2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Cedarville State Forest campground offers no dedicated horse corrals according to campground data, though the park maintains equestrian trails that connect to a broader trail system. Sites are spaced with moderate privacy in a wooded setting, providing electric hookups for RV campers bringing horses. Campers report occasional equine activities nearby, with some noting they "could hear and smell horses" upon arrival at their campsite. The forest's trail system accommodates both hikers and horseback riders, with clearly marked paths suitable for equestrian use.
The trail network provides moderate terrain appropriate for most riding levels, with multiple color-coded routes offering different experiences for horse and rider. Located within reasonable distance of Simpsonville, the state forest serves as one of the few public lands in the area where horseback riding is permitted. Trailer parking accommodates standard horse trailers, though specific equestrian-designated camping areas are limited. Water access points throughout the campground allow for watering horses, and the spacious sites can potentially accommodate portable corrals or highlines for overnight stays. Seasonal considerations affect trail conditions, with spring and fall offering optimal riding weather. The combination of camping facilities and trail access makes Cedarville suitable for day rides rather than extended horse camping trips.
"We have been camping here for nearly 20 years. Each military tour brought us back to this area so Pohick became our second home. Our kids kayak now older but used to walk the trails as little kids."
"We enjoyed sitting around the campfire at night and walking the dogs down to the water. We were right next to a hiking trail that went down to the water and a beach area."
Available this weekend
from $150 / night
"There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation."
"History buffs will like to explore the park surrounding the campground. Fun little water park within walking distance of all campsites that was great for kids."
Available this weekend
from $34 - $90 / night
"We picked up the camping registration outside the office at the entrance, no need to speak with anyone. Then we just drove down to our campsite in the family camping loop."
"There are some abandon camp loops around the open campground which makes for some cool walks with your dog. Very pretty area with lots of trails and overgrown roads to walk."
from $30 / night
"This park is a perfect location if you want to explore Gettysburg National Historical Site as you can literally walk across the street and be in the park or venture½ mile up the road and you come to the"
"Behind the campsite we stayed at, we learned connected to Stangler Farm, which served as a hospital for the wounded."
"I always appreciate the near solitude experience of this campground as 90% of the sites are RV sites, that are kept away from the tenting area."
"If you’re looking for a backwoods, off-the-beaten-path type of campground, this isn’t it."
from $22 - $100 / night
GuideGreat campsite. Fire pit, picnic table, swimming pool ( not open), miniature golf course, laundromat, bathrooms, showers, dump station, gathering areas for groups, playground, and even a horse area and stalls for horses. Dog friendly. Staff was very helpful and curious.
GuideWhere we were camping had blown up their dump station. Artillery Ridge helped us out. $10. to dump. If we come to camp in Gettysburg, it will be hear.
ScoutWe stayed in site #133 with our 34'10" travel trailer/toy hauler. Overall, we really like the site. It's spacious, fairly level, heavily wooded, and feels surprisingly private. There's plenty of room around the camper, and although there are other campsites and cabins nearby, the trees provide a lot of separation. We had a nice large area for our chairs, fire pit, picnic table, and dogs. The biggest thing to know about #133 is the approach. We were instructed to pass the site, go around the loop, and then make a left turn into it. With our nearly 35' trailer, that would have required an extremely tight, almost 90-degree turn between the trees, and we did not feel we could safely make it. There is actually visible damage on one of the trees at the entrance, so it appears others may have had difficulty with the turn as well. Instead, we approached from the opposite direction and positioned the camper with our doors facing the main campsite area. That put the water and electric hookups on the opposite side, but our hoses and cord were long enough to run underneath the camper and reach without a problem. Once we figured that out, the site worked very well for us. I initially thought we probably wouldn't choose #133 again because of the awkward setup, but after spending the weekend here, I would. Now that we know how to approach and position our trailer, it really is a nice site. If you're bringing a longer travel trailer, just be prepared to do a little maneuvering and make sure your water hose and electrical cord have enough length if you decide to orient your camper the way we did.
ScoutSimple and friendly check in process. Clean and well-maintained site.
ScoutStaff is friendly and everything is kept up well, newly renovated pool and pavilion area.
LegendWe spent 4 nights at Gettysburg Campground to attend the AIM Club Rally(Lincoln’s Legacy- Gettysburg 250), and it served as base camp for the event.
WHAT I LIKED:
Location, Location, Location: This park is an absolute winner for convenience—just 5 minutes from the Gettysburg battlefields, museums, and the heart of town.
The Atmosphere: The staff gave us a warm reception at check-in, and the site itself was clean, well-maintained, and spacious enough to back up to a running creek. Lots of mature trees offer lots of shade and character.
Big-Rig Friendly: Navigating a 45-foot motorhome with a toad can sometimes be stressful, but this park was easy to maneuver.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE SO MUCH:
Late-Night Power Struggles: On our final night, the campground experienced grid strain. Our Hughes Watchdog Power Center saved the day—but it had to shut off our power 7 different times due to low voltage. Aside from losing a few hours of sleep to the chorus of appliances cycling off and on, no harm was done. I recommend using a surge protector/voltage regulator if you stay here.
WOULD WE COME BACK?
ScoutFlat grounds, level campsites, nice pool, kids have tons of fun!
ScoutI am writing this review because what happened to me at Bull Run Regional Park Campground was not just inconvenient—it was humiliating, unprofessional, and completely avoidable.
I camp in my Tesla. I have already stayed at this exact campground before with no issue. Their online reservation system allowed me to book again—no warnings, no restrictions, nothing to indicate a problem. So I drove all the way from North Carolina to Virginia trusting that everything was fine.
When I arrived to check in, the office staff was literally handing me the paperwork. Out of nowhere, a ranger barged in and bluntly told me: “You cannot camp in a Tesla. You need a separate rig.”
