3 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Kinderhook Horse Trail in Wayne National Forest provides one of the few equestrian camping options near Lubeck, West Virginia, located approximately 45 minutes away. This horse-friendly campground offers primitive camping with basic amenities for riders including a vault toilet and parking suitable for horse trailers. Sites are situated on flat terrain with space for tents or small campers. Riders note the trailhead has a manual water pump for horses and humans. The camp area features a picnic table near the restroom, though visitors should be aware that the site has no designated fire rings or corrals, requiring portable containment for horses.
The Kinderhook area connects to an extensive trail system designed specifically for equestrian use. The Paw Paw trail from the horse camping area is wide, smooth, and well-maintained, while the Kinderhook trail itself tends to be more overgrown in certain seasons. Some visitors report frequent traffic at the trailhead with vehicles coming and going throughout the day, making it less suitable for solo travelers seeking privacy. The horse campground attracts both day riders and overnight campers, with most horse trailer traffic clearing out before sunset. Cell service is generally reliable with 2-3 bars reported for AT&T users, allowing riders to stay connected even in this rural setting.
"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
"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
"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."
"At lake hope you can enjoy camping in many ways rather if it’s by tent (the way I prefer) or by camper. It’s a very nice place to have some family fun. Very nice beach and swimming area."
"Lake Hope has plenty of recreational opportunities for everyone and the campground is close by! The campground is quiet and well kept."
Available this weekend
from $21 - $45 / 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."
"Twice it rained so much some of the trails were uncrossable but even then we still enjoyed ourselves. The is one spot about 3 miles in that is pretty far off trail, flat and on top of a hill."
"Zaleski State Forest is adjacent to Lake Hope State Park. Off Rt 278 near Zaleski, Oh, true Ohio countryside to enjoy on the way in. Signal is spotty."
from $30 - $35 / night
"Lovely park near Zanesville. The park is beautiful, lots of wildlife, and the trails were great."
"Blue Rock State Park is outside Zanesville, Oh off I70. Rt 60 takes you South and then you have a choice of routes in. Good Ohio farmland scenery."
Available this weekend
from $19 - $55 / night
"The second night we only had one tent near us. There are plenty of pull-off areas on the road leading up to this trailhead that were being used night one as well."
"OHV trails closed for winter. Hiking allowed year-round. Most campsites inaccessible during off-season. Pit toilet closed for winter. Probably busy on weekends during the season. Nice place."
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.
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.
GuideClean bathrooms. Nice park rangers. Open areas with fire pits.
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.
Equestrian campers near Lubeck, West Virginia have several options within a reasonable drive. The region features rolling Appalachian foothills with elevations ranging from 600-1100 feet and mixed hardwood forests. Wayne National Forest provides multiple equestrian-friendly camping locations with accessible trails during April through November, though some areas experience seasonal closures during winter months.
Trail riding at Kinderhook Horse Trail: Access the extensive Wayne National Forest trail system designed specifically for equestrian use. The Kinderhook Horse Trail offers varied terrain for riders of all abilities. "The Paw Paw trail on the other hand was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill," notes Annika E.
Mountain biking at Strouds Run: Located about 60 miles from Lubeck, Strouds Run State Park offers excellent trail systems for mountain bikers. "The trails are worth it though! Lots of mountain bikers and trail runners frequent the trails," writes Lucille W. The park connects with trails that extend into nearby Athens.
Paddling opportunities: Rent watercraft at several nearby lakes. "Strouds is a great place to rent a paddle board, kayak, canoe, or pontoon," according to Lucille W. Similarly, Burr Oak State Park offers boat rentals with "easy access to the water for a fun-filled day off boating," as described by Lauri C.
Historical exploration: Visit old iron furnaces and abandoned rail tunnels within a short drive. "The haunted Moonville Tunnel is nearby and worth the short drive and hike. Unfortunately, it is becoming defaced by disrespectful taggers...still cool nonetheless," reports Dave V. from Lake Hope State Park.
