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West Branch State Park Campground features equestrian camping options with dedicated horse trails spanning approximately 20 miles. The equestrian section accommodates both horse trailers and camping equipment, though primitive tent campers are also permitted in this area. Campers bringing horses should note that the horse camping area is separated from the main campground for safety reasons. The park provides space for horses with trailer parking, though reviews indicate there are no dedicated corrals or stalls. Horse owners should bring their own containment equipment. Tent and RV camping are both available, with restroom facilities accessible to all campers. During busy seasons, non-equestrian campers may sometimes book sites in the horse camping section, which can create safety concerns with children and pets unfamiliar with horses.
The horse trails at West Branch connect to the park's broader 5,000-acre wilderness area, offering varied terrain for riders of different skill levels. Trail riders can access multiple connecting paths that wind around the 2,650-acre lake that forms the centerpiece of the park. No permit is required specifically for horse use, but standard camping fees apply. Riders appreciate the well-maintained trails that accommodate horses year-round, with some sections open to both horses and snowmobiles during winter months. The campground remains open throughout the year with heated bathrooms available during colder seasons. Campers should bring their own water and feed for horses, as no specialized equine provisions are sold on-site. Some equestrians recommend booking well in advance during summer months when the campground experiences its highest visitor numbers.
"The bathrooms are clean and include a laundry and sinks outside to wash your dishes. Campground hosts and staff are friendly and helpful. Sites are roomy and clean. Lots of variety."
"There is no WiFi and barely one bar of cell service; your best internet access is at the nice public library 7 miles away in Ravenna Sand beach is an easy walk from all camp sites and boat trailers can"
from $30 - $52 / night
Check Availability"This park is one of my favorites in Ohio at this time. Most of the sites are some what private. There are many trails and even a fog park next to the lake."
"They told me Ohio State Parks were voted #1 in the US. Well there is a reason for that. Beautiful, clean, great spots, not a bad site in the entire park."
from $27 - $80 / night
Check Availability"Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it. All staff were very friendly. Would def recommend anyone to go."
TravelerYou need to make reservations well in advance for the “primo” sites. The bathrooms are clean and include a laundry and sinks outside to wash your dishes. Campground hosts and staff are friendly and helpful. Sites are roomy and clean. Lots of variety. If you’re into hiking, disc golf, kayaking, fishing, equestrian pursuits, etc, this is the park for you.
Traveler3 Immaculate bath houses all with laundry facilities, all sites have electric (no f-ing generators) and many have have water and sewer hook ups. There is no WiFi and barely one bar of cell service; your best internet access is at the nice public library 7 miles away in Ravenna Sand beach is an easy walk from all camp sites and boat trailers can be parked on your camp site Boat launch has a big trailer parking lot, too. There are hiking, equestrian and mountain biking trails in the park and launching off paddle boards is ok at the boat launch or the nearby beach Friendly staff and camp hosts!
RangerThis park is one of my favorites in Ohio at this time. Most of the sites are some what private. There are many trails and even a fog park next to the lake.
GuideFirst time here. They told me Ohio State Parks were voted #1 in the US. Well there is a reason for that. Beautiful, clean, great spots, not a bad site in the entire park. Wood is dry and cheap right outside the park entrance. Bass fishing is top notch on the lake. I would definitely come back here again and again.
LegendRanger Review: Morsel Spork at West Branch State Park
**Campground Review: **
This state park was very welcome after our first two unlucky Ohio state park experiences. We had no trouble pulling in at 3 pm on a Sunday after Labor Day with no reservations and snagging a very nice spot (Site 50 backs up to Kirwan Reservoir). There are two loops that are on Jay Lake where there is a beach; it was understandable that there weren’t any water view spots that had not been reserved here. A very quiet park that is well-maintained with lots of amenities. Even the rumbling of the nearby trains was on the quiet side! Nice playground with toy stocked sandpit, volleyball net, cheap laundry ($3 per load, wash and dry), dishwashing sinks, showers, and clean bathrooms. There was even a step stool for kids to be able to reach the sinks. A staffed store(9am-7pm on Sunday, 11am-7pm Monday– Thursday and 9 am– 8:30 pm on Saturday) with basic supplies and, of course, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Some of the sites have a slight grade so be cautious when selecting. Many trees that provide separation between sites. Several short hiking trails. A side note: I only saw one non-Ohio license plate besides ours in the entire park, almost like it is an Ohio secret (not anymore!)
