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Big Run State Park Campground features primitive camping with spacious sites suitable for tent camping with horses. Located in Swanton, Maryland, the campground's sites provide ample space for horse trailers, particularly along the stream areas. Sites next to the reservoir offer easy water access for horses. No horse corrals are available on-site, so owners must bring portable containment systems. The campground is open year-round and maintains clean pit toilets, but riders should note there are no electric hookups, water hookups, or showers directly at the sites. The wide spacing between campsites provides privacy for campers with horses. Water and dump stations are available at nearby New Germany State Park, approximately 10 minutes away.
Extensive trail riding opportunities connect to the campground area, with access to streams where horses can drink and cool off. The area around Big Run State Park offers connections to Savage River State Forest trails, providing diverse terrain for riders of various skill levels. Trailer parking is available at most sites, though some may require backing skills for larger rigs. Site 73 can accommodate a 26-foot trailer, making it suitable for modest horse trailers. The campground's proximity to the Savage River reservoir provides additional riding opportunities with scenic views. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak seasons, as the campground's reputation for peace and quiet makes it popular among horse owners seeking a natural camping experience. The streams are lively with trout and crayfish, providing natural interest for both riders and horses during rest stops.
"This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds."
"You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. "
from $10 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Campground reeks of horse manure 24/7. Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private."
"It's close to some really great hiking--just outside the park--and that's how I ended up there."
from $20 - $110 / night
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TravelerCampground reeks of horse manure 24/7. Was pleased by the quiet despite size of campground and proximity to highway. Sites not overly large or private. Has wood vending machine at entrance for firewood. Hiking loop around lake is beautiful. Jean bonnet tavern nearby recommended for a great meal in a historic setting.
ScoutThis is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream. You can set up your camp chair and enjoy the creek sounds. The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks. Clean and well maintained. The camp store nearby offers a good selection of basics along with boat rentals
GuideShawnee State Park is about 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, and it has pretty much everything: swimming, fishing, boating, camping, and fairly decent hiking. It's close to some really great hiking--just outside the park--and that's how I ended up there. I was trekking on the very wild Mid-State Trail, nearby, when I opted for a night at the conventional campground in Shawnee. No regrets. I usually avoid car-camping because I don't want to listen to other people's classic rock in the woods. But this place was great. I came midweek, so I had the campground mostly to myself. The showers are hot and clean. The lake is beautiful with a nice swimming beach. The area around the park has all the scenic and historic attractions of central PA: covered bridges, big stone farmhouses, quaint towns. My only complaint is that the PA Turnpike screams a little too close by. Also, the sites are pretty close together, so be sure to look at a campground map beforehand to reserve one of the more isolated ones.
RangerWe stayed at Shawnee for 2 nights Memorial Day weekend just after Covid19 restrictions had been partially lifted. Site 258 on loop D is quiet, but may have been noisy if the yurt and 2 cabins had been rented out. There is a 20 amp plug and 30 amp service at this site. The fire ring is at an angle so cooking on it proved to be a challenge (we bring a grill grate with us just in case, and had to use it). Bathroom and showers were clean, bright, and there is a dish washing sink outside. Showers were push button but pressure was great and the water was hot (make sure you push the button once before you get in so its warm if no one else is showering at that time). Bring shower shoes. We were able to hear a small bit of traffic from the highway, but nothing that disturbed us. There are several stores within a 20 minute drive (Walmart, etc) and a mall an hour away. Camp wood at the entrance is $5 and is tiny; our biggest piece was a foot long, 4 inches wide and 2 inches thick! It was okay to start a fire, but we went into the woods and picked up dead wood that we cut into manageable logs. There weren't any roadside stacks of seasoned wood, so be prepared if it rains. The picnic table was saturated and too heavy to move, so we ate sitting in camp chairs. We would stay again.
LegendWe absolutely loved our stay at this park once we changed sites. We have a 35’ TT and there was no way it was going to fit in the site we originally booked. Luckily it was opening weekend and the rangers and super accommodating! We moved over one site and it made all the difference. The sites are spacious with a ton of tree coverage. Easy access to the dump station as you exit. It’s not directly on the lake but there is a ton of parking and easy access points.
TravelerYou have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities. Frankly, the bare campsites are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream. Mosquitos are something of an issue, but by no means awful; and it is a pleasure to sleep in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek. It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking.
