Best Equestrian Camping near Mansfield, OH

Mohican State Park Campground features miles of well-groomed horse trails with creek crossings, steep hills, and beautiful pine trees. The primitive horse camp accommodates riders bringing their own mounts, with areas to tie horses at the entrance using high lines. Dogs are welcome to accompany equestrians on the trails. The campground provides multiple accommodation options including tent sites, RV sites with electric hookups, cabins, and glamping facilities, while maintaining dedicated spaces for equestrian use. Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground offers additional options for horse enthusiasts in the Mansfield area, with bridle trails accessible throughout the property. Camping photos and user guides for Mansfield, Ohio are available on The Dyrt.

The bridle trail system connects riders to numerous scenic locations within Mohican State Park and surrounding areas. A suspension bridge newly dedicated in May 2021 enhances trail connectivity for riders exploring the region. Trail riding opportunities vary seasonally, with the full trail system typically accessible from April through November when weather conditions permit. The horse camping areas feature adequate space for trailer parking with pull-through access for larger rigs. During summer months, river access points provide natural water sources for horses along the trail routes. Equestrians seeking overnight accommodations should make reservations in advance, as the limited number of horse-friendly sites fill quickly during peak season. The horseback riding experiences in the Mohican region consistently receive positive ratings from visitors who appreciate the well-maintained trail system and camping facilities.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Mansfield, Ohio (7)

    1. Mohican State Park Campground

    43 Reviews
    Loudonville, OH
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 994-5125

    "They also had bait so if you wanted to walk behind the pool and continue to the river it wouldn't be far to go fishing. "

    "Miles of well groomed horse trails available with creek crossings, steep hills and beautiful pine tree."

    2. Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Perrysville, OH
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 938-7884

    $27 / 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"

    3. Malabar Farm State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lucas, OH
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 892-2784

    "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."

    4. Ashland Fairgrounds

    1 Review
    Ashland, OH
    11 miles
    Website
    +1 (419) 289-0466

    $20 - $35 / 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."

    5. Mohican Wilderness

    9 Reviews
    Loudonville, OH
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 599-6741

    $25 - $44 / night

    "They are full of amenities like: horse back riding, shooting sports, canoeing, playground, swimming lake, putt putt and more."

    "Trails to hike. Lots of summer activities scheduled for the year."

    6. Alum Creek State Park Campground

    80 Reviews
    Lewis Center, OH
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (740) 548-4039

    "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."

    7. Delaware State Park Campground

    37 Reviews
    Radnor, OH
    38 miles
    Website

    "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!"

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Mansfield, OH

6 Photos of 7 Mansfield Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Mansfield, OH

181 Reviews of 7 Mansfield Campgrounds


  • Vicki H.
    Oct. 1, 2018

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Would be 5 star except for this

    Alum Creek is just beautiful, nice sites, most of them are at least partially shaded, lots of woods, hiking trails, the lake, it is what I think of when I think of State Park campground camping in Ohio. There are a couple problems. 1. Only ONE little dump station. This is a big campground, so if you're leaving Sunday, you better get up at the crack of dawn to get to the station, otherwise be prepared to wait in a long long line of RV's. We by-passed the long line and stopped at a different State Park campground on the way home and paid 10.00 to use their dump station. 2. They never answer their phone at the campground office. I mean NEVER. If you have a question you will just have to deal with the reserveamerica people who really know nothing other than what they read on the campground website. So basically you know as much as they do. It's maddening. We will go back, but it's a 2 hour drive so it won't be anytime soon.

  • K
    Sep. 30, 2019

    Mohican State Park Campground

    Chestnuts Roasting On an Open Fire (Mohican State Park)

    This trip was memorable for so many reasons but the Chestnuts really make this park stand out.  The park has several Chestnut trees which is usually a rare find these days.  Later on, I found a sign explaining why the park had so many Chestnut trees. They are working to bring them back.  We used our grubstick to roast them over the open fire.  Many of us fondly think of the Christmas song but how often have you roasted your own Chestnuts while camping?

    The tent sites (short walk from parking lot) and one car per tent site.  Our site was not the traditional walk up/park camp site. It was a nice change of pace.  More space and great neighbors. 

    The camp store at this park had a lot of great things such as corn hole outside, a mining activity for the family, trikes you could rent, and most importantly ice cream.  

    The camp store is right across from the pool.  The pool is currently closed but not many state parks in Ohio have a pool right in the camp ground area.  This is a rare treat. The pool had the traditional pool, kiddo pool, and small splash pad. You could also see where they had installed a curb cut for those in wheel chairs or needing ramps. No pool lift that I could see to help someone lower in and out of the pool. This may be put away for the season so call to find out. They also had a ramp installed that led up to the pool. One side the old steps and the other side a new  ADA ramp. 

