Best Equestrian Camping near Marietta, OH
Kinderhook Horse Trail in Wayne National Forest offers primitive camping at an equestrian trailhead. Located approximately 15 miles southwest of Marietta, this free camping area features a vault toilet, picnic table, and water access via a manual pump. The trailhead serves as the main access point for horse riding trails with space for horse trailer parking. While the designated camping area is limited with only a few established sites featuring fire rings, additional dispersed camping is permitted within the forest according to Wayne National Forest regulations. The area sees regular equestrian traffic during daylight hours but typically clears out by sunset, leaving only campers.
The trail system connecting to Kinderhook provides multiple riding options, including the Kinderhook Trail and the wider, more maintained Paw Paw Trail. All trails are specifically designed for horse riders, with some trails better maintained than others - the Paw Paw Trail is notably smoother and wider than the sometimes overgrown Kinderhook Trail. The parking area includes dedicated spaces for horse trailers near the trailhead. Due to its small size and proximity to the road, this camping area experiences frequent visitors throughout the day and occasionally after dark. Cell service is generally good in the area with multiple carriers reporting strong signals. The surrounding deciduous forest creates a humid environment with significant insect activity during warmer months.