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Shawnee State Park Campground accommodates horses with specific facilities that appeal to equestrian campers. The campground features a mix of tent, RV, cabin, and glamping options across its 319 sites, though many visitors note the persistent smell of horse manure throughout the grounds. Trails around the lake provide riding opportunities, with the campground positioned near several bridle paths. The campground maintains clean bathrooms and showers, with some loops allowing pets while others restrict them. Horse owners should be prepared for the campground's varying terrain, as many sites sit on hills that can be challenging for setting up equipment.
Located approximately 2.5 hours east of Pittsburgh, Shawnee connects riders to multiple trail systems both within and outside park boundaries. The campground offers electric hookups at select sites, with 30-amp and 50-amp service available for those traveling with horse trailers. Water access points are distributed throughout the camping areas, though RV users sometimes monopolize these connections. The nearby Mid-State Trail provides excellent riding opportunities for more adventurous equestrians. Weekday visits offer significantly more privacy and quiet for horses and riders compared to busy weekends. The park's location near the PA Turnpike makes it easily accessible for horse owners traveling with trailers, though some highway noise can be heard from certain campsites.
"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 $24 - $122 / night
Check Availability"Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes."
"The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work."
from $100 - $150 / night
Check Availability"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
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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
TravelerPros: Very friendly and accommodating staff. We camped in October and we had pretty much the entire place to ourselves. Beautiful lake and overall picturesque setting. Free range, friendly goats wander around, which is kinda fun. Cons: WiFi signal weak and intermittent, even close to router. We camped in sites with hookups near office and entrance and the toilets are really far. The showers are even farther-like a 15-20 minute walk with bad signage directing to. The view from the showers were breathtaking, but the showers themselves left much to be desired. We had told they had just been cleaned, but they were so old and rust stained that it still felt kinda gross. Cobwebs along ceiling, dim lighting and worn paint added to the overall dinginess. There are no hooks to hang a towel and no shower curtain, wall or door so the bench with my clothes and towel got wet as did the floor, so you step out of shower into a puddle.
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.
ScoutSpent a weekend here in mid May. Bugs weren't a problem at all. Several rustic campsites with a large lake for the kids, and miles of off road trails for atvs, jeeps, and dirtbikes.
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.
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.
ScoutWe Camped here over Memorial Day weekend with our pop-up camper. We stayed in camp one which offered electrical hook ups. There are 4 water spigots in camp 1. However all the travel trailers hooked up, which means you either had to make friends or disconnect their water in order to have access. The beach is large and clean. The staff was very friendly. Camp one had flush toilets on one end, a pit toilet on the other. Campsites were spacious and mostly level. The road is gravel and could use some work, I’d recommend 4x4 drive. We really enjoyed it and will go back. The reason for 4 stars instead of 5, water situation and the roads could use some work.
Shawnee State Park offers equestrian camping facilities near Little Orleans, Maryland. Located on terrain with varying elevation, the park connects to multiple trail systems used by horse riders. During summer months, temperatures average 75-85°F while spring and fall drop to 45-65°F with occasional frost.
Trail riding around the lake: Multiple trails connect directly from the Big Run State Park Campground camping areas. "Beautiful campsite and loved the sound of the river as white noise!" according to camper Zoe H. Sites positioned near water access points provide excellent starting locations for day rides.
Fishing opportunities: The nearby reservoir at Big Run supports diverse fish populations. As Katie H. notes, "The camp sites next to the reservoir have no privacy but offer extremely easy access for canoes/kayaks." Anglers can access multiple shore fishing spots within 0.5 miles of most campsites.
Beach swimming: The Cove Campground provides water recreation during summer months. "The beach is large and clean. The staff was very friendly," reports Christopher K. Beach areas include designated swimming zones with gradual entry points suitable for horses needing cooling after trail rides.
Spacious sites: The camping areas provide ample room between sites. According to Nathan S. at Big Run, "Tons of space between sites. Water and dump station is 10 minutes up the road at New Germany State Park." This spacing allows equestrian campers to maintain distance between horses.
Water access: Streams and lakes enhance the camping experience. "The stream was incredible and lively with trout and crayfish. So quiet and very little traffic," notes Nathan S. Water access points around camping areas allow horses to drink and cool off after trail rides.
Varied terrain for riding: Trails offer diverse riding experiences across the region. Karl S. describes Vagabond Isle as having "that true, off-the-grid campground feel" where "you drive deep into the woods to get here." The terrain changes significantly across the region, providing different riding challenges.
Campsite selection matters: Many sites have uneven terrain that affects setup. As Andy C. notes about Big Run: "Used lot 73 for a 26ft hybrid camper. Fit perfectly! It was flat, large, clean and right by the creek." Horse trailers require careful site selection due to varying terrain.
Limited hookups: Basic facilities dominate the camping options. "This is one of my favorite Western Maryland hideaways. The best spots are in the woods adjacent to the stream," explains Katie H. about primitive camping at Big Run State Park. Most equestrian sites lack full hookups.
Seasonal considerations: Spring brings muddy conditions while summer increases insect activity. Aakansha J. warns, "There was a lot of space between each site and it was very peaceful, but the mosquitos sucked." Fall offers the best combination of dry trails and minimal insects for horse riding.
Water activities: Families appreciate the recreation options. "The lake and the trails around it are beautiful. Great swimming and kayaking/small boating," says Casey S. about Shawnee State Park Campground. Children can participate in supervised water activities while adults prepare horses.
Wildlife viewing: Children enjoy animal encounters at several campgrounds. Shanna B. mentions at The Cove Campground: "On top of them having an outdoor gun range... they have a small beach, picnic tabels everywhere, a volleyball ball sand court, a dock, you can fish in the lake." These amenities provide non-equestrian activities.
Plan for weather changes: Mountain weather shifts quickly in this region. According to Mark K., Big Run offers "bare campsites [that] are nicer - they are more spread out, wooded, and some of them are located right along the stream." Always pack rain gear and extra clothing for temperature fluctuations.
Site leveling challenges: Many horse campgrounds near Little Orleans feature uneven sites. Lee D. observed at Shawnee: "I heeded the advice of other reviewers warning that many sites were not level and did not reserve ahead of time. A Monday in mid-October had many open sites." Bring leveling blocks for RVs and horse trailers.
Limited full hookup availability: RV campers should confirm services before booking. "My wife and I stayed for two nights at this campground and enjoyed it greatly. We happened to be assigned what I believe was the best of the RV sites, a pull through that had full hook up," shares Gerard about Shawnee State Park. Reserve hookup sites well in advance for equestrian camping trips.
Road conditions: Access roads vary significantly in quality. Christopher K. warns about The Cove: "The road is gravel and could use some work, I'd recommend 4x4 drive." Heavy rain can deteriorate unpaved roads, creating challenges for horse trailers and larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Little Orleans, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Little Orleans, MD is Shawnee State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 27 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Little Orleans, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 4 equestrian camping locations near Little Orleans, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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