5 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
West Branch State Park Campground maintains a designated horse camping area distinct from the main campground. Horse campers can access miles of bridle trails directly from the campground with ample space for horse trailers. Recent operational changes now allow tent campers to book sites within the equestrian area, which some horse owners note has created safety concerns with children running between horse campsites. The park provides primitive camping in the equestrian area without electric hookups or water connections at individual sites, though shared facilities are available nearby. Sites accommodate horse trailers with sufficient room for portable corrals or highlines.
Located approximately 16 miles from Tallmadge, the horse trails at West Branch connect to a network of wooded paths through the 5,379-acre state park. Horse campers frequently mention the well-maintained bridle trails that traverse varied terrain suitable for riders of all experience levels. The campground employs two dedicated camp hosts in the equestrian section who help educate non-horse campers about equine safety. Trail access points connect directly to the horse camping area, eliminating the need to trailer horses to trailheads. The primitive nature of the equestrian campsites appeals to those seeking a more rustic experience, though some horse owners express interest in having the same full hookup amenities available in the main campground.
"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."
"Portals/parks/PDFs/parks/Maps/Beaver_Creek/beavercreekcampmap.pdf)
- 6 electric sites
- 44 non-electric sites
- Dump station
- No showers; no flush toilets
- Pets are permitted on all sites
Equestrian"
"I live near by to this state park and have spent much time exploring the entirety of it."
from $23 - $50 / night
Check Availability
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!)
-----------------
**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.
TravelerFamily Campground on Leslie Road [map]
Equestrian Camp on Sprucevale Road
Group Camp on Sprucevale Road
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.
West Branch State Park offers equestrian camping options within 16 miles of Tallmadge, Ohio. Located in northeast Ohio, the area features rolling terrain with elevations ranging from 950-1,100 feet above sea level. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with warm summers averaging 80°F and winters that can drop to the 20s with lake-effect snow common from November through March.
Trail riding and hiking: Several parks near Tallmadge provide well-maintained trails for horseback riding. At Mosquito Lake State Park, "there are many trails and even a dog park next to the lake," according to Jim L. The park features flat terrain ideal for novice riders.
Water activities: Lakes provide camping and recreation opportunities. West Branch State Park campers enjoy water access. "We can launch our kayaks right from our campsite," notes Alisa G., who visits yearly. The park includes several inlets for fishing or exploration.
Pioneer village exploration: Historical sites complement the natural attractions. Beaver Creek State Park offers "a pioneer village near the park office that offers some picnicking areas around it. It also has original buildings from the pioneer days (church, school, etc)," according to Shay D., making it a worthwhile educational stop.
Private, wooded sites: Many campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. At West Branch, campers find "private, spacious, shady sites" according to experienced visitor Alisa G. The park's mature tree coverage helps create natural boundaries between camping areas.
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high in camper satisfaction. Teresa B. notes West Branch has "very clean bathrooms! Beautiful sites with lake views." While some horse campgrounds near Tallmadge offer basic facilities, others provide modern amenities.
Multiple campground layouts: Canton/East Sparta KOA Holiday offers diverse camping options. Bradley B. reports, "It's clean and quiet. Took the kids on the horse ride and they loved it. All staff were very friendly." This property combines traditional camping with equestrian activities.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region have uneven terrain. At West Branch, Andrea F. warns, "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." Bring leveling blocks for RVs and carefully select tent sites.
Seasonal conditions: Weather impacts camping experiences year-round. At Beaver Creek State Park, Aaron B. describes "warm days, cool nights" but notes the park offers "no frills camping" with limited amenities.
Water access limitations: Some parks restrict water usage. At Beaver Creek, campers note they "are on a well so there is limited water and they don't allow you to fill up your on board tank. Make sure you fill up before you go!"
Playground access: Choose sites near recreational areas for convenience. At West Branch, Lee D. discovered "a very nice playground with toy stocked sandpit, volleyball net," making it easy to entertain children without long walks.
Educational opportunities: Several equestrian campgrounds near Tallmadge include learning experiences. Beaver Creek offers historical exploration with its pioneer village. Shay D. calls it a "really historical area to check out and hike around."
Safety considerations: When camping at shared facilities, observe proper precautions. One visitor noted that at the Canton/East Sparta KOA, "speed limit is an issue. They seem to have little control of vehicles speed limit here," suggesting parents should supervise children carefully in common areas.
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited in the region's horse-friendly campgrounds. At Mosquito Lake State Park, Heidi B. notes, "There are several full hook-up sites. Electric sites near the lake," but recommends booking well ahead during peak season.
Site selection strategy: Research specific site conditions before booking. Rino S. at West Branch recommends waterfront sites: "We're at site 160. 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."
Access roads: Some parks have restrictions on certain roads. When approaching Beaver Creek, RVers should note "there is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RVs/Trailers can't go on so make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!"
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Tallmadge, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Tallmadge, 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 Tallmadge, OH?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Tallmadge, OH, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
