3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Paddle Creek Horse Camp in Ohio features designated horse camping sites with several riding trails connecting to the surrounding Wayne National Forest. Sites accommodate both tents and recreational vehicles with ample space for horse trailers. The campground's layout provides direct access to bridle trails while maintaining separation between equine areas and general camping zones. Sites are relatively private with trees providing natural shade for horses during summer months. The campground connects directly to multiple trail systems with varying difficulty levels suitable for both novice and experienced riders.
Located approximately 50 miles from Barboursville, the equestrian campground at Carter Caves State Resort Park offers water and electric hookups for horse owners camping with trailers. The camping area connects to over 30 miles of trails through the wooded Kentucky landscape with stream crossings and varied terrain. Trail loops range from 2 to 8 miles, allowing riders to select routes based on experience level and available time. Water access points for horses are situated throughout the trail system. Most campsites can accommodate up to two horses per site with ample parking for trailers and tow vehicles. The campground remains open from April through October, with optimal riding conditions in spring and fall when temperatures are moderate and biting insects are minimal. For those seeking horse campgrounds near Barboursville, these sites offer direct trail access and practical amenities designed specifically for riders traveling with horses.
"The hiking trails are scenic and pretty and the lake while not overly big, is clean and great for swimming(there's a beach) , kayaking, and fishing."
"Great campground with super easy access to the trail and lake. The sites are spread apart enough so you aren’t right beside someone - and shaded."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $15 - $20 / night
"Didn't appreciate the grill in the next site (thought it was too close to us). We were in Site #8. Not sure what all is around here."
"We stayed on the upper end by the veterans cemetery, even though it's close to the pool and playground, it was pretty quiet. Sites were a bit unlevel, but easy to back into."
from $55 - $85 / night
"If you're a tent person using Vesuvius as a home base for trail hiking, stick with Iron Ridge."
"Great location to earn some backpacking miles. Feels quite remote, but along the trails there are shelters, bathrooms, trash reciprocals, and other useful hookups."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $35 - $52 / night
"Primitive Site 22 was fantastic, tucked away from everyone and quiet. Greenbo just doesn't have a lot to do if you arent boating. And that's okay. We just wanted a lazy trip anyway."
"Greenbo is a small state park tucked away in beautiful greenup co a very quit peaceful park. With a little known secret outside of the area world class bass fishing."
Available this weekend
from $22 - $50 / night
"The creek nearby offers up a good, safe swimming hole for all the kids and adults. Giovanni's pizza restaurant on site has wifi. This campground is located out in God's country. "
from $20 / night
"This is a beautiful state park with breathtaking views of creeks along the roadway, wonderful landscape designed by nature, good hiking trails, peaceful campground, and a nice lodge."
"We liked that we could walk to the bathrooms and not have to drive there. We stayed at site 100 and really enjoyed the shade trees."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $80 / night
"No water or electricity at the primitive campground, but you’re within walking distance of the main bathhouse which was nice and clean during my stay. "
"There was creek nearby and walking paths all over. We went over to the lodge and was able to swim in the pool and hot tub as part of the price of our campsite."
from $16 / night
"The equestrian sites are full hookups and able to accommodate large rigs with pull through sites. The RV sites are under construction and will be some time before they are done."
from $45 - $62 / night
from $15 - $45 / night
GuideGreenbo is a small state park tucked away in beautiful greenup co a very quit peaceful park. With a little known secret outside of the area world class bass fishing. Yelp that’s right you wouldn’t ever guess that by the size of the lake but it’s fact and the restaurant at the lodge. Is outstanding
TravelerNice pool, most sites I could see have sewer. Water pressure was low. Very few shady sites on top level.
TravelerWe were surprised to find the store open when we arrived at 6, but woman inside was a trip. She could not seem to figure out how to do anything and talked to herself the whole time. Check in took about 20-30 minutes! She was very friendly though and explained how to get to our site. Tried to get propane- first she said she didn't know how to do it, then she decided she did, but wound up being clueless. She did let us change our site because it was so far from the bathroom. We had to go down a crazy steep narrow hill to get to the lower area. Thought it might be quiet but wound up on top of a busy road. Ok for an overnight. Huge street lights over us. Sites a little junky looking.
GuideThe equestrian sites are full hookups and able to accommodate large rigs with pull through sites. The RV sites are under construction and will be some time before they are done. Bathhouse is clean and up to date. The roads are narrow and windy.
GuidePrimitive Site 22 was fantastic, tucked away from everyone and quiet. Greenbo just doesn't have a lot to do if you arent boating. And that's okay. We just wanted a lazy trip anyway.
TravelerPlenty of spots, including pull thrus. More affordable than some of the nearby state “resort” parks, though without much in the way of shade or scenery. Staff is very kind, helpful, and understanding. Perfect for an overnight.
RangerBeen going to Greenbo since I was a kid in the 70s. Facilities are well maintained and clean. The campground has been recently paved. Plenty of full service sites with sewer, but lots of other shady sites without sewer. Was there July 13-16, 2025 -- VERY HOT. Staff are friendly and just excellent. The operating hours of marina and other activities are out of date/wrong on the parks.ky.gov web site, just call the park for hours.
Oh, if you want firewood, the campground office is at the marina. Go there, pay for the firewood, and it will be delivered to your site while you go enjoy the park.
Mini golf is in good shape, get clubs and balls at marina. Be prepared, the course is hard, but in a fun way.
Very bike friendly.
GuideSmall sites but full hookups. Many amenities. multiple pools in the area, mini golf, animal exhibit although closed when we were there. Both trails we went on weren’t maintained well but the area was pretty.
