5 Amazing Midwest Horse Camping/Trail Riding Sweet Spots

Horse camping is a fantastic experience for you and your horse. Not only do you get to see and explore new places, but you can also expand your travel area and the length of your trip by camping. 

There are several ways to camp with your horse, including luxury horse campgrounds with RV hookups, stalls, and paddocks, semi-developed campgrounds with paddocks for turnout, and rural campgrounds where you are entirely on your own. 

If you are just starting horse camping, we recommend either a luxury horse campground or a semi-developed campground. Rural campgrounds are a bit more challenging if you feel up to an adventure.

As you begin researching horse campgrounds, narrowing down your choices can be difficult. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best horse campgrounds in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.

Horse Camping In Ohio

For trail riding and camping, horseback riders and campers can access Ohio State Parks and Ohio State Forests. Eighteen State Park campgrounds and five Ohio State Forests offer horse campsites, many conveniently located near the popular bridle trails. Most camps do not offer amenities, but a few provide water, bathrooms, and horse tie areas. 

Advanced reservations are required for horse campsites. Campsite options, amenities, and available reservations can be viewed on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. 

Elkins Creek Horse Camp is located in Pedro, Ohio, adjacent to Wayne National Forest, near Lake Vesuvius and Dean State forest. There is acess to approximately 100 miles of trails directly across from camp. They offer an equestrian campground with 65 electric sites, primitive sites, 98 stalls, tack shop, restrooms/showers, shelter house, private bunk rooms, cabin, wagon and canoe rental. 

Horse Camping in Michigan

If you are traveling through Michigan, you don’t want to miss the majestic Pigeon River. The Elk Hill Equestrian River Trail Campground is nestled in the Pigeon River Country State Forest and is home to eleven campsites, many of which easily accommodate a horse trailer. Each camp features a fire ring, picnic table, and picket posts. The campground has toilets, water, mounting blocks, and manure bunkers. 

Horseback riders have easy access to a 420-mile trail system directly from the campground. This campground is designed for horse owners and discourages people from camping without horses, so you’ll be surrounded by other horsey people during your trip.

Advanced reservations are required for these campsites. You can make a reservation through their Central Reservation System online or by calling. 

Horse Camping in Pennsylvania - Cook Forest Scenic Campground

If you are looking for a camping and dude ranch experience, you need to check out the Cook Forest Scenic Campground in Clarion, Pennslyvania. From camping to trail riding to entertainment, Cook Campground has it all. The campground is situated on 32 acres of woodlands. The camping amenities include water and electric hookups, stalls, restrooms, showers, dump stations, wash bays, arenas, basketball and volleyball courts, and a dining area. 

This camping experience is classified as luxury horse camping. If you are tired of sleeping in a tent or the horse trailer, Cooks even offers cabins for rent. These campsites book up quickly, so they recommend booking your camping trip as far ahead as possible. 

Horse Campgrounds in Kentucky

Whether you are looking for rural or luxury camping, Kentucky has a lot of horse campgrounds. The Clayton Geneva Memorial Campground offers a primitive camping experience, so if you want a peaceful experience, this is the campground for you. Situated close to the Cumberland River, you can enjoy swimming, a nice campfire, and the soothing sounds of nature.