1 campground with availability this weekend
Kinderhook Horse Trail in Wayne National Forest offers primitive horse camping at a dedicated equestrian trailhead, making it one of the most accessible equestrian campgrounds near Petroleum, WV. The site provides tent camping with fire pits, picnic tables, and vault toilets located near the parking area. The camping area includes flat tent sites situated close to the restroom facilities, though the space is limited and best suited for small campers, tents, or car camping. Visitors note a hand pump water spigot is available for horses and campers. The trailhead serves primarily as a staging area for horseback riding, with specific parking areas designated for horse trailers separate from regular vehicle parking.
The trail system connects riders to multiple equestrian routes through Wayne National Forest, including the maintained Paw Paw trail which leads to hilltop views. Riders access a network of forest trails directly from the campground, though some trails can become overgrown seasonally. The campground's proximity to Interstate 77 makes it accessible for weekend riders while maintaining a natural forest setting. Regular vehicle parking is approximately 100 yards from the restroom, with the remaining spaces reserved for horse trailers. Campers should arrive prepared as the nearest supplies are a considerable distance away. Trail users report varying conditions, with some paths being smooth, dry and wide while others may require clearing in certain seasons.
"Sites are basically parking pads with very little useful space around them but the sites are spaced apart. Bathroom and showers are usable but no frills. Scenery is pretty. ATV play area nearby."
from $30 - $40 / night
"Parking for regular cars is 100 yards before restroom (the others are for horse trailers only). Close to the restroom there’s a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump."
"Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road.Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table."
"Stayed: 9/6/2020 - FREE Site: Left fire pit facing toilet
This campground is the equestrian Kinderhook Trailhead within Wayne National Forest."
"This is a horse trail camp. There is a vault toilet,a few trash cans,a water spigot and plenty of room for horse trailers. There are some trails you can walk or ride on."
"The Blue Trail goes through here and provides a fun hike. There is a bathroom across the road and access to water at the entrance of the site. Showers are 15 minutes walk or a quick drive away."
"Burr Oak State Park is on the eastern edge of Wayne National Forest, outside Glouster, Oh , off Rt 13. The Lodge is on the opposite side of the lake off Rt 78."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $55 / night
"Camp Creek State Park West Virginia. This was a drive through, we didn't camp here. This State Park is only 2 miles from I- 77! Exit 20.
This is a hiking park & also has horse trails.
"
"There’s no real entrance to the water to swim. We literally had to slide down like a water slide haha."
"The go to camping location for Athens. Many campsites, trails, and amenities. Anything from boat rentals, a small store, and docks to use near the lake."
"Sites are only rented in person once you arrive, they have clear instructions at the entrance. Sites were nice and level, but a bit on the smaller side. Plenty of trails for hiking around the park."
from $20 - $35 / night
from $30 - $35 / night
TravelerSites are basically parking pads with very little useful space around them but the sites are spaced apart. Bathroom and showers are usable but no frills. Scenery is pretty. ATV play area nearby.
TravelerGreat view of the sky for stargazing and telescopes at the sites in 40s. Trails are a little neglected though; lots of downed trees and faded blazes. Maybe it’s late in the season, and they will improve in the spring.
RangerSites are small - especially the ones with power. Bathrooms are dirty and very worn out. Only 1 of 3 of the mens showers were working. Lots of spiders in the bathrooms and the stall doors don't latch effectively. Camp store (and access to ice) was closed for 'remodel'.
RangerNot our favorite. Very small campground. Good hiking trails. Decent beach. Very hilly. Shower house was kinda gross.
ScoutWe thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Camp Creek State Park Campground. We had an electric only site along the creek, but they have sites with electric and water and sites with full hookup. It was level and we liked hearing the small creek flowing. We found several good places to hike with access in the campground and two nice waterfalls. The campground was not accessible the Camp Creek Road turnoff from I-77 because the exit was closed coming from the south for roadwork. Therefore, we had to get off near Princeton and the road was quite curvy and slow going for about 15 miles. Going back south was no problem getting on I-77. Hopefully the road work will be completed soon. We enjoyed enough that we would go back again, especially as a stop over on a longer trip.
ScoutHad a wonderful time camping with my family ground were well kept and staff was super friendly and it wasn't super busy
TravelerThis was a gem of a park to find. There is hardly anyone here and you have your pick pretty much of the camping spots. The spots are mostly level and there are two bath houses onsite. The bathrooms are pretty basic but they have hot water and so far I’ve had them mostly to myself. And it’s only $30 a night.