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**Product Review: **
As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I have the opportunity to test products. At this campground, I tested the large Morsel Spork from Outdoor Element. I have to admit that when I unpacked my box from Outdoor Elements, I was surprised at how LONG our morsel sporks were(we have other sporks that are much shorter so I was expecting these to be a similar size) but then I saw a photo of someone using it with their freeze-dried meal and it was an aha moment! No need to dirty another dish because this mighty spork can reach to the bottom of the pouch with no problem! These sporks are also sturdier than others we have used. The rubber scraper edge is a nice touch – would be great for getting the last delicious bits of meals from the freeze-dried meal pouches and I’m thinking also in glass or plastic containers. A very nice addition to our camping tools.
LegendHere's what's great about this campground situated at an easy drive from major cities like Columbus and Cleveland...its scenic, a fully loaded campground with bathhouses, parks, hiking paths, swimming resivoir with boat rental...we highly recommend renting a pontoon for the day and hanging out in the resivoir for swimming and lounging! It's both relaxing and nice to get away from the beach crowd!
ScoutStayed in two different areas of West Branch State Park while visiting Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Very impressed with large, clean bath houses, including fully private showers. Sites were very large and spread out, visit bing lots of nice privacy. Though we did not take advantage, the park also offered horse bridle trails, mountain biking and water activities on the lake. What a gem!
GuideWe just got back from our first trip to Mosquito Lake State Park Campground. All in all, it was a great experience.
We stayed in site 67, which is a waterfront site, with electric. The water is about 25 yards from the pad, but is visible from the entire site. The site was spacious, but not as private as some of the others. There is some woods between this site and the sites on either side, but other sites are visible. The fire pits and picnic tables were staggered, so it created some distance to make it feel more private.
The campground as a whole, was very quiet. We stayed from Wednesday to Friday. The group next to us seemed a little rowdy when we first pulled in, but by 10:00 there was no noise anywhere near us.
Most sites seemed pretty level from side to side, but where we were, several had a slope from front to back. Away from the waterfront, most sites looked pretty level. The amount of space between sites varied from site to site. Some sites had woods on both sides, while others were pretty open. Some had nice large grassy areas, others were much smaller. Sites from 214-224 are in a cul de sac and are water front, but they were pretty close together with very little privacy between sites, if any. They are very close to the water though.
There are bathrooms and water scatter about, but from what I saw there was only 1 shower house.
Wal-mart and other shopping and restaurants were about 3 miles away. Park was easy to get to, only one turn for us off the highway. Lake was great for kayaking and paddleboarding. Very nice dog park in a different part of the park. There is a boat launch accessible from inside the campground.
Dump station has 2 lanes which was nice when checking out. Fresh water fill up was also located near the dump station.
GuideBeautiful area for a get away in Ohio. The beach is never too packed. You can take kayaks out and venture off around the shores.
West Branch State Park offers equestrian camping near Stow, Ohio with sites that accommodate various camping styles. The park spans 5,000 acres with a 2,650-acre lake as its centerpiece. During peak summer months, campsites can fill quickly, particularly those with lake views, making advance reservations essential for weekend visits.
Kayaking and watercraft access: Many sites at West Branch State Park Campground provide direct water access for small craft. "We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite. There are many inlets to explore or fish," notes Alisa G., who visits annually.