     The fire wood was in a white bag and that made it easy to move and kept the car clean which I appreciated. They also had bait so if you wanted to walk behind the pool and continue to the river it wouldn't be far to go fishing. 

    The shower house by us did not have an ADA bathroom and I didn't get a chance to look for the ADA shower.  

    Behind the campsites (our section) you could grab a short trail to the river. This was a lovely surprise as I followed a foot path.   We opted not to do the overlook hike to the gorge as we had fellow campers with us that couldn't do a long hike for safety reasons.  It as a nice surprise to learn that one could also drive to the overlook if they need to and all parties could enjoy the view together. Two different ways to get to the same place which means if you need to split up your campers based on physical skills then you could do so and then eat at the shelter together. 

    The camp ground has been FULL several times this season so make sure you make your reservations. This park also has a way for you to put on and take out of the river.  You will see folks walking around with their inner tubes as they will float down the small section.

    We also drove 10 miles away to the Mohican Lodge to treat ourselves to some food and an OSU Football game at the bar downstairs. The bar has a great back patio and view of the lake.  It too has a variety of games in the back patio. They were awesome and turned on the closed caption feature for us.  Those of us that wanted to watched the game and others were able to play various games at the lodge (Ping pong, pool, read a book by the fire, go see the owls on site, and more).

    The pool at the lodge is being redone at the moment. I may try to upload that information later.  So look for it to be new and improved. The pool also has a sauna for those that need some help to warm up/relax tight muscles. Usually, you can get a day pass for the lodge pool even when you are staying at the camp sites. This is a small fee but well worth it.

    While we were at the lodge an outside non-profit group was there with 2 owls.  We hope to drive up to Mansfield sometime to explore their property (90 acres) with birds they have rescued or are helping. https://www.ohiobirdsanctuary.com/  they come to the lodge usually on Sat evening at 7 PM. 

    For those who are a fan of Shawshank Redemption the movie you are an easy day trip away from the Mansfield Reformatory. https://www.mrps.org/explore/tours

  • Mary S.
    Jul. 16, 2020

    Alum Creek State Park Campground

    Alum Creek State Park

    This is a huge campground! I tent camped by myself--felt very safe.  Happened to be next to the park host. No choice of where to locate my large tent.  Showers/bathrooms were OK--older facilities.  Wish this park had a laundry facility--another Ohio park I recently stayed at had a fairly new shower facility that included a laundry facility!  Did not appreciate the waste management company emptying the dumpsters at 4:00 AM!!!  There is a huge, lakeside beach that was just packed with people (no social distancing) and there was trash everywhere--not enough dumpsters.  Near to shopping (Polaris), if you are interested.  Will try to get a lakeside site next time.

  • Kayla S.
    May. 16, 2020

    Mohican State Park Campground

    Awesome Horse Trails

    Miles of well groomed horse trails available with creek crossings, steep hills and beautiful pine tree. There’s a primitive horse camp as well, and places to tie horses at the entrance with high lines. Dogs are welcome to.

  • Shari  G.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2018

    Mohican State Park Campground

    Unexpected Treat in Central Ohio

    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 oddly named “Class A” camping area offers everything from full-hook up camping slots for campers large and small, as well as just electric sites and 10 “walk-in” primitive sites, and cabins -- all of which are reservable. This area has all the bells and whistles of a modern campground with an environmental learning center, a nice outdoor pool, clean showers and bathrooms, an extensive playground and hiking and mountain biking trails right out the front door.

    The “Class B” area offers 25 primitive sites on a first-come, first-served basis. It is almost 6 miles by road from the “A” services, but only a 2-mile flatish hike along the river trail. At these sites, there are only pit toilets and a water pump. Each site has a picnic table and a small fire ring. There is also a large group camping area just a few miles away from the primitive “Class B” area.

    Tubing and canoeing are available within the park, but there are also several canoe outfitters in the area which provide rental / pick up services. The sheer number of these businesses makes me think that summer time can be crowded!!

    Beautiful shaded trails meander all throughout the park and they boast some of the most challenging mountain biking in the mid-west, so read your trail maps. Hiking, equestrian and winter snowmobile trails also offer some great opportunities to get out and stretch your legs throughout the year. There is also a safe and convenient, bike lane / bike path into nearby Loudonville, which has a small grocery story and the usual fast-food restaurants.

    Note: The only reason why this park didn't get a 5 star was due to their customer service. It was absolutely lousy, confusing, and the young folks working behind the counter acted as if they didn't want to be there and/or hadn't been trained. We almost left, but since we had cycled 42 miles to get there that day, we chose to stay and enjoyed our time in their Class B sites.

