2 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Van Buren State Park Campground features a dedicated horse camp area with newer pens for horses that replaced older tie-up systems. The park maintains clean facilities including pit toilets and centralized well water. Electric hookups are available at most sites, though some campers report issues with electricity at certain locations. The campground consists of two loops on flat, shaded terrain with paved pads that were recently upgraded. The RV dump station is located in a separate section of the park. Camp hosts are noted for being friendly and helpful, with camping available by reservation only. The fairgrounds is close to I-75 for convenient access.
The equestrian trails at Van Buren State Park connect to a network suitable for both novice and experienced riders, making it one of the top horse camping destinations in the area. Horse owners find the terrain simple and accessible, with multiple trail options throughout the park. Nearby Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park also accommodates equestrians, particularly during horse competitions and events. Sites at both locations are level, with Van Buren offering more shade than the open, grassy areas at the fairgrounds. Van Buren State Park operates year-round while Wayne County Fairgrounds closes from November through March. Neither location offers shower facilities, which limits extended stays for some campers. The small wildflower garden and dog park at Van Buren provide additional recreational options for visitors when not riding the trails.
"Since Van Buren State park is an easy 20 minutes away from home for me, i visit there often. it is clean and quiet, they dont get too busy and loud."
"It’s a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Friendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me."
"Nice campgrounds easy to get around and my children loved it"
TravelerFriendly staff, clean park, close to supermarkets and other food locations. RV repair and sales nearby. I got lucky and woke up to a horse and dog competition at no extra cost to me.
ScoutSince Van Buren State park is an easy 20 minutes away from home for me, i visit there often. it is clean and quiet, they dont get too busy and loud. the horse camp is nice with some new pens to keep your horse instead of them having to be tied up. They keep the restrooms clean, but no flush toilets, which dont bother me. My only complaint about Van Buren State park is that there are no shower facilities.
LegendThis is a typical fairground campground with open grassy areas for campsites surrounded by barns and tracks. The fairgrounds is located just off I-94 which makes for easy entrance and exit to the campground, but, means there is lots of road noise. Close by are plenty of stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc. In fact, there is a gap in the fence that runs around the fairgrounds allowing you to walk to a Walmart, McDonalds, Dunkin Donuts, and more.
We arrived without a reservation and the women in the office was very helpful providing a map with all available sites during our stay and letting us choose which one we wanted. One of the first things you notice is that a number of people are here long-term so we went to the back area hoping it would be quieter and less crowded. A number of the campsites are “buddy” sites meaning your patio opens to your neighbors so be careful which one you pick. This is pretty undesirable when the neighbor is a total stranger so we chose a site where we didn’t have anyone next to us.
They offer 50 amp full hook-up sites, 50 amp/water, and 30 amp/water sites with pull-thru and back-in options. There is a dump station located in the middle of the park which is easy to get to. The roads are wide and a lack of trees makes this campground accessible for any size RV. The sites are level but some lack grassy making the patio pretty dusty or muddy. Unfortunately, where we were was pretty muddy just after a light rain. This campground works best for RV’s and not tents. For tenters there is a designated section that is set in a corner of the park with large trees for shade but not much privacy between you and others. A water spigot is in the tent area and there was one picnic table. The camp office sells firewood but we only saw two fire pits in the whole park. Be aware that noise from the interstate and nearby train tracks may make for a restless night. Bathrooms are centrally located in the campground and were old and tired but relatively clean. On-site laundry is available.
Apparently, management is having some issues with campers not obeying some of the rules. One of the sad things about this campground is that campers have to be reminded to clean up after their dogs. Apparently, it is such an issue that we got a letter stating that if you don’t pick up your dogs poop you would be asked to leave. How sad is that? There is free WiFi which worked pretty well. Upon checking in, we had to sign a piece of paper stating that we would not download copyrighted material or stream movies or we would be asked to leave.
My favorite aspect of this campground is that they had a community garden that you were welcome to pick from. We got tomatoes, Swiss chard, peppers, broccoli, and more. Overall, this campground was fine for the few nights we were here and close to the attractions we wanted to visit. We never felt unsafe even though it was close to major cities. We chose this campground because we wanted to go to Ann Arbor and Dearborn and it was a very convenient location.
Pros:
· Good location if you want to visit Ann Arbor and Dearborn
· Close to interstate for easy access
· Long, level sites that will fit any RV
· Community garden you can pick from vegetables
· Stores and restaurants are nearby (some within walking distance)
Cons:
· Lots of road noise from I-94
· No trees for shade or privacy
· Would not recommend for tent camping
· Many campers are long-term
· “Buddy” campsites with patios facing each other
LegendWe stayed one night on our way to IN. We’ve never been here before and wanted to check it off our list. It’s a small campground with one side as equestrian and the other side not. All sites had electric and water, no full hookup. There were only drop toilets and no showers. They were clean but I don’t think I’d want to do more than a weekend there. It had a nice playground for kids and plenty of trails to hike or go horseback riding. They also had a dog park and small wildflower garden. The check in cabin had ice and wood for sale but no store. Our site was really nice. The pads were recently paved and had a huge bumper at the end. The fire ring was nice and the site had plenty of space for tents.