Fishing opportunities: The large reservoir provides ample fishing spots accessible from shore or boat. "Great site! Shades lots of space semi private area. Right off the water with area to tie boat for easy water access," reports Katelyn P. about her waterside campsite.
Trail exploration: Beyond horseback riding, the park offers hiking trails for all skill levels. "There are many scenic hiking trails at West Branch. Bridal trails are located on Esworthy Rd," explains Alisa G., highlighting recreational diversity beyond equestrian activities.
Archery practice: For campers staying at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground, additional recreational options exist. Karen D. mentions, "We like to bring our bows and use the archery range," providing an alternative activity for campers.
Spacious, private sites: The campsites at West Branch receive consistent praise for their size and layout. "West Branch has private, spacious, shady sites," shares Alisa G., while Andrea F. notes the generous waterfront options: "We're at site 160. No electricity, no hook ups, but a HUGE lakefront site."
Clean facilities: Campers appreciate the well-maintained bathrooms and shower facilities. "Best bathrooms around! Showers great. Bathrooms great," reports Kim B., while Teresa B. confirms, "Very clean bathrooms! Beautiful sites with lake views."
Family-friendly amenities: Mosquito Lake State Park Campground offers excellent facilities for younger visitors. Joe F. shares, "Beach was great and there an epic playground for kids. If your kids are 8 and under they'll love the nature playground and nets provided to catch critters."
Dog-friendly environment: Several parks in the region welcome pets. Jim L. notes about Mosquito Lake, "This park is one of my favorites in Ohio at this time. There are many trails and even a dog park next to the lake."
Site selection considerations: Many campsites in the region have terrain challenges. Andrea F. cautions about West Branch: "Our site was labeled slight slope. That was a joke. We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches."
Seasonal water conditions: Lake conditions can vary throughout the year. Rose S. reports from Mosquito Lake State Park Campground: "The algae was kind of thick, which made fishing impossible, so we stopped bringing the kayak."
Bathroom accessibility: Facility placement varies by park. Courtney C. notes about Mosquito Lake: "Only bad are no real bathrooms except at the front of the park. No place to wash dishes. Rough if you're tent camping."
Campground amenities: Facilities differ between parks. Lee D. describes West Branch's offerings: "Nice playground with toy stocked sandpit, volleyball net, cheap laundry ($3 per load, wash and dry), dishwashing sinks, showers, and clean bathrooms."
Take advantage of organized activities: West Branch offers regular social events for children. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," shares Alisa G., highlighting programmed family activities.
Consider cabin options for beginners: For families new to camping, Canton / East Sparta KOA Holiday - Bear Creek Ranch provides comfortable alternatives. Bradley B. reports, "Took the family there and loved it. It's clean and quiet. Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it."
Look for educational opportunities: Some parks offer nature programs and wildlife observation. Jill T. mentions about West Branch: "There are little hideaway trails everywhere, making for a fun adventure!"
Check equipment rental availability: Many parks loan recreational equipment. "The park office loans games and sports equipment to campers," notes Alisa G. about West Branch, saving families from bringing extra gear.
Water fill station considerations: RV campers should plan for park infrastructure limitations. Andrea F. cautions about West Branch: "First the water fill is on an incline so when our tank was 'full' pulling away from fill station it was really only 2/3 full. This was okay for a short weekend but not good planning."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared with sufficient leveling equipment. Joe F. notes about Mosquito Lake State Park Campground: "Only negatives I have are some of lots are pretty uneven."
Hookup availability varies: Research site amenities before booking. Rino S. reports from West Branch: "No electricity, no hookups, but a HUGE lakefront site. We're in a self contained RV so it's not a problem for us."
Road conditions within campgrounds: Some parks have challenging internal roads. Rick K. at Canton-East Sparta KOA reports: "Very difficult to ride bikes on loose gravel. My grandson fell twice. Speed limit is an issue. They seem to have little control of vehicles speed limit here."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Stow, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Stow, OH is West Branch State Park Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 66 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Stow, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Stow, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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