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Deer Creek State Park Campground features a dedicated horse camp area with direct access to multiple riding paths. Equestrians can bring their horses for overnight stays in designated areas separate from the main campground. Boating, fishing, and swimming activities complement the equestrian experience, making this a comprehensive outdoor destination for horse owners. The park maintains several miles of bridle trails that wind through varying terrain, providing riders with scenic views of the lake and surrounding woodland. Trails remain open year-round, though seasonal conditions affect accessibility, particularly after heavy rainfall when some paths become muddy and difficult to navigate.
Horse riders benefit from the park's well-maintained equestrian facilities, including ample trailer parking spaces designed to accommodate various rig sizes. Water access points for horses are available throughout the trail system, allowing for necessary breaks during longer rides. The nearby Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground offers 44 campsites specifically designed with equestrians in mind, located approximately 40 miles southeast of Orient. Trail riders note that bringing portable corrals or highlines is recommended as permanent stalls are limited. Most equestrian campsites include a fire ring, picnic table, and enough space to set up portable paddocks or containment systems for horses while maintaining appropriate distance from neighboring campers.
"Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend."
"Enjoy a few hours or the day hiking one of eight trails or all of them. If you have horses take them out on the two loops especially for them. Lodge, campground, cabins so many options."
from $39 - $52 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $23 - $70 / night
Check Availability"There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff."
"If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground."
from $20 - $70 / night
Check Availabilityfrom $60 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $29 - $160 / night
Check Availability"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!"
from $39 - $40 / night
Check Availability"Autumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry."
"Cowan Lake State Park is near Wilmington, Ohio and they have been making a lot of improvements to the park. It is a great location between Cincinnati and Columbus with easy access from the highway. "
from $29 - $160 / night
Check Availability"Great spot for horse camping, they have plenty of dedicated horse stalls. Gravel pads for electric/water sites are fairly level."
"The old horse stalls have been torn down and 28 new covered stalls have been built! They are amazing and plenty if room for larger horses. "
from $25 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers seem to use this park often. Although no utilities... there is a shelter, restroom and trash recepticle. Campfires are permissible."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"The lake is smaller, but nice beach area and pedal boats are fun. We hiked the Greenbriar and CCC Trails. They are not too challenging but beautiful."
"Ranger Review: Morsel Spork at Pike Lake State Park Campground Review:
We stayed at site 67 next to the camp host. The camp site was nicely shaded with a small creek behind it."
from $33 - $200 / night
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GuideAutumn is the best time to camp in Ohio. Lots of small bathrooms. Lake access. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was due to the fact there was no quick reentry. Had to wait for rvs in front of me to register.
TravelerAlum 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.
TravelerThis 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.
LegendThis was a last minute reservation and only available due to a cancellation. The campground was full for the weekend. The campground is pretty big with different types of sites. Some are smaller, close to neighbors while other have seclusion with trees. From past experience, if it rains, some of the sites do flood. We had great weather this weekend. The site we reserved had a hill right next to the passenger side/door side of your camper. If you had a big camper, it might be tight to open your slides and an awning. You most likely would not sit right outside your camper door. In fact, the fire ring is behind the site and up a small hill. We set up our ez-up in the back and out of the way, it worked for us. There was also a path that led you into the playground. Speaking of playgrounds, you will hear a lot of kids if the weather is nice. We were right across from the camp host (very nice lady) and very short walk to the bathhouse. The bathhouse had 4 flushable toilets and I think 3 showers. The showers did not have benches in the stall, only on the outside directly across. With a full campground, the bathrooms were kept very clean with the amount of people using it. We walked around and noticed a lot of bathhouses and another playground. We took a hike that led us to the lodge - it was an in and out and just under 5 miles. On our way back we stopped at the camp store which was well stocked with items you may need or not. There is a putt putt course, frisbee disc course, horse trails, dog park, nature center, golf course and more trails nearby. There are plenty of things to do if you like to keep busy or are trying to keep kids entertained. (The bees and stinkbugs were out and about while we were there.)
LegendCowan Lake State Park is near Wilmington, Ohio and they have been making a lot of improvements to the park. It is a great location between Cincinnati and Columbus with easy access from the highway. This is good if you want to meet with friends somewhat in between. It isn't too close to the highway so you don't hear the road noise as it is a few miles away but it is an easy drive to the park.
They have been revamping the Nature Center to make it more accessible to folks as they have recently added a ramp. The Nature Center actually has two buildings side by side used for different purposes. Then behind the Nature Center they have a location where several birds are located in cages. Then next to where the birds are kept you will notice a new paw print trail that is a short but informative hike.
