Sycamore State Park Campground provides equestrian camping opportunities with designated horse trails in western Ohio. Located approximately 25 miles from New Bremen, the park features trails specifically designed for horseback riding through varied terrain. The campground accommodates both tent and RV campers who bring horses, with sites that allow enough space for horse trailers. Visitors note that while the hiking trails can sometimes be overgrown, the horse trails are well-maintained and offer challenging hills that many riders appreciate. The campground includes basic amenities such as drinking water, electric hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, though facilities are relatively simple compared to other equestrian campgrounds in the region.
Trail riders can access several miles of bridle paths that wind through Sycamore State Park's mix of wooded areas and open fields. The trails offer a good variety of environments, with some sections passing through more coniferous areas and others through deciduous forest. Most routes are accessible year-round, though spring conditions may create muddy sections after rainfall. The park's layout includes shelters for rest stops during longer rides, and a pond where horses can cool off during summer months. Trailer parking is available near the trailheads for day riders who aren't staying overnight. While the park does not offer permanent horse corrals or stalls, the spacious camping areas provide sufficient room for portable corrals or highline setups that visitors typically bring with them.
$20 - $55 / night
"I may be biased, with it being close to home, but they have a lot for the kids to do. Beach, volleyball net, playground. Plenty of water locations. For me the bathrooms are unusable."
"This park is know for the lake that is kayak and canoe friendly since it doesn’t allow any kind of boat with a motor. It also features a beach , 2 playgrounds and several hiking trails."
$24 - $130 / night
"A well manicured campground just outside Dayton, easy to get to, back in pavement site with 30A electric, picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of potable water spigots around, just not at the site."
"I did not spend enough time here to give a thorough review, but what I will say is that this site is nice if you need a campsite for a couple nights while passing through Ohio."
$20 - $33 / night
"The paved bike trail in the park starts near the campground, and connects with a bike trail along the Wabash River that goes into nearby Bluffton, and is an easy ride. "
"Plenty of trails to hike and a nice little lake to enjoy. Will definitely come back here"
$18 - $200 / night
"This park has such a variety of things to do. there’s a great disc golf course, really nice trails to hike with challenging hills and nice areas with shelters for grilling and parties and such."
ScoutTHIS IS A GREAT PLACE TO JUST GET AWAY FROM EVERYTHING AND RELAX. IT IS BEAUTIFUL TERRAIN TO RIDE ATV'S, HORSES, YOU CAN HIKE, FLY KITES, BRING THE KIDS POWER WHEELS OR BIKES YOU CAN EXPLORE THE CREEK OR JUST SIT IN THE SHADE OR NEXT TO THE FIRE AND TAKE IT ALL IN. ITS STILL ONLY 10-15 MINS FROM TOWN IF YOU FORGOT SOME SUPPLIES.
TravelerAll i know is there are great horse trails!
TravelerCamp sites are tiny. We had site 88 and it was supposed to be full shade. It was full sun and they have it set up so the camp side of the trailer faces the road. The fire pit is also three feet from the road. Who wants to have a fire next to the road?
GuideA well manicured campground just outside Dayton, easy to get to, back in pavement site with 30A electric, picnic table and fire pit. Plenty of potable water spigots around, just not at the site. Dump station near the entrance of the campground. Walking trails along the lake well cared for. Plenty of activity with playground and an outdoor theater. Plenty of water-front pebble beach for enjoyment in the summer. Close to the campground is the marina with a restaurant , but won’t open til Memorial Day.
Addendum: July 2021 - was speaking with a number of people who have been here and they suggest not going during the summer. There is a large influx of rowdy locals who don't quite respect the peace and quiet many of us like.
RangerThis was another brief stop on my long journey back west. The state park is beautiful and the sites are pretty nice. I did not spend enough time here to give a thorough review, but what I will say is that this site is nice if you need a campsite for a couple nights while passing through Ohio. Seems there are a lot of good options for water fun at this site!
