Malabar Farm State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Malabar Farm State Park is a working farm in the Pleasant Valley in north central Ohio that features everything you'd expect to find on a real farm, plus camping, hiking, and outdoor fun. The farm started as the dream of sustainable agriculture by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and conservationist Louis Bromfield, who made his home here. Today, guests can stroll through the barn, tour the Big House, Bromfield's home when he lived on and worked the farm, and learn about agriculture, nature, and wildlife through programs offered in the Louis Bromfield Visitor Education Center. Don't forget to stop by the gift shop and purchase souvenirs, supplies, and farm products during your visit. Malabar Farm State Park has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.
Nearby Cities:
Lucas, OH
Mansfield, OH
Butler, OH
Hastings, OH
Spring 48-70 F
Summer 79-82 F
Fall 51-74 F
Winter 33-38 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Malabar Farm State Park
Campground Accommodations
Malabar Farm State Park Campground
Water hookup: No
Electrical hookup: No
Sewer hookup: No
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Max RV length: 54 feet
Other amenities: Fire rings, picnic tables, drinking water, restrooms
River Trail Crossing Campground
River Trail Crossing Campground is nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and is only minutes from I-71. There are level and spacious pull-through sites that are equipped to handle large rigs. The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Ohio Bird Sanctuary, and Richland B&O Bike Trail are just a few attractions near the campground.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Playground, camp store, and volleyball court
Pleasant Hill Lake Park
Pleasant Hill Lake Park offers many kinds of campsites ranging from panoramic views of the lake to primitive sites nestled in the woods. More than 400 campsites are available for both tents and RVs of all sizes. There is also a horse camping area where you can camp and board your horse. All campground sites are equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Showers, bathrooms, and boat docks
Butler/Mohican KOA Campground
Butler/Mohican KOA Campground is nestled among the rolling hills and farms of Amish country. The campground features both back-in and pull-through campsites for RVs and campers of all sizes. Water sports, hiking trails, land sports, and biking rentals are a few campground activities.
Water hookup: Yes
Electrical hookup: Yes
Sewer hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Other amenities: Dog park, swimming pool, and mini-golf
What to Do at
Malabar Farm State Park
Take tours of the farm and the Big House to learn what life was like when Bromfield created the farm. Visit the livestock in the main barn and stroll down the trails through croplands and meadows. Several picnic areas in the park include tables and grills, some with drinking water and near restrooms, perfect for a mid-day meal with your group. Check out Pugh Cabin, the Shelter House, or the Main Barn if you're looking for a place to host a large gathering.
Take a leisurely stroll through the Main Barn and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature as you meet and greet the friendly goats, sheep, cattle, horses, ponies, rabbits, and resident barn cats. Embrace the miracle of new life in the spring and indulge in some exhilarating sledding, snowshoeing, and skiing during the winter.
Inside Malabar Farm State Park
You can easily travel the three hiking trails that pass through the park: Doris Duke Trail, Jungle Brook Trail, and Butternut Trail. The seven-mile Bridle Trail is also open for hikers to enjoy the nature and wildlife around the park. Stop at the visitor's education center and look at the exhibits that feature conservation, agriculture, wildlife, and literature through interactive displays. The farm ponds are an excellent place for anglers to catch catfish and bluegill, and in the winter, visitors can go skating, sledding, and cross-country skiing. Several picnic areas are placed strategically throughout the park with a picnic table and grill for those who wish to have a barbeque or picnic lunch.
Fishing
The park has two ponds where anglers can catch bluegill and catfish.
Geocaching
Visit the official Geocaching website or mobile app to find hidden caches in the park. Grab your GPS and comfortable shoes and set out on an adventure exploring nature while you hunt for the prize.
Nature Watching
Nature watching, specifically birdwatching, is popular at Little Pee Dee State Park, and there are places to birdwatch along the shoreline of the park lake and along the nature trails. Birds that may be seen at the park include northern mockingbirds, summer tanagers, northern cardinals, great blue herons, chipping sparrows, common grackles, ruby-throated hummingbirds, and Canada geese, among many other species.
Stargazing
The night sky above the clear meadows of Malabar Farm provides an excellent opportunity to find and identify stars and other objects above.
Flora and Fauna
The hillsides are adorned with sandstone outcroppings, which are covered in lush ferns and mosses. Wildflowers such as trillium, spring beauties, and wild blue phlox add a pop of color and provide ground cover. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including wood thrush, barred owls, fox squirrels, and raccoons, all of which can be found in the woodlands. Fields and meadows are home to bluebirds, red-winged blackbirds, cottontail rabbits, and red foxes.
Hiking
There are four trails available for visitors to explore, each offering a chance to see the vibrant wildflowers and intriguing rock formations. The Butternut Trail, Doris Duke Woods Trail, and Jungle Brook Trail are all short and easy hikes, each less than a mile in length. For those who prefer horseback riding, the Pleasant Valley Bridle Trail offers seven miles of paths, with hiking also permitted.
How to Get to
Malabar Farm State Park
From I-71, take exit 169 for OH-13 toward Mansfield. Turn left onto OH-13 N, going 0.4 miles. Turn right onto E Hanley Road, traveling two more miles. Take a right onto Washington South Rd and go just 0.3 miles. Keep left to continue on Pleasant Valley Road for about 5 miles, then turn onto Bromfield Road and into the park.
Entering Malabar Farm State Park
Malabar Farm State Park has multiple parking options available. You can park in the large parking lots located near the Visitor's Education Center and the working farm area. Additionally, smaller parking areas are available near the picnic areas and the campground. There is no entry fee to access the park and take a leisurely stroll around the premises. However, if you're interested in guided tours of the farm and Big House, a fee is required.
You'll make memories that last a lifetime when you take an RV adventure to Malabar Farm State Park. If you don't have an RV of your own, rent one with RVshare! If you share your trip photos on social media, be sure to tag us, or send them to [email protected] for a chance to be featured on our blog.
Frequently Asked Questions About Malabar Farm State Park
If you plan on touring the farm, fishing in the ponds, or hiking down the trails, your best bet is to visit during spring, summer, or fall. Fall colors are mesmerizing in the park, so be sure to check the fall foliage forecast. If you love winter and snow, you might visit during the colder months for sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
Throughout the park, you'll find numerous species of songbirds, like bluebirds and blackbirds. Owls, eagles, and hawks make appearances as well. White-tailed deer, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, and foxes call Malabar Farm State Park home.
The campground at Malabar Farm State Park is specially equipped for equestrian camping. There are a total of 15 basic campsites available, which do not have access to electricity, water, or sewer hookups.
It is mandatory to make a reservation before setting up on a campsite at Malabar Farm State Park. You can reserve your spot online or by phone, and the reservation can be made up to six months in advance. If you prefer, you can also self-register for an empty site when you arrive. The camping fee at Malabar Farm State Park is $18 per night during winter and $22 per night during spring, summer, and fall.
Pets are welcome in the campground and other outdoor areas of Malabar Farm State Park, but they are not allowed inside any of the buildings.