Horseback riding trails connect to multiple equestrian camping areas within 30-40 miles of Camden, Ohio. The terrain features rolling hills and wooded areas with trails that accommodate both novice and experienced riders. Water access points and trail networks vary by season, with some sections subject to closure after heavy rainfall when mud conditions make riding unsafe or environmentally damaging.
What to do
Mountain biking trails: At Hueston Woods State Park Campground, riders can access multiple marked trails with varying difficulty levels. "I did not have time to walk any trails, but talked with mountain bikers that spoke favorably. There were several marked trails near the reservoir area," notes Dave V., who also recommends bringing a bicycle if visiting.
Kayaking opportunities: At Whitewater Memorial State Park Campground, campers can access both Brookville and Whitewater 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," reports Brandie B., who describes it as "Awesome campground for Kayakers."
Backpacking excursions: The Twin Valley Trail at Dayton Metro Parks offers challenging terrain for overnight hiking. "This was a lovely backpacking trail that is both challenging while not being too hard for new backpackers. They provided a common cooking area between the backpacking sites," writes a reviewer who appreciated the well-marked trails and food storage options.
What campers like
Lake activities: At Cowan Lake State Park Campground, kayaking under different conditions creates unique experiences. "A friend and I were able to kayak on the lake the night of a Friday the 13th moon. It was beautiful. The next day we also went out for another paddle under the bright sun. The boat ramp and parking lot is easy to use and has a good layout," writes Kenpocentaur K.
Spacious equestrian sites: Horse camping sites at equestrian campgrounds near Camden, Ohio offer better spacing than standard campsites. "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, but even then, they were very spread out and had lots of great space to actually enjoy nature," shares Brady R. about the horse campground.
Trail markers and information: Educational elements enhance hiking experiences at several parks. "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," writes a visitor who appreciated the learning opportunities while exploring.
What you should know
Bathroom facilities vary: Some parks have modern facilities while others have more rustic options. "The larger bathroom had an ADA shower in it as well," notes one camper about Cowan Lake, while another mentions that at the horse campground, "the bathrooms in the horse campground aren't modern and they're pit toilets. Even with the cooler weather, they still wreaked and were not pleasant to use."
Wildlife awareness needed: At East Fork State Park Campground, campers should secure food items. "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 your vehicle or well secured," advises John F.
Campsite selection matters: Many parks have both sunny and shaded sites with significant variation. "Our campsite did not have any trees but they have planted a lot of new trees. I assume this due the previous trees having to be cut down due to Emerald Ash borer damage. Our campsite didn't have any shade but others did so you really have to pick wisely," recommends a camper who planned ahead.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature programs and learning stations. "They have a lending library and walking stick lending program. I thought these were simple but memorable features for this park," notes a visitor about the family-friendly amenities.
Activity options: Versailles State Park Campground provides diverse recreation for different ages. "We love the Halloween festivities! It is so fun to see all the costumes and the decorations all over the campground. We plan to make it an annual tradition!" shares Jessie W., who also notes, "The pool is nice, and the kids love the slides and diving board. They also have a fenced in area for small children with a baby pool and sprinkler."
Animal interactions: Farm experiences supplement camping at some parks. "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," writes a camper who found educational value in these encounters.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Assess the terrain before selecting sites. "Our site was a pull through and, while level left to right, required a good bit of leveling front to back," shares Marshall P. about Summit Lake State Park, a consideration especially important for larger rigs.
Campground layout awareness: Navigation can be challenging in some parks with equestrian facilities. "I would think a rig more than 31 or 32 feet long would have difficulty maneuvering around the curve at the end of the second loop. We are a 30ft. Fifth wheel and it was pretty tight for us," warns Lisa M.
Dump station timing: Plan departure schedule around potential wait times. "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," advises an RVer who experienced delays during busy periods.
