Kinderhook Horse Trail provides primitive equestrian camping sites near Vienna, West Virginia in the Wayne National Forest. The area features a small clearing with designated parking for horse trailers and basic camping facilities. Most visitors camp near their trailers while accessing the connected trail system. A vault toilet and manual water pump serve both horses and riders at the trailhead. The connecting Paw Paw Trail offers wider terrain than Kinderhook Trail itself, which can become overgrown during heavy growth seasons. The trailhead sees regular traffic from day users and local vehicles even after dark, making it less secluded than other equestrian camping options.
What to do
Trail riding access: The Kinderhook Trail connects to miles of maintained bridle paths through Wayne National Forest. One visitor at Kinderhook Horse Trail noted, "Nice trails. Seem to be well maintained."
Explore historic sites: Visit the nearby Hope Furnace at Lake Hope State Park to see remnants of Ohio's iron production history. A camper at Lake Hope State Park Campground shared, "Hope furnace is just outside the campground and next to the first 'put-in' for the lake. As history buffs will know that Ohio was one of the nation's leading iron producers back in the day."
Water activities: Take advantage of nearby lakes for fishing and boating. A visitor to Blue Rock State Park mentioned, "The fishing was good, and the activities with the naturalist (Cayden) were fun and engaging. The hiking was wonderful, the equestrian trails looked very nice, and the fire tower was a fun climb."
What campers like
Trail connectivity: Equestrian camping near Vienna, West Virginia offers access to multiple trail systems. As one visitor to Kinderhook Trailhead observed, "With it being an equestrian trail, there were a lot of horses and trailers throughout the day. Before sunset, everyone cleared out and only campers remained."
Flat camping spots: The terrain at the trailhead provides suitable areas for setting up camp. A visitor at Kinderhook Horse Trail noted, "Close to the restroom there's a picnic table, tentspots and a manual water pump. A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead."
Water access: Having water available directly at the trailhead is convenient for both riders and horses. One camper mentioned, "Area is dedicated to horse trail riding. Nice clean area just off main road. Does have a small hand pump water spigot. Has no flush vault toilet."
What you should know
Limited privacy: The camping area sees frequent traffic from day users and locals. A visitor at Kinderhook Horse Trail warned, "The site itself is quite nice, with access to toilets and picnic tables. However, it also seems to be a spot locals visit quite a bit. I've had two cars drive in after sunset who have just sat around for a bit then left."
Space constraints: The camping area can only accommodate small groups. A camper observed, "Definitely only for very small camper, car camp, or tent, small group."
Variable trail conditions: Trail quality varies throughout the season. One visitor reported, "The Kinderhook trail was overgrown. The Paw Paw trail on the other hand was very smooth, dry and wide. The trail leads to the top of the hill."
Tips for camping with families
Consider alternative campgrounds: For families seeking more amenities, look at established campgrounds within driving distance. A camper at Burr Oak State Park Campground shared, "Campers can rent pontoons or enjoy a day kayaking the lake, or swimming on the beach."
Pack insect protection: The deciduous forest environment brings abundant insects during warm months. One visitor noted, "A lot of insects, humid and dense deciduous forest surrounding the trailhead."
Day use options: If staying overnight doesn't suit your family, consider day-use facilities. A visitor to Kinderhook mentioned, "Can camp here in certain spots. Not much area to camp. No fire rings, one picnic table."
Tips for RVers
Limited accommodation: The trailhead area has minimal space for larger vehicles. A camper at Stone Church Trailhead and Horse Camp described a similar equestrian camping setup: "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)."
Self-sufficient setup required: Come prepared with everything you need. There are no hookups available. One visitor noted, "No hook-ups of any kind. I did not camp here due to severe weather warnings. With att had 2 to 3 bars cell service."
Nearby alternatives: For RVers seeking more facilities, nearby established campgrounds offer better options. At Burr Oak State Park, "There are some really beautiful sites, but there are only a few with electric. The addition of concrete pads and electric would improve the campground considerably and attract more campers to this beautiful area."
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