Equestrian Camping near South Bloomingville, OH

Equestrian campgrounds near South Bloomingville, Ohio sit within the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at elevations ranging from 700 to 1100 feet. The region features heavily wooded terrain with mixed hardwood forests and sandstone rock formations. Most horse-friendly campgrounds remain open from April through October, with trail conditions typically optimal during late spring and early fall.

What to do

Trail riding at Zaleski State Forest: Bridle trails span several miles through varied terrain with connections to the backpacking trails. "I stayed in a cabin and loved this place, the horseback riding is awesome, airplane rock has a view second to none. the box canyon with waterfall is gorgeous (pun intended) but seriously it was fantastic," notes Timothy M. about Palmerosa Horse & Hike Campground.

Hike to geological formations: Multiple rock formations and caves within 5-10 miles of most campgrounds provide day hiking opportunities. "Out-of-staters are unaware of the incredible beauty that Hocking Hills brings to Ohio. I can return time and time again and still be in awe of the waterfalls, cliffs and coves of Hocking Hills," writes Bryn S. about Hocking Hills State Park Campground.

Visit historical sites: Explore the region's iron-making history near Lake Hope. "Hope furnace is just outside the campground and next to the first 'put-in' for the lake. As history buffs will know that Ohio was one of the nation's leading iron producers back in the day," explains Dave V. from Lake Hope State Park.

What campers like

Direct trail access: The ability to ride directly from camp without trailering horses. "The sites were very large, plenty of fire rings and picnic tables. The Blue Trail goes through here and provides a fun hike," mentions Sarah G. about Burr Oak State Park Campground.

Covered horse stalls: Some sites provide weather protection for horses. "The new owners of the Palmerosa Campground have put a lot of time and money into this campground! Almost everything has been tore down and rebuilt... 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," reports Chad B.

Varied terrain options: Trails accommodate different riding abilities. "Ironically, we stayed at the worst campsite there, it was downslope, and they had recently cut down many trees and the site was a muddy mess. Every single other campsite (and we drove the whole thing) they were perfect," notes Meghan H. about Hocking Hills.

What you should know

Water availability varies: Some trails have water access points while others require carrying water. "Water is available at 3 backpack camping areas (Points D, I & P)," mentions Renée C. about Zaleski State Forest.

Site levelness issues: Many camping areas have uneven terrain. "Camp sites are very small and very unlevel, had to raise back of camper and put front about a 1/4" off ground to get close to level. Site around is sloped in all directions," reports Daniel about Lake Hope State Park.

Bathroom facilities condition: Bathhouses vary significantly in maintenance. "The new shower house at the office is great! You have your own shower, toilet and vanity in a locked room!" comments Chad B. about Palmerosa, while another visitor noted different experiences at other facilities.

Tips for camping with families

Plan for site locations: Check distance to amenities when selecting sites. "The campsites are so close together, which you think would at least mean the bathrooms were close, but no, they were a serious hike. Not good with kids," warns Jenny K. about Hocking Hills.

Child-friendly hiking options: Several shorter trails accommodate younger hikers. "The hocking hills park itself is awesome. Great trails, beautiful waterfalls, wonderous caves. They are all pretty short hikes and easy access. We enjoyed it with our large breed dog and toddler," shares Laura C.

Check campsite spacing: Sites vary widely in privacy and separation. "We stayed in the walk-in family campground, not the main campground. The sites are mostly far apart from one another and the area is fairly dense woods leaving you feeling a peaceful solitude," notes Kate W. about Strouds Run State Park Campground.

Tips from RVers

Electric hookup availability: Limited electric sites at some campgrounds. "We have stayed here a couple of times in a tent and a class a motor home... While the site we stayed in with the motorhome was fairly level, sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain," shares Marshall P. about Lake Hope.

Pull-through access: Some equestrian sites accommodate larger vehicles. "Easy pull-thru site for our small travel trailer. Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website)," explains Tammy F. about Old Stone Church Campground.

Cell service considerations: Coverage varies significantly between campgrounds. "I had good 4G ATT cell service. Worked well, with no drops. Data was a bit slower than usual but still good," notes Tammy F., while others report limited to no service at different horse campgrounds.