4 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
West Branch State Park Campground features an equestrian camping area that accommodates tent campers and horse trailers. The campground maintains trails specifically designated for horseback riding with approximately 20 miles of trails open to horses and snowmobiles. Campers noted that the horse camping area previously allowed only equestrian users but now permits tent campers without horses to use these sites as well. The camping area lacks electricity and water hookups at individual sites, making it suitable for more rustic camping experiences. Horse owners should be aware that tent campers occasionally occupy spaces between horse campers, which some riders report creates safety concerns when children run around unfamiliar horses.
Trail riders access the extensive equestrian trail network directly from the camping area. The park encompasses over 5,000 acres with diverse terrain suitable for various riding abilities. West Branch's horse trails connect to larger regional trail systems, allowing for extended riding opportunities throughout the area. Horse owners must bring their own containment systems as the park does not provide corrals or stalls. The campground remains open year-round with heated bathrooms and showers available in the main camping areas, though equestrian-specific facilities are more limited. Campsites can be reserved online up to six months in advance, with horse camping spots filling up during peak summer weekends and special events.
"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"Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it. All staff were very friendly. Would def recommend anyone to go."
"Bathrooms are open and close by. No showers. Very clean and quiet. There were 4 others staying here. All were nice. If you arrive after hours grab an envelope and drop payment in an envelope."
from $20 - $35 / night
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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!
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!
GuideTook the family there and loved it. It’s clean and quiet. Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it. All staff were very friendly. Would def recommend anyone to go.
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.
ScoutMy family has been going to this camp for years! It’s been updated a few times over the years, for the better! It has everything you need. Boat ramps for the lake in the campground, multiple shower houses, large and small campsites with full and primitive options! Tent and pull through RV sites as well. They have a few miles of hiking trails even horse trails! They do events through out the year. Our favorite Halloween! Camper decorate their sites and do trick or treating for the kids. They even do a haunted trail where volunteers set up to scare everyone! We had a spot on the trail for years lol
LegendWest Branch is one of the best-known family campgrounds in NE Ohio. And it's not hard to understand why. Full amenities, clean facilities, and a nice lake round out the picture of a great place to get some family R&R.
Here's what you can expect:
1. It's Busy.
Like, really busy. Be sure to book early as spots fill up often. Sites are fairly close to each other, but most people seem respectful of space and limits.
2. It's Accessible.
West Branch is a quick drive from Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Youngstown - hence the draw. if you live anywhere close, there's no reason NOT to check this place out!
3. It's Fun (but a bit loud)
If you're looking for quiet, West Branch might not be the place for you. Since the lake has not real HP limits, you'll hear boats motoring quite a bit throughout the day.
4. It's got everything :)
Seriously. There's nothing else you could want. Hiking trails, swimming, a fully stocked office for the essentials you forgot.
Quick tip: Bring swimsuits. There are plenty of places to swim in the well-kept beaches or off a boat. West Branch is a great family getaway for summer swimming!
West Branch State Park's equestrian camping area offers unique opportunities for both horse owners and tent campers seeking a rustic experience near Strongsville, Ohio. Located approximately 45 miles from Strongsville in Portage County, this 5,000-acre park features varied terrain throughout the glaciated Allegheny Plateau region. The park permits non-equestrian campers to use the horse camping area when space allows, creating a mixed-use environment during peak seasons.
Lakefront activities: West Branch State Park provides extensive shoreline access along its reservoir. "We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite. There are many inlets to explore or fish," notes Alisa G. about West Branch State Park Campground.
Trail exploration: Beyond the equestrian trails, the park offers hiking paths with varying difficulty levels. "There are many scenic hiking trails at West Branch. There are little hideaway trails everywhere, making for a fun adventure," mentions Jill T.
Winter sports: When snow falls, the trails transform for cold weather activities. The same paths used by horses during warmer months become available for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, extending the park's recreational season through winter months.
Private waterfront sites: The non-equestrian camping areas feature premium lakeside locations. "We're at site 160. No electricity, no hookups, but a HUGE lakefront site. Beach is right next door too," shares Rino S. about West Branch State Park Campground.
Clean facilities: The main campground areas maintain high sanitation standards. "Best bathrooms around! Showers great. Bathrooms great. Lots of 'lakefront' spots. Dog park is pretty great, too," says Kim B.
On-site amenities: Beyond basic facilities, the park offers unexpected conveniences. "There is even a book exchange shelf at the shower house in case of rainy days. The park office loans games and sports equipment to campers. Washers and dryers are also at the shower house," reports Alisa G.
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for potentially uneven terrain when setting up camp. "We were only off 2 inches side to side but front to back we had to lower the front 15 inches. The jack was down as low as it would go and we were still off by 1.5 inches," warns Andrea F. about her experience at Canton-East Sparta KOA.
Reservation requirements: Securing prime spots requires advance planning. "Make reservations! (6 months in advance). Waterside sites fill up quickly," advises Alisa G.
Water station limitations: Be aware of infrastructure design issues that may affect your setup process. "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," notes Andrea F.
Children's activities: The park provides dedicated recreational areas for younger visitors. "Nice playground with toy stocked sandpit, volleyball net... There was even a step stool for kids to be able to reach the sinks," observes Lee D. about Ashland Fairgrounds.
Special events: Weekend programming adds structured activities for families. "An ice cream social is held on Saturday evenings that my children always love to attend," mentions Alisa G.
Alternative accommodations: For those seeking equestrian experiences without bringing their own horses, nearby options exist. "I have 4 kids and return at least 1x per year. Great family owned KOA. Horseback riding on site," shares Lisa D. about Canton / East Sparta KOA Holiday - Bear Creek Ranch.
Utility access planning: The equestrian camping area lacks hookups, requiring self-sufficient setups. "No electricity, no hook ups, but a HUGE lakefront site. We're in a self contained RV so it's not a problem for us," explains Rino S.
Seasonal considerations: Weather conditions affect camping quality throughout the year. "The only thing we were unable to do is have a camp fire. The fire ring was pushed so far down in the mud we were unable to get good air flow to start a fire," reports Andrea F.
Campground navigation: First-time visitors should be prepared for the check-in process. "Check in is very easy as you pass the camp store on your way in," notes Alisa G.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Strongsville, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Strongsville, 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 Strongsville, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Strongsville, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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