Best Equestrian Camping near Oberlin, OH

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Mohican State Park Campground near Loudonville offers extensive horse trails for equestrians seeking camping options near Oberlin. The park features well-groomed horse trails with creek crossings, steep hills, and beautiful pine trees according to visitor experiences. A primitive horse camp accommodates riders with high lines available at the entrance for securing horses. Dogs are permitted to accompany equestrians on the trails. The campground provides water access, fire rings, and picnic tables at each site, with both primitive sites and electric hookups available depending on location.

The miles of dedicated bridle paths at Mohican connect to the broader trail system throughout the 4,525-acre state forest. Horse owners have direct access to trails from the campground, eliminating the need for trailer transport between camp and riding areas. Pleasant Hill Lake Park, located approximately 40 miles from Oberlin, offers additional horse camping opportunities with trailer parking and trail access. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring often presenting muddy sections after rainfall. Riders note the trails are regularly maintained and clearly marked. Campground reservations are recommended during peak summer season, though some horse camping areas operate on a first-come basis during quieter periods, particularly in winter months when fewer equestrians visit the park.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Oberlin, Ohio (4)

    1. Mohican State Park Campground

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

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

    "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."

    2. Ashland Fairgrounds

    1 Review
    Ashland, OH
    31 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."

    3. Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground

    10 Reviews
    Perrysville, OH
    44 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"
    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    4. Malabar Farm State Park Campground

    2 Reviews
    Lucas, OH
    45 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."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Oberlin, OH

6 Photos of 4 Oberlin Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Oberlin, OH

56 Reviews of 4 Oberlin Campgrounds


  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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)

  • 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

  • John H.
    Apr. 27, 2018

    Mohican State Park Campground

    10 free Park and Pack primitive camp sites in Mohican

    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. love them!

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2016

    Mohican State Park Campground

    Confused....

    Took me some miles but I figured it out. Highly suggest a map from the info center or other office. Nice , snug camping that's well maintained and connected to the trail system once you figure it out...This is a beautiful, hilly, scenic area, loved it. Horse, Bike and foot traffic.

  • Andrea F.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 27, 2020

    Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground

    Nice Quiet Campground with a lot to Offer

    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. They also have playgrounds that are open and some food trucks in case you don’t want to cook.

     This is the second park we have stayed at that is part of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District and so far I am impressed. Large landscape sites that are full hookup with large concrete pads. Each with its own picnic table and fire pit. They also have a boat dock for the campers to use.   The lightning bugs even put on a nightly show.

  • Aileen K.
    May. 10, 2021

    Mohican State Park Campground

    Class B #2 campground

    We stayed in the #2 class B primative campground right next to the river. Porta potties, no water or electricity. It is just beside the river and a nice easier hike is nearby walking distance. It is a popular hiking area, for good reason. Sites are pretty close to one another but people were nice. We would go again. 2 kids aged 8 and 6 liked it, although water is not for wading/swimming. It's a few miles from the larger state campground where the RVs stay, but went there to get firewood and a car tag. Nice lady there told me we could use their showers, but we didn't as we just stayed a night. We would go back, the forest is beautiful and trails well maintained.


Guide to Oberlin

Mohican State Park Campground provides extensive opportunities for outdoor recreation 40 miles southeast of Oberlin. The 4,525-acre forested area features multiple camping options including tent sites, RV hookups, and primitive camping along the riverfront. Winter camping remains available with limited facilities and operates on a first-come basis during colder months.

What to do

Hiking trails: Mohican State Park offers numerous hiking paths through hemlock forests and alongside rivers. Nicole K. reports "lots of hiking trails and waterfalls" with free hike-in camping available at the park.

Enjoy water recreation: The nearby Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground provides multiple water activities during summer months. According to Karrie Kat W., "Big campground. Boat docking is available. I just love love the beach lake. Great entertainment too. New shower houses by the beach."

Visit working farms: Malabar Farm State Park Campground offers a different experience from traditional camping. Shelly S. notes it's "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."

What campers like

Spacious campsites: Mohican State Park Campground receives high marks for site spacing. Wesley S. states the park has a "Well maintained campground with roomy camp sites. Nice heated pool and many activities in the area. Hiking, canoeing, biking, etc."

Riverside camping: Many campers appreciate the waterfront sites. Marci P. describes the primitive campground: "It is right alongside the river and at the bottom of the gorge. I always try to go to the end of the long campground where I feel it is quieter... Listening to the river is what makes this place peaceful."

Quiet winter camping: For equestrians wanting less crowded trails near Oberlin, off-season visits offer advantages. Andrea F. notes, "Camping in the off season is our favorite time of year. This particular park has potable water on by the dump station and the dump station is open. The water at the full hook up sites are turned off."

What you should know

First-come primitive sites: Mohican offers free backcountry camping options away from the main campground. John H. explains, "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."

Fairground camping option: Ashland Fairgrounds provides an alternative with fewer amenities but convenient location. Charles K. reports, "Ashland fairgrounds has $20 tent sites or $35 full hookups. You may need an extension cord. All back in sites. Bathrooms are open and close by. No showers. Very clean and quiet."

Seasonal campers at some locations: Pleasant Hill Lake Park has a large percentage of permanent seasonal sites. Chris K. cautions, "Well over half of the camper sites are 'seasonal,' and some of those folks seem to resent transient campers."

Tips for camping with families

Beginner-friendly sites: Mohican State Park offers accessible camping for those new to outdoor experiences. Jenny K. states, "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."

Beach and water activities: Pleasant Hill Lake Park provides family-friendly water recreation options. Tina D. reports, "The bike/walking paths for kids/adults is a great addition for campers with young kids. 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."

Educational farm experiences: Malabar Farm offers unique educational opportunities for families visiting horse campgrounds near Oberlin. Shelly S. recommends it as "an excellent home schoolers camping trip" where children can learn about organic farming practices and conservation.

Tips from RVers

Full hookup availability: Pleasant Hill Lake Park Campground has upgraded its facilities for recreational vehicles. Andrea F. notes, "Large landscape sites that are full hookup with large concrete pads. Each with its own picnic table and fire pit. They also have a boat dock for the campers to use."

Site selection considerations: When booking at Pleasant Hill, consider the different campground sections. Michelle H. advises, "We have stayed mostly in area E and the new F side of the campground. The new F sites have concrete pads and plenty of space. Only lacking in mature trees to offer shade. Area E has plenty of room and mature trees, but are electric only."

Generator rules: For RVers visiting horse campgrounds near Oberlin without full hookups, check generator policies. At Malabar Farm, Andrea F. reports, "We did run our generator during that day but kept it off at night so we didn't disturb other campers. Only 15 sites and most are very sloped but we had site 3 and it was okay."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Oberlin, 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 Oberlin, OH?

TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Oberlin, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.