Salamonie River State Forest Horseman's Camp

Great place to camp and ride horses. Grounds is well maintained clean restrooms. The Host was a great guy that loves helping others.

I gave five stars because I'm within 20 miles of horseman's camp. The two pit toilets usually have toilet paper and smell OK even in August. The camp sites are varied to ease of accessibility and none of the sites are pull thru. However the day parking is all pull thru. The camp sites have communal hitching rails and most are dry except when very very heavy rains have been in the area. Water is available at both ends of the camp meaning a short walk /carry to the day riding lot. Bridle tags are required AND I have been checked. There is no charge to enter the forest and campsite payment is on the honor system but DNR drives thru and checks to see all have paid. I think only one rig is allowed on a site but not sure, the same with extra cars. I guess one could unload and then park in day lot at the end of the camp. It's a short walk to all the camp sites. The camp has well designated areas for manure.

The kiosk at the entrance has trail maps 15% of the time. Riders are friendly and helpful and most are locals. Because of the topography most of the riding is up and down the ridges. Hardwood trees are the norm and somewhere is a stand of walnut that I can't find most of the time. A few hitching rails are along some of the trails. The Salamonie river can be ridden along and ridden in at certain times. Raspberry bushes can be nibbled when fruit is on.

If a long day of riding is desired it is possible to ride to Lost Bridges horse campground and a treat is to stop at Bozart's camp store. They have an overhead line to tie to and fresh water for drinking. They have camping stuff, a grill and ice cream, not to mention a flushing toilet!

During hunting season orange hat and vest are required, I've ridden many times during hunting season and have ridden by some hunters in blinds. I have never been shot at.

Most trails are single file and very few spots where walkers can hit a big lick. I would say all trails are safe for all skill levels. Many of the steep trails have been closed due to a small group of very inexperienced riders not having the brains to look ahead at a trail's terrain and know if their mount or themselves have an understanding of what it takes to get up or down the hill safety. Maybe riding double with your small kid on the back is also not a good idea.

Most campers are very well behaved. Alcohol use is around but little red solo cups are all you see. I don't think children would be harmed by camp activities
HOWEVER some young people, meaning late teens to early 20's seem to have been raised by wolves. These kids come in mass and race around the drive way circle. The be quite at 11:00PM is ignored. I know this from first hand experience because this large group camped across from me. Maybe it's part of experiencing the English way of life. DISCLAIMER : I'm in my 60's and might have forgotten what it's like to be a kid out to have fun, so during the day have fun but now I hope for a quiet night around the fire listening to the horses chomping hay and blowing through their noses. Is it too much to ask to hear the crackle of the fire.

I've been riding at Salamonie forest for 50+ years and have met and visited with wonderful people. Please check this great area of Wabash county.

Oh the Marathon station in Lagro has coffee for 50€ if you bring your own cup. How great is that!

Wabash county is an OK place to visit. With covid - 19 many places are closed but it's not far from Wabash and TSC, Big R, Kroger, Wally World and all the chain fast food joints.

Nice primitive camp. 14 sites+host. 2 water stations. 2 sets of toilets. Fills up fast. Price has went up to $16 per night. Rules enforced. The entire park trail system is.more easily accessible from this camp