The commissary has great pizza and ice cream. We also bought our firewood and ice from them as well. We didn't need to leave the park. We had a few trails to pick from and picked two of the shorter ones for members in our group.
The cabins have been revamped as well. They are all close to each other so if you wanted to have a family reunion or a get together this would be a great spot to do so. At the end of the main road it will lead you to the lake. You can use the dock to put your boat out (kayak and certain motor boats). Folks are fishing at the lake or simply enjoying the beauty of the lake.
The beach is simple but that is part of the charm. It is clean and we were able to swim on the hot days that we had while camping.
TravelerI've stayed here in the past and Cowan Lake does not disappoint. The B site campground is all non-electric tent camping, and far enough away from the larger RV pads that it's a quiet little campsite! Also, these sites are super close to the bathrooms on the beach, which were very clean during our stay. I was incredibly impressed, because the beach gets pretty busy during the day. The beach itself was clean (for a lakeside beach- there are geese, it's Ohio) and the lake was gorgeous! I will say, the only MILD annoyance is that some of the other campers would drive to the parking lot in front of our campsite and park there into the evening hours to fish or head down to the docks. I'm an early riser, so the headlights and car doors slamming were mildly annoying after about 10p. Not enough to make me choose a different campsite, but worth noting. We rented a tandem kayak and explored the lake, and the equipment was all in good condition. The Commisary is pretty limited but they do have a small kitchen and ice cream, as well as the basics like firewood and ice, as well as the boat rentals. Overall, one of my favorite lakeside campgrounds!
GuideThis is one of the best state parks and in my opinion the most scenic. There are lots of caves, trails, camping options and activities in the area. Be careful, however, every year someone is injured or dies going off trail, often falling from a cliff. We have camped here in tents many times over the years. The state park campground is above par compared to others in the Ohio system. The naturalists are great and run many programs even in the off seasons. Fall is the best season, the foliage is awesome. Popular with Boy and Girl Scout groups. Campground has an outdoor pool.
LegendOld Man's Cave Cave Campground in Hocking Hills State Park is a large campground. At many of the sites, you'll feel like you're in a large campground. If you stay away from the main roads, you might feel like you're in a smaller campground.
Choosing a Site
Study the photo of the site map included here to get a sense of where you might want a site. You'll be able to see electric/non-electric and reservable/non-reservable sites. There's quite a mix of sites and the map has a legend that will guide you.
A reservation is a good idea. You'll definitely need one on weekends during the summer/fall, or you should arrive by Thursday for a chance for a non-reservable site for the weekend. I've been here in July and mid-September, and the park was crowded. I just keep an eye on reservations on reserveamerica.com.
Electric sites: I recommend sites 152-163, 164-172, and 141-151 because you are away from the main roads (long straightaways). In my opinion, sites 161-163, 150-151 and 171-172 are the best because you're at the end of spurs off a main road.
Full hookup sites: Sites 66-70 at the end of the full hookup stretch (24-70) are good.
Warning about full hookup sites: There's some kind of pumping station behind the sites on the left as you enter so it's noisy all the time. If I wanted a full hookup, I'd avoid sites from #24 up to at least #35 because you're going to have constant noise. It probably doesn't matter when you're inside because units with full hookups typically have closed windows and AC/heat.
Reservable non-electric sites 81-93: I like #92 and #93 and the first couple at the beginning.
Non-reservable sites: #1-23 are electric and #76-78 are non-electric.
Amenities
Picnic table and fire ring at sites
Swimming pool
Pay attention to the map if the location of showers and toilets is important to you. There are 3 showerhouses with showers, flush toilets and sinks. For some reason, the floor in the showerhouse near the pool was always wet and dirty even in September when the pool was closed. Other toilets throughout the campground are pit toilets.
Gray water disposal stations and potable water stations
Laundry facility near the shower house by the pool
Dump station
Activities
Scenery and hiking are what make this park special...and crowded.
See photos that show a map and descriptions of 8 hiking areas. Some of these areas are outside the park, and you'll need to drive to the trailheads or take a shuttle ($5 fee). Ohio does a good job of consistently marking trails and posting information boards that show where you are and where you can go from your current location.
Cell Phone Service: It's spotty. As you walk around, sometimes you have it and sometimes you don't!
Cool Feature of Ohio Parks
When you use reserveamerica.com, you can participate in a rewards program for Ohio state parks. We were able to apply points to stay free one night out of three.
LegendThis 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.