Water access at Burr Oak: Burr Oak State Park Campground offers both swimming and boating opportunities. "The lake is awesome. There are adequate shower facilities," writes Sarah G. The park features a designated beach area and boat launches with rental options.
Creek-side camping at Blue Rock: Blue Rock State Park provides sites adjacent to moving water. "We had a secluded site right beside the creek," states Nicole C. The small stream attracts wildlife and provides ambient sound for a peaceful camping experience.
Primitive camping with water access: Some dispersed sites include basic amenities unexpected at primitive locations. At Kinderhook Trailhead, "There is a vault toilet, a few trash cans, a water spigot and plenty of room for horse trailers," according to Amanda U. The site provides the essentials while maintaining a rustic atmosphere.
Secluded backpacking options: For those seeking more isolation, Zaleski State Forest offers backpacking loops with established campsites. "We enjoyed four amazing days of hiking, camping and exploring nature. The trails are well marked and easy to follow," states James W. Each campsite includes water sources and basic facilities.
Campsite availability varies seasonally: During peak times, arrive early to secure desirable spots. "In mid April 2023 I arrived late afternoon and there were TONS of spots available," reports Anna S. at Strouds Run State Park. Off-season camping often means fewer amenities but more privacy.
Cell service reliability: Connection quality varies across the region. At Kinderhook Horse Trail, Tyler O. reports "Verizon signal - 1/2 bars, ATT signal - 2/3 bars." This allows basic communication while maintaining a wilderness feel.
Visitor traffic patterns: Some areas experience fluctuating day-use visitors. "Saturday was super busy, and we snagged the last available spot with a fire ring. The second night we only had one tent near us," notes Taylor P. about Dorr-Run Red Oak Trailhead.
Variable bathroom conditions: Facility quality differs significantly between locations. Ryan W. explains that Blue Rock State Park has "nice bathrooms over in the group camp area up against the base of the dam," while some locations offer only pit toilets that may close seasonally.
Beginner-friendly trails: Choose paths suitable for younger riders. At Zaleski State Forest, "We did the South Loop at Zaleski - 10.9 miles. The hike was great. Lots of ups & downs, a pond & beautiful rock outcroppings," writes Renée C., adding "Our 8 year old did great & we saw lots of families camping."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many campgrounds offer chances to observe local fauna. "We went fishing and saw lots of butterflies," Nicole C. mentions about Burr Oak State Park. "At night we heard an owl and it was very peaceful."
Water activities for hot days: Several locations feature swimming areas. At Lake Hope State Park, Sarah G. describes, "They have a nice beach and the lake is awesome." Note that water quality may vary seasonally, with some areas posting advisories during certain periods.
Educational programs: Look for ranger-led activities when available. Ryan W. notes at Blue Rock State Park, "The activities with the naturalist (Cayden) were fun and engaging." These programs often focus on local ecology and history.
Site leveling challenges: Many campgrounds in the region feature uneven terrain. At Lake Hope State Park, Marshall P. advises, "While the site we stayed in with the motorhome was fairly level, sites are mostly small and tight on hilly terrain." Bringing extra leveling blocks is recommended.
Limited hookup availability: RVers should check for electrical connections before arrival. At Old Stone Church Campground, Tammy F. reports, "Easy pull-thru site for our small travel trailer. Each pull-thru is set-up for horses, but RVs are allowed (according to NFS website)." She adds, "A short distance further down the road... there's a private campground with utilities."
Advance planning for larger rigs: Most horse campgrounds can accommodate trailers but have limitations. "It might be best for smaller setups. Also I did not see any pull through sites," advises Seána B. about Mountwood Park Family Campground, located approximately 20 miles from Lubeck.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Lubeck, WV?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Lubeck, 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 Lubeck, WV?
TheDyrt.com has all 13 equestrian camping locations near Lubeck, WV, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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