RangerWe just spent a long weekend at Greenbo Lake State Park. It’s a clean campground, but sites are packed in pretty tight. Not my ideal kind of camping. The kids had fun because there were about 100 kids in the campground running around. There was a vacation bible school going on. Our kids were invited to take part in activities. Really nice people all over the campground. They advertise the sites with 30 and 50 amp hookups. What they didn’t say was that you had to share a post. The people beside me already had the 50 amp. I pulled everything to run on propane that I could and plugged into the 30 amp. We just had to watch and not use electrical appliances while the air was on. It was just way too busy and loud to relax for me. I think I’m just way too spoiled by Twin Knobs. There were way too many young kids on electric bikes that were turned loose. We were almost ran over a couple of times. We were standing beside the road once talking to the camp host in his golf cart and one teen flew between us and I had to grab my 87 year old mother to get her out of the way. The host didn’t seem to care. I was just on edge the whole time trying to keep my grandkids and mom from getting ran over. There were also a bunch of golf carts driving around as late as 2 am. I sound like an old fart, but I’m just putting it out there for future campers. We were on site 53 along the creek. There was no AT&T service, but Verizon had service.
Equestrian camping near Barboursville, West Virginia includes several designated facilities within a 60-mile radius. The region features mixed hardwood forests with elevations ranging from 580 to 1,200 feet. Most horseback riding trails remain open April through November, though heavy rainfall can create muddy conditions that limit trail access during spring months.
Trail riding at Lake Vesuvius: The Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area offers multiple trail options connected to the campground. "The Whiskey Run Trail, which was short and hilly, but conveniently located right off the campground... passes an impressive rock shelter," notes Brew W. The area features both shoreline and forest riding environments.
Cave exploration: Carter Caves State Resort Park provides unique riding opportunities with cave features. "Lots to do hiking, fishing, caves and caverns to explore. Campgrounds was clean. You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites though," explains Ron & Bonnie D. The park combines riding trails with underground attractions.
Wildlife viewing: Riders can spot diverse wildlife along the trails. "We spotted dozens of does, bucks and fawns during my stay, so keep your eyes peeled because they don't seem terribly cautious around people or cars," reports Jennifer B. about riding at Chief Logan State Park.
Private campsites: Iron Ridge campers appreciate the natural separation between sites. "Most of the sites shaded and separated by trees. Love the privacy this provides. Our favorite 'close to home campground'!" writes Chris S. The wooded environment creates natural barriers between camping areas.
Water access: Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area receives praise for its combination of riding trails and water features. "This Recreation Area offers hiking trails, picnic opportunities... The damn provides an excellent place for photos, while the lake is excellent for fishing and birdwatching," says Lisa S. Horses have multiple water access points throughout the trail system.
Seasonal considerations: Fall remains the preferred season for equestrian camping in the region. "Great state park with breathtaking views of creeks along the roadway, wonderful landscape designed by nature, good hiking trails, peaceful campground, and a nice lodge," describes Lisa S. about camping at Carter Caves State Resort Park. Spring offers lush vegetation but higher insect activity.
Hookup configurations: Some campgrounds have unusual utility arrangements. At Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, "Started out bad. Had showed up at site with no electricity available. Was told had to share box but only one 30 and one 50 amp. So if you both have a 30 amp the other has to get an adapter for the 50," warns Charles D. Always verify electrical specifications when booking.
Trail conditions: Trail difficulty varies significantly across the region. "Great location to earn some backpacking miles. Feels quite remote, but along the trails there are shelters, bathrooms, trash reciprocals, and other useful hookups," explains Ruby W. about Lake Vesuvius. Trail maps with elevation profiles help riders select appropriate routes.
Site spacing: Campsite proximity varies between parks. At Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, "It's a clean campground, but sites are packed in pretty tight. Not my ideal kind of camping," reports Karen P. Research site maps before booking to ensure adequate space for horse trailers.
Animal encounters: Ashland Huntington West KOA offers family-friendly animal interactions. "Very friendly people and my dog loved the dog park," notes Heather G. The nearby facilities complement equestrian camping with additional activities for children.
Multiple activities: Parks with diverse recreation options keep children engaged. "Loved the fenced in soft play area for the toddlers. Great field for flying kites. Camp store had lots of food options and coffee," shares Brooke V. about Ashland Huntington West KOA. These features provide alternatives when younger riders need breaks from trail riding.
Safety considerations: Some parks have specific safety challenges. "There were way too many young kids on electric bikes that were turned loose. We were almost ran over a couple of times," cautions Karen P. about Greenbo Lake. Establish clear boundaries for children regarding proximity to horses and other camping areas.
Site leveling: Campground terrain varies significantly across the region. "Some sites are really small and some are right along the road. Not crowded at all during our visit. Some sites are sloped from slight to more severe. We did have to take our camper off our truck (truck camper) in order to get level," explains Liz about Lake Vesuvius Recreation Area.
Water pressure issues: Utility quality varies between sites. At Iron Ridge, "Beautiful place to camp. Some sites are more difficult for parking a camper than others. We stayed at site 6 which wasn't too difficult to park but the water pressure was extremely high," warns Wendi L. Bring a pressure regulator for RV water connections.
Hookup distances: Pack extra cords and hoses for equestrian camping sites. "You will need extra water hose and extension cords to get hooked up in a lot of the sites though," advises Ron & Bonnie D. about Ole Henry's Camping Retreat. Most equestrian sites require at least 50 feet of electrical cord and water hose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Barboursville, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Barboursville, WV is Iron Ridge - Lake Vesuvius with a 4.6-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Barboursville, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 equestrian camping locations near Barboursville, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
Keep Exploring