Equestrian campgrounds near Orient, Ohio offer trail access through hilly terrain ranging from 700 to 1,200 feet in elevation. The region receives approximately 39 inches of rainfall annually, creating seasonal challenges for riders on some trails. Most horse-friendly campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities while emphasizing trail access rather than luxury accommodations.
Trail riding in wooded terrain: Pike Lake State Park Campground features several miles of bridle trails that wind through varying elevations. "Parts of the CCC trail were overgrown with briars and narrow," notes Leon H., highlighting the natural and somewhat challenging aspects of the trails.
Airplane Rock vistas: The elevated viewpoints at Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground offer scenic overlooks for riders. Timothy M. shares that "airplane rock has a view second to none," making it a worthwhile destination for riders seeking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.
Water features exploration: Riders can discover hidden waterfalls along some trails. "The box canyon with waterfall is gorgeous... but seriously it was fantastic," reports a visitor to Palmerosa, describing one of the natural water features accessible from horseback.
Camping with lake access: Buck Creek State Park Campground combines equestrian trails with waterfront options. Buck B. notes it has "great rv spots and even better tent/non electric spots... easy walk to fish or to campers beach," providing options for riders who also enjoy water activities.
Direct trail access: Pine Creek Cabins & Camping Resort offers convenient trail connections right from the property. "Bridle trail access right from campground," confirms CampgroundKaren, eliminating the need to haul horses to trailheads.
Covered stall options: Some campgrounds have invested in horse containment facilities. According to Chad B., at Palmerosa "the old horse stalls have been torn down and 28 new covered stalls have been built! They are amazing and plenty if room for larger horses."
Cabin rentals with horse accommodations: Several properties offer cabin stays with adjacent horse facilities. "We stayed in one of the small cabins and loved it! Very clean, with thoughtful amenities. Hot tub on the back porch. This cabin also comes with two horse stalls," reports CampgroundKaren about Pine Creek.
Private campsites: Great Seal State Park Campground offers basic but secluded sites. Michael L. describes it as "simple and safe... Fifteen reservable sites via online or phone. Equestrians, mountain bikers, and hikers seem to use this park often."
Seasonal maintenance varies: Horse facilities require regular upkeep that isn't consistent across all properties. At one location, Janessa S. observed that "the arenas had weeds shooting up. This was a very nice place to take the horses, now it's an overpriced average campground."
Varying stall quality: Not all horse containment areas meet the same standards. One visitor to Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground noted issues with facilities: "corral falling down, outhouses and shower facilities beyond gross."
Road access concerns: Some properties require riding along roadways to reach trails. Diana M. cautioned that at one campground, riders were "3/4 mile from trails, had to ride along very narrow road," creating potential safety concerns.
Primitive facilities: Most horse camps offer basic amenities. Great Seal State Park has "no utilities... there is a shelter, restroom and trash receptacle. Campfires are permissible," according to Michael L., setting appropriate expectations for the rustic nature of the facilities.
Playground proximity: Buck Creek State Park Campground features play areas near campsites. Shannon G. mentions, "Site 57 - this site backs up to the ravine and is nice and large... right across the site is the playground. It's a little noisy but if you have kids, it works."
Bike-friendly roads: Many campgrounds have paved or flat terrain for cycling. "My sons love camping here for the trails and large areas to ride their bikes," shares Buck B. about Buck Creek State Park, offering an alternative activity for children not riding horses.
Family-friendly hiking: For those taking breaks from riding, hiking trails accommodate various skill levels. Joshua E. notes that at Delaware State Park Campground, "There is even a trail down the back of the campground that goes down to a place for boats to dock on the lake."
Swimming options: Several parks offer swimming as a post-ride activity. "There is a campground beach and boat launch. Lost of hiking paths in the campground and in the park area," explains Jill B., describing the recreational diversity at Alum Creek State Park.
Site selection considerations: At Cowan Lake State Park Campground, campsite characteristics vary widely. Brandon P. advises, "Nice place, spread out, plenty of room between sites, very little shade as they have cut down a whole lot of trees," highlighting the importance of selecting sites based on your shade preferences.
Power availability: RVers should confirm electrical options when booking. At Cowan Lake, Johnothan R. found "Electric site only, full service all full. A bit rough getting RV setup, but pad is fairly level, so easily setup to use slides."
Site drainage issues: Some campgrounds have poor drainage after rainfall. Bob M. warns about Pike Lake: "It rained quite a bit and many of the sites got flooded. The ground here doesn't drain well," information particularly important for those traveling with horses and equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Orient, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Orient, OH is Deer Creek State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Orient, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 12 equestrian camping locations near Orient, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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