TravelerThere are two small camping spots with picnic tables. The vault toilet here is very clean and even had a lockable door. There is also drinkable water from a city water hand pump. Very quiet at night, except for a handful of cars that might drive through or spend the night. I spent two weeks here and had zero issues with people being loud or causing a ruckus. As far as fire wood, you can walk around and pick up all the downed wood you’d like, but I’d recommend bringing some wood with you if it’s rained in the last few days. Plenty of space to park. Gas stations, fast food, and dollar general are all within 10 mins. Verizon signal - 1/2 bars ATT signal - 2/3 bars
TravelerThis is a horse trail camp. There is a vault toilet,a few trash cans,a water spigot and plenty of room for horse trailers. There are some trails you can walk or ride on. The locals were all very friendly. You can stay for 14 days and it's free.
Kinderhook Horse Trail offers primitive equestrian camping near Petroleum, West Virginia. The trailhead provides limited space for camping, with access to vault toilets and a hand pump water spigot. Located in Wayne National Forest, the site serves horseback riders with designated trailer parking areas separated from regular vehicle spaces. Tent camping is available in flat sites near the restrooms. The trail system connects to multiple routes through the forest, including the Paw Paw trail that leads to hilltop views.
Explore the Paw Paw Trail: This trail offers an excellent riding experience for horse enthusiasts camping at Kinderhook Horse Trail. "The Paw Paw trail was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill," notes camper Annika E., highlighting the accessibility for horseback riders seeking elevation gains.
Visit nearby waterfalls: Just a short drive from Petroleum, Camp Creek State Park features impressive waterfalls. "Two very nice waterfalls. The first waterfall is on a road right by the modern campground," reports Cynthia K., though she cautions about their accessibility, as other visitors note the rocks can be slippery.
Enjoy lake activities: Burr Oak State Park offers water recreation options near Petroleum. "Campers can rent pontoons or enjoy a day kayaking the lake, or swimming on the beach," explains Larissa C., making it a good option for those seeking water activities beyond horseback riding.
Accessible equestrian facilities: The dedicated horse trail areas near Petroleum provide well-maintained paths. "Nice trails. Seem to be well maintained," notes Joe B. about Kinderhook Horse Trail, appreciating the focused amenities for equestrian camping.
Water-adjacent campsites: Many campers value the creekside camping options in the region. At Camp Creek State Park, "The sites are right next to the creek which is very unique and beautiful. The sites are also big enough," according to Mark K., offering a natural soundtrack for overnight stays.
Mountain biking opportunities: The trail systems support multiple activities beyond horseback riding. At Mountwood Park, "If bombing mountain bike trails is your thing, then across the highway from the campground is your dream," writes Dave V., highlighting the diverse recreation options available within a short distance.
Safety considerations: Some equestrian camping locations report concerning visitor patterns. At Kinderhook, "People coming and going every 15 minutes. Some folks pull in stare at you for a few seconds then leave," warns Dexter V., suggesting solo campers might want to consider alternatives or additional safety precautions.
Varying site conditions: The region's campgrounds offer different levels of development. "Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road. Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp," reports Joe B. about Kinderhook Horse Trail, emphasizing its limited capacity.
Seasonal maintenance issues: Trail conditions change throughout the year. "A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead. The Kinderhook trail was overgrown," notes Annika E., pointing out that summer conditions can affect trail usability for horses and hikers alike.
Consider amenity requirements: When camping with children near Petroleum, bathroom facilities vary significantly. At Strouds Run State Park, "There are pit toilets, potable water towards the front, and that's about it," explains Megan M., helping families prepare for primitive conditions.
Research swimming options carefully: Water features require planning. Rachel L. from Camp Creek cautions, "if you visit Campbell falls, BEWARE it is extremely slippery. The brown algae makes it very slick and no shoe will handle it. There's no real entrance to the water to swim."
Pack supplies accordingly: The remote nature of equestrian camping areas means limited access to provisions. "Campers should arrive prepared as the nearest supplies are a considerable distance away," notes one reviewer about the Kinderhook area, reinforcing the importance of bringing sufficient supplies for family trips.
Size limitations matter: The equestrian camping areas near Petroleum typically accommodate smaller setups. At Elk River Camp and RV Park, "42' 5th wheel drug bumper to/from campground," reports Beth R., indicating access challenges for larger rigs on narrow roads.
Consider hookup requirements: RV sites in the region offer varying levels of service. "Mix of wonderful water and electric sites with ok full hookups. Beautiful river spots," notes John R. about Elk River Camp, helping RVers match their needs to available amenities.
Research site terrain: The region's topography can create challenging camping conditions. "The primitive tent sites are less than desirable and more of an afterthought... There is patchy tall grass, dirt and rocks with no leveled areas," Dave V. says about one nearby campground, a consideration equally relevant for RV leveling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Petroleum, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Petroleum, WV is Mountwood Park Family Campground(Wood County Park) with a 3.9-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Petroleum, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 8 equestrian camping locations near Petroleum, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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