3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Beaver Creek State Park Campground offers equestrian camping at its dedicated horseman's camp located on Sprucevale Road, separate from the family campground area. The equestrian campground features 59 primitive sites without electricity where riders can camp with their horses. Sites include tie-ups for horses, and vault toilets are available for campers. While 12 sites can be reserved in advance, the remaining 47 sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground remains relatively quiet and secluded, with many sites positioned under towering pine trees providing natural shade for both horses and campers. The park's camping areas are notably spacious, giving ample room for horse trailers and camping equipment.
The North Country National Scenic Trail runs through Beaver Creek State Park, offering direct trail access for horseback riding. Several other trails throughout the park accommodate horses, allowing for rides of varying difficulty and duration. Riders particularly enjoy exploring the creek that runs through the area, with multiple points where horses can access water along the trails. The trails are generally well-maintained but can become overgrown during peak growing seasons, requiring occasional care in navigation. During spring, the Salamander Trail features thousands of blooming trilliums, creating a scenic backdrop for riding excursions. While the campground lacks modern amenities like showers or flush toilets, its location provides easy access to beautiful wooded terrain and flowing water features. The park office is typically closed except on weekends, so weekday campers should plan accordingly.
"It is right next to the bike trail and has access to the lake. I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit."
"In fact my family used to own property near by. This park has an awesome trail system for walking or biking"
"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."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $19 - $50 / night
"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"
Available this weekend
from $29 - $40 / night
"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. "
"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."
Available this weekend
from $23 - $80 / night
"Very well kept, completely free 1st come campground just outside the very small town of Bloomingdale, OH. Pit toilets and no source of safe, clean water anymore."
"The campground is situated near shooting ranges so the gunfire lasts late into the evening and begins early in the morning disrupting the serenity a bit. The best part - it's free!"
"This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly ever morning."
"Tucked away in southeastern Ohio is a gem of a park for camping, hiking and horse camping. Clean water, restrooms, playground, sand volleyball and basketball court."
Available this weekend
from $19 - $29 / night
"The shortest distance is about 2 miles from the trailhead at the Kennerdell bridge, but there are other trailheads throughout the tract also."
"This campsite was close to an archery tournament for me. It is a huge campsite that is remote and peaceful. I will try to get this place again next year."
from $50 / night
ScoutI struggled making a reservation online, you need an account and it wouldn’t let me make one but i was able to call in and reserve a spot same day. I’m traveling to the east coast and just needed a place to pitch a tent for the night. worked perfect.
ScoutThere’s no electricity and no where in walking distance and the internet isn’t great, and at night u hear raccoons in the trash cans. If you come here bring a portable phone charger. There’s really nothing here, and the bathrooms are disgusting
GuideWe were passing through on a weeknight in mid September. Many open sites. Sites are paved and many are sloped. Most are shaded. Our site #41 was fairly level with electricity. Close to huge bathhouse with flush toilets, showers and laundry. High above the lake with views through the trees. Appeared there were many long term campers but just as good for our short overnight stay. Online registration. $45 for electric only site.
GuideMosquito Lake gets a bad rap because of its name. We had such a great time launching our kayak from our campsite! I’ve attached a highlighted map marked with the sights on or very close to the water to launch a kayak. Additional kayak launch sites available around the park if you can’t get one of these. It’s great campground if you have kids or a dog. Plenty of great playgrounds and a dog park/dog beach. The camp host was very nice and welcoming. The wash house has laundry and showers. Everything was clean.
GuideI've heard there are campgrounds that discriminate against car camping, first time experiencing it. There are many sites where people have a LARGE camper, a car, and multiple tents spread out over a large area. We have 2 SUV's with tents that attach to the backs. We followed all the rules and are taking up about HALF of our site. We were told that is not allowed. When asked for reasoning and comparing to what we've seen around the park, we get no clear answer that makes sense. We are here with a group that rented about 20 sites. After spending 4 hours setting everything up, she says one may have to leave; she's waiting to hear from her boss. I will definitely never return here!
TravelerVery neat and clean and organized
ScoutWhen we arrived, we checked in at the camp office. The ladies there were very kind. The roads through the campground are wide enough for two-way traffic and nicely paved.
This is a beautiful, heavily treed campground. Even on Memorial Day weekend with lots of people, the park was very peaceful. The sounds of birds permeate the air round the clock. Chipmunks run amok. They’re just so cute.
We booked site 56 for our 39’ fifth wheel. As soon as we pulled up, we knew there was no way we’d fit even though the reservation site said it would accommodate a 40’ rig. The camp hosts happened to be passing by as we were surveying the site. They were very helpful redirecting us to a nearby site that would be more suitable. FYI, sites 55 and 56 have deep culverts on either side. One wrong turn and you’re going to have a problem. The majority of sites along our road were just wide enough to keep the tires out of the dirt, but not wide enough for the stairs to land on asphalt. If you have a motorhome or other wide-bodied rig, like an Alliance Paradigm, I would recommend choosing one of the sites on the loop around the playground. Those are better suited for newer big rigs.