  • Nancy W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 22, 2017

    Delaware State Park Campground

    Nice Ohio State Park

    This state park spans over 2,000 acres and is just north of the cute Ohio town of Delaware. We stayed here for two nights while visiting friends in the area but wished we would have stayed to enjoy all that the park had to offer. The campground was really nice and quiet when we stayed there which was during the week and in the spring and not very crowded. We can imagine that this park is pretty full in the summer with all their amenities and close proximity to major Ohio cities. 

    The 'pod' layout of the campground made for large campsites (some sites are over 90 feet in length and well suited for large RV’s) with good separation between sites. There are 212 sites that have 50 amp electric. The campground also has yurts for rent (May through October) that are furnished with beds, table and chairs, a cooler, ceiling fan, outdoor charcoal grill and a picnic table with canopy. This is a great option for those wanting to stay in something more than a tent but don’t have an RV.

    There is no sewer or water at individual sites but there is a dump station and water fill station near the park entrance. Roads and campsites are paved with grassy patios that feature picnic tables and fire pits. The park does not provide wifi but our Verizon hotspot and 4G phone worked well. There are centrally located bath/shower houses with coin-operated laundry facilities.  

    The park is open year-round and great for outdoor activities; especially, those that are water-related. There are numerous boat launches, fully equipped marina, and swimming area. We launched our kayaks and had a great time paddling around the lake.  Be aware that there is no horsepower limits for boats on the lake and weekends are very popular for anglers in high-powered bass boats. The northern portion of the lake is a “no wake zone” which makes for a more pleasant paddling environment.  If you don’t have a boat, boat rentals are available at the marina. 

    For those wanting to hike there are plenty of hiking/biking trails for you to get out and explore the park.  Many of the trails link together so you can decide how long you want to hike. The Lakeview Trail was perfect for us as our dog loved jumping in the water during our hike. Other amenities in the park include a nature center, 18-hole disk golf, hunting, archery, volleyball, horse shoe pits, picnic areas, and an 800-foot designated swimming area.  At the camp store/office you can rent bikes as well as other sporting equipment.

    If you decide to venture out of the park you are only about 40 miles from downtown Columbus and less than 20 miles to the world-renowned Columbus Zoo (which is definitely worth a visit). The nearby town of Delaware is really nice with downtown shopping, restaurants, a historic theater and brewery (Stass Brewing Company has great Belgian-style beer with a fun atmosphere).  

    Would definitely camp here again if we were in the area.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 9, 2019

    Malabar Farm State Park Campground

    Rustic

    I found Malabar Farm in Lucas, OH on my way home from Mom’s house. Never heard of it before and I have been this way for over 20 years now. Louis Bromfield was a conservationist and among many other things (including winning a Pulitzer) he was in the forefront of organic and self-sustaining gardening. This place is amazing! ( and would be an excellent home schoolers camping trip!) 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. Primitive camping with a gravel parking pad and water, fire ring, picnic table and hitching post. No reservations, this is a first come campground. There’s also a small rentable cabin open year round. Definitely worth a visit and very family oriented events. ( your teenager will roll their eyes at you but probably secretly enjoy the visit)

  • Jeremy H.
    Nov. 2, 2018

    Mohican State Park Campground

    Great Campgrounds and Amenities

    Mohican offers great accommodations and clean facilities. It’s not the most secluded spots but if you are looking for something tucked away there a few sites. The ability to tube down the river and walk back to your camp site was so much fun. Trailheads are located right of the grounds and the surrounding area is full of great things to do. If swimming is your thing the pool is clean and well maintained and situated between two ridgelines so you float and stare around at wooded hillsides. Great after a day of hiking or crushing the mountain biking trails. Grab a walk-in site or one by the river. No problems with hammocks in sites we chose but not all sites have enough mature trees.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2021

    Delaware State Park Campground

    Where’s the crowd?

    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! this state park is only 15 to 20 minutes away from Alum Creek State Park and yet there are virtually no crowds at all. The park is very large and the campground is adjacent to Delaware Lake, a reservoir a few miles north of the small town of Delaware. The lake offers boating with unlimited horsepower but it seems most of the boats on the lake were either fishing boats or kayaks. There is a very nice swimming beach, a beautiful marina with a full service store and two very good disc golf courses. There is also a youth fishing pond for the youngsters and plenty of hiking trails throughout the park. The campsites all have asphalt pads and are quite spacious; all are electric only as far as we could tell. The biggest con is also this park’s greatest pro and that is the campground requires a long drive to get to it - but that makes it feel more “out there.” The town of Delaware has a very vibrant downtown with lots of quality local restaurants and bars plus grocery stores and fuel to keep you well stocked for your camping trip. Highly recommended!


