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Best Equestrian Camping near Sidney, OH

56 Reviews

Kiser Lake State Park Campground near St. Paris offers primitive camping with accommodations for equestrians. The campground provides 76 campsites including 20 electric sites and 56 non-electric sites, with concrete pads for RVs and level areas for tents. Campers seeking horse-friendly options can access the park's trail system which connects to several hiking paths. The park maintains clean campsites with fire rings at each site, though only electric sites include picnic tables. The campground features a newly constructed shower house that remains open year-round alongside basic pit toilets in other areas. Sites are positioned around the 396-acre lake, with some waterfront locations offering direct views across the water.

Trail access from the campground connects riders to multiple natural areas. The park's trail system includes paths suitable for horse riders, though some trails intersect with nature preserve areas that prohibit pets and horses. Riders should check trail markings carefully as some routes lack clear blazes or directional signage. Water access points around the lake provide opportunities for horses to drink, though no designated horse corrals or specialized equestrian facilities exist within the campground itself. The park's no-motor policy on the lake creates a quiet atmosphere conducive to camping with horses. Trailer parking is available at designated areas with sufficient room to maneuver larger rigs. The surrounding area offers additional equestrian opportunities, with nearby state parks providing more extensive bridle trail networks for day rides.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Sidney, Ohio (4)

    1. Kiser Lake State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Fletcher, OH
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 362-3822

    $25 - $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."

    2. Buck Creek State Park Campground

    32 Reviews
    Springfield, OH
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (937) 322-5284

    $29 - $160 / 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."

    3. Sycamore State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Brookville, OH
    34 miles
    Website

    $23 - $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."

    4. Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks)

    8 Reviews
    Germantown, OH
    47 miles
    Website

    $15 - $28 / night

    "This meant with two little ones we wouldn't have to constantly remind them to socially distance or put on masks.  We were alone but had plenty of park supports."

    "There's a great backpacking trail that's challenging and an easy middle meeting place for friends/family from Columbus and Cincinnati that can meet in Dayton Metroparks/Five Rivers - Germantown and take"

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Equestrian Camping Reviews near Sidney, OH

56 Reviews of 4 Sidney Campgrounds

  • K
    Aug. 16, 2020

    Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks)

    Twin Creek Metro Parks (Geronimo camp site)

    This is part of the Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metro Parks) and it is at the Twin Creek metro park.  This is an old boy scout camp (Camp Hook) back in the day. 

    During these COVID-19 times we wanted a place to park that wasn't the traditional Ohio State Parks camp site. We didn't want to share a common bathroom/bath house or playground area.  We picked this as the Twin Creek camp site only has 3 camp sites within the park.  Even then they are out of side from each other. You can somewhat hear the other two camp sites (rarely).  This meant with two little ones we wouldn't have to constantly remind them to socially distance or put on masks.  We were alone but had plenty of park supports. We had two great park volunteers/security stop by to make sure we had everything we need. 

    The nice thing about the Dayton metro parks is that each night in the front county camp sites they include a bundle of fire wood. This is not the small sad bundle that you often buy at gas stations or other markets.  This is a huge bundle. It is dry and cut in an easy to use manner. It is also kept in a little box so it is dry even if you do have weather while camping. If you wish to add an additional bundle of firewood the price is very reasonable at $10.00. I do this every time I camp there to support their campsites/metro parks. I have yet to use up their firewood in the box when I camp for a whole weekend. It is also nice that we don't have to put it in our cars so less clean up after camping. It also helps with the whole burn local fire wood so you are not transporting bugs. Or you don't have to cross your fingers and hope someone close by sells firewood. 

    The nice thing about their site is the additional tables made it easy for us to socially distance.  When I camp at local state parks and we only have one table it can be tricky to keep coolers, food, and people separated. We also were able to have kids do craft at one of the tables while we were preparing meals. This camp site is listed as a 10 person camp site. There is no water on site so make sure you bring all the water that you will need. 

    We also were able to hike the easy trails around the camp site. No need to put the kids in the car unless we wanted to.  Which we still did:) 

    We drove into town and discovered a covered bridge that I had missed on an earlier camping trip. (Germantown).  This town also has the Florentine which is one of the oldest inns in Ohio. It was closed while we were in town but it is well worth a stop. The town also has a community pool as well that you can buy a day pool pass. 

    The campsite does have two spots that would be neat for a wedding. You can reserve an amphitheater. 