TIP…the line at the dump station is long on the holiday weekends. Plan accordingly.
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.
ScoutWe live really close so we stay at mosquito for our first stay every year. This year we were disappointed. They had no staff there to check us in, the signs says closed Monday through Wednesday. Bathrooms were supposed to be open because we stayed April 16th, but only some of them were. (Even though online states April 1st they reopen). Some sites are more wet than others. We stayed at site 54 this time. The pad was very narrow and it was wet around it (it has been raining a lot). The person before us must have purchased a $12 bale of hay that they were selling up front because there was hay everywhere. Wish they would just put gravel down.
Otherwise, it's quiet. We love the nature play area for the kids. We love the playgrounds.
When they are open, the bathrooms are very clean. The shower house is dated but clean. Far walk from every site basically as they put it on the main road between both loops.
Beaver Creek State Park offers equestrian camping that attracts riders from across Ohio and Pennsylvania. The park sits within the foothills of the Appalachian Plateau at approximately 900 feet elevation. Winter temperatures typically range from 20-40°F, while summer months average 70-85°F with moderate humidity levels compared to other Ohio parks.
Hiking with horses: The North Country Trail provides multiple access points for riders at Beaver Creek State Park Campground. "Nice trails and very big sites on the one side," notes Adam S., who appreciates the park's spacious layout perfect for horses and equipment.
Explore pioneer history: Visit the historic structures near the campground office. "The best part about the area was the history that surrounds it. There is 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)," explains Shay D.
Fishing opportunities: Cast a line in Beaver Creek when water levels permit. "Bass fishing is really fun because we caught a few nice ones!!" reports Mike T., highlighting the recreational fishing available within walking distance of the campgrounds.
Privacy between sites: Fernwood State Forest's Hidden Hollow Campground offers free camping with good separation. "All paved sites with picnic tables. Most have fire rings. All free but you must fill out a registration card. There are pit toilets and a water pump. The ranger comes by everyday to collect registration cards," explains Karen W.
Spacious campsites: Campers appreciate sites large enough for horse trailers and gear. "The site was fairly clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe. Site was very clean, but be sure to move the pine tree duff away from the fire pits to be safe," notes Aaron B. about his stay at Beaver Creek.
Well-maintained facilities: Despite being rustic, the facilities receive regular attention. "This smaller campground has a mix of equestrian sites and tent/RV sites. There are no showers, but the vault toilets were cleaned thoroughly every morning," reports Kimberly about Jefferson Lake State Park Campground.
Limited water access: Plan accordingly for water needs. "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!" cautions Bounding Around about Beaver Creek State Park.
Seasonal trail conditions: Trails can become overgrown during summer months. "I have enjoyed my time at Moraine and will enjoy it every time I visit," shares Mitchel R. from Moraine State Park, where trails connect directly to the equestrian camping areas.
Uneven terrain: Some sites require careful selection. "Some sites are small and very sloped. Others have lots of room to spread out. Highly recommend the one we booked!" advises Kellie A. about Jefferson Lake State Park.
No modern amenities: Facilities are basic but functional. "While the campground lacks modern amenities like showers or flush toilets, its location provides easy access to beautiful wooded terrain," observes a visitor at Beaver Creek.
Playgrounds for kids: Choose sites near play areas for convenience. "We chose a site near the playground, which my 3 year old enjoyed. The campground wasn't busy and we had a lot of privacy. The sky was dark enough to see far more stars than you'd see near any larger towns or cities," shares Matt H. about his experience at Beaver Creek State Park.
Nature exploration opportunities: West Branch State Park Campground offers educational nature programs. "There are many scenic hiking trails at West Branch. There is a book exchange shelf at the shower house in case of rainy days. The park office loans games and sports equipment to campers," explains Alisa G.
Wildlife viewing: Dawn and dusk provide best opportunities. "To cap it off, we laid in our tent dozing off to the sounds of owls and coyotes!" recalls Matt H. about Beaver Creek, highlighting the natural soundtrack that delights younger campers.
Site leveling challenges: Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites. "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," reports Andrea F. about her experience at Mosquito Lake State Park Campground.
Route planning for horse trailers: "Make sure you approach this campground from Leslie Road!" advises Bounding Around about Beaver Creek, noting that "there is a road in the park (Echo Dell Road) that RVs/Trailers can't go on."
Water fill-up logistics: "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," warns Andrea F. about West Branch State Park, a practical consideration for those hauling horses to equestrian campgrounds near Ellwood City.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Ellwood City, PA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Ellwood City, PA is Group Camping and Cabins — Moraine State Park with a 4.2-star rating from 9 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Ellwood City, PA?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Ellwood City, PA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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