Equestrian Camping near Logan, WV

German Bridge - Dewey Lake offers equestrian access with shaded and full-sun primitive campsites at $15 per night. The campground provides basic amenities including showers, bathrooms and drinking water, making it suitable for both tent and RV camping without hookups. Many visitors utilize the campground as a base for boating, fishing, and horseback riding activities on and around Dewey Lake.

What to do

Horseback riding access: For equestrian camping near Logan, West Virginia, Chief Logan State Park Campground provides trails for horses throughout its nearly 4,000-acre forest. According to a visitor, "Chief Logan has lots of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. I hiked the Coal Mine Trail with remnants of the coal industry decaying in the forest, then continued on the Wilderness Trail which gives you a nice view of the surrounding mountains."

Outdoor activities: Jenny Wiley State Park Campground offers multiple recreation options. One visitor notes, "The fishing on Dewy Lake is awesome. The water is muddy a lot. But if you like catfishing, this is your Lake." Another camper mentions, "There are tent campsites next to Dewey Lake in various areas around the lake accessible by boat only, which are overseen by the Corps of Engineers."

Kayaking: For water recreation, German Bridge Ramp provides direct lake access. As one camper states, "love getting to take my kayak out on the water, great view of the bridge." The location sits on the backwaters of Dewey Lake, making it ideal for small watercraft exploration.

What campers like

Community atmosphere: At Ole Henry's Camping retreat, campers appreciate the family-friendly environment. A visitor explains, "The playground area has a nice swing set and a couple big wooden play structures. There is drain pipe slides coming off one of the hillsides that is a kid favorite. They also have a little 55 gallon barrel train ride for little kids."

Wildlife viewing: Chief Logan State Park offers animal observation opportunities. According to one review, "There's a small wildlife center where you can see bears, bobcats and raptors in enclosures for a $2.00 donation. The caretaker helped me get some nice photos of the bears by putting some honey and peanut butter on the fence around their enclosure."

Historical context: The area surrounding these campgrounds contains significant historical sites. At Chief Logan, "When you check-in at the park headquarters, make sure you visit the adjoining museum which gives you background on the local coal industry and the hardy settlers who clashed with the American Indians when this area was still used as their hunting grounds."

What you should know

Water quality concerns: Several reviewers warn about Dewey Lake conditions. One camper at River Expeditions Campsites cautions, "DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FROM THIS LAKE... AND DON'T SWIM IN IT EITHER! FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK... CATCH & RELEASE! (Personally, I'd go to a pay lake)."

Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly between campgrounds. At Jenny Wiley State Park, "You get no cell service in the campgrounds and no reception." However, another reviewer notes that at Chief Logan, "there's cell phone service for both AT&T and Verizon customers."

Seasonal availability: Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally. Chief Logan State Park Campground operates from March to November, while Jenny Wiley runs from April 1 to October 31, limiting winter camping options.

Tips for camping with families

Entertainment options: German Bridge - Dewey Lake provides family-friendly water access. A camper reports, "If you looking to get away and you like the company of close campers this place may be for you. It is a small camping area that has everything you need to stay a while. It's right off the back waters of Dewy lake. So great to kayaking or any small boats."

Group camping setup: Several campgrounds accommodate family reunions. At Chief Logan, "There are a variety of shelters and playgrounds scattered throughout the nearly 4,000 acre forest so you can spread out and enjoy the park without feeling like you're fighting any crowds."

Animal interactions: Wildlife viewing opportunities engage children. One visitor mentioned, "You won't have to pay a dime to see deer. I 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."

Tips from RVers

Hookup considerations: At Jenny Wiley State Park Campground, RVers should prepare for unusual hookup configurations. One reviewer warns, "What's odd is that you share a water spigot with a neighbor so you have to have a long hose to go across your whole section. There was only one hole for grey and black water, which I've never seen."

Site dimensions: Chief Logan provides level sites for larger rigs. A visitor explains, "Chief Logan has 26 level RV camping spots with water and electricity at all sites and a sewer connection at about half of them."

Site privacy: Spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. At Jenny Wiley, "Sites are close together so there's not a lot of privacy. Modern amenities, showers, flush toilets." This contrasts with the more spread-out sites at other locations.