Horsemen's Camp is one of several equestrian camping options within 60 miles of Montgomery, Ohio. Located in the rolling terrain of southeastern Indiana, this region features a mix of hardwood forests and open meadows at elevations ranging from 500-1,000 feet. Weather conditions typically include warm summers with highs in the 80s and mild spring and fall seasons when many equestrians prefer to camp.
What to do
Trail riding access: At Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground, riders can access trails directly from their campsite. "Great campground for a night during the chilly nights of October. I wish all campsites were like these - very, very spread out! Totally makes sense given that you have large horse trailers/campers and also horses at each site," notes Brady R.
Water activities: When not riding, visitors can enjoy the nearby lakes. "Whitewater Memorial State Park is located close to Liberty Indiana and is our favorite between the two major parks on Brookville Lake. It has water access to both Brookville and Whitewater lakes," shares Brandie B. Many horse campers bring kayaks or fishing gear for downtime between trail rides.
Park exploration: A.J. Jolly Park & Campground offers specialized equestrian facilities with additional recreational options. "The horse stalks are very nice. If you have a large horse trailer type camper your screwed the sites are small so that only leaves you with the RV sites that are a few 100 feet away from the stables," advises Jeffrey D. The park also features golf courses and water activities.
What campers like
Campsite spacing: Many equestrian campers appreciate the generous site sizes at specialized horse camps. At Hueston Woods State Park Campground, "We love Hueston Woods! We have been there twice now and tent camp. A lot of the sites are large and have enough space for everything you need! The beach is a short distance away and love that they also include a dog swimming area," says Maddy B.
Equestrian facilities: Horse campers value parks with proper equestrian accommodations. "Overnighted here with my horses on my way south for the winter, but will definitely be coming back and spending more time. Stall accommodations are excellent, even include bedding," notes Judy B. about A.J. Jolly Park.
Park amenities: Beyond horse facilities, campers enjoy parks with additional attractions. "The park also had a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features for this park," shares a reviewer from Versailles State Park Campground, which offers both equestrian and standard camping options within 90 minutes of Montgomery.
What you should know
Stall availability: Not all equestrian campgrounds provide permanent stalls or corrals, requiring campers to bring portable containment. According to Jeffrey D., some parks like A.J. Jolly have "nice" stalls while others require portable corrals or highlines.
Site limitations: Many campgrounds have specific trailer length restrictions. "Pad is long," notes Mike F. about sites at Versailles State Park, but other campgrounds may have more limited space for larger horse trailers.
Seasonal considerations: Trail conditions vary throughout the year. East Fork State Park Campground offers equestrian camping with weather-dependent trail access. "This park was very clean and maintained. Trails were well marked and the camp hosts were very friendly," reports Andrea F., though noting seasonal factors can affect experience.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Families can combine horseback riding with learning activities. "I loved the informational boxes and tags that they had on the trees or plants. This is helpful if you have little ones with you or if you are like me and just like to learn about the animals/plants on the trail," shares a reviewer about the trails near equestrian camping areas.
Multi-activity planning: Schedule non-riding activities for family members who don't ride. Cowan Lake State Park Campground offers "great bike trails & walking trails. Clean bathrooms," according to Shannon C. This provides options for all family members regardless of riding interest.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for wildlife encounters common at equestrian campgrounds. "Watch out for the 🦝 raccoons they are pretty aggressive and were all over our campsite. Clearly they are used to getting handouts, so keep your foodstuffs in you vehicle or well secured," warns John F. about Whitewater Memorial State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup access: RVers with horse trailers should verify hookup locations relative to equestrian areas. "The power for site 7 is on the wrong side so your going to need an extension possibly. All the premium sites have 30/50 amp hook ups and water," notes Jeffrey D. about A.J. Jolly Park's equestrian section.
Leveling challenges: Many equestrian sites are designed for horse access rather than RV convenience. "The sites I'm at are on a hillside so think theatrical style site. None are level looking so you will need to know what your doing. I'm o level your rig," shares Bobby C. about the terrain at equestrian-friendly campgrounds.
Dump station logistics: Plan for potentially distant dump stations when camping with horses. "I would also note that there is only one dump station for the three campgrounds so there can be quite the line when trying to get out of there on a Sunday afternoon," reports Jessie W. about Versailles State Park's facilities.
