. The view out the back of this camp site is nice and wooded, you’re not looking at your neighbors out the back window. The sides you can definitely see each other but it’s still wooded and secluded enough between the sites here.
RangerGreat campground. My favorite is each loop has their own shower house! Nice playgrounds for kids. Nice private sites. Lots of woods and trails. Good lake for boating fishing and kayaking. Park is very clean and well maintained. They have a kids fishing pond! It’s also great for biking.
Rangerwe come back to MW a few times each year as the access to the river and quiet nature of the campground is great. The playground is nice, the store is clean and well stocked.
RangerThis campground is huge. Great for biking. Nice lake for fishing, boating and kayaking. There is a campers beach in campground. Many sites have water access. Small fishing pond. Very nice camp store. Big, wooded sites.
GuideSecond time here. Quiet, except for the birds chirping.
Only 3 other campsites in use on an August weekend.
Water and pit toilet.
Enough At&t cell service to connect, but it's not great.
RangerWe return to Mohican wilderness a few times each year and love the sites we choose right on the river.
Most sites here are wide open field sites and would not suite our style of camping.
Bathrooms are typically clean.
ScoutWe love this park. Nice camp sites. Lots of wooded areas. Very nice lake. Has lots to do, put put golf, shuffle board, disk golf. But our last camp there was disappointing. 3 of the campers in area D where we were did nothing all day and evening smoking Marijuana. We had to smell the skunk smell all day long from them as well as them letting there kids ride around on a golf cart all day and night with no head lites not even tagged for on road.I brought it to the camp stores attention and they said there's nothing they can do, we don't enforce the rules here . They said if I had a problem to call odnr. There was a camp host at the restroom area and watched a lady take her dog inside and said nothing to her.what are the parks rules for if the host won't even enforce them. Not one ranger through the park for 3 days..
RangerWe come back to MW each year and try to get the same sites (323-322) as they are very private with access to the water while still being super close to the store and walkable to the bathrooms:showers.
We love how peaceful it is and the play areas for kids. We’ll bring kayaks for the river which is cool but the last time it was too cold.
Equestrian camping near Loudonville, Ohio offers varied terrain in the Mohican region which sits at approximately 1,000 feet above sea level in north central Ohio. The area receives around 44 inches of precipitation annually, providing a lush landscape for horseback riding and camping activities. Winter temperatures can drop to the teens while summer highs typically reach the mid-80s.
Trail riding beyond horse trails: At Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground, visitors can combine horseback riding with other outdoor activities. "We had a great time at Pleasant Hill. We stayed there because we were planning a visit to the Prairie Peddler. It was almost completely empty so it was a nice weekend but the sites if everything was full is very cramped," notes Joseph E.
Water recreation between rides: Lakes and rivers provide cooling options after trail riding. "Beautiful campsites on the water and near it. Playgrounds, cabins, camper cabins, tent sites & camper sites. Some camper sites have electric & water," shares Renée C. about Pleasant Hill Lake Park.
Mountain biking alternatives: When taking a break from horseback riding, try mountain biking at Delaware State Park Campground. "This state park spans over 2,000 acres and is just north of the cute Ohio town of Delaware... For those wanting to hike there are plenty of hiking/biking trails for you to get out and explore the park," explains Nancy W.
Private sites for horse trailers: Many campers appreciate secluded spaces. "What I liked most about this park is that there are hunting areas," mentions Michael P. about Delaware State Park, where the spacious layout works well for those with trailers and horses.
Waterfront camping options: Mohican Wilderness offers sites where you can camp with horses and enjoy waterfront views. "We have camped here 3 times now and even though it's a large park the sites are huge so you still feel like you can kick back and relax. Quiet neighbors and friendly staff plus everything is mowed and well maintained," reports Andrea F.
Rustic camping experiences: For those wanting a more primitive equestrian experience, Malabar Farm State Park Campground delivers. "Primitive camping with a gravel parking pad and water, fire ring, picnic table and hitching post. No reservations, this is a first come campground," explains Shelly S.
First-come camping areas: Many equestrian sites cannot be reserved. "There are 10 free camp sites for backpackers in Mohican, each is about a mile hike in, no vehicles can reach these sites. There are 4 on the mountain bike trail and 6 on the horse trails, first come first serve, no reservations," notes John H. about Mohican State Park Campground.
Varying shower facilities: Bathroom quality varies significantly between parks. "The bathrooms and showers were some of the least clean we have ever seen," reports Thomas M. about Alum Creek State Park, while "Shower houses weren't amazing but well maintained" at Dillon State Park according to MaKenzie J.
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be challenging in horse camping areas. "No cell service with Verizon at this park," mentions Andrea F. about Mohican State Park, which can affect trail navigation apps.
Educational farm visits: Canton-East Sparta KOA offers family-friendly alternatives to horseback riding. "Camped here several times growing up. Staff were great and helpful. There was a lot of traffic at night but that's not their fault I suppose. But it's a fun campsite," shares Bradley B.
Kid-friendly water activities: After trail riding, cooling off is essential. "Dillon Lake State Park is located about 10 miles west of Zanesville, OH in a heavily forested area. There is no road noise from the local route 146 used to access the campground," notes Brian B., highlighting its quiet setting for families.
Multi-activity campgrounds: Look for parks with diverse offerings beyond horse trails. "This is our favorite park of 2019. The hiking trails are great with a covered bridge, overlook and waterfalls. The sites are nice and large with lots of trees throughout the park," shares Andrea F. about Mohican State Park.
Leveling challenges: Many horse-friendly campgrounds have uneven terrain. "Site required minimal leveling. We were on like a hilltop and overlooked lower level RV circle," mentions Linda B. about Dillon State Park.
Water hookup planning: When camping with horses, water access becomes crucial. "As far as tent camping goes, it does not get any easier than this. Everything is clean and well organized. Perfect for first time campers," notes Jenny K. about Mohican State Park.
Winter camping options: Some equestrian sites remain open year-round. "Another Thanksgiving spent in our camper and it was so nice and relaxing. There were more campers than expected this weekend. I guess everyone likes to social distance in their campers too," shares Andrea F. about Mohican State Park's off-season availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Loudonville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Loudonville, OH is Mohican State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Loudonville, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Loudonville, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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