    The campsites during peak season are $20 during week days and $28 for weekends. I still find this to be one of the best values for camping in Ohio. Especially, when you consider the level of privacy that you have on these sites.  The vault toilets are one of the best as they are always clean. We have hand sanitizer and toilet paper. We didn't have to share our vault toilet with any other family units. 

    All of these small touches really made COVID-19 camping with kids much easier. We look forward to being back at this camp site in the fall. 

    Here is the website to make a reservation https://www.metroparks.org/rentals-permits/reserve-a-campsite/?id=786190&api=facilities&type=camp

  • Mark U.
    Jan. 11, 2021

    Peaceful Nature Hideaway

    THIS IS VERY PEACEFUL AND SECLUDED AREA BEAUTIFUL WEATHER, KID FRIENDLY

    THIS 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.

  • C
    Apr. 26, 2021

    Buck Creek State Park Campground

    Great quiet site

    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. 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.

  • K
    Sep. 28, 2020

    Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks)

    Germantown/Twin Valley Trail backpacking

    There's a great backpacking trail that's challenging and an easy middle meeting place for friends/family from Columbus and Cincinnati that can meet in Dayton Metroparks/Five Rivers - Germantown and take on the TVT challenge, beautiful hike through hilly terrain, and great spots of overlooks. Bring your pack and hiking poles and take advantage of trekking into the forest. Vault toliet, away from busy/crowded campsites and surrounded by nature. Access to a river for water source (bring your filter system) camp in a tent or hammock.

  • Tarah W.
    Jul. 21, 2016

    Buck Creek State Park Campground

    Good place to spend the night

    This 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!

  • K
    May. 31, 2019

    Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks)

    Possum Creek Camp Site - Tulip (1 of 5 sites)

    This is the 5 easily accessible campsites and a few are near the lake. We picked the site further away from the lake as we had little ones.  We were still close enough so we could easily walk to the lake.  At this camp site you can see your neighbors more and it is easier to see the camp sites. 

    No water so bring your own and the latrine is an old one (cement blocks).

    In addition to the lake, they also had a farm on the property that was enjoyable for the kids to see the animals. You can hear some of the animals but we enjoyed this aspect. 

    Interesting trails here from Prairie land and to a forest with former amusement park remains.  Lots to see to motivate short legs to keep hiking. 

    Your camping permit comes with one 2' x 2' bundle of firewood per night. Additional firewood available at checkout (+ $10.00 per 1/32nd of a cord).

  • Charles R.
    Jun. 20, 2019

    Dayton Metro Parks (Five Rivers Metroparks)

    Germantown MetroPark/TVT

    My first real backpacking experience, shared with my boys. Ostensibly a “city” park, Germantown MetroPark provides visitors with well-kept trails over rolling hills through old forests, leading down to lush river valleys of the Twin Creek watershed system. The creek runoff is managed by the Germantown Dam, and the park is upstream, so the heavy rains we’d been having had left the valley and banks very sloppy and muddy, but that was not the fault of the park. If there is one complaint, it would be that there is a dearth of potable water stations, so all water needs to be packed in from trailheads with water, the Welcome Center, or pumped from non-potable sources, filtered and/or treated. The Oak Ridge backcountry campsite is situated about 1/2 mile in from the Welcome Center, in among a few trees dotted in a wildflower prairie. There’s a pond here, with little water movement, so it’s not the best source for potability. There a three separate sites, and a common cook area, and a privy. Site C is grass-covered, clear of roots, rocks, and stumps, and easily handled 2 tents with four campers. The Twin Valley Trail is actually a collection of trails in the Germantown and Twin Creek Metropark, interconnected by a rugged, heavily wooded trail with switchbacks managing the climbs and descents over the limestone bluffs and cuts overlooking the downstream portion of the Twin Creek. The Seibenthaler Nature Center is atop one of the wooded outcrops, with an associated parking lot down a staircase from the Center. The Cedar Ridge Backcountry Campsite is 1.6 miles of switchbacks and ups and downs of the TVT, from the Pink Trail in the GMP to the north, and 0.6 of a mile from the OH-725 highway bridge across the Twin Creek to the south. The sites are situated 0.1 miles in from the main trail, climbing up a little wooded ridge. The campsite, again, has three separate sites, a common area, and a privy. Site C is nestled in the trees, with a tent pad a tad smaller than the aforementioned Oak Ridge site. It also has little to no grass, a few roots and rocks in the soil, so the setup of camp is a little limited, but manageable. The common cook area has a little “counter” to set up a stove or what-not, and two parallel logs to sit facing each other while eating. Here, the closest water source is the Creek, at the bridge crossing, which also makes a good place to slip off the boots, slap on the water shoes, and wade in to cool off the tootsies a bit (when the creek isn’t in flood stage, of course!). Overall, for a 3-day/2-night backcountry experience not too far away from civilization, this is a great park! I estimate a total hike distance covered of about 13 miles across the different trail systems.