Guide to Mansfield

Mansfield, Ohio offers diverse camping opportunities within the Appalachian foothills, where elevation ranges from 1,200 to 1,400 feet. The region experiences four distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-85°F, ideal for outdoor recreation from April through October when most trails and water features are fully accessible. Winter camping options remain available at select campgrounds with reduced services.

What to do

Trail riding adventures: Horse enthusiasts can explore Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground with its extensive bridle trail system. "We arrived Friday late afternoon and set up in the rain. 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," notes Andrea F.

River activities: The Mohican River provides multiple water recreation options at Mohican Wilderness. "We go every year and do the 20 mile kayaking trip, such a nice little spot along the river & the best way to kick off summer!" says Lexi K. The campground offers canoe, kayak and tube rentals for water adventures.

Hiking options: Explore trails with varied difficulty levels throughout the region. "Lots of hiking trails and waterfalls. Free hike-in camping available here too," explains Nicole K. about Mohican State Park Campground. The park offers both day hikes and multi-day backpacking options.

Agricultural tourism: Visit Malabar Farm State Park Campground for a working farm experience. "Louis Bromfield was a conservationist and among many other things (including winning a Pulitzer) he was in the forefront of organic and self-sustaining gardening. This place is amazing! (and would be an excellent home schoolers camping trip!)" explains Shelly S.

What campers like

Spacious sites: Many campgrounds in the Mansfield area feature generous campsites. "The sites are spacious and with the option to park your trailer where you want (grass sites)," says Shannon P. about Mohican Wilderness. Campers repeatedly mention the privacy and room to spread out.

Water access: Riverfront camping spots are highly valued. "We had an absolute blast at the campsite! We stayed in L and the kids loved being close to the water," Jenny C. says about her experience at Alum Creek State Park Campground. Many sites offer direct water access for fishing or paddling.

Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathhouses and common areas enhance the camping experience. "The shower houses are clean as well as the grounds. The lake was high this weekend and the beach was a bit under water, but still fun," notes Tina D. about Pleasant Hill Lake Park.

Equestrian amenities: Horse campgrounds near Mansfield, Ohio provide dedicated facilities for riders. Mohican State Park offers primitive horse camping areas while Pleasant Hill Lake Park maintains separate bridle trails throughout the property.

What you should know

Weather considerations: Spring camping can bring variable conditions. "We arrived Friday late afternoon and set up in the rain. Didn't see much of the park on Friday," explains Andrea F. about Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground. Always prepare for potential weather changes.

Limited technology access: Cell service varies significantly across the region. "No cell service with Verizon at this park," notes Andrea F. about Mohican State Park. At Delaware State Park, "we even had decent service with Verizon," according to Marshall P.

Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer months. "Ashland fairgrounds has $20 tent sites or $35 full hookups. You may need an extension cord. All back in sites," advises Charles K. about Ashland Fairgrounds.

Seasonal operations: Many campground amenities operate on limited schedules. "The full trail system typically accessible from April through November when weather conditions permit," applies to most horse trails in the region.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated recreational areas. "They offer horse back riding, shooting sports, canoeing, playground, swimming lake, putt putt and more," Shannon P. shares about Mohican Wilderness.

Site selection strategies: Choose sites based on proximity to amenities. "My daughter had tons of fun exploring the woods connected to our site," notes Ashley R. about Delaware State Park Campground, highlighting the benefit of wooded sites for children.

Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds offer learning experiences. "There are also little shops that allows visitors to watch loom and black smith demonstrations and the little ones can participate in candle and leather making," Shannon P. explains about activities at Mohican Wilderness.

Safety considerations: Storm shelters are available at some locations. "I also noticed that they had a nice storm shelter on the property that was well marked and easy to get to from any of the campground areas," Marshall P. notes about Delaware State Park.

Tips from RVers

Hookup availability: Electric service varies between campgrounds. "We had site 3 and it was okay. Lots of hiking trails and a few sites boasting the filming locations for scenes from the movie Shawshank Redemption," shares Andrea F. about Malabar Farm State Park.

Site leveling: Be prepared for uneven terrain. "Only 15 sites and most are very sloped but we had site 3 and it was okay," advises Andrea F. about Malabar Farm State Park.

Large rig accommodation: Some campgrounds better suit bigger setups. "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," Andrea F. notes about Mohican Wilderness.

Year-round access: Winter camping options exist with reduced services. "Another Thanksgiving spent in our camper and it was so nice and relaxing. There were more campers than expected this weekend," shares Andrea F. about Mohican State Park.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mansfield, OH?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mansfield, OH is Mohican State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 43 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mansfield, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 equestrian camping locations near Mansfield, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.