ScoutThis is a nice park, close to home with a lake. We like to picnic and go fishing. There are nice trails, volleyball areas, and playgrounds.
GuideLanded here after a road trip and it was great after sleeping in the car for a few nights. There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful, but the mosquitos sucked. The pit toilets were a nice long walk or a short drive away and not the worst I’ve seen. Definitely Would come back for a short stay - probably not for a whole camping trip.
GuideShawnee State Park is a very large campground (319 campsites with mixed electric and non-electric, some pet friendly, some not) about 10 minutes off highway 76 and 20 minutes from the Flight 93 National Memorial.
My fiancé and I visited on August 21, 2022- a Sunday. We did not have a reservation and utilized the campground’s honor system envelopes to reserve our site. We drove all over the entire campground (which is, again, quite large) and decided that sites 22 and 34 were both well suited for our Sprinter van 144 and not too crowded for our reactive dog.
The park employees were very helpful and accommodating, though we only needed limited assistance with our arrival since we didn’t have a reservation. A campsite list is posted at the entrance that displays the list of available sites for that night.
There is a loop that can accommodate larger RVs but most of those were full- the remaining sites are not necessarily level, and only about 1/4 of them appear to have electricity. Our site, 34, is not an electric site.
The campground appears well maintained, though the $33.50 fee is a little more expensive than we are used to paying. But the price of the site was worth it for us for a safe and quiet place to stop for the night on our way to the Flight 93 Memorial and Pittsburgh.
A note that traffic and highway noise can be heard from the campground but it isn’t incredibly loud- you do get nature sounds that drown out the highway noise at times, as the bugs here are very loud, but if the sound of the highway in the background will bother you, this might not be your ideal campground.
This campground clearly gets very busy during some weekends, so definitely plan a visit during the week if you’re like us and prefer a more private camping experience.
Big Run State Park Campground offers primitive camping with diverse terrain for equestrians in western Maryland. Located near Friendsville at around 2,300 feet elevation, the area experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping into the 50s even during July and August. The region contains extensive watershed areas feeding into the Savage River watershed, creating abundant water access for riders and horses.
Stream exploration: The creek systems throughout Big Run State Park Campground provide natural entertainment for visitors. "The stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish," notes Nathan S., adding that the area remains "so quiet and very little traffic."
Lake activities: The nearby reservoir supports multiple water activities when not riding. "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks," explains Katie H., who considers Big Run "one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways."
Trail riding: Riders can access miles of connected trails from the camping areas. "It is close to the Savage River reservoir, which is great for kayaking," notes Mark K., who appreciated "sleeping in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek."
Streamside camping: The creek-adjacent sites rank among the most popular horse campgrounds near Friendsville, Maryland. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise," reports Zoe H. after staying at a riverside site.
Site spacing: Campers consistently mention the generous site sizing. "Nice wide open site," writes Nathan S., highlighting that there are "tons of space between sites," which suits riders needing extra room for horses and equipment.
Natural sounds: The peaceful setting creates a relaxing experience for horses and riders alike. Mark K. enjoyed the pleasure of "sleeping in nature with nothing but birdsong and the sound of the rushing creek," noting that mosquitos were "something of an issue, but by no means awful."
Primitive facilities: The campground maintains basic amenities only. "Pit toilets were pretty clean," reports Nathan S., also noting that "water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park."
Site variability: Locations differ significantly in terrain and features. "The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream," advises Katie H., who found the campground "clean and well maintained."
Amenities distribution: Not all amenities are available at every site location. "You have to know what you're getting here - there ARE campsites with amenities, near water and bathrooms, but not all of them have the amenities," cautions Mark K., who actually preferred the more bare sites for their spacing and natural setting.
Stream play: The creek provides natural entertainment for children. "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek. The kids loved playing in the water," shares Andy C., who plans on "returning many times!"
Mosquito preparation: Pack appropriate repellent for comfort during summer months. "There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful, but the mosquitos sucked," warns Aakansha J. after staying at Shawnee State Park Campground.
Bathroom planning: Consider the distance to facilities when selecting sites. "The pit toilets were a nice long walk or a short drive away and not the worst I've seen," notes Aakansha J., suggesting families should factor this into their site selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Friendsville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Friendsville, MD is Big Run State Park Campground with a 4.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
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