  • M
    Jul. 6, 2021

    Buck Creek State Park Campground

    Great 4th of July weekend!!

    Had 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.

Guide to Sidney

Equestrian camping near Sidney, Ohio offers accessible options for horse owners within a 30-mile radius. The region features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,100 feet, creating varied trail experiences for riders. Most horse-friendly campgrounds in the area operate from April through October, with limited winter availability at select parks.

What to do

Trail riding at multiple parks: The Buck Creek State Park Campground provides access to several trail systems suitable for day rides. One visitor noted, "We 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."

Fishing without motor noise: At Kiser Lake, the no-motor policy creates ideal conditions for fishing from shore or small craft. A camper mentioned, "A hidden gem, super quiet, low traffic and decent fishing." The lake is stocked regularly with bass, bluegill, and catfish.

Visit historic sites: Within a 20-minute drive from most area campgrounds, you can explore local historical attractions. As one Buck Creek visitor shared, "Yellow Springs is a great, funky town. Many great places to eat. Dark Star Used Bookstore is a must see every time we visit."

Explore backcountry trails: The Dayton Metro Parks offer challenging terrain for those seeking more rugged experiences. A reviewer described it as "a great backpacking trail that's challenging and an easy middle meeting place for friends/family from Columbus and Cincinnati that can meet in Dayton Metroparks/Five Rivers."

What campers like

Clean facilities: The Kiser Lake State Park Campground offers recently upgraded amenities. A visitor noted, "We camped on lot 57 and the view of the lake was awesome! The new bathhouse is open year round."

Quiet atmosphere: Most equestrian camping sites around Sidney maintain peaceful environments, particularly on weekdays. According to one camper, "We arrived at night and didn't see much of it until the morning. The bathroom was perfectly adequate but a long walk from our site."

Family activities: Many parks organize regular events for younger campers. One Buck Creek visitor shared, "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."

Level sites: The terrain at most campgrounds provides stable footing for trailers and tents. A camper noted, "This park was pretty packed over Labor Day weekend, but it still felt like it wasn't super crowded. Our space was nice and level."

What you should know

Seasonal bathroom limitations: At some parks, facility access varies by season. One Kiser Lake visitor shared, "Due to off season and COVID the camp store is closed and there is no camper host or park office staff around."

Trail marking inconsistency: Many equestrian trails lack clear directional indicators. A camper observed, "We did notice lots of downed trees on the poorly marked hiking trails. Some trails just started but no maps were around and no trails were blazed."

Limited shade at some sites: Sycamore State Park Campground and others have limited tree cover. A reviewer mentioned, "The hiking trails are often over grown and not very challenging. There are quite a few camping areas and a great day camp for events."

Water access planning: Not all campgrounds provide drinking water. As one camper advised about Dayton Metro Parks, "No water so make sure you bring your own."

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity: Choose sites near recreational areas for easy access. A Buck Creek visitor mentioned, "The sites are clean and level for the most part. I recommend taking one on the outside of the loop - near the trees."

Educational opportunities: Several parks offer farm animal exhibits. One visitor shared, "In addition to the lake, they also had a farm on the property that was enjoyable for the kids to see the animals. You can hear some of the animals but we enjoyed this aspect."

Entertainment scheduling: Check park event calendars before booking. A camper at Buck Creek State Park noted, "They do things with kids on many weekends. You can also rent canoes or paddle boats."

Site selection strategy: For family camping with horses, request specific areas. One visitor suggested, "There is a path to the playground which the occasional kid will run down into your campsite by accident."

Tips from RVers

Site leveling: Most equestrian campgrounds near Sidney offer concrete pads. A Kiser Lake visitor mentioned, "The campground has no full hookups but does have electric. RV sites have a view of the lake. Sites are clean and paved."

Proximity to water sources: Position your RV strategically for water access. One camper noted, "We camped here in our camper in early July 2017. There are a lot of things to do in the area."

Seasonal hazards: Certain locations present unique challenges. One visitor cautioned, "Don't get a site in the back under the walnut trees in the fall. They drop all day & night long."

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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