7 Places to Camp With Your Horse in Ontario

As the weather grows warmer in Ontario, there’s no better time to get outside and explore new trails with your horse. Camping with your horses can be a great option to give you more time to explore an area in-depth and make special memories. From the shores of Lake Huron, to the Ottawa Valley, to Algonquin Park, there are horse campgrounds across Ontario for you to explore.

Here’s our roundup of some places to camp with your horse in Ontario this summer:

 

Saugeen Bluffs Horse Campground

Location: Paisley, Ontario (16 minutes from Port Elgin, 40 minutes from Owen Sound)
Amenities: 42 sites for horse camping, 100 x 200 ft event ring, Bluffs General Store on-site
Trails: 15km
Rates: Daily camping rates range from $52 – $98. Weekly and seasonal rates are also available

Located in Bruce County, Saugeen Bluffs is one of the newest horse campgrounds in Ontario, set in a sugar maple forest with a lookout over the Saugeen River. They currently offer 15km of challenging trails, with plans to expand, and a large ring for hosting clinics, workshops and more. Every equestrian campsite has water, and some (but not all) have corrals – make sure you review the campsite description carefully when booking. Three bunkies and two RVs are also available to rent. Reservations can be made online through Saugeen Conservation, by calling 519-367-3040 ext. 22, or by emailing campinginfo@svca.on.ca.

This summer they will be hosting their 5th annual “Trails and Tunes” event from June 21-23, which includes a guided trail ride, games in the sand ring, and an evening pig roast and concert (campsites for the event weekend are sold out, but a waitlist is available).

South Algonquin Equestrian Trails

Location: Harcourt, Ontario
Amenities: 14 campsites, each with between 2 – 4 covered wooden pens. Site 1A has hydro, the rest do not.
Rates: Daily camping rates range from $75 – $125
Trails: Access to many kms of trails within Algonquin Park

South Algonquin Equestrian Trails offers 14 equestrian campsites set in the stunning Haliburton Highlands. Helpfully, you can view photos and video of each site on their campsite page. Campers have access to their network of trails throughout the southern part of Algonquin Park (trail map available here). South Algonquin Equestrian Trails also offers a number of other services, including trail rides, cabins, summer camp, and day passes if you just want to come and explore the trails for a day. Reservations can be made online.

 

Sandaraska Park

Location: Pontypool, Ontario (30 minutes from Peterborough, 35 minutes from Oshawa, 45 minutes from Markham)
Amenities: 19 horse campsites, covered 12’ x 12’ wooden pens, water and hydro
Rates: Daily camping rate ranges from $88.50 – $128.32, depending on the season. Minimum two-night stay over weekends and minimum three-night stay over long weekends.
Trails: Access to hundreds of kilometres of trails in the Ganaraska Forest.

This beautiful park offers 19 horse campsites in their Pine Alley campground, each site equipped with either 2 or 3 covered 12’ x 12’ wooden pens (one horse per pen). Situated beside 11,000 acres of the Ganaraska Forest, the campground has access to many kilometres of trails to explore. Note that all riders must book their day pass to the Ganaraska Forest separately. The day pass for horseback riding costs $16/day, and can be booked up to seven days in advance at the GRCA website.

The Fox Den at Half Ass Farm

Location: Coldwater, Ontario (25 minutes from Barrie)
Amenities: Indoor accommodation for people, two paddocks, three gate pens, hay available
Rates: $200/night, minimum two-night stay
Trails: 13km at nearby Copeland Forest, access to many more kms on the Ganaraska Trail

If you want to take your horse camping, but aren’t quite keen to sleep outdoors, check out The Fox Den at Half Ass Farm. There’s a two-story building that can sleep up to six people, with a bathroom, basic kitchen, and wifi. For the horses there are two paddocks, three gate pens, and hay can be provided. A short ride down the road, you’ll find the Copeland Forest, which offers 13km of easy trails. The Copeland Forest trail is part of the Barrie section of the 500km Ganaraska Trail, which runs from Port Hope on Lake Ontario to the Bruce Trail near Georgian Bay.

 

Atikokan Equestrian

Location: Atikokan, Ontario (Northwestern Ontario)
Amenities: Horse pens, washroom with running water and outdoor shower, high ties, small lake
Rates: $23.23/night for horse camping, $9.29/night for daily/non-electrical corral. Weekly rate also available
Trails: Over 25km

Located in beautiful Northwestern Ontario, the Atikokan Charleson Recreation Area has tons of scenic trail riding, maintained by a passionate group of horse loving locals (follow them on Facebook for trail maintenance and event updates). The facility has two large open areas with space for a number of trailers, campers, and rigs. Permanent pens are available or you can bring your own portable fencing. There’s running water on-site, along with high ties, a permanent washroom with an outdoor shower, and a small lake to cool off in. They host an Annual Horse Ride Event, usually on the second Saturday in September, with a group trail ride, dinner, and prizes.

Cedar Rail Ranch

Location: Thessalon, Ontario (45 minutes from Blind River, 1 hour 20 minutes from Sault Ste. Marie)
Amenities: Round pens, paddock, water access, box stalls and standing stalls, cabin or trailer available to rent
Rates: $253/night for cabin with a minimum two-night stay. For cowboy camping at the ranch, rates vary – it’s $17/night for round pen, $15/night for tenting, or $20/night for trailer with living quarters. You can see their full rates here (2024 rates are the same as 2023)
Trails: Approx. 50 kms of trails on their ranch and Crown land

Set in the beautiful Mississagi Valley, Cedar Rail Ranch provides extensive trails, horse facilities, and fantastic lookout points. There are two options for your horse camping trip: you can stay at their Outpost #2 camp, a log cabin described as a “horse lover’s paradise” with four box stalls, three standing stalls, a turnout corral, and its own water access for swimming with your horses. Alternatively, bring your own sleeping accommodations (or rent their on-site trailer) and enjoy the Cowboy camping site at their ranch, with three round pens, a large paddock, and a mountain trail leading to the lake. Either way, there are many kilometres of trails to explore, with guests able to explore at their leisure or with the option of a guide.

Rawhide Adventures

Location: Mulmur, Ontario (20 minutes from Creemore, 35 minutes from Orangeville)
Amenities: Indoor accommodation for people, large paddock for horses
Rates: $60/person per night, $28.25/horse per night
Trails: Trail network spanning over 1,200 acres, but you must be guided on them. The guiding fee is $45/person per hour

Offering a “Bed n’ Bale” situation, guests can book the B&B while their horses enjoy large grassy paddocks close by. Explore the property’s expansive trail network, covering over 1,200 acres, across hilly terrain varying from field to forest. You must be guided by them as you ride, making this a good option for those who aren’t looking to hit the trails completely solo. The two-bedroom B&B can sleep up to six people and is an addition to the main farmhouse (not a separate cabin). It is equipped with a kitchenette, and light breakfast is provided.

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Coming Up: Camping with Your Horse in Alberta and BC