His tone was rude, dismissive, and made me feel like I was doing something dirty or cheap. There was zero respect, zero empathy—just instant judgment. I felt like I was being treated as if I was trying to sneak in or break rules, even though they allowed the booking and accepted my reservation.
If they have such a rule, why wasn’t I notified during booking? Why was I allowed to stay the first time? Why let me drive for hours only to embarrass me at the check-in counter?
The office employee even tried to defend me, but he couldn’t convince the ranger. Instead, they told me I could not stay and promised an immediate refund.
After a long drive, being spoken to like that was extremely disappointing. I’ve camped all over North Carolina and never been treated with such disrespect. Camping in a Tesla is clean, quiet, zero-emission, and safe, yet I was made to feel like I didn’t belong.
To make matters worse, it has now been seven days and not a single dollar of the refund has appeared. When I called, the office representative didn’t even ask for my reservation details and seemed completely clueless. She first said she couldn’t do anything, then suddenly changed her story and said she would “leave a note.” When I asked to speak with someone who could actually help, she put me on hold and suddenly claimed the manager had “just refunded” me and that I would see the money in two business days.
After everything that happened, it felt like another layer of indifference and incompetence.
This entire experience—from the rude ranger to the unprofessional refund handling—left me feeling disrespected and upset. For a campground that charges over $75 a night after fees and taxes, the treatment I received was unacceptable.
Guests deserve honesty, clear communication, and basic respect.
TravelerNice clean and open sites but we stayed in the 400 section which was separate from the main campground. Very easy check in. Did it online and just pulled up to the little shack they have and grabbed our packet. We didn’t use the bathhouse but it was very clean. A little older and could probably use a little updating. The campground is only a mile and a half from town which was awesome and direct access to battlefield trails right there. The only complaint we had was the WiFi was awful. Maybe it was because of the section we were in but once the campground filled up it was useless.
Cedarville State Forest campground offers mixed terrain horseback riding opportunities with multiple trail options suitable for most experience levels. Located 8 miles south of Simpsonville, Maryland, this public land features approximately 19 miles of equestrian trails through mixed hardwood forest. The region maintains a temperate climate with seasonal trail conditions that vary based on rainfall amounts, particularly after summer thunderstorms.
Trail riding with varied terrain: Cedarville State Forest provides color-coded equestrian routes with moderate difficulty ratings. Visitors appreciate the well-maintained pathways: "very well maintained, nice sites that aren't right on top of one another. multiple loops for groups or individuals," notes Donald G. about the surrounding forest areas.
Wildlife observation: Bull Run Regional Park offers nature trails with bird and wildlife viewing opportunities. "We saw a snake, alligator snapping turtle, and rabbits, before we even reached the gates," reports Ben J. when visiting a nearby campground, highlighting the region's biodiversity.
Historic site exploration: Located near civil war battlefields, Gettysburg Campground provides access to historical landmarks. "Great spot. Nice creek with ducks. Close to battlefield," says Jenny P., making it suitable for riders interested in combining horseback trips with historical touring.
Seasonal riding conditions: Fall and spring offer optimal trail conditions with moderate temperatures. One camper noted, "We stayed at this campground in late April. The staff was great. We had a site right on next to the trail going to Stangler Farm" at Artillery Ridge Campground, demonstrating the prime seasonal advantages.
Proximity to metropolitan areas: Campgrounds near Simpsonville provide equestrian access without long travel times from urban centers. "Nice campground hidden away in the city," reports Nurse N., highlighting this convenience for riders seeking weekend trips.
Water features alongside trails: Several campgrounds offer creek access for horses and scenic riding along waterways. Martin E. describes one location as a "Nice quiet place to camp," while another camper mentions "a nice creek with ducks," providing natural watering options during trail rides.
Tick prevention essential: Multiple reviewers stress tick concerns in the area, with one stating: "Bring bug and tick spray - definitely need it! We hiked the brown trail and it was a nice walk." Pack appropriate repellents and check horses thoroughly after rides.
Limited dedicated equestrian camping: Most campgrounds offer general camping with trail access rather than dedicated horse facilities. "The trails are maintained well. I've never left this park without at least one tick," cautions Bill G. about local conditions.
Trail closures during hunting season: Certain trails may close seasonally for hunting. "Trails seem open but are across and through hunting areas. They are also muddy from the rain," notes Kasey M. at Pohick Bay Campground, which features similar seasonal management to other regional parks.
Horse-friendly educational programs: Some campgrounds offer equestrian demonstrations suitable for children. A visitor to Artillery Ridge Campground mentioned: "Nice horse rescue on the campground. You can take guided tours of the battlefield on horseback," making it educational for young riders.
Playground access near campsites: Families appreciate recreational facilities adjacent to camping areas. "Only draw back is that there's only one playground that's awkwardly located," notes Yvonne B., suggesting families select sites strategically when bringing both horses and children.
Fishing opportunities between rides: Camp Winery and surrounding areas provide fishing opportunities that complement equestrian activities. "My husband caught a fish first day in the pond behind our site," shares one visitor, highlighting multi-activity options for family members.
Electric hookup access: RVers with horse trailers should note electric capabilities vary by campground. "Sites are nicely spread out. My site had a slight slope, but was easily overcome using additional blocks on the low side to get the trailer level," advises Drew M., relevant for those with living-quarter trailers.
Trailer parking considerations: Many campgrounds have size restrictions for combination vehicles. One camper at Cedarville mentioned: "Site 6 was good but not for larger rigs. We have a pop up and had to navigate around a tree that would have been very difficult for larger rigs," suggesting careful site selection for horse trailer combinations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Simpsonville, MD?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Simpsonville, MD is Camp Meade RV Park with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Simpsonville, MD?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Simpsonville, MD, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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