GuideHad a 4 day 3 night long weekend. Camp host on I think lot 71 or there about were great at keeping the activities going. Every night there was a movie and you could buy root beer floats for $1!! And the kids loved it. We also used the camper beach but to the left of it to launch our kayaks. Which was nice because you could back up to the pathway and park. Then drag your kayak down a short trail to the water. We loved our campsite 41 which I found is next to impossible to get! But it has shade almost all day and it only has a camper on one side plus is close to the bathroom. There is a path to the playground which the occasional kid will run down into your campsite by accident. Also the campground was quiet by 10pm every night we were there and most people seemed to be in bed early. We stay up till like 1-2am every night and it was so peaceful.
ScoutAfter not being able to camp a majority of the summer due to having 2 brain surgeries - it was nice to at least get one camping trip in before the kids start back school. It was definitely not an easy task to get a camp site here as a walk-in. We checked on reserve America several times with no luck. So finally when Friday (8/9) morning came I rushed up to buck creek to get a spot. The camp store opened a little after the posted time. I politely asked the attendant if they had any walk-up sites available and at first she said no. I then said you don’t have anything at all? She finally said they had a few non-electric sites (which was totally fine!) I happily paid for the site and we sat up. The park was totally FULL by evening. The attendant at the store wasn’t the friendliest. It was slightly upsetting she tried to hide that they had a few non-electrics available. We also witnessed her telling children/teens they couldn’t come into the camp store without an adult. And, there was a stray, very scrawny looking cat that hung around the camp store that some people were giving food. The attendant came out of the store and yelled at the kids for feeding it - instead of explaining why they shouldn’t. The camp store is very basic it has wood, ice, lighters, and things of that nature. The camp sites can feel a bit cramped (especially when they’re full) they’re about 15ft from one cement pad to the next. The restrooms were okay and by Saturday evening desperately needed cleaned. Also in the main woman’s restroom only one out of three stall doors actually locked. The showers were warm though so that is a positive especially when camping. The camp doesn’t do very many planned activities. They have a movie at dark which our kiddos enjoyed. They have a basketball court which is usually full of teens. The playground is nice and within walking distance from all the campsites. However our 6 year old was a bit disappointed that the tetherball didn’t have a ball. Buck Creek has a lot of great trails to hike. It is very common to see wildlife especially deer on a hike here. The kids love it and it’s always fun to look for big foot on hikes for them.
GuideWe camped here in our camper in early July 2017. There are a lot of things to do in the area. We visited the Ohio Caverns. The tour is worth the money, the "gem" mining was fun for our younger kids. There are two swimming beaches, the public one and one in the campground. The campground one is smaller a short hike to get to it. Both are ok, but nothing impressive. The campground is clean and overall a good value. It was a busy weekend but not as loud as I figured it would be. Yellow Springs is a great, funky town. Many great places to eat. Dark Star Used Bookstore is a must see every time we visit.
ScoutI remember when that built this lake and they have improved it so much. It is very clean and camping there is wonderful. How ever book ahead as it books up fast. The lake has a beach and there is very good fishing there. They have a splendid walking and biking path. It is so peaceful
Sycamore State Park, located west of Dayton, offers horse trails for day riding but limited equestrian camping facilities. The park has multiple hiking paths and trails that accommodate horseback riders with adequate parking for horse trailers. Trail difficulty ranges from easy to moderately challenging with some hills. Visitors note the trails can become overgrown during peak growing seasons, requiring occasional maintenance.
Horse owners visiting the New Bremen area have additional options within driving distance. Kiser Lake State Park provides camping opportunities with 76 sites, including 20 with electric hookups, though it lacks dedicated horse corrals. The park features multiple hiking trails, some of which connect to areas where horses may be permitted. The park also offers fishing, kayaking on the motorless lake, and a swimming beach. The campground's layout places many sites in an open grassy area with limited shade, making perimeter or lakeside sites preferable.
Ouabache State Park in neighboring Indiana provides additional options with well-maintained trails suitable for day rides. The park includes a paved bike trail and hiking paths through varied forest environments. The campground offers spacious sites though they lack water and sewer hookups at individual campsites. Trail riders can access the park's natural areas and observe wildlife, including the park's bison enclosure. Campers should be prepared for variable conditions, as some sites can become wet during rainy periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near New Bremen, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near New Bremen, OH is Kiser Lake State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 12 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near New Bremen, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near New Bremen, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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