TravelerWe stayed during the week for one night. Campground was clean and quiet, had electric hookups at most sites. Host was very friendly. They also have a camp area for horses. Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump.
TravelerCampground is small but well maintained. Hiking is great. Probably better for people with horses. Electric did not work at all sites. Pit toilets did not seem sufficient for all camp sites.
RangerVan Buren State Park is very easy to access from I-75. It has tons of trails and a pond. There are a few places to car camp or RV camp nearby. I love getting out of town and visiting Van Buren State Park, and I have lots of good memories. It gets 4 stars because I now live in Montana and Montana camping outshines Ohio, but I can't bash on Van Buren State Park at all.
TravelerVery nice, clean, people and staff very friendly. You must reserve a spot by phone or online only, no walk ins. I made my reservation while standing at the visitor cabin
TravelerTried it for the first time. It was quiet and relaxing. The camp host was nice and friendly. Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper. Will be back soon.
Van Buren State Park offers equestrian camping opportunities with trail access for riders of varying experience levels. Located in northwest Ohio, the campground sits on relatively flat terrain at approximately 720 feet elevation. The climate features four distinct seasons with warm summers and cold winters, making spring and fall popular for horse enthusiasts seeking moderate temperatures for trail riding.
Trail exploration on horseback: Van Buren State Park features multiple interconnected trails that accommodate riders of all skill levels. "I came cross country skiing here in early January and it was absolutely amazing. It is cold but the terrain is simple for first time skiers," notes Kevin T. about the Van Buren State Park Campground.
Visit nearby attractions: The park's location provides convenient access to regional points of interest. "Van Buren State Park is very easy to access from I-75. It has tons of trails and a pond," writes Lindsay B. The park serves as a good base camp for exploring northwest Ohio.
Playground activities for children: Several campgrounds maintain play areas for younger visitors. "Kids loved having the playground so close to the camper," reports Scott F. The central location of recreational facilities makes supervision easier for parents.
Level campsites: The terrain at horse campgrounds near Williston, Ohio provides stable parking for vehicles and trailers. "The sites are level but some lack grassy making the patio pretty dusty or muddy," explains Nancy W. about Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park.
Helpful camp hosts: Staff assistance receives consistent positive mentions. "Host was very friendly," notes Nicole G. Many reviewers appreciate the responsive service when needing guidance or assistance.
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to transportation routes, campers often comment on the peaceful setting. "Campground was clean and quiet, had electric hookups at most sites," shares Nicole G. The relative lack of crowding contributes to the tranquil environment.
Limited shower facilities: The absence of showers affects longer stays for some visitors. "No showers, but clean and sturdy pit toilets with centralized well water," explains Joseph N. about Van Buren State Park Campground.
Seasonal closures: Some facilities operate on limited schedules. "I arrived for a 2 week stay in the area on 11/12. I discovered this campground was closed for the season," cautions Mike M.
Electrical service variations: Power availability differs between sites and locations. "Electric did not work at all sites," warns Alysha W. Campers should verify hookup functionality upon arrival.
Choose sites near recreational amenities: Proximity to play areas enhances the family camping experience. "The outside of the circle is your best bet and there's a few scattered in the middle. If you can get a good middle spot it's nice if you have kids since there's a playground, swings, basketball, and tether court," advises Brendan V.
Verify campground policies: Rules vary between locations regarding activities and accommodations. "They say quiet time at 10 but I don't think anyone is there to enforce," notes Susan J. about Wayne County Fairgrounds RV Park.
Consider tent-specific areas: Designated tent camping sections offer different amenities. "For tenters there is a designated section that is set in a corner of the park with large trees for shade but not much privacy between you and others," explains Nancy W.
Dump station locations: Waste disposal facilities may not be conveniently positioned. "Only criticism is you have to drive to another area of the park for an RV dump," mentions Nicole G.
Site selection considerations: Choosing appropriate sites impacts comfort and privacy. "Some of the sites are small so you have to be careful which you site you reserve if you're a tent camper," advises Brendan V.
Seasonal road conditions: Weather impacts access and site quality. "Unfortunately, where we were was pretty muddy just after a light rain," shares Nancy W., highlighting drainage concerns during wet periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Williston, OH?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Williston, OH is Van Buren State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